New to electric bikes

[Pedler]

Hi!

I have been thinking of getting an electric bike for my commute for a while now. I have been looking at this bike..

Wisper Works 905SE Sport - Wisper Works 905SE Sport - eBikes Direct

and was wondering if anyone had one, and what they thought of it.

Also if anyone has used e-bikes direct and what their service is like.

 

[Rad]

Hi Pedler, welcome to the forum.
There are plenty of Wisper owners on here and the majority seem very happy with their purchase. You may well get a better deal buying from Wisper direct rather than a reseller. Wisper have a link on the right hand side of the forum. Check em out.

 

[musicbooks]

Hi!

I have been thinking of getting an electric bike for my commute for a while now. I have been looking at this bike..

Wisper Works 905SE Sport - Wisper Works 905SE Sport - eBikes Direct

and was wondering if anyone had one, and what they thought of it.

Also if anyone has used e-bikes direct and what their service is like.

Hi,
I own a Kalkhoff Agattu and it is essentially faultless. If you need to do any kind of serious hill climbing, this is the bike ( or the Pro-connect) for you. Check out my posts and related threads, and in particular Flecc's comprehensive review. After a bit of a ropey period, 50cycles have been nothing but brilliant and very supprtive with after sales care.

BW
musicbooks

 

[Pedler]

Thanks for the warm welcome and rapid responses!

I rang ebikes and the guy on the phone was most helpful. They are quite close to me so thats why im leaning towards them incase anything goes wrong with the bike itself. Extremely polite on the phone and didnt seem in a hurry to get away from my bombarding questions!

They also said they would match any price online/on the highstreet as long as it was in stock and they could confirm it was legitimate.

What in your opinions is the most reliable brand?

These seem popular as well..

Trekking LI - Gents - eBikes Direct

though aestheticly not that appealing to me personally.

Im going to read every review i can find and do my homework now!

 

[Rad]

Yuck! The bottom bar ruins that bike. I didn't realise e-bikes direct were a bricks and mortar place so yeah, probably would be an idea to use them as a dealer.

Definitely do your homework though. There's plenty of bikes that have been reviewed here and plenty of owners of those bikes that'd probably be happy to answer your questions.

 

[Mussels]

They are quite close to me so thats why im leaning towards them incase anything goes wrong with the bike itself. Extremely polite on the phone and didnt seem in a hurry to get away from my bombarding questions!

That's very important and certainly more important than a few quid in the price.
I've got a Wisper and I'm very happy with it. I've had a few teething problems like several ebikers have but I don't regret it for a minute, if you don't know much about bikes now you soon will do.

 

[seeker]

Purpose

Hi Pedler,

I think if, you haven't already, you should form a clear idea of What you are getting the bike for, over what terrain and distance, then look at the bike that best suits that purpose for you.

The guys here will be a great help especially if you can fill them in on the above details.

Oh! and make sure you get a proper (not just once round the car park) test ride before you part with your cash.

 

[Phil the drill]

Hi!

I have been thinking of getting an electric bike for my commute for a while now. I have been looking at this bike..

Wisper Works 905SE Sport - Wisper Works 905SE Sport - eBikes Direct

and was wondering if anyone had one, and what they thought of it.

Also if anyone has used e-bikes direct and what their service is like.

Hi Pedlar

I also have a Wisper 905se and I'm basically very happy with it. Like many others I have customised it fairly extensively to suit my own needs, but to be fair I would probably have done that even if I'd bought a Flyer!!! (just can't resist tinkering ). It really doesn't actually NEED any significant alteration for most people. Like everyone else says, try 'em all first if you can. That is getting easier to do than it was. I found that very difficult to do and thus took a risk on my Wisper (but gained as much info on them as possible from this forum before committing myself). Fortunately it worked out for me.
Some folks on this forum seem to have owned nearly every ebike ever made, so some good advice can be had on other's bank accounts!
Incidentally I'd also echo the advice above, good customer after sales service is definitely worth paying a little extra for, over and above a cut price job. Wisper seem to be very good at this.

Cheers and good luck, Phil

 

[Pedler]

I gave ebikes another call and they said they operate from a very busy warehouse. They dont have a store front as such, but I can go down and try out all of their models, I just have to make an appointment.

Ill be using the bike for my commute to work. There arent really any major hills for me to cope with thankfully as the roads are relatively flat and its a couple of miles each way.

 

[Hooligooner]

I gave ebikes another call and they said they operate from a very busy warehouse. They dont have a store front as such, but I can go down and try out all of their models, I just have to make an appointment.

Ill be using the bike for my commute to work. There arent really any major hills for me to cope with thankfully as the roads are relatively flat and its a couple of miles each way.

For that range are you sure you need to spend that kind of money?

I have, what they call, the Trailz ST in their 'under £500' section. I commute over 5 miles a day easily with a pretty meaty hill to get up in the morning. I have ridden it near treble that distance. The Salisbury LPX from Powacycle has a few fans on here too, at only a couple of hundred more.

 

[Mussels]

I gave ebikes another call and they said they operate from a very busy warehouse. They dont have a store front as such, but I can go down and try out all of their models, I just have to make an appointment.

Ill be using the bike for my commute to work. There arent really any major hills for me to cope with thankfully as the roads are relatively flat and its a couple of miles each way.

If you get a fault will they be able to fix it if all they are doing is shifting boxes?
As already said this seems a bit of overkill, if you need elecric to do 2 miles then maybe consider a second hand one. They can sell pretty cheap because of the replacement battery costs but at that low distance you don't care if the battery doesn't hold a lot of charge.

 

[fishingpaul]

The main difference between the more expensive bikes and cheaper ones, is hillclimbing ability and range,also check the cost of replacement batteries these can be between approx: £120 and £320,other bikes i would suggest are worth looking at are,powacycle salisbury,cytronex (no hills.com),synergy mistral,the new powabyke x bike,and ezee(cyclepoint)

 

[seeker]

I gave ebikes another call and they said they operate from a very busy warehouse. They dont have a store front as such, but I can go down and try out all of their models, I just have to make an appointment.

Ill be using the bike for my commute to work. There arent really any major hills for me to cope with thankfully as the roads are relatively flat and its a couple of miles each way.

So you want an electric bike to travel over a couple of miles of flat ground?

 

[flecc]

So you want an electric bike to travel over a couple of miles of flat ground?

Why not, there will always be a low effort comfort market?

I'd suggest having the automatic change Nexus bub gear system too, cutting out most of the work.

Of course the wealthy could just use a tandem with the chauffeur on the front saddle and a drinks cabinet on the rear rack.

Reminds me of a semi retired company owner I once knew who, bored with little to do, decided on a little sailing on the Thames. Having to have the best, he bought an International class dinghy and on the appointed day to try it out, put his chauffeur in the boat on the tiller, sat himself on one side and snapped at the chauffeur, "well come on then, we haven't got all day".

The poor chauffeur had never been in any boat in his life, and the inevitable result was that they had to be rescued downstream and the boat was laid up for some years until I persuaded the wealthy one to donate it to the Sea Scouts Association.
.

 

[eddieo]

So you want an electric bike to travel over a couple of miles of flat ground?

Have you even tried cycling the journey on a normal bike? I am pretty far gone! lol overweight with a bad hip and knee and my wisper really makes getting around enjoyable. But if in any way reasonably fit an electric bike is an extravagance...and boy they are heavy and security a concern

 

[seeker]

I'm just teasing Pedler, but eddieo is right. They are heavy. I have to carry mine over a footbridge across a railway line every morning (not fun ) and then you have to add to that the weight of the lock(s) need to carry around.

Are you also aware that in a lot of cases, normal home contents insurance polices will not cover an electric bike, without clauses?

I'm not trying to put you off.

 

[Pedler]

Hi all!

Well has been a hectic few weeks for me. Moving house sucks.

Finally got the chance to go down to to ebikes direct and I was pleasently surprised!

They have an office and 2 large warehouses on an industrial estate. A show area where you can see all of their available models and an on site workshop where they build up/repair the bikes. As it's on a big industrial estate there is plenty of space to ride about and get a good feel for the different models.

Sooooooo after annoying the hell out of them, trying nearly every model they have and taking onboard the advice given here. I have come to the conclusion I dont actually need to spend as much as I initially intended to.

I am nearly set on this bike..

Salisbury LPX - Salisbury LPX - eBikes Direct

but i thought i'd ask opinions on here as you guys have all been in my position before.

Anyone have this model and care to share your experience?

 

[Rad]

Salisbury review here

 

[Danny-K]

I would advise test-riding the Salisbury LPX first though, (which you appear to have done), - as its 'genteel' speed may disappoint; although it meets my needs for the moment.

Here's a bit where I've rattled on about it:
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/2894-got-myself-powacycle-salisbury-lpx.html

An external review:
Bike Test: Powacycle Salisbury

Another out of date review with the older 'inferior' NiMh battery making the bike heavier for one, (but I enjoy reading it):
http://www.powacycle.co.uk/PDF/Our Friend Electric - Salisbury Electric Bike Test.pdf

It's a bike that should be viewed as inexpensive enough to allow upgrades, the gear sprocket range, longer seat-post if you're tall, (then no need for the quick release on the seat-post to gain speedy access to the battery; I've fitted a seat-bolt instead, for peace of mind when parked up and out of sight).

However - it IS reliable, and no matter what your weight it delivers a very good range per battery charge - top notch mileage and no mistake. Contrary to what I've posted elsewhere, unless you force it into mountaineering duties, it will handle most civilised hills - but not those cliff-faces I've been subjecting mine to. (I'm training it in readiness for it's new Megarange sprocket; it's already migrating in looks away from its original looks what with bar-ends and foam grips, and giant-size seat-post).

I guess what you're asking: which is the best bike per price range? When really it should be which is the best bike for my physical condition and needs. When you read enthusiastic reports by those who've found an e-bike that suits them like a fitted-glove you might think: that's the one - but read later posts and you'll find posters who have sold said same bike for another type entirely. It's a quest, and the best advice appears to be: seek out test ride after test ride - if travel distance allows. My bike doesn't fit me as it comes from the manufacturer; for the moment I'm adapting it to suit as best I can; the quest continues...

 

[Neil]

Too slow

I swapped my Pro Connect for the Salisbury on a 6 mile trip back from work.
Nice enough to ride and living in Norfolk never needed to change gear once going as top gear is far to low (even going up hills). Pleased with my 14+ cursing seed until I noticed that I was doing all the work. Switching off the Power made no difference at 14 MPH, I was above the assistance speed. The same amount of effort with my pro connect (16 tooth cog) would see me going at 20+ MPH. What is the point of having a electric bike if you do all the work. My daily 20 mile commute would take 24 min a day longer for the same effort swapping to the salisbury. How much is time worth?