Wish list

[flecc]

I've found that after the key has bent a certain amount your foot doesn't hit it anymore, so I make sure I always put it in bent side up now .

Regards,

Elephants

We had this problem on the eZee bikes where the keys snapped right off, but many of us have sawn off the outer half of the hand part of the key. Would that work on the Wispers?
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[Howard]

We had this problem on the eZee bikes where the keys snapped right off, but many of us have sawn off the outer half of the hand part of the key. Would that work on the Wispers?
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Thanks flecc - that would probably work - I'll give it a try.
Cheers,
Howard

 

[Mandy]

Keys?

On the subject of keys on the Wisper and on my previous PowaByke:
I have never had a problem with this
Is it that the key gets kicked accidentally on mounting?
On the Wisper, the key is on the left side of the bike close to the pedals and I mount from that side so do not kick it I guess?
On the PowaByke the key is situated on the right side at the top end of the battery nearer the handlebars, therefore this would not be subject to an accidental kick when alighting the bike.

Maybe if the key slot were to be placed closer to the handle bars and higher up the battery this may alleviate the problem somewhat as you don't tend to swing your leg that end

Also, I don't know about anyone else, but you have to turn the key before alighting the Wisper as you do with many electric bikes and if you forget, you either fumble around below your seat or you get off and turn it on, me being the latter
I feel the ignition switch would be much better situated higher up on the battery pack and therefore would avoid kicks and would be similar to riding a motor bike with better access to the controls.

Not a moan Wisper, just a suggestion considering all the posts about bent keys, not mine though

Regards

 

[Mussels]

On the subject of keys on the Wisper and on my previous PowaByke:
I have never had a problem with this

It is easy to kick the key while riding the Wisper, my heel often hits it as I'm peddling. I expect it requires man size feet to notice the problem.

I would like pedals that have removable reflectors, this is because most toe straps fit through the holes that are left once the reflector is removed. Because I wanted toe straps I needed to replace the whole pedal, a bit of a needless expense.
I would also like somewhere to mount the rear light where it won't be obscured by luggage, I got around it by bending an unused bracket that came with the mudguards and mounting it in place of the reflector but it would be nicer without having to improvise.
I would like security fastners on the wheels and seat, probably as an optional extra as many people won't be bothered about it (and will reduce the complaints about lost keys). Bike security packs seem to be designed for quick release systems so won't work with the Wisper. I can buy locking nuts but these all seem to come with a heavy removal tool. Cuff or loop locks may do it but I'd need front and back and these are expensive. Cable locks are bulky and time consuming and not good enough to use as primary security. So some nice locking nuts with a lighter tool to undo them would go down very well.

 

[ElephantsGerald]

It is easy to kick the key while riding the Wisper, my heel often hits it as I'm peddling. I expect it requires man size feet to notice the problem.

Yup, thats how my key gets bent - whacked with the back of the heel as I pedal.

Regards,

Elephants

 

[bogmonster]

Hi,

I'm sure there isn't the perfect bike or a single design that will be good for everyone so diversity in the range is good. The drive through gears are a good idea, just don't like the current implementaions much. The Panasonic unit is nice but restricted for the Japanese market.

One of the key features for me is a bike that freewheels well and handles like a regular bike. Few of the hub bikes do this A sub 18kg bike that will give me a fair hand up hills and into wind. I find the UK law restrictive and average about 15mph on a regular bike, I want to go faster and can do that on the flat and downhill, just not fit enough to keep this up on longer hilly routes.

A modular battery system so I can take the batteries I need for the journey.

For my needs the Cytronex is the closest I can find although this clearly is not for everyone. I feel that there may be some middle ground between the Cytronex and the Wisper 905 that is worth exploring? In the meantime I think I will by a Cytronex - think it is a shame that it does not use a lighter battery technology.

If I was simply after transport than what I would really like is an electric car - they are just not up to the job at the moment, not enough range or not fast enough or too expensive. Then it would be an electric scooter and there are some cracking models coming onto the market now. A moped like e-bike is not high up my personal list and many of the e-bikes tend towards this model. I think I would get an electric scooter over the Wisper 905 and I regard the Wisper as one of the better traditional e-bikes.

Cheers, BM

 

[Django]

The old Giant Lafree had the original Japanese system which had a great reputation in the UK. To have that same system with even more power is very exciting and is what sets the Kalkhoff Panasonic combination apart from the rest.

Set apart along with other bikes including the Gazelle Easy Glider and Monark Eco of course.

 

[Rab C Nesbitt]

What would you want in an electric bike

Hi
One of the beefs that comes out when electric bikes are discussed is the variable quality of the bike itself - it can range from excellent to ultra cheap.

I just wondered if some enterprising type might get hold of a batch of bog standard Giant / Ridgeback / Dawes / Raleigh / Trek / Kona etc commuting type bikes - now we've all seen these every day of our lives (maybe owned one) and the build quality in the mid range of all of them is pretty good. If a good quality 36V front wheel motor was fitted to them (battery in the back disguised by a pannier) would it not represent good value , be of assured quality and not be a horrendous price?

I know some of you might say - well fit one yourself then! - well yes, but when I and others like me fit these things, they can look like . . . well, let's say there's a bit of the hillbilly look about it with wires trailing everywhere. If some smart yype could fit them safely and properly with wires hidden away in a professional kind of way, I think I'd be tempted to go for one

Anyhoo, lecture over

Rab

 

[flecc]

The problem is the small size of the market Rab. Obviously the bike would have to be specially made to accommodate battery, wiring etc neatly as you say, and on a small scale the costs are very much higher than those of the mass production bikes you quote. Then the importer who is only handling piddling quantities has high unit costs due to that which pushes up their margin. The import duties, margins and VAT are all larger for a larger amount, so we end up with a bike at least as expensive, possibly more.

If the e-bike market ever became a mass one, the bikes would soon be very much cheaper, but as things stand this is the UK position:

E-bike annual sales circa 20,000

Normal bike annual sales 2,000,000

and that's why we can buy normal fully equipped bikes for £100 or less, and very good quality ones for £500, a hundred of them made and supplied for every one e-bike.
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[Rab C Nesbitt]

If the e-bike market ever became a mass one, the bikes would soon be very much cheaper, but as things stand this is the UK position:

E-bike annual sales circa 20,000

Normal bike annual sales 2,000,000
.

Hi Flecc
Thanks for your reply - of course you're right and your point about the economies of scale is well made. I was surprised reading the numbers of e-bike .v. regular bike : I didn't realise that we still had such a long way to go, and maybe I was just forlornly hoping that everyone was coming round to the e-bike as a sensible way of getting people moving around.

Oh well - let's see if inflated fuel prices and mass congestion can't help us increase the e-bike users over the next wee while

Rab

 

[ElephantsGerald]

I just wondered if some enterprising type might get hold of a batch of bog standard Giant / Ridgeback / Dawes / Raleigh / Trek / Kona etc commuting type bikes - now we've all seen these every day of our lives (maybe owned one) and the build quality in the mid range of all of them is pretty good. If a good quality 36V front wheel motor was fitted to them (battery in the back disguised by a pannier) would it not represent good value , be of assured quality and not be a horrendous price?

Isn't this what Cytronex have done? Their product is a Trek 7.3 FX with a hub motor in the front wheel and the battery disguised as water bottle. And a mighty fine looking machine it is too.

Regards,

Elephants

 

[flecc]

Isn't this what Cytronex have done? Their product is a Trek 7.3 FX with a hub motor in the front wheel and the battery disguised as water bottle. And a mighty fine looking machine it is too.

Regards,

Elephants

Mmmm. Not completely convinced, since it does have it's limitations with that button control system and very small battery. It's certainly not as universal as mainstream e-bikes and very much a bare bones job, hardly a utility bike.

It can be made into one of sorts, but up goes the weight still further limiting it, reducing the range and removing the point of the design.
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[Rab C Nesbitt]

Isn't this what Cytronex have done? Their product is a Trek 7.3 FX with a hub motor in the front wheel and the battery disguised as water bottle. And a mighty fine looking machine it is too.

Regards,

Elephants

Elephants

Thanks for letting me know about this Cytronex - didn't know about this at all. I know bike looks are a very subjective thing (one man's meat another man's poison etc) buy I think this is the best looking e-bike I've seen.

The water bottle battery is straight from Q territory ("don't mess about with that bottle Bond, it's a battery) - I had a rummage around to see what reviews were available. Got to see some good threads on it but I'd be curious to hear any views on it as I noted flecc seemed to have reservations about the battery. Not sure what kind of life it would have.

Anyway, terrific looking bike

Rab

 

[flecc]

The NiMh battery life should be good Rab, probably lasting longer than most current lithium types.

My reservations on bottle batteries are mainly on range, seeming to me to be a backward step after so much effort by others to improve range. Essentially the bottle battery is a style item, and for me a gimmick.

I think an electric bike should be proud to look like an electric bike and not pretend to be what it's not.
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[eddieo]

I just don't understand why they don't offer a larger pannier style battery as an alternative system. Which would probably expand the interest in the bike exponentially.....

 

[flecc]

I just don't understand why they don't offer a larger pannier style battery as an alternative system. Which would probably expand the interest in the bike exponentially.....

I made a similar point Eddie, also suggesting the option of a second coupled battery to double the range, but the bike's designer turned down these ideas flat, considering they weren't compatible with the bike's design objective. It doesn't seem to worry Cytronex that the market is narrowed as a result.
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[Mandy]

Isn't this what Cytronex have done? Their product is a Trek 7.3 FX with a hub motor in the front wheel and the battery disguised as water bottle. And a mighty fine looking machine it is too.

Regards,

Elephants

Yes I have to agree that is a good looking bike and a nice idea having the battery disguised as a water bottle.
Don't think it come's in a motor only mode though, or does it?

Regards

 

[Encantador]

As has been discussed a few times, the Cytronex is not for everyone, if you want a moped, I assume that there are better alternatives.

If you want a good looking bike which handles like a normal bike, are prepared to do most of the work but want some help when you need/want it, this could be for you.

I for one didn`t want a ebike that looked like an ebike, one reason for that was security.

The Cytronex is designed to be pedalled up to 5mph before the power is activated, it will pull you along from a standing start, but that is not reccomended.

You can obviously buy/carry a second battery/cage which I would imagine would supply enough power for the majority of users (swapping them over would only take a few seconds). I have two, carry both but have never had to change over yet, having said that, I purchased the bike primarily for exercise, so only use the power when I need to.

If you can get to Winchester, the best advice as always is go and take a look. If anyone is North of Birmingham and wants to take a look at mine
(M6 J14) drop me a PM.

Hope this helps.

 

[flecc]

As has been discussed a few times, the Cytronex is not for everyone, if you want a moped, I assume that there are better alternatives.

Why are Cytronex owners so touchy about their steeds? Pedelecs can never be mopeds and they are better alternatives for many.
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[Mandy]

I agree, there are bikes to suit all tastes and needs out there.
Whilst the Cytronex isn't for me I can see why people would like it but it.
I am happy with the cool looks, power and the variable motor options available on my lovely Wisper 905se, but that's what suits me and not necessarily everyone
Regards