New to electric bikes

Blew it

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2008
1,472
97
Swindon, Wiltshire
Go for it!!

Pedler, Hello!

After a recap of your needs, I think you have made an excellent choice in the Salisbury LPX. This machine would easily meet your needs of a two mile commute involving no hills.

The Wisper 905, and likewise the Kalkhoff, would be an expensive overkill on such a short ride, you would never get the full value of those long range machines.

The Salisbury's been around for quite a while now, and apart from the odd exception where far too much has been expected from them, have given excellent and reliable service to many owners.

If servicing and repairs are a worry, then take heart in the fact that almost every Town in Britain has a Powabyke dealer. Yes, I know it's a different make, but those bike shops have learned, that apart from the electrics, everything else is the same as an ordinary bike, and will therefore be happy to work on them.

All the best

Bob
 

iaing

Pedelecer
May 27, 2008
129
0
L31
Pedler, Hello!

After a recap of your needs, I think you have made an excellent choice in the Salisbury LPX. This machine would easily meet your needs of a two mile commute involving no hills.

The Wisper 905, and likewise the Kalkhoff, would be an expensive overkill on such a short ride, you would never get the full value of those long range machines.

The Salisbury's been around for quite a while now, and apart from the odd exception where far too much has been expected from them, have given excellent and reliable service to many owners.

If servicing and repairs are a worry, then take heart in the fact that almost every Town in Britain has a Powabyke dealer. Yes, I know it's a different make, but those bike shops have learned, that apart from the electrics, everything else is the same as an ordinary bike, and will therefore be happy to work on them.

All the best

Bob
Trouble is you might find you enjoy pedelec cycling and then wish you had gone wild and bought a more expensive, and better, bike.

Iain
 

Neil

Pedelecer
Mar 28, 2008
63
0
Why

Two miles only and no hills why do you need a e-bike? For the money for your Salisbury LPX you could buy a very good bike light agile and quick. Your bike will be not too much fun to ride.

Spending more money on say a Kalkoff and changing the cog will get you a bike to wizz past all but the most dedicated cyclists, Great Fun. The cheaper Salisbury you of chug along at a 12mph on the throttle and watch all the others pass you.
 

Danny-K

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 25, 2008
281
0
South West
Two miles only and no hills why do you need a e-bike? For the money for your Salisbury LPX you could buy a very good bike light agile and quick. Your bike will be not too much fun to ride.

Spending more money on say a Kalkoff and changing the cog will get you a bike to wizz past all but the most dedicated cyclists, Great Fun. The cheaper Salisbury you of chug along at a 12mph on the throttle and watch all the others pass you.
I don't think you can put a minimum mileage requirement on someone's aspirations of joining the the e-bike clan. Besides e-biking is so much fun no matter what the actual mileage! And where does that train of thought you espouse lead to? For instance, I could say I don't regard YOUR e-bike as a real bike until it can do a 60/80 mile day-tour accompanying me when I'm on my Thorn Audax. If you bring a second battery, then that entitles me to let a second cyclist take over my pedalling halfway. (Errr.. not sure about the logic of that last sentence, so read it quickly and don't linger on it).

A month or so back, a forum poster revealed that without an e-bike he could never have envisaged himself ever completing a two mile each way journey by pushbike; he then went on to tell of his ailments which explained his difficulty in attempting that two mile's cycling. How could one join the, "that's cheating" brigade, and deny that rider his e-bike mobility?

Also, now you mention it - I'm not aware of other cyclists overtaking me when out on my Salisbury; I am, when out on my pushbikes though. Occasionally a serious cyclist takes me on (when e-biking), and I must admit I run myself into the ground staying ahead of them until I put on an exaggerated "Oh look at that beautiful scenery", and make a gesture of stopping to look, as if that was the sole purpose of the ride, let them catch up, and ferret about in my panniers to show I have other things on my mind, then gasp for breath once they're out of sight - and I know they've been exhausting themselves too, just to beat the 'utility/mountain-bike thing' up front.

All-in-all, apart from the occasional duel, I find riding the Salisbury LPX most relaxing.

So maybe, the low-powered Salisbury could mean that the average Salisbury owner is fitter than average e-biker on their more powerful motors, as it IS rare to be passed by other pushbike riders; at least that's my experience.

Besides you needn't worry about passing cyclists until an office-type, slip of a girl passes you. THEN, you can think about upgrading :)
 
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720 Cycles

Finding my (electric) wheels
Aug 31, 2008
19
0
Mountain bike

This is a new model and will be available next week. We have placed the bike on Ebay until our new website is up and running

Item number: 170278094935

If you require further information then give us a call on the number below :)

Simon 01777228610

Darren 01132394555
 

tenderbehind

Pedelecer
Oct 31, 2008
159
0
Trouble is you might find you enjoy pedelec cycling and then wish you had gone wild and bought a more expensive, and better, bike.

Iain
That's quite right Iian, Pedler may well decide he likes pedelec cycling and then might well regret his possible choice of the Salisbury, wishing he had bought a more powerful bike with a longer range and higher top speed.
I've got an ordinary sports bike and hadn't used it for years, (exept for a 12 miler recently), a friend let me have a go on his Powabyke City 6 speed, (He's now got 10 sports/racing bikes and three e bikes). I went round the block and up a steep hill, I was absolutely hooked, I had basically always enjoyed 'ordinary' cycling but didn't and don't enjoy the grind that goes wiith it - so, I bought my own Pbyke 24 spd, and immediaely found I wanted to cycle much greater distances than on my pedal only Viscount sports. 50 miles was the first trip, though that was too much and involved a lot of pedalling when the battery died at about 28 miles; I've learnt since not to overdo it unless a second battery is carried, which I don't yet.
Now own, as I have posted, the Wisper 905se, and so far very pleased, much faster and longer range, still a bit of pedalling of course, up gradients to save on battery power, but that's fine.
So, can I suggest Pedler, think what you may in the future want the bike for, you may not want to stop at your 4 mile per day trip, can I also suggest you look ahead and consider, perhaps, a bike with a longer range and top speed, and enjoy the experience.
 

Danny-K

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 25, 2008
281
0
South West
...than on my pedal only Viscount sports...
What?!? :eek: Not the Viscount Aero Sport from the early 1970's? ;)

Or to address it by its full title: Viscount Aerospace Gran Sport. Ahhh... memory lane :)

My Viscount Gran Sport sits retired at the back of the garage - been everywhere that bike - France etc., Land's End to John O'Groats, (went sideways a bit to make it a nice rounded 1,000 miles over a two week holiday). Apart from the frame, there's not one original part left on it including the forks - upgraded and customised the lot over many a year. My first 'proper' bike. It's coming up to being 35 years old, but it's still eager and willing to hit the road at a moment's notice, (well, maybe one or two to allow for oiling the chain, putting some air in the tyres etc.,)
 
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tenderbehind

Pedelecer
Oct 31, 2008
159
0
What?!? :eek: Not the Viscount Aero Sport from the early 1970's? ;)

Or to address it by its full title: Viscount Aerospace Gran Sport. Ahhh... memory lane :)

Not sure whether or not it's the Aero Sport, Danny-K, I should know, I know, but I don't know, until I look tomorrow and I will then let you know, so that you know, errrrrrrr no that's not right, is it????? errrr
Without looking, I'm pretty sure it has got ''Aerospace'' marked on thE crossbar, I'll check and let you kn....
 
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Conal

Pedelecer
Sep 28, 2007
228
2
Why go faster?

Hi

I have been reading the thread with interest. I have bought three batteries for my bike so that I can travel faster. A side affect is that I also put less effort in. At the moment I am waiting for a replacement battery so travel 30 miles each way to and from work on two batteries, at about 2/3 rds power assist - that's the assist setting, and about the amount of actual assist! The problem is that it takes me 1 hour 50 mins to two hours each way, and I try to conserve power as I only have one charger (until next week when I collect a second). The batteries take at least four hours to recharge so I have had to stay at work over eight hours to recharge. With three batteries and two chargers I will be able to do the journey in 1 hour 40 minutes and recharge two and 2/3 batteries during the day, AND TRAVEL AT 20 MILES PER HOUR!

This may at first seem to have little in common with only travelling a few miles; but believe me, the enjoyment factor increases massively when you can keep up with serious cyclists.

Most importantly, there is nothing more frustrating than finding out that your preferered cycling speed is slightly greater than the speed at which the bikes power assist stops. You will need assist to at least 15.5 mph to enjoy your journeys.

I also have a (basic) Powabyke as and although it is a great machine, it does not compare with the faster rides. Take my advice, pay the extra and get a bike that you can grow into.

Conal
 

Danny-K

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 25, 2008
281
0
South West
Conal, what you say is very interesting and the more I read on here of owners personal experiences, the more I'm convinced to upgrade sooner rather than later. (By the way - I can understand how multiple batteries can allow you to travel further - but faster? How?)

However, it's been a pleasant day today and I was out this afternoon on my bike after quite a few days abstinence on it due to the inclement weather. I completed a shortish run, 10.3 miles in 50 minutes then back in the house. (Will be back on it this evening to the shops and back). As my overall average speed was 12.2 mph, I find that not out of line with a lot of the expensive 'high-end' bike reports by owners on here. My highest speed was over 35mph and my slowest at one point on the granny gear was 4mph on the steepest hill. (It was a mixed route of level and hilly terrain). On some flat bits I was travelling at 16/17 mph without duress and most of the hills about 7mph. I guess I was contributing quite a fair bit, but I felt physically quite relaxed.

As I only paid a pittance for my bike secondhand, I'm going to have to pay an enormous amount just to achieve roughly a 10 to 15% performance increase. As I already achieve 27 miles per charge, (I'm heavily built), I don't feel I'm losing out on distance per battery charge either. Still, all these postings of greater speed and greater assistance have whetted my appetite. I only hope when I do 'upgrade', that the bike of choice not only handles my 18 stone frame the way the 'low-powered', cheapo, Salisbury does - but improves upon it.
 

Conal

Pedelecer
Sep 28, 2007
228
2
faster on more batteries

Danny

I am also around 18 stone so what works for me should work for you. With only two batteries at assist level 6 I tend to travel at about 16 to 17 mph. The restricted top speeed with assist on my bike was about 13 1/2 mph (see below 26" wheel v 28" wheel) and I could not travel that slowly on the flat so was not getting much help from the batteries. With three batteries I can throw caution to the wind and set my assist level for full. The difference is unbelivable. Other members have compared the assist on my bike (an Ezee Forza) with that received from motor bikes rather than the bike-like assist supplied through the panasonic system and others. I don't know because I have only ever used a Powabyke and the Forza but, at full assist, you get a feeling of being pulled along. On full assist and deresticted I travel at 20 miles on the flat and 19 miles up shallow gradients, Even on tough hills I can zoom up in second gear at around 10 miles an hour although on these I often see the red light towards the top as there is a cost in the battery usage. So, with three batteries, I can guarantee to travel the 30 miles I need to in 1 hour 40 minutes without running out of battery. I am buying another charger so that I can charge the three batteries at each end of my journey without having to stay at work for over twelve hours!!!!

I don't know why, but the top speed seems easier to keep up when on full assist even on my pedelec where I have to pedel to get any assist. I cannot bear just moving the pedels around to get power, or just putting minimum effort in, I push just as hard in full assist as I do at any other lower setting, but obviously the faster I go the less time it takes me and, as I do't feel any more worn out at the end of the journey, the more output I am getting from the batteries,.

I have a 26" wheel bike and understand that the 28" wheel bikes go proportionally faster (the wheel has a larger circumference so travels further in each revolution) and I assume, takes a little more power to reach the top assisted speed of 22 miles per hour. I have seen this on the ToB challenge as they pulled away from me even though I was travelling at the same cadence on the same level of assist.

The other variable is the effort I put in. Working pretty hard, I have been getting 25 miles plus from each battery recently at level 6 assist so may only need two batteries at full assist to get to and from work but I have been too much of a coward to try it without the reassurance of the third battery. I intend to put the same amount of work in so, if I can maintain 20 mph on the flat bits and down hill I may save the battery for the hard bits. Saying that I do tend to listen for the whine of the motor and, if I cannot hear it, I slow down a little!

The only other point is that, with three batteries and two chargers, I need an electric bike just to carry these!

Conal
 
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Pedler

Finding my (electric) wheels
Oct 29, 2008
5
0
Thanks guys so much for all your help.

I finally bit the bullet and went for the Wisper

Wisper Works 905SE Sport - eBikes Direct

Real nice bit of kit, definately recomended.. As is the shop I got it from.

Im glad i went for the more expensive option, as i do really enjoy using the bike and want this one to go faster! Imagine if i had gone for a cheaper one id be upgrading allready!
 

Wisper Bikes

Trade Member
Apr 11, 2007
6,282
2,252
69
Sevenoaks Kent
Welcome!

Hi Peddler

Thanks for your confidence in us and the bike! And I agree E Bikes Direct are a superb retailer.

I look forward to hearing how you get on.

Best regards David
 

Wisper Bikes

Trade Member
Apr 11, 2007
6,282
2,252
69
Sevenoaks Kent
Sorry

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.
We no longer sell directly unless there are extreme circumstances to persuade us to do so. We believe that electric bikes are best purchased from a company close to the purchaser geographically. I am convinced this the only practical way that purchasers can get a 1st class support through the buying process and onto the all important after sales service.

All sales through the Wisper Web Site are passed on to the Wisper retailer closest to the purchaser.

Best regards David
 

wotwozere

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 6, 2008
280
1
Hi

To be safe with your weight you should go for the same as me a Kalkhoff aguttu XXL, it never llets me down and changed my life i would be dead without my bike.

thx

Bob
 

seca-seca

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 18, 2009
13
0
I like buying direct, it usually works out much cheaper. Cutting out the retailer. I buy many things online and it always works out cheaper.
 

stranger

Pedelecer
Feb 7, 2009
103
0
New Forest. Hants.
whatever it is you get--you will just LOVE it. :)

I bought mine as a 'spontaneous purchase' from a certain well known website that sells a lot of things and I hadn't a CLUE what I was getting into. I just felt sorry for it because no-one was bidding on it--and I liked the idea of a bike with a motor.

It's a Powabyke--an OLD Powabyke now--but I have loved it from day one and love it still.

But it does realy depend on what sort of relationship you want to have with your e-bike. Mine just zooms me around on short local trips of two or three miles at a time. I don't think I'd want to do a proper 'commute' type trip on it too often. (But please don't tell it I said that. ;) )