Wisper 906 XC Tourer..........................

[flecc]

No, I think Wiggle is probably too mainstream focused (sic).

I don't think the e-models are available in the UK, USA only probably.
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[alex_h]

what a **** is that. Focus is not even saying what battery is fitted not even mentioning who manufactured it. for lack of info i wouldn't buy. Don't like the products that have hidden details

 

[eddieo]

well the one I looked at had the 300 watt Panasonic system....even has a diagram of frame geometry?

AND at £2300 a snip compared to the swiss 300 watt for such a fast bike

Jafira speed

The powerful 300 watt motor provides with an extremely strong torque for support right from the start. Coupled with the performance effort of the rider, this pedelec reaches up to 450 watt on the road – thus ideal when one has to go fast and without great effort. This fast model with up to a maximum speed of 40 km/h belongs to the class L1e of the mopeds.

Icon: Frame Frame FOCUS Pedelec zero stack alloy
Icon: Fork Fork FOCUS rigid alloy
Icon: Tires Tires Schwalbe Big Apple, 26 x 2.00
Icon: Drivetrain Drivetrain SRAM Force
Icon: Shifter Shifter SRAM Double Tap
Icon: Brakes Brakes Avid Juicy Three
Icon: Brake lever Brake lever Avid Juicy Three
Icon: Handlebar Handlebar Concept Extreme MTB
Icon: Stem Stem Alloy
Icon: Seatpost Seatpost Concept SL
Icon: Saddle Saddle fi’zi:k Rondine
Icon: Hubs Hubs Shimano XT disc
Icon: Rims Rims Rodi D 540 disc
Icon: Headlight Headlight Busch & Müller Lumotec IQ Cyc
Icon: Backlight Backlight Busch & Müller Lumotec IQ Cyc
Icon: Mudguard Mudguard Curana black
Icon: Carrier Carrier 2 leg. alloy
Icon: Kickstand Kickstand adjustable alloy

 

[flecc]

Very illegal in the UK though, both on power and assist speed, as you say, using the same Panasonic unit as the Biketec Flyer X model we discussed recently.
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[Tex]

Sorry if I crashed your browsers fellas. They are good looking machines though. Id have to take the fast one over the Tasman Sea to New Zealand though: 300watts is allowed there. Ps we are going to 250 watts from a 200watt limit here on OZ soon. Hence me looking at UK specd bikes now.

 

[eddieo]

Very illegal in the UK though, both on power and assist speed, as you say, using the same Panasonic unit as the Biketec Flyer X model we discussed recently.
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this bike seems to be set up for speed...would it be a better hill climber then standard 250 watt Panasonic? I have emailed Focus...it really seems something of a bargain. a shame the other 2 bikes in the range dont have the 300 watt option........

 

[Tex]

Focus bikes here emailed me back saying they'd import one for me for 4300 AUD. That's around 2600 UK Pounds. About the same as a Kalkhoff Pro Connect S over there, but a bit cooler

 

[HarryB]

Apologies for dragging this thread back to the Wisper XC.

I went over to PowaRider near Woking to look at the Wisper XC yesterday afternoon. Nice friendly knowledgeable service from Steve - thanks.

Bike looks very impressive in the flesh, more than impressive, it looks fantastic - the carbon fibre really does make it look like a high quality bike. Is that reason alone to buy the bike?

First impressions in no particular order:

Motor is nice and discrete, looks identical to the Tongxin, about the same amount of power for hill climbing too. Not nearly as quiet but I think the freewheel is quite good, not as good as the Tongxin but better than my memory of the Torq.

Power is delivered in two ways - 6 stages of power in pedelec mode and a throttle. The pedelec mode works ok in the lower powers but gets a bit jerky in higher powers. It is easier to use the throttle for fine tuning.

The Alfine hub works superbly, changes are smooth, even under moderate power. Gear range is good or adequate for a electric bike at any rate. Definitely a plus point.

Brakes - rear brake was powerful but I couldn't live with the front. Maybe it is to do with the set up but the bike really needs hydraulic brakes all round (which are coming).

Whenever I ride a bike with 26 inch wheels it always feels a bit like I am on a bit of a kids bike. I get the seat as I high as I can comfortably go but it still feels like I am not extending my leg properly - not nearly as bad a the eco tornado I used to ride though.

The front forks have what I think is an unnecessary cable driven adjuster on the handlebars - not sure I need to adjust the forks on the go and just one more thing to look messy and go wrong. Forks seemed to have a bit of play and stiction but freed up on the move.

The thing that jarred with me were the tyres (and mudguards). Honestly they wouldn't look out of place on a moped and were huge. They look so out of place on a bike with so much Carbon Fibre. They would have to go for marathon plus and then the mudguards would look ridiculous.

Maybe I have been spoilt by the Cytronex - it really is the best electric bike I have every ridden and difficult to compete with but in terms of weight it is difficult to reconcile all that carbon with the way the XC feels - obviously there is the huge 14 Ah battery contributing to that, but there is no advantage over say an Agattu at £1000 less.

So there is the rub, would I spend £2500 on the XC? Probably not at the moment as the only advantage I can see is the beauty of the thing and what I am really after is utility. Getting to work with the minimum of fuss and less maintenance is a priority. I have no doubt it would be reliable and looks very well put together - the component certainly don't look (and are not) cheap. However 'll wait for the 906 Alpino to appear and see what the new range of Kalkhoffs look like.

 

[eddieo]

Thanks Harry for the first "hands on" on this bike.....

what did you think of the alfina 8 set up? Most of us Wisper owners would be interested in how it compares with a 905. I thought this was a utility bike, designed for low maintenance.... that it is beautiful as well is surely just a bonus

if you found the sizing a bit tight, like you say the Alpino may be a better fit.

 

[HarryB]

Thanks Harry for the first "hands on" on this bike.....

what did you think of the alfina 8 set up? Most of us Wisper owners would be interested in how it compares with a 905. I thought this was a utility bike, designed for low maintenance.... that it is beautiful as well is surely just a bonus

if you found the sizing a bit tight, like you say the Alpino may be a better fit.

I think it would be great at £2000 but that £500 is a step too far for me for utility. I have added a line about the Alfine which is superb. I have never ridden the 905 and didn't have time yesterday - sorry.

 

[Old Timer]

Hmm! so all that glitters might not be gold then

Harry! have you tried a Cyclamatic (before I get bashed"Only Joking")

 

[eTim]

Whenever I ride a bike with 26 inch wheels it always feels a bit like I am on a bit of a kids bike. I get the seat as I high as I can comfortably go but it still feels like I am not extending my leg properly - not nearly as bad a the eco tornado I used to ride though.

Are you sure this applies to all 26" wheeled bikes you have ridden, buy a non-electric bike and you normally have a range of frame sizes to suit. I think the 906xc comes in one size, which is supposed to be a one-size-fits all, but clearly it's not the case. If they produced larger frame sizes, maybe one would suit you, but unfortunately they don't. Just out of interest what height are you and what is your inside leg measurement ?

 

[eddieo]

Are you sure this applies to all 26" wheeled bikes you have ridden, buy a non-electric bike and you normally have a range of frame sizes to suit. I think the 906xc comes in one size, which is supposed to be a one-size-fits all, but clearly it's not the case. If they produced larger frame sizes, maybe one would suit you, but unfortunately they don't. Just out of interest what height are you and what is your inside leg measurement ?

but they do?....... the alpino range with bigger frame and 700cc wheels

 

[eTim]

but they do?....... the alpino range with bigger frame and 700cc wheels

Ed do 700c wheels take 26" tyres ? The alpino does not an 906xc make and in addition, correct me if I am wrong, the Alpino only comes in one size (fits all) ?!

 

[eddieo]

Ed do 700c wheels take 26" tyres ? The alpino does not an 906xc make and in addition, correct me if I am wrong, the Alpino only comes in one size (fits all) ?!

It has the dapush motor and alfine 8 gearbox, larger frame and choice of 26 or 28 inch rims. there are some tall owners of 905s on here that are happy with the size and fit, but as everyone agrees one size is not always right for everyone.

Now for wisper fans there is a choice....and no the alpino is not a "fits all" bike it is a larger frame, designed primarily for Euro/Dutch market I fink.

I doubt that it would be any good for me, but maybe with 26 inch wheels it may be OK but IMO the standard frame is very comfortable...I have just bought another 905, a city this time

so what you want is the carbon frame in different sizes....I think a City version of 906 would do well, loose the suspension and it would probably be under 20 kg

 

[eTim]

It has the dapush motor and alfine 8 gearbox, larger frame and choice of 26 or 28 inch rims. there are some tall owners of 905s on here that are happy with the size and fit, but as everyone agrees one size is not always right for everyone.

Now for wisper fans there is a choice....and no the alpino is not a "fits all" bike it is a larger frame, designed primarily for Euro/Dutch market I fink.

I doubt that it would be any good for me, but maybe with 26 inch wheels it may be OK but IMO the standard frame is very comfortable...I have just bought another 905, a city this time

so what you want is the carbon frame in different sizes....I think a City version of 906 would do well, loose the suspension and it would probably be under 20 kg

Congrats on the new purchase Ed. Yeah, carbon Alpino, choice of frame/wheel sizes and configuration, sub-20Kg and make it about £1K cheaper, not realistic, but, make the frame out of comfortable steel with fat tyres, no suspension and keep the price down - possible.

Only problem there is that the market trend is for Alu/carbon frames and suspension (and high prices), regardless of perceived comfort, someone needs to tell it like it is!

 

[eddieo]

Congrats on the new purchase Ed. Yeah, carbon Alpino, choice of frame/wheel sizes and configuration, sub-20Kg and make it about £1K cheaper, not realistic, but, make the frame out of comfortable steel with fat tyres, no suspension and keep the price down - possible.

Only problem there is that the market trend is for Alu/carbon frames and suspension (and high prices), regardless of perceived comfort, someone needs to tell it like it is!

Thanks, would be nice if I could ride it a little more then around the block due to my back though!lol any way Thailand next week should fix the back

I think Wisper do pretty good compared to other e bike manufacturers. they are not a multinational like Giant, Trek etc.......I now we are all gagging for the next big thing, but expectations need to be tempered with reality lol To bring these kinda bikes to the market is a real achievement..and the 906 is superb IMO and I cant wait to try it.

 

[Old Timer]

It has the dapush motor and alfine 8 gearbox, larger frame and choice of 26 or 28 inch rims. there are some tall owners of 905s on here that are happy with the size and fit, but as everyone agrees one size is not always right for everyone.

Now for wisper fans there is a choice....and no the alpino is not a "fits all" bike it is a larger frame, designed primarily for Euro/Dutch market I fink.

I doubt that it would be any good for me, but maybe with 26 inch wheels it may be OK but IMO the standard frame is very comfortable...I have just bought another 905, a city this time

so what you want is the carbon frame in different sizes....I think a City version of 906 would do well, loose the suspension and it would probably be under 20 kg

You kept that quiet enjoy!

Can`t help but fancy one myself but I`m waiting to see how that proposed new Oxygen works out

 

[eddieo]

You kept that quiet enjoy!

Can`t help but fancy one myself but I`m waiting to see how that proposed new Oxygen works out

you can try ours out when we come up to Cromer........

 

[Wisper Bikes]

906xc

Hi Guys and thanks for all the positives!

I use the 906xc (well of course I do! ) and find it a very different animal to the 905. It certainly needs a bit more than a ride around the block to appreciate the differences. I made the air suspension fully remote from the handle bars because I used to keep reaching down to adjust or lock my 905 suspension on the go which was always a little fraught! I now find myself constantly adjusting the suspension whilst riding but now safely. Lock out makes the bike so much more rideable on flat metalled roads. Going fast down steep hills even on good roads is more comfortable on level 3 or 4 and of course level 1 is best for off road.

The bike is built not only with the best equipment levels available at the price, we have spent a lot of time and effort in making the bike look and feel great. Lets face it, carbon handle bars on an electric bike do not make perfect sense, but have you seen how good they look!

Re sizes, both our 26" and 28" bikes can be ridden comfortably by riders of all heights, at 5'6" I love to ride both as does Anthony from Wisper Australasia who is 6'4"! Of course having a bike taylor made to fit would be great but I feel we have done a good job for most people.

All the best

David