Wisper Wisper 905 SE 2022

[regancipher]

Received my 905 earlier in the week. Firstly, steer clear of Cycle Solutions - they sent the 806 I ordered in a TV style box but without any padding, and unsurprisingly it turned up mangled. Since the 806 was out of stock I was happy to take the 905 instead, and after moaning about how the 806 was packed, they sent the 905 out in an even flimsier box which TNT thankfully reinforced. I was stuck with them unfortunately due to the somewhat limited Cycle to Work scheme, but hey ho the bike is here and other than the mud guards not having been fitted properly and useless tools sent out in the box....anyway enough moaning.

I was in two minds about whether to get the (originally) 806 or Dawes Arc II but David at @Wisper Bikes presence here on the forum swung it that way.

The 905 is a nice bike - very sturdy compared to the Pinnacle Arkose 1 gravel bike I use on the weekends. I bought this for the commute into work (14 mile round trip) but haven't actually used it for that yet. Took it on two 20 mile tours this week through the Surrey hills on and off road and no issues with the handling. I wonder if changing the chain would help with fighting against the motor pushing down hills, which feels like I'm treading through treacle. Kinda wish I'd gone for the torque model, maybe I can change this out or something in the future, maybe I won't bother....who knows. In terms of size - I'm 5ft 9' and it's perfect.

Mileage very good - I didn't use the assist too much other than the hills and even so battery only just hit the half way mark, which is impressive. Display is fine, brakes are pretty good. All in all, pretty happy with it - main goal was a bike I would feel safe on with good support that wouldn't leave me soaked in sweat getting into the office, the 905 definitely fulfils the brief.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Thanks for the fantastic review!

re Cycle Solutions, I’m very sorry and surprised, they are normally superb. Would you like me to look into this for you?

All the best, David

 

[PaulM]

I assume the like treacle when going downhill is because the assist disappears around 15mph. How many gears on this, 7? I've recently bought a 705SE and am in the process of changing it from 7 to 8 spd. Be careful if you ever take the cranks off. On mine they had been way overtighted. The crank extractor pulled the thread out of the crank rather than the crank off the spindle.

 

[regancipher]

I assume the like treacle when going downhill is because the assist disappears around 15mph. How many gears on this, 7? I've recently bought a 705SE and am in the process of changing it from 7 to 8 spd. Be careful if you ever take the cranks off. On mine they had been way overtighted. The crank extractor pulled the thread out of the crank rather than the crank off the spindle.

The cranks were overtightened on mine as well. I took the chain off and the extra resistance when going downhill seems to have gone now.

Thanks for the fantastic review!

re Cycle Solutions, I’m very sorry and surprised, they are normally superb. Would you like me to look into this for you?

All the best, David

Might be worth mentioning David. I've only done 250 miles and already the front brake is feeling spongy. On arrival the lever was seeping brake fluid and none of the screws had been tightened, which I did, and it seemed to resolve the problem but in reality, it has probably just masked it to the point it is only noticeable when I'm not riding it. It's probably going to need a new lever and re-bleed :/

The bike is lovely, but the standard of build was genuinely dire. In hindsight I should've taken it to my LBS (the fantastic Ethos in Redhill) the moment I noticed a problem with it (which was immediately!)

 

[Wisper Bikes]

The cranks were overtightened on mine as well. I took the chain off and the extra resistance when going downhill seems to have gone now.



Might be worth mentioning David. I've only done 250 miles and already the front brake is feeling spongy. On arrival the lever was seeping brake fluid and none of the screws had been tightened, which I did, and it seemed to resolve the problem but in reality, it has probably just masked it to the point it is only noticeable when I'm not riding it. It's probably going to need a new lever and re-bleed :/

The bike is lovely, but the standard of build was genuinely dire. In hindsight I should've taken it to my LBS (the fantastic Ethos in Redhill) the moment I noticed a problem with it (which was immediately!)

Thanks for your post Regan,

If the brakes are spongy and/or leaking oil they need to be replaced. Please email me david@wisperbikes.com and I will arrange for you.

We did have build quality issues earlier in the year however this has been resolved by putting two of our team on the production line to QC during build, this has made a huge difference. If you would like to bring your bike to Kemsing some time we will give it a good check for you FOC. We would fit new brakes at the same time.

All the best, David

 

[regancipher]

Thanks for your post Regan,

If the brakes are spongy and/or leaking oil they need to be replaced. Please email me david@wisperbikes.com and I will arrange for you.

We did have build quality issues earlier in the year however this has been resolved by putting two of our team on the production line to QC during build, this has made a huge difference. If you would like to bring your bike to Kemsing some time we will give it a good check for you FOC. We would fit new brakes at the same time.

All the best, David

Very kind of you David, I will get in touch over email. Thanks!

 

[regancipher]

So I've had the 905 for just over 8 months now and thought it was worth revisiting the review. Overall, still very happy with it. It is a heavy, well-built bike that serves the bumpy commute pretty well.

The leaky brakes that had been an issue from receipt unfortunately resulted in me coming off it - nothing too serious in terms of damage to me, but landing on the derailleur meant that had to be replaced. Although David at Wisper offered for me to bring the bike back to get the brakes sorted, I decided to get them done locally at the same time as the gears. The 7-speed Acera fits without any modification required, so I took the opportunity to give it a little upgrade too.

New gears and a new chain have given the bike a huge uplift. I always found everything to be a little tight even in low gears before - I rarely ever managed to get above 3rd, 4th maybe downhill at a push. Now, with a bit more slack I can actually use gears 4-7. With the gears moving much smoother now as well, it's a far nicer ride and a much better experience, so I'm even more pleased with it than I was before.

It isn't without minor quibbles - the battery has become very difficult to remove, and putting a drop of oil in isn't viable as the battery charges on carpet in my office. Because of the design, you need to turn the key and pull at the same time, and it has become so stiff I often find myself having to leave it to cool down before coming back to it.

There is also very little adjustment for the mudguards, and as they were damaged on arrival the number of times I find them scraping on the wheels is a little annoying. The display is also very rudimentary - it would have been nice to have a clock on there and a few other variables, but aside this and the above issues I had with Cycle Solutions, it has been an enjoyable first eight months with the 905 - looking forward to getting back out on it more frequently when the weather picks up.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Thanks for taking time to review your 905, I’m delighted to read that you are very happy with the bike and have found the first eight months enjoyable!

Regarding the issues:

The battery should not have oil put on the case. If you are finding it difficult to turn the lock and remove still, a little silicone will help. We make the fit tight to avoid rattles.

The mudguards should not rub on the tyres if they are please email support@wisperbikes.com and our guys will help you to resolve, the same applies to any other issues you may have.

Happy Wispering!

All the best, David

 

[Nealh]

This is why Wisper and Woosh are recommended becaus ethey have a good presence on the forum and don't ignore there custom base.
One reason why very few will recommend Swytch as they are toatally the opposite.

 

[regancipher]

An update on the 905 SE - I'm 1500 miles in now over the course of the last two years, with a long break from cycling in the middle where I came off and damaged the derailleur unfortunately!

The bike has been my commuting bike since I got it, serving me well on my 30km round trip to the office 2-3 times per week. Since the chain was replaced, it has become a very nice ride, enhanced further by switching the gears out for Acera equivalents. The battery is still very difficult to prise out, but I've learned a technique that gets it every time, although it does slow me up a bit when I'm late!

I've had some minor issues with the handlebar stem and brakes, but to Wisper's credit they've been superb in remedying them - really proactive support that absolutely vindicated my decision to buy a Wisper bike.

 

[kevsbike]

My wife has done an amazing 5000+ miles on her Wisper 705SE! I looked at the 905 several times before deciding the frame was just a tad too large for me and bought a locally-owned Wisper 705 Torque stepthru which was a bit more accomodating in the trouser department, lol, then before I could sort what was either a torque sensor, controller or just a tired old battery the bike was stolen.

So until I come across my old bike or something better and affordable I am now running around on my wife's old Wisper while she has switched to a new one, which shared the hydraulic brake issue that we felt like the online retailer (not Wisper, although it begins with a W) spent weeks trying to pass the buck to us on, despite it being in warranty, and the courier delivering the bike leaving it upside down on the pavement!

By comparison, my wife's original Wisper's only 'niggles' were the front light and the lock mechanism for the battery had to be changed, both of which were soon sorted by the bike shop which is sadly no longer a Wisper dealer, but if you can share the 'knack' of removing the battery I'd be eternally grateful as I have yet to achieve it, despite having the keys!

Incidentally, the Wisper 905/705 Torque derailleur was originally Shimano Acera, but unless I am mistaken I think they are all Shimano Tourney now. There are still countless bikes being sold on eBay as Wisper Torques and I think Wisper moved away from putting the transfers on the frames, but I suspect most private advertisers, and some trade ones too, haven't a clue what they are selling, and although the centre-mounted display and transfer gave it away on mine I'm not sure I'd know now, either?

 

[AndyBike]

Received my 905 earlier in the week. Firstly, steer clear of Cycle Solutions - they sent the 806 I ordered in a TV style box but without any padding, and unsurprisingly it turned up mangled. Since the 806 was out of stock I was happy to take the 905 instead, and after moaning about how the 806 was packed, they sent the 905 out in an even flimsier box which TNT thankfully reinforced. I was stuck with them unfortunately due to the somewhat limited Cycle to Work scheme, but hey ho the bike is here and other than the mud guards not having been fitted properly and useless tools sent out in the box....anyway enough moaning.

I was in two minds about whether to get the (originally) 806 or Dawes Arc II but David at @Wisper Bikes presence here on the forum swung it that way.

The 905 is a nice bike - very sturdy compared to the Pinnacle Arkose 1 gravel bike I use on the weekends. I bought this for the commute into work (14 mile round trip) but haven't actually used it for that yet. Took it on two 20 mile tours this week through the Surrey hills on and off road and no issues with the handling. I wonder if changing the chain would help with fighting against the motor pushing down hills, which feels like I'm treading through treacle. Kinda wish I'd gone for the torque model, maybe I can change this out or something in the future, maybe I won't bother....who knows. In terms of size - I'm 5ft 9' and it's perfect.

Mileage very good - I didn't use the assist too much other than the hills and even so battery only just hit the half way mark, which is impressive. Display is fine, brakes are pretty good. All in all, pretty happy with it - main goal was a bike I would feel safe on with good support that wouldn't leave me soaked in sweat getting into the office, the 905 definitely fulfils the brief.

View attachment 48854

YE GADS !! Thats some length of headtube on that. Looks like its 10"

Did they have a special offer on headtubes ?? Buy 1 get 5 free.

 

[anniesboy]

I have recently been in touch with Wisper regarding difficulty removing battery from 705 in addition to use of silicone,they suggest the following.

What can also help is re aligning the battery tray – remove the battery, then loosening all the bolts that connect it to the rack. Once these are all loose, reinsert the battery almost all the way, so just the last 2 bolts are accessible – tighten them up properly, this should re align the rail, then remove the battery and tighten up the rest. Hopefully this should help.

I have not tried this myself at the moment