The search continues..

[Spidercat]

Hi from sunny Brighton again,
Further to my previous post, I am thinking about the Woosh Santana 3, but 2 other slightly cheaper bikes have come into the frame so any opinions on these would be welcomed. They are the Wisper 705se ex demo, 10.4Ah battery for £989 and the Freego Regency Classic 16Ah battery for £849. Both from ebikes direct. All are rear hub I believe, bearing in mind mega long distances aren't a must, do any of these stand out or is it just a question of looks? (the Regency has a basket..!)
Thanks for your knowledge and patience!
Mandy

 

[Woosh]

the Santana 3 has Suntour NEX suspension fork, a lot kinder to your wrists and back, also more powerful motor and battery.

 

[Audio2]

Freego have gone into administration, so parts & warranty may be a problem.

 

[Eagle]

Spidercat,

Either bike will do the job that you require, so the only way to find out which you prefer is to take a trip to Bodiam and have test rides up a hill.

Audio2 did point out that FreeGo have gone into administration, as I did on your other thread.

This is not an unsurmountable problem since EBikes Direct state:
Warranty - 12 Months on all Electrical, Frame Set, Group Set, Wheels and Components.
(Warranty Support and Service offered by E-Bikes Direct. We have a full catalogue of FreeGo Spare Parts to enable us to support new and old FreeGo customers for years to come.)

Try before you buy!

 

[Gaz]

Try before you buy!

^^What Eagle said!^^

There's a big difference in battery between the two you're considering.

For what it's worth, my Whyte Coniston is a 10Ah battery. I regularly ride up over Beachy Head, around and back, so a fair bit of hill work. I've not felt that my battery is lacking in oomph at all. Although I don't have any experience with a 16Ah battery, so may not be aware of what I'm missing out on!

Gaz

 

[Spidercat]

^^What Eagle said!^^

There's a big difference in battery between the two you're considering.

For what it's worth, my Whyte Coniston is a 10Ah battery. I regularly ride up over Beachy Head, around and back, so a fair bit of hill work. I've not felt that my battery is lacking in oomph at all. Although I don't have any experience with a 16Ah battery, so may not be aware of what I'm missing out on!

Gaz

Thanks Gaz,
yes I'm going to Devon soon and intend to rent some bikes while I'm there to give them a good try out. Does battery also contribute to power then and not just cycling time? In which case the Regency looks pretty good value.
Mandy

 

[Eagle]

Spidercat,
A battery with a higher ah rating will give you a longer range between recharges.
The power is restricted to 250w regardless of battery spec.

 

[Gaz]

In which case the Regency looks pretty good value.
Mandy

All bikes are built to a price point. Getting a bigger Ah battery doesn't (necessarily) mean you're getting a better value bike. Perhaps do some rummaging as to the bikes components and maybe some reviews to satisfy yourself which offers the better value.

Gaz

 

[Spidercat]

All bikes are built to a price point. Getting a bigger Ah battery doesn't (necessarily) mean you're getting a better value bike. Perhaps do some rummaging as to the bikes components and maybe some reviews to satisfy yourself which offers the better value.

Gaz

Hi,
I feel like I've done so much researching and review reading now that my brain has turned into a big pile of electric mush! I think if someone said `look just shut up now and buy......... `I probably would!
Mandy

 

[Gaz]

Aren't our brains a big pile of fatty electric mush anyway

I went to ebikes direct at Bodiam. Tucked away at the back, but I thought they were an alright bunch. Perhaps just ask them which is the better one for you then. I'm sure they'll help inform your choice.

Gaz

 

[scott gaza]

No real difference except the whisper seems well over priced! And the woosh Santana 3 coming out well on top! Try before you buy if you can the £1424 whisper 705se = £1099 woosh Santana 3 - 20" wheel freego if you like the 20" wheel you could also save £150 and get the £699 10ah model.

 

[Spidercat]

No real difference except the whisper seems well over priced! And the woosh Santana 3 coming out well on top! Try before you buy if you can the £1424 whisper 705se = £1099 woosh Santana 3 - 20" wheel freego if you like the 20" wheel you could also save £150 and get the £699 10ah model.

Hi Scott,
thanks, that also throws wheel size into the mix! The Wisper is ex demo so sub £1000. Garf from ebikes direct said maybe the lighter weight Wisper would trump the Freego Regency but there's not much difference between the weights of all the bikes I've been looking at really, maybe 2kg? As all the motors seem to be 250W 36v I'm not sure how to choose between them. As Gaz, Eagle and NealH pointed out, best to try first!
Mandy

 

[Eagle]

Spidercat,
I appreciate your dilemma, but if you choose carefully you can also find yourself a bargain, even if you needed to add a brand new battery at, say, £300.

A 15.6 ah battery from Jimmy at Insat International will cost £285 including carriage.
It uses Boston Power Swing cells which have a 3000 cycle life.
https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/battery-replacement.32078/#post-450058

Various new and used FreeGo Wrens here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=freego+wren&_sop=3

As mentioned previously, this brand new Wren at around £400 would NOT need a replacement battery:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-FreeGo-Wren-Electric-Bike-Bike-BANKRUPT-STOCK/312498167841?hash=item48c257a021:g:D6UAAOSwTmpccVYT:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true.

Another lightly used one:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FREEGO-WREN-Electric-Bike/273728705939?hash=item3fbb809593:g:-zMAAOSwQo9cc9nl

Decisions, decisions!

Do you have a half-decent local bike shop who can look after routine servicing and repairs?

Sorry if I seem to be banging on about FreeGo bikes but they are solid reliable machines with common or garden electrical and mechanical parts. I know because I had an excellent FreeGo Eagle for 6 years and which I subsequently sold to my brother-in law.

This little-used v.g.c. FreeGo Hawk with disc brakes (advertised as an Eagle) is desperately looking for offers:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Freego-Eagle-Electric-Bike/202607105535?hash=item2f2c5315ff:g:1okAAOSwzE5cctts:rk:3:pf:1&frcectupt=true
Replace the battery and you are still quids in!

 

[Spidercat]

Spidercat,
I appreciate your dilemma, but if you choose carefully you can also find yourself a bargain, even if you needed to add a brand new battery at, say, £300.

A 15.6 ah battery from Jimmy at Insat International will cost £285 including carriage.
It uses Boston Power Swing cells which have a 3000 cycle life.
https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/battery-replacement.32078/#post-450058

Various new and used FreeGo Wrens here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=freego+wren&_sop=3

As mentioned previously, this brand new Wren at around £400 would NOT need a replacement battery:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-FreeGo-Wren-Electric-Bike-Bike-BANKRUPT-STOCK/312498167841?hash=item48c257a021:g:D6UAAOSwTmpccVYT:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true.

Another lightly used one:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FREEGO-WREN-Electric-Bike/273728705939?hash=item3fbb809593:g:-zMAAOSwQo9cc9nl

Decisions, decisions!

Do you have a half-decent local bike shop who can look after routine servicing and repairs?

Sorry if I seem to be banging on about FreeGo bikes but they are solid reliable machines with common or garden electrical and mechanical parts. I know because I had an excellent FreeGo Eagle for 6 years and which I subsequently sold to my brother-in law.

This little-used v.g.c. FreeGo Hawk with disc brakes (advertised as an Eagle) is desperately looking for offers:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Freego-Eagle-Electric-Bike/202607105535?hash=item2f2c5315ff:g:1okAAOSwzE5cctts:rk:3:pf:1&frcectupt=true
Replace the battery and you are still quids in!

Hi Eagle,
Many thanks, these all look great too and there are plenty of good places in Brighton for service/repairs etc. My only problem with ebay is the collection in person part, I would happily pay for a courier but they all seem to say that's not an option!
Mandy

 

[Eagle]

Mandy,
You could ask whether they will use Sherpr or Sendbike:
https://sherpr.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwon5m_zg4AIVWvhRCh20MghvEAAYAiAAEgKRO_D_BwE

https://sendbike.com/products/quote?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3dX2nP3g4AIVhkPTCh2PoAwHEAAYASAAEgIh2vD_BwE

There are some useful courier contacts on this old thread:
https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/sending-bikes-by-courier-or-train.6929/
Note the bit about negotiating a price reduction in order to offset the courier cost.

There is also Shipley:
https://www.shiply.com/

 

[Spidercat]

Mandy,
You could ask whether they will use Sherpr or Sendbike:
https://sherpr.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwon5m_zg4AIVWvhRCh20MghvEAAYAiAAEgKRO_D_BwE

https://sendbike.com/products/quote?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3dX2nP3g4AIVhkPTCh2PoAwHEAAYASAAEgIh2vD_BwE

There are some useful courier contacts on this old thread:
https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/sending-bikes-by-courier-or-train.6929/
Note the bit about negotiating a price reduction in order to offset the courier cost.

There is also Shipley:
https://www.shiply.com/

Very helpful, thanks

 

[Woosh]

Mandy,
You could ask whether they will use Sherpr or Sendbike:
https://sherpr.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwon5m_zg4AIVWvhRCh20MghvEAAYAiAAEgKRO_D_BwE

https://sendbike.com/products/quote?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3dX2nP3g4AIVhkPTCh2PoAwHEAAYASAAEgIh2vD_BwE

There are some useful courier contacts on this old thread:
https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/sending-bikes-by-courier-or-train.6929/
Note the bit about negotiating a price reduction in order to offset the courier cost.

There is also Shipley:
https://www.shiply.com/

these companies do not have their own lorries.
Transport of e-bikes is usually arranged by the e-bike companies.
Most UK companies use Tuffnells for heavy and bulky e-bikes (they are mostly 95% assembled) as far as I know.

 

[Eagle]

Mandy,
A brand new FreeGo Hawk at £875:
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/freego-electric-bike-brand-new/1331186532

A brand new FreeGo Wren at £850 on Gumtree in Southsea from Southsea Cycles:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/freego-wren-electric-bike-brand-new/1330030927

The same bike on ebay is asking for offers at £800 and delivery is £40:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FREEGO-Electric-Bike/183702582518?hash=item2ac586f4f6:g:TGoAAOSwoG1cZJLh:rk:7:pf:0

Since the seller (Kevin) will have to pay commission (10%) on the ebay sale, the maximum amount he will receive is £720 (plus the £40 delivery charge).

I would tell him that you have seen both adverts and then make him an offer of £700 via Gumtree.
Pay no more than £720 (plus £40 for delivery to your door).

That brand new Wren in Leicester is now looking even better value at £400:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Free...1:g6UAAOSwTmpccVYT:rk:2f:1&frcectupt=true.
You can even afford to hire a car/van to collect it and still be quids in.

 

[Woosh]

Eagle, I know you have had a good experience with your old Freego but did you think about warranty when buying a Freego?

 

[Eagle]

Woosh,
Yes I did, but in the light of 6 years experience of FreeGo I would definitely recommend one. I would also buy another at the drop of a hat, but I am looking for a full-suspension machine to cope with the parlous state of UK roads.
I fully appreciate the reluctance of a newcomer to put their toe in the water with a bike whose maker has just gone bust, but if the purchaser has a good LBS like Brighton Ebikes then there will be plenty of knowledgeable backup and generic spares available.

Alternatively, for a no risk solution, then buy a brand new Woosh!