Newbie from Ireland

[banaltra]

Hi Guys, my name is Alice and new to the forum. I was doing research into electric bikes for commuting to work and came across this forum and found it extremely helpful. The e-bike community is growing in Ireland but it doesn't seem to be as strong as in the UK. So I'm probably at the younger end of the spectrum on this site according to a recent poll done on this site. Wanted to save some cash so selling the daily driver (a big volvo estate for my big dogs) and as I'm also a vintage vw enthusiast I'm going to run my 1972 vw beetle cabrio as my only car. Thankfully the bug is in very good nick and very reliable. Not much room for a labrador and golden retriever but sure at least the other halves car has room for them. The other half has been commuting on a very nice giant bike for the last few months which isn't an ebike and as a result our fuel bills have been halved. So purchased myself a wisper 905eco but upgraded to a 16Ah battery. I live in a pretty hilly area, and being a nurse I don't fancy finishing a 12 hour shift and face an uphill battle for half the journey home so the ebike was the answer. I tried an ebike before in Prague on a 3 hour tour and it was perfect so it was an easy decision to make.
Should hopefully have the bike next week as its coming over from the UK. Will look forward to telling you all how I get on with it after my first few cycles

 

[funkylyn]

Hi Alice and welcome to the forum.....we arent ALL guys...there are quite a few women on here too

As a matter of interest what make was the bike that you tried in Prague ?

Anyway, I bet you are mega excited about your new bike coming and will look forward to hearing how it lives up to your expectations......have fun....its addictive !

Lynda

 

[banaltra]

Heya Lynda,
Thanks for the lovely welcome. The bike I used in Prague was an Agogs. Supposedly a local company in the Czech Rep makes them. It was great at going up hills, but sadly due to the cobblestone roads the chain would very very occasionaly come off. They were a nice bike, but very heavy in comparison to the Wisper. Its funny, I've heard rave reviews about the BH Motion Neo, but I enjoyed my test ride on the wisper much more, including going uphill. Maybe its a personal choice, and obviously its a nice feature that the battery is built into the frame, but just liked the wisper more. Don't know if my budget would have stretched to a BH anyway, so that was a nice discovery. Took a few bikes for a test drive but happy with my choice. Had my bike mechanic friends check out the spec in regards to normal bike components too and they thought it was a good choice.
So Lynda what do you cycle and what ebikes have you had in the past?

 

[funkylyn]

Hi Banaltra...yes, it certainly IS all down to personal choice and its great fun trying and then finding what bike suits you personally.

My first e-bike was 9 years ago when I bought an electric Trike and had it delivered to Spain.
I went for a trike first as I hadnt cycled since a child and was not very confident, plus, in rural Spain driving standards are not the best and I felt safer on the trike...I loved it !
It wasnt, however, convenient for cycling on any narrow tracks and no way could I take it on the motorhome

It ended up with my youngest son utilising the batteries to power a treadmill that he uses to train the Fighting Cocks he breeds in Spain ( dont ask.....its a very 'spanish' thing ! ) and he sold the trike itself to a young gypsy lad who used the back platform to deliver stuff on.......gives a whole new meaning to recycling LOL

I then bought a spanish folder on the spur of the moment and then found it was so heavy I could hardly lift it into the van.....so sold that.

Then I bought a spanish pedelec.....generic chinese import,Ive still got that here but its hardly been used and is still a good bike. Then a Powacycle Windsor which, although generally known as a pretty under powered bike, I thoroughly enjoyed owning and cycling on it in the UK, Spain, France and Portugal, it was in excellent condition and battery still, amazingly, regularly doing well over 20 miles a charge, I have very recently sold this bike and the new owner is another M/home enthusiast and is loving it too.

Last year I bought my current love, the Tonaro Esprit and have found this amazing at hill climbing and a really good allround bike...for me

I have been tempted by a couple recently but so far have resisited....how long for I dont know lol

There will always be something new and tempting coming along !

Im still more than happy with my Tonaro, I guess Im just tempted because I love cycling now and would be quite happy with more, including a folder to put in the back of the car...so, watch this space

Lynda

 

[flecc]

.
Wisper are one of the very few brands that have found their way into Ireland, not only purchased but as a hire bike fleet with Goeco, so I think it's a wise choice.

 

[banaltra]

Wow Lynda, that's a pretty impressive array of ebikes you've had. I think you could be right about something new and tempting coming along. When your really into a hobby and get to know the equipment better there is always something else out there that catches the eye. I've had my bug for 5 years now and every once a while I consider selling it in order to take on a new beetle project, but alas, I've stuck by my bug coz it has served me well and is still winning prizes in shows. I have a feeling this ebike scene is goin to have the same effect on me. I'll be hooked in no time. Its great that there is a community with like minded enthusiasts too that can give you advice with being such a novice.
Flecc, thanks for instilling that extra bit of confidence in me. Part of the reason I bought the wisper was because of its customer care and after sales help. The guys in Goeco have been so helpful and just a nice bunch of guys. Hopefully I wont need to contact them after my bike is delivered, but at least if I do, I'm confident that they will be very helpful.