November 20, 200817 yr Wisper 905 eco A guy I know has started stocking various ebikes.Im lucky enough to be able to drive there in my lunch hour and try them out.I might even buy one one day!I'll post my brief reports on each bike ridden. My background, very wrong side of 40,over weight,excellent ability to previously avoid any form of exercise but have a stunning capacity for copious amount of Stella. I rode the Wisper about four miles.I didnt realise the hills were there before when I drove the car.!The bike flattens out the not too steep hills just by pedaling but I resorted to the use of the throttle when the going got tougher.The bike seemed more than able to cope with my ample charms.I did find the weight on my hands was beginning to tell towards the end of my epic journey,maybe the " cruiser " style handle bars on some of the other bikes will suit my portly posture.After about 3 1/2 miles I decided that I'd peaked to early and decided to run back home on just pure throttle power.I hoped to of caught a glimpse of my doctor when I was out and mouth" see,I am getting some exercise at last " he wouldnt of known any difference.Ive read that the Wisper 905 is one of the more powerful bikes,in that case I feel sorry for the next unsuspecting vehicle.If I recover from my exploits today I may venture out again tomorrow.I notice that one of the bikes had panniers,great for shopping for Stella at the offie!
November 20, 200817 yr Thanks Bigbee, although from brief experience, these reports will be very useful. I liked the TV comedy reference in the title too.
November 20, 200817 yr Author Ok thanks.You'll find my reports to be a) brief b) non technical as I havent a clue:) Maybe a new film? Fatman Rides Again ?
November 20, 200817 yr Ok thanks.You'll find my reports to be a) brief b) non technical as I havent a clue:) Maybe a new film? Fatman Rides Again ? That's all ideal. Most buyers aren't technical and a high proportion are somewhat weight challenged, so your impressions will be very relevant to them. Though the reviews in A to B magazine and the like are useful for technical details, being done by very fit regular cyclists does make them less than relevant to the average buyer. .
November 20, 200817 yr That's all ideal. Most buyers aren't technical and a high proportion are somewhat weight challenged, so your impressions will be very relevant to them. Though the reviews in A to B magazine and the like are useful for technical details, being done by very fit regular cyclists does make them less than relevant to the average buyer. . Totally agree with you Tony, me being the average buyer par excellence with my 10 km per day now telling myself that I am exercising. Cinstant mderate pedalling,mind you, So far keeping my weight down. And my smoking, which is no mean feat!
November 20, 200817 yr Just been to GP and I have lost 10lb (not £££££) so E biking works lol Just made it to the bathroom scales - (easier than the GP) and 10lbs is roughly what I'm down too - so yes it helps. Mind you If I'd lost as many lbs' as £'s from ebiking I'd be antimatter by now ! Phil
November 20, 200817 yr Just been to GP and I have lost 10lb (not £££££) so E biking works lol A regular enjoyable exercise on an electric bike,is far better than having no exercise on a normal bike, that stays locked away in your shed for the next ten years.
November 20, 200817 yr Stella? LOL Hey Bigbee Great report on your test ride on the Wisper But don't go drinking that Stella then riding a Wisper I am a pint of lager girl myself but Stella! Love it but gives me a headache I notice that one of the bikes had panniers,great for shopping for Stella at the offie! So how many cans of lager can one carry on a Wisper or any electric bike for that matter? Without trailer cos thats cheating, lol I haven't got panniers at mo but can fit a box of 12 (non stella) 440 ml in my back bag and 4 in my little rucksack! I need panniers! lol I would like to clarify that they are not drunk in one night! It's like how many people can you get in a telephone box, Ok maybe not Happy testing Bigbee Mandy
November 21, 200817 yr Hi Big bee, I've got the Wisper 905se as Mandy has and a few others, LOVE IT TO BITS, very powerful, bought panniers today, which I think are essential or at least very useful for serious touring etc. Also bought a mini pulsing halogen light from a cycle shop, it just wraps around the handlebar, is very small but very effective. I'm sure your ample charms will become even more charming with exercise from an e bike! tony.
November 21, 200817 yr Just been to GP and I have lost 10lb (not £££££) so E biking works lol Hmm, I lose weight by going to the dentist. Nick
November 21, 200817 yr Hey Bigbee Great report on your test ride on the Wisper But don't go drinking that Stella then riding a Wisper I am a pint of lager girl myself but Stella! Love it but gives me a headache Mandy Mmmm.... when in France the other week we had a very nice long Sunday lunch in Le Touquet with plenty of drink and cycled back to the motorhome afterwards....I thought everyone did this? as I feel no apprehension or guilt at all with a bike unlike when in charge of a car:)
November 21, 200817 yr Mmmm.... when in France the other week we had a very nice long Sunday lunch in Le Touquet with plenty of drink and cycled back to the motorhome afterwards....I thought everyone did this? as I feel no apprehension or guilt at all with a bike unlike when in charge of a car:) When in Rome eh....
November 21, 200817 yr Author Ive just had a twenty year old on a mountain bike! Oooh,suit you sir.......... Today I was mostly riding........... A Powabyke 6 speed shopper! Well,I was sort of looking forward to riding what is possibly the most established ebike on the market.A favourite of the pension run on a Tuesday to the Post Office.An Iconic free spirit for the silver haired.As I pushed it out of the door I thought " hmm,cant really feel the extra weight " Then I had to lift it over a step,I tugged on the handle bars," Jeez,now I can feel it,big old motor in that front wheel",I lifted by the saddle," Jeez,Ive found the SLA battery" It was much colder today,with a sharp snap in the wind.Its pretty rural here and the road out side undulates.I was going to turn left out of the gate and up the hill.As I went to go a young man on a mountain bike passed me,Im only 47 for goodness sake,I shouldnt be seen on this in broad day light.He smiled at me as he rode up the hill on the pavement on the other side of the road.I waited for him to ride about 50 yards or so from me,by now he was standing up to pedal.I put the Shopper in pure power mode and set off pedalling also.Within minutes I was catching him up as we got almost to the brow he had to get off and start walking as I passed him.I did have to put some effort in but not that much.I journeyed on to the same place as yesterday to turn around and go back.Id been having a bit of jip with the gears and suddenly lost the ability to pedal.The crank was turning but it wasnt turning the back wheel.I wasnt in the mood to fiddle,I could only make it worse so I decided to return to base camp on throttle only.As I did I passed the young man again in the opposite direction,he was back on his bike and looked at me in puzzlement as I turned the pedals to look as it was effortless, which were in fact free wheeling.I went down a hill and turned around to come back up,then the power stopped.I couldnt get it to pedal or do nuffing,so I pushed it up the hill,humph!When I got back I put it on its stand and turned the wheel and moved the gears,damn things were engaging now! Also the power was working on the throttle once more.Maybe its pilot error and I think it deserves another run next week.I cant help wonder how some one smaller and weaker than me would cope if the bike fell over,Its darn heavy! To summarise,does the job as long as your Geoff Capes grandparents. Edited November 21, 200817 yr by Bigbee
November 21, 200817 yr So how many cans of lager can one carry on a Wisper or any electric bike for that matter? Without trailer cos thats cheating, lolI've managed to fit several bottles of wine in my panniers but they didn't like the weight much and are coming apart at the bottom.
November 21, 200817 yr I can get 4 3ltr boxes of Chardonnay in my panniers! 2 in each one! Might even bore a hall in the side of the pannier and poke the tap through:D
November 21, 200817 yr Thanks Bigbee, I had a good chuckle reading your story. Keep up the good work!
November 21, 200817 yr I can get 4 3ltr boxes of Chardonnay in my panniers! 2 in each one! Might even bore a hall in the side of the pannier and poke the tap through:D Possibly next year's Ching Challenge.. How many litres of booze can your e-bike carry over Exmoor? ( without resorting to guzzling any..until the end ) Could even start a booze run on the bikes from the Loire:D bw musicbooks
November 23, 200817 yr Mmmm.... when in France the other week we had a very nice long Sunday lunch in Le Touquet with plenty of drink and cycled back to the motorhome afterwards....I thought everyone did this? as I feel no apprehension or guilt at all with a bike unlike when in charge of a car:) Yep I've done it on a normal mountain bike whilst in Cornwall on holiday. Rode back from Landsend around 10 miles to Mousehole after drinking many beers Only said it may not be a good idea on Stella? After a few drinks and in control yes, but not after a skinful!
November 23, 200817 yr When in Rome eh.... Wasn't it France? lol but I know what you mean Mind you the French like their wine don't they and their onions too! How many onions can you carry on an electric bike? PMSL!
November 23, 200817 yr I've managed to fit several bottles of wine in my panniers but they didn't like the weight much and are coming apart at the bottom. LOL! Sounds like time to get some new one's? I need a new bag/panniers too
November 25, 200817 yr Author Urban Mover UM36 Brrrrr! Has any one else noticed its a tad chilly today?Not detered I decided to have a quick ride today.Ive ridden the UM36 before and liked it,but the area was flatter than around here today.Out of the three bikes Ive tested in this compelling series,I think its the one Ive had to put most effort into on hills.The Wisper and Powerbyke had throttles to help me out when I needed it most.I think my weight may of been a bit much for it.Dont get me wrong its probably fine but today I felt that I was cycling,maybe its best one for me,I dont know!Since Ive been riding these bikes and watching what I eat Ive lost 7lbs,so Im determined to make my choice of bike and make the exercise more regular.Im told theres a 36v UM36 out next year,maybe that'll be better for me.Anyway,time to unfreeze me frozen bits.Still to be ridden,two more Urban Movers,Power Cycle Windsor,and three types of I-ZIP
November 26, 200817 yr Author Not so chilly today as the wind had dropped a bit.Todays bike was a UM44L step through,it was going to be one of the I-ZIP but the UM had panniers and I decided to go passed some shops as we needed some milk back at work.Same power as the one I rode yesterday I think.Thinner tyres and a more laid back riding position.It felt easier on the old pegs than yesterday,didnt seem to have to work that hard,but you do realise you're putting in some effort.Very brief report,I think I liked it.
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