Wisper 806fe vs. Izip Via Mezza Enlightened

[helHH]

Hello everybody,

I'm new to this forum and e bikes, have been doing my homework researching while waiting with baited breath to get my account activated

I'm not very fit, but healthy mid-thirties and normal weight. My work commute is only 3 miles and I'd love to cycle to get some exercise, but so far I have resisted getting a bike because I know I'd bail and take the car most of the time: I live up a 2 mile hill with some really steep parts.

My choice of e bike is (luckily) limited because I'm after a folding bike, and by now I've narrowed it down to the new wisper 806fe and the new izip via mezza enlightened.

I've tested them both and they both feel good (good gearing for the 20" wheels) and roughly do what I want. I dislike the same things about both, so I'd really appreciate some input from you pedelectics out there to help with this tough decision. Thanks

The criticism up front: Neither bike has variable pedal assist modes. On the flat the pedal assist gives me way more push than I want in the city. And there's a slightly annoying start/stop feel from the delay of the pedelec kicking in / cutting out.
So with either bike, I'd be looking to ride it as a normal bike on the flat and only turn on the power as I approach the hill.

Neither bike is cheap, so it would become my only bike and have to be reliable enough not just for the commute, but the occasional longer leisure ride (e.g. from bristol to bath).

The full specs of both bikes are at the end of this post, but the main pros and cons seem to be:

Izip (motor in rear wheel)

+ more powerful motor and bigger battery (36V/9AH),
+ throttle and PAS/TAG control on the handle bars
+ (? see wisper discussion...) disc brakes

- weighs 23 kg (50 lb)
- only 7 gears (though well distributed, rides almost like a full size bike)
- slight friction when riding without power assist
- warranty 10 yr frame (good) BUT only 1 yr components, 90 days battery (!)
- costs £ 1,100.00, yikes!

Wisper (motor in front wheel)

+ brilliant ride, 16 great gears, rides like a normal size non-e bike, no noticeable friction when power is off
+ weighs only 20 kg (42 lb)
+ maker with good service record and forum presence
+ Up to 6 years frame warranty - 2 years on motor & electrics - 1 year on battery
+ slightly cheaper at £ 950.00

- not possible to turn power assist off without stopping the bike

Now, almost the most important feature to me is the on/off control, which sounds like the decision should be easy.
But the Wisper is such a lovely ride, I've fallen in love with it a bit. I don't really miss the throttle and have tested the weaker motor on a very demanding hill. While the Izip is quite a bit more help, I am confident the Wisper will give me the assistance I want. And maybe I could wire a simple switch onto the back of the saddle so I can reach back to turn the power on/off...? Or would that kill the warranty?

I imagine Wisper will take a very careful look at the via mezza when thinking about their next 806 model... but can I wait that long??

Sigh... Please help me out! Looking at the specs, or from experience, can you guys see any other features that give one the edge over the other? I.e. the brakes? Location of motor? Materials used in the build?

Thanks very much in advance

Helen
---------------------

Spec comparison:

Wisper:

Motor:
250w high efficiency brushless 24V 225RPM

Battery: Lithium Polymer 24V 9A
Charger: Lithium 115 to 230V/26V 2A
Modes: Peddle assist
Assisted Range: Up to 50 kilometres (30 miles)
Maximum speed: 15.5mph (25kph) to conform to EU directives power automatically cuts off at 25kph

Total weight: 19kg (42lb) inc. battery
Gears : 16 speed Sram micro 11 to 30 tooth rear sprocket
Drive wheels: 50 and 32 tooth Sram
Frame: Hand welded 6061 black diamond metallic paint baked 3 coats
Forks: Alloy
Handle bars: Alloy silver anodised
Brakes: Alloy calliper back and front
Pedals: Folding
Wheels: 6061 Alloy twin wall
Spokes: 13g Stainless steel
Chain: P140 steel
Rims: 20" x 1.75
Tyres & Tubes 20" x 2.125
Kick stand: Alloy silver
Lights: Wheel, back and front facing reflectors, front and rear LED lights
Safety: Bell
All fixings: Alloy or stainless steel
Extra equipment: Polycarbonate mudguards

Izip:

MOTOR
Exclusive Geared Brushless DC Hub Motor

BATTERY
Lithium-ion, Locking Plug and Play Battery Box Design, 36V/9AH Pack, Reachargeable Cells, Advanced BMS, UL + CE Safety Tested

CHARGE SYSTEM
UL Listed Currie Smart Charger with LED Status Display

CONTROLLER
Exclusive Currie Electro-Drive™, 36 Volt Fully Potted with Power Gauge Function

TOP SPEED
Up to 15 mph / 24 km (Rider Weight, Rider Input and Terrain Contingent)

RANGE
Up to 25 Miles / 40 km with Normal Pedaling (Rider Weight, Rider Input and Terrain Contingent)

DRIVE
Exclusive Currie Electro-Drive™ Geared Hub Motor, Shimano Acera Rear Derailleur, SRAM Grip Shift, 7-Speed Drivetrain

BRAKES
Front Disc with Linear Pull Rear, Alloy Brake Inhibit Levers

WHEELS
Alex DM18 Alloy 20” Doublewall Rims with Stainless Steel Spokes and Full Fenders

TIRES
Currie 20” x 1.75” , Slime Self-Sealing Flat Tire Prevention System

HANDLEBAR / STEM
Alloy Folding Adjustable Bars with Dual Density Grips

FORKS
Alloy Fender Eyelets

USER CONTROLS
Twist Throttle w/PAS+TAG Function and Battery Gauge, Power On/Off Switch and Easy Access Charger Port

 

[flecc]

Thanks for the welcome and very full report on these. For me it's the Wisper that has the edge, mainly because of the gear choices and that high gear that it has. As an e-bike it can live virtually all it's life on the upper chainring, but in very hilly territory if left without power for any reason like the battery run out, the small chainring comes into it's own. The Izip's gear range is unlikely to get near the huge range of the 806, 23" to 91", giving 4 mph with a 55 cadence through to 15 mph with a barely changed 59 cadence.
.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

836

Hi Helhh and Flecc

Thanks for your comments!

If you can wait a few months the Wisper 836fe and 836Alpino will be in the shelves in February, they are more expensive at 1400 and 1500 but both sport the 36V 9A Panasonic battery.

The Alpino has fewer gears but they are the rather special Alfine 8 hub variety and uses the virtually silent non hall Dapush motor out of Japan with inboard computer that has a diagnostics feature if anything ever goes wrong.

A rare treat!

All the best David

 

[helHH]

836, will it...

Thanks for the Wisper input!

Will the 836fe have variable pedal assist and on/off at the handlebars?

In the meantime, is there any possible solution for fitting the 806 with an on/off button that can be reached while cycling?

Thanks!

 

[eddieo]

I would say that most E bikes are not that great ridden without power. the battery/controller/ motor add a fair bit of weight! And while I agree the power delivery can feel a bit abrupt you get used to it and learn to love it!

Just on your initial spec the wisper stands out IMO. and the back up/support is excellent. so a safe choice I would think.......

 

[helHH]

that's just it...

Thanks Flecc and Eddieo for the input.
Yes, that lovely wisper... Eddieo, it really rides like a normal bike with the power off, I was amazed. I couldn't detect any motor drag at all.

 

[dicklaiwisper]

Thanks for the Wisper input!

Will the 836fe have variable pedal assist and on/off at the handlebars?

In the meantime, is there any possible solution for fitting the 806 with an on/off button that can be reached while cycling?

Thanks!

Yes. the 836fe will be with a three levels pedal assist(Low-Middle-High), power ON/OFF and front light on/off. Please refer the picture.

It meets your requirment that in the city you can choose low assistance or off power.