The Raptor by FWG coming soon! 14Kg inc battery.

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi All,

I felt some of you may be interested in something a little different. Not a bike for those with epic journeys in mind, but a quick, nimble machine ideal for shorter journeys especially in the cities.

Designed to be seriously minimalist, the Raptor is perfect for commuting. Very light weight at half the weight of many electric bikes so easy to take into the office or up to an apartment. The electronics are very discretely placed inside the frame.

The Raptor will be available in mid August 2014.



Basic Specs

200Wh motor with helical gears to reduce any noise to a whisper!
Sine wave controller installed in the seat post tube, again to reduce noise and enable the motor to run smoothly
14Kg including battery
C700 wheels and 32mm tyres
24V 5.5Ah battery
12-15 miles range
24-30 with range extender battery
Aluminium frame
Single speed gear
Slim line LED display with three levels of assist
Promax calliper brakes
Silk black

All the best

David

 

[Deus]

looks very nice a fit for what you say ie quick shopping,commutes.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Thanks Dues, I love my sample bike, it's one of my favourites. It feels just like a normal bike and even rides well with the power off.
All the best

David

 

[spikey]

Wow, nice looking bike and stealhy. What will it cost?

Is the range extender battery a add-on to the main battery and if so where does it fit onto.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Spikey, thanks for your kind remarks!

The standard bike will cost £799 or £200 deposit and 24 x £24.96, so for those living in London and using an Oyster card, use the bike once a week instead of using public transpoprt and it is self financing! With a range extender the bike costs £999.00

The second battery fits on above the first, when the first battery runs down, you simply swap the empty for a full, it takes under a minute.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Sorry Spikey, I forgot to say that the fixings for the second battery are already on the frame.



All the best

David

 

[EddiePJ]

Very nice clean and simple lines. It should sell well, and it looks as though it should be a pleasure to ride.

It looks easy to work on, which will be a plus point, an all in weight of 14kg, is another plus point, as is the price. Sub 1k bikes probably have a wide appeal to a lot of cost conscious people looking for a no frills bike, and this one appears to have a bit of style about it.

There probably are, but I can't see any front mudguard mounts?

 

[spikey]

That's a very reasonable price. The battery looks like they quite light so hopefully the extender shouldn't add too much to the weight.

I currently got a non electric Carrera Subway whiich weighs the same and just managing to pedal it, albeit alot less than 15mph unless I'm going downhill. So if the battery goes flat on the Raptor I should be able to ride it home unassisted quite easily, can't say that for most electric bikes.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Very nice clean and simple lines. It should sell well, and it looks as though it should be a pleasure to ride.

It looks easy to work on, which will be a plus point, an all in weight of 14kg, is another plus point, as is the price. Sub 1k bikes probably have a wide appeal to a lot of cost conscious people looking for a no frills bike, and this one appears to have a bit of style about it.

There probably are, but I can't see any front mudguard mounts?

Thanks Eddie, we are excited about finally getting the bike to market, we have been working on it for more than a year.

Mudguards can be fitted, we have special kits ready to go straight on.

All the best

David

 

[Wisper Bikes]

That's one of the reasons we have built the bike Spikey, it can easily be ridden as a non electric, although as you say, it's a little heavy.

The batteries weigh in at under 2kg so even with the range extender battery it's not too much of a lump!

All the best

David

 

[spikey]

That's one of the reasons we have built the bike Spikey, it can easily be ridden as a non electric, although as you say, it's a little heavy.

Sorry didn't mean to imply that your bike is a little heavy, just pointing out it compares well with a typical non-electric bike from a chain store.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Spikey, sorry, I didn't mean for my post to read that way. I was delighted that you made such a valid comment. The bikes are heavier than a standard pedal bike but still up to 12kg lighter than many standard electric bikes, including ours! That was our goal.

All the best

David

 

[Jonah]

Looks like a nice bike and the range extender is a smart idea. However I think £200 for a second 24v 5.5 Ah battery is a little less good value than the bike package as a whole.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Thanks for your message Jonah, we are very pleased with the bike and everyone who has tested it loves it. The battery is Samsung celled and made by one of, if not the best battery packer in Asia. I agree, the batteries are not the cheapest available, but they are excellent quality.

All the best

David

 

[neptune]

I am a bit surprised that caliper brakes are fitted. I have noticed that quite a few road bikes still use caliper brakes. What is the advantage over V brakes? I think V brakes are one of the best advances in bikes ever. Educate me.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Neptune, it was a mounting issue. V brakes need mounting posts and calliper brakes don't. We considered using V brakes but could not find 100% evidence to suggest calliper brakes were less effective. I weigh nearly 16 stone and can lock up the rear wheel relatively easily.

All the best

David

 

[oldtom]

Not a bike for those with epic journeys in mind, but a quick, nimble machine ideal for shorter journeys especially in the cities.

Designed to be seriously minimalist, the Raptor is perfect for commuting. Very light weight at half the weight of many electric bikes so easy to take into the office or up to an apartment. The electronics are very discretely placed inside the frame.

David

I applaud you for introducing that bike David. The price is excellent and Mark Searles at Cytronex needs to take note!

I'm a fan of the Cytronex system as it's designed for the same purpose you have outlined for the Raptor but Cytronex haven't really moved their game on over recent years and we are still no nearer to seeing the introduction of a kit it seems than we were this time last year.

It's doubtful whether many forum members will be tempted to buy one, I think, as pedalling would be involved and that's not popular with a large section of the membership here. I do hope enough people see the potential though of a light bike with assistance to make it worthwhile for the group.

It's an easy bike to attach to any car, whether on the roof or on the back; no need for an expensive, dedicated ebike carrier or trailer

Nice one!

Tom

 

[neptune]

Whilst this is not a bike I would buy, I can see the potential. I am a fan of pedalling, but I sometimes do quite long journeys of more than 30 miles. Being in my late sixties, I like my gears. I am amazed how light it is. My pushbike, with panniers and accessories weighs about 24 Kg. I could not justify buying one, as I would seldom use it. We all buy bikes that suit our circumstances, and to some, it would be a dream come true.

 

[Jason Scott]

Very nice looking bike! I would definitely consider this at that price point as I don't mind pedalling , although it looks more suited to flat areas?

 

[Geebee]

It is the kind of bike I used to build before getting ill, enough assist to make a fast fun exercise ride in a hilly area, a very nice addition to available bikes at a decent price.

Being able to lock up a rear wheel with a brake is no test of braking I can do that with a chinese band brake!
I don't know any rider that would claim a caliper brake is as powerful as a V brake.