Wisper 905SE Brakes

[Mussels]

That'll be me then, my right hand lever has a short lead with a three pin plug.
PM on the way.

 

[wibble]

I've just replaced my old Wisper levers with some Avid levers. They're much better.

I didn't bother messing about with the motor cutoff wires. I just snipped the buggers. Crazy idea anyway.

 

[Straylight]

Not so crazy when you're in a queue of traffic moving slowly to the lights, and you tap the pedals to move forward a couple of feet. It's much more convenient to to use the brake cut-off than switch the electrics off altogether.

Oh, and a quick question for David/Norman, were the brake levers upgraded for the 2009 model 905se? If so, would it be possible to purchase a pair? As I already have a problem with the tension adjuster for the rear brakes on my 2008 model, in that the thread is no longer meshing between it and the lever, and so no adjustment is possible.

I was also wondering about the possibility of you adding a components section to your website, particularly since you have the upgraded models, stuff like rims, suspension forks, maybe bits for the brakes, along with replacement handlebar modules? Not that I need any such bits at the moment, but I imagine it would be useful for someone following an accident, or looking to upgrade the standard equipment.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Spares

Hi Straylight

Send me your address to miall@aol.com and I will get a set of new brake levers out to you FOC.

I am in the process of adding the spares to the web site but it will take a couple of weeks to finalise.

Best regards David

 

[wibble]

Not so crazy when you're in a queue of traffic moving slowly to the lights, and you tap the pedals to move forward a couple of feet. It's much more convenient to to use the brake cut-off than switch the electrics off altogether.

Hi Straylight!,

I don't switch the electrics off. I release the throttle and the motor cuts out. Or if I'm relying on pedelec mode then when I stop pedaling the motor cuts out.

Perhaps the motor cutout can be a little unreliable and I've just not noticed it yet?.

But the fact is that the brake cutoffs have never worked from day one. They just weren't connected up properly. and one was literally hanging out at the socket.

 

[Straylight]

Sorry to hear that, I find as I'm invariably in 'high' pedelec mode, that the surge from the motor is just a little uncontrolled in this situation, and so rely on the brake switches to retain a measure of accuracy.

I would use the high/low settings if the were a bit more accessible to my left thumb, it'd be nice to see this integrated into the unit with the green button at some stage - could be a single button with an LED that toggles the modes. IMO, this would refine the look of the controls, and leave more space on the handlebars for additional lights/computers etc. But I digress wandering somewhat OT....

 

[rog_london]

Sorry to hear that, I find as I'm invariably in 'high' pedelec mode, that the surge from the motor is just a little uncontrolled in this situation, and so rely on the brake switches to retain a measure of accuracy.

I would use the high/low settings if the were a bit more accessible to my left thumb, it'd be nice to see this integrated into the unit with the green button at some stage - could be a single button with an LED that toggles the modes. IMO, this would refine the look of the controls, and leave more space on the handlebars for additional lights/computers etc. But I digress wandering somewhat OT....

I slid the box along the bars so it's close to the left grip, and now the buttons are easy to reach with my left thumb - and I've got small hands. Just slacken the clamp and reposition it.

Rog.

 

[Straylight]

yes, I've done this too. I guess I'm just being picky but the buttons don't fall under your thumb even so, and still need a glance downward to find easily. If they were closer, and indeed a single button, then it could become an intuitive action when approaching slow moving trafic.

 

[Mussels]

These new brake levers, is anyone else finding the two finger lever a bit short? I'm having trouble getting enough force to the brake to get it to stop properly.

 

[Straylight]

I'll let you know when mine arrive, what are the levers attached to, v-brakes? If so, I've found a significant improvement by switching the blocks to Avids, and also regularly clean the rims to maintain their grip. I'd also check the block alignment to the rim to try and improve things.

 

[Mussels]

I'll let you know when mine arrive, what are the levers attached to, v-brakes? If so, I've found a significant improvement by switching the blocks to Avids, and also regularly clean the rims to maintain their grip. I'd also check the block alignment to the rim to try and improve things.

I have disk at the front and V brakes at the rear, the rear is OK as that requires a lot less pressure. My front is still not great despite a series of improvements, the pull ratio now feels right but the short lever means I can't apply enough pressure.

 

[Straylight]

I don't know much about disc brakes, but is there an alternative pad you can try? I found my Vs improved significantly by switching to aviid blocks, also maybe degrease the discs? Stands to reason though, that with a shorter lever, you'll get less, well, leverage

 

[Mussels]

I don't know much about disc brakes, but is there an alternative pad you can try? I found my Vs improved significantly by switching to aviid blocks, also maybe degrease the discs? Stands to reason though, that with a shorter lever, you'll get less, well, leverage

There are different pads available but as I don't know what type of pads the bike came with I don't know if a different set will be any better. The extreme ones don't seem to be available, probably as they overheat easily.
The brake is almost there after several improvements, two finger brake levers are usually very specialist items and I'm suprised to see them as standard. I'll try fitting the full length levers from the old brakes when I get time, but it will need adjusting to fit.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Two fingure levers

Hi Mussells

I am in China today at the China Bike show, would you like me to find some longer levers for you? I would be intrerseted to see if the make a big difference.

All the best David

 

[Straylight]

As an experiment to improve the braking force of my v-brakes, I've installed the 'Avid Single digit 5' brakes from my Marin in combination with the standard Wisper long levers on the rear wheel. I haven't taken it out yet, but when balancing the brakes I've found a profound difference in A. the force required on the lever (a lot less), and B. the braking effect (when the wheel is spinning quite fast, the brakes stop it dead).

I will report more after a test ride, I think the only issue will be an increased risk of locking the wheel, but this will simply be a matter of self calibration In fact, I was so impressed with the difference that I immediately ordered two pairs of brakes in black (the ones from my Marin are silver - and about a decade old).

Out of interest, as an aside, the Avid levers on the Marin are somewhat shorter than the Wisper's, and also have an adjustment screw on the pivot to set the progressiveness of the braking, so maybe when my new levers arrive, they'll prove to be more compatible, looking forward to seeing the difference I should also add that I'm using Clarkes inserts in Avid RW2 cassetes, as these have proven to be more durable on my marin than the Avid standard blocks (and they're cheaper too! ).

 

[Straylight]

Braking News

Well, my experiment is working out better than I'd hoped My rear brakes are now incredibly light, smooth, and silent. The Wheel will lock if a lot of force is applied, but seeing as I can stop from 20mph in around 20 feet with gentle preasure, I don't think it's a problem - looking forward to getting them on both wheels now!.

It'll be interesting to see how they perform in the wet, and over a long period of time, what the wear rate will be, but so far so good I'm "feeling much more confident under braking" as Martin Brundle would say

 

[Mussels]

Hi Mussells

I am in China today at the China Bike show, would you like me to find some longer levers for you? I would be intrerseted to see if the make a big difference.

All the best David

That would be good as I couldn't reasemble the lever correctly last time I tried. I don't want to try again until I have a lot of spare time, if you have an alternative then I can try that quickly.
I think it will help a lot.

Thanks.

 

[Mussels]

As an experiment to improve the braking force of my v-brakes, I've installed the 'Avid Single digit 5' brakes from my Marin in combination with the standard Wisper long levers on the rear wheel. I haven't taken it out yet, but when balancing the brakes I've found a profound difference in A. the force required on the lever (a lot less), and B. the braking effect (when the wheel is spinning quite fast, the brakes stop it dead).

I will report more after a test ride, I think the only issue will be an increased risk of locking the wheel, but this will simply be a matter of self calibration In fact, I was so impressed with the difference that I immediately ordered two pairs of brakes in black (the ones from my Marin are silver - and about a decade old).

Out of interest, as an aside, the Avid levers on the Marin are somewhat shorter than the Wisper's, and also have an adjustment screw on the pivot to set the progressiveness of the braking, so maybe when my new levers arrive, they'll prove to be more compatible, looking forward to seeing the difference I should also add that I'm using Clarkes inserts in Avid RW2 cassetes, as these have proven to be more durable on my marin than the Avid standard blocks (and they're cheaper too! ).

The standard 905 long levers (that I had) were for centre pull brakes so would have had an excellent mechanical advantage, these would be quite different to V brake long levers.
The centre pull levers don't allow the calipers enough travel and the blocks drag on the rim, the short V brake levers allow the clearance required but don't give me enough leverage to apply decent force on the brakes. I'm hoping v brake long levers will give me just the right amount of leverage but still allowing the clearance required on the disk and v brakes.
If that makes sense.

 

[stevew]

Just finished working on a one year old 905se with naff brakes. Owner had fitted an Avid BB7 to the front in the hope of improving things but to no avail.
Both front and rear were spongy and ineffective. IMO the brake levers were the wrong type with a 30mm dimension between the pivot and the cable anchor. Most Vee type and mechanical discs use a lever with about 40-45mm which pulls a lot more cable.
I have fitted Travel Agents up by the levers and they multiply the amount of cable pulled. The brakes are much improved now.
More testing tomorrow 'cos it's not exactly the cheapest option at 15 quid each !! But it really does make a difference.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Brakes

Hi Steve

I hope the tests work out OK.

Don't forget we have stock of the much improved brakes that are used on the current Wispers.

All the best David