Right, I'm going for it...

Gaz

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 14, 2016
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556
54
Eastbourne
Hello everyone, Gary (Gaz) here from Eastbourne, down on the South Coast.

I've been looking at e-bikes for some time, and doing my homework (well a bit, anyway). I've three bikes at the moment, a 1980's Raleigh Pursuit that I've fallen out of love with, a 2004 Claude Butler hybrid that's in the twilight of its career, and a Brompton M3L which I love to bits and would still prefer to ride on freshly hoovered Wilton (Axminster at a push), not that I'm prissy about it you understand.

I'm the wrong side of 50 now and have a very sedentary job, in front of a PC. I like to ride to work, but have recently started to make excuses, as while I've got a pretty good cycle route into town, it's often a wind tunnel from what's hit Beachy Head and then diverted along where I'm riding. I can often be down to 6-8mph, cycling like what feels like wading through treacle, looking like an idiot, swearing and cussing at the incessant wind. Add a bit of rain and my command of expletives becomes all the more evident. So I've been driving of late, and feeling guilty about the lack of exercise.

The local cycle shop says I need to spend more than I want to on the CB, which has been a good workhorse, so it's time to retire it, and put the money towards something else.

At 6'4" with a 36" inside leg, I've obviously been looking at the larger framed options. I don't go off road/cycle track any more, and the worst I go on is compacted gravel for about 1/2 mile. 15.5mph is realistically plenty for me and my long term average is 12mph. I've taken about half a dozen different e-bikes out so far and have dismissed several, including a Haibike at £2600 (which surprised me as I thought I'd like it). The one that has surprised me is the Wisper 905 Torque, which is where my sights are still set to be honest.

However, I'm currently watching a Whyte Coniston with the Shimano STEPS system, which ticks most of my boxes, and I was just wondering if anyone had any views on this model, good or bad. I've read what's online and watched the one Youtube video I can find, but haven't found anything that makes me think hell yeah.... or hell naaah!

Anyhoos, hello, one and all :)

Gaz
 

RobF

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 22, 2012
4,732
2,312
My endearing sister-in-law has a Whyte Steps bike.

I've had a brief go on it.

There's some suggestion Steps is not quite as pokey as Bosch, but I doubt many would notice the difference.

Whyte is a decent brand, so it really comes down to if you like the style, fit and price of the bike.
 
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What didn't you like about the Haibike? Which motor did it have?
 

Gaz

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 14, 2016
720
556
54
Eastbourne
What didn't you like about the Haibike? Which motor did it have?
Not really sure and difficult to explain/put my finger on. Possibly 'coz I'm not really after a mountain style bike, which it certainly was. The riding position didn't suit me and I expected to be 'wow'd by it and scrabbling for my credit card, but I wasn't and preferred the Wisper. It had the Bosch Performance line drive - nothing wrong with that.
Going to look at the Whyte Coniston on Saturday, which I'm quite looking forward to :cool:

Gaz
 

Gaz

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 14, 2016
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556
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Eastbourne
So I went for it, and now have my first e-bike. I went to look at the Whyte Coniston, and it was love at first ride. Felt that it suited me much better than the Wisper. Got it home a short while ago, popped the front wheel back on..... just in time for it to start tipping down :(



Gaz
 

D8ve

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 30, 2013
2,142
1,294
Bristol
Nice some mudguards and a few miles before your review please.
 
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Gaz

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 14, 2016
720
556
54
Eastbourne
Nice some mudguards and a few miles before your review please.
Mudguards already ordered :)

Rear lights transferred over.

Going to transfer the gear shift over to the left side, and I might de-restrict it as I find it cutting support at 15.5mph a bit disconcerting. Might - haven't decided yet.

Gaz
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
17,001
6,536
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Gaz

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 14, 2016
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Eastbourne

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
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you can try to move the sensor but 9 times out of ten it will not work and just get an error msg on the lcd.

try it tho you will not do any damage to it and save the 140 euro if it works, i doubt it tho.
 

Gaz

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 14, 2016
720
556
54
Eastbourne
Lights all on, mudguards arrived yesterday. Two commutes to work and back, yesterday and today. Wish I'd bought one years ago - for my commute, this bike is awesome :cool::)

Gaz
 
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RobF

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 22, 2012
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Thanks - I've been looking into it, and I'm more likely to take the cable tie and leccy tape route. One of the cycle computers off my old bikes will suffice for an accurate speedo reading :D

Have to say, for a new convert, I'm really loving the e-bike thing :cool:

Gaz
My sister-in-law tried to put a dongle on her bike.

It wouldn't fit, if I recall the spokes were too close to the speed sensor.

Badass do an adapting bracket, but even that wouldn't do the job.

As soundwave says, the pedal crank method probably won't work.

One of the dongles which fit inside the motor casing may work, although I think they are aimed at Bosch rather than Steps bikes,
 
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tisme

Pedelecer
Nov 23, 2016
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kent
Hi Gary
Glad you like the Whyte as much as I did and it was nice meeting you. I'll never think the same way about Skodas again
Pete
 
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Gaz

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 14, 2016
720
556
54
Eastbourne
Hi Gary
Glad you like the Whyte as much as I did and it was nice meeting you. I'll never think the same way about Skodas again
Pete
Well I'm blowed - hello Pete :) Was a pleasure to meet you too.

Sorry to see you've had a bit of a run-in over your replacement bike, but it looks like you've ended up with a good outcome, albeit with a bit of ado.

The vRS is quite something, isn't it :cool: Last of the Sprint Yellow ones too.

I know this is a bike forum, but here's a shameless pic of the yella' peril:



Gaz
 
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