Do many members ride a Woosh bike ?

[Mike63]

Hi ...In my search for a new ebike I've come across an excellent website for Woosh bikes.

....I live in West Yorkshire so getting to see one before purchase seems unlikely.
I have read a good review on here but I don't know if the reviewer is associated with Woosh so I wondered if many members ride Woosh bikes.

I cannot understand why another bike on my shortlist......the Freego Eagle is twice the price of the Woosh.

I weigh 90 kgs...I'm 5'6" with an inside leg of 28"...not too bothered if it's x bar or ST.
....must have an assured range of 35 miles so need the larger battery.
I don't ride much in the way of hills but I've read that a crank drive can be ridden without power...my experience is that hub drives cannot...by me at least

Any information would be appreciated......if it's negative you could pmail me, I promise it'd be kept confidential.
....all info. and comments much appreciated....many thanks....Mike

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Which hub-drive bike couldn't you ride without power? I've ridden a lot of different ones, but I've never found one that was difficult to ride them without power. We've had a few people mention that problem on this forum, but nearly always it's because they've got either binding brakes or a jammed clutch in their motor - both of which can be easily sorted.

At 90kg, you're towards the top of the range, where a hub-motor would be a good choice - for the cheaper ones, that is. Whatever you get, try and get one with at least three levels of pedal assist, otherwise you get high power all the time you pedal, which isn't what you always want.

If you were referring to my review of the Woosh bikes, I can assure you that I'm in no way connected to Woosh, but, as they're nice people, I'd be happy to help them if I can - the same as Juicy, Wisper and Oxygen because I've met them all. I'd do the same for others, if I'd met them. My hobby is electric bikes.

One of the reasons that they're cheap is because they sell direct. Retailers often want as much as £300 (or more) on each bike they sell, which bumps up the prices.

From what you've described, I'd say that the Woosh Sirocco CD is the perfect bike for you if you don't want to pay too much. The only thing that stops it being better than much more expensive bikes is the gear-changing that's a bit harsh when you change down on hills because the motor is applying a lot of tension to the chain. It's the same as when you stand on the pedals and try and change gears on a non-electric bike. Once you're aware of this problem, there's various techniques you can use to mitigate it. The Tonaro is the same, and all crank-drives suffer from this problem to an extent. It's one area where hub-drives have an advantage. Next weekend is the Redbridge Try-a-bike day. I think you'll find a lot of people extolling the virtues of the Woosh bikes after that.

Another choice, but a bit more expensive is the Kudos Ibex, which has the same system as the Woosh CD and slightly higher specification components, and (to me) looks nicer, but smaller battery. Hopefully, myself and others will be able to tell you what it's like after next weekend.

 

[Geebee]

Direct drive hubs that have regen can be a pain to ride unassisted, direct drive hubs without regen still aren't great, but geared hubs tend to be a lot more like a normal bike other than the extra weight of the bike, as they have a freewheel built in, they are also the most common hubs around now.
I would not rule out hub bikes if you don't have big hills, I personally like crank drive but that is only due to there being lots of steep hills where I ride.

 

[Mike63]

Thanks for the responses d8veh and Geebee...most informative.
I've had 4 ebikes..a Powabyke X6 ...a Wisper Eco...and 2 UrbanMover UM44 U Sprite...all hub driven.
...none of them could I pedal without power on even the slightest gradient.
...I don't know what regan is but I assume my bike has it.

I'm 72 and my knees are shot...since June 2012 I've biked 1990 miles..all leisure biking.
There is one hill I ride up probably once a month, I have to pedal, I don't have a throttle and my bike takes it with difficulty...no bother to my knees but not sure about the motor

Kudos is holding a meet in Derbyshire on the 13th. April...I hope to get there and perhaps check out the Ibex but I doubt that'll do the range I need and it's a bit more than I want pay but I will look foreward to knowing more when you've tried it.
....again many thanks....Mike

 

[JuicyBike]

Hi Mike
One place quite near you which would be well worth a visit is E-Bike Hire who will be able to demonstrate a number of bikes and let you have a try.

It does cost a little more to obtain a bike with a dealer support network, as Dave points out, but that support does have a measurable value, especially if you have any issue that needs specialist help to resolve.

There are all sorts of dealers out there, all keen to sell you their wares. One way to differentiate is to look for membership of BEBA, the British Electric Bike Association. Members of BEBA all subscribe to an excellent code of practice and are all well equipped to offer great support, should it be needed.

The quality of components, investment in factory facilities and machinery, quality control systems, robustness of supply and distribution, staff welfare and investment in training and development of both people and products, along with the general financial resilience of a supplier to be around long-term to provide support in the future: all is reflected in the purchase cost of any product.

Woosh seem to have a long term plan and have fans on these forums. They seem open and honest and clearly aim to please. Freego also have been around a relatively long time for this business and a very well established network of dealers. They are also members of BEBA. It is sad that Martin, who used to represent them on these forums, is no longer with us, and his input is missed. He would better have explained why their bikes, which are very similar in spec to our own, are priced the way they are.

Who can say which strategy will lead to the many years of trouble free cycling which should be the wish of all suppliers for their customers, at the best possible value? I'm certain all suppliers share that goal.

I hope you get the chance to have a closer look at Juicy Bikes as you arrange your demo rides.

 

[Marctwo]

I do a 15 mile round trip to work and back which I used to do on an unpowered mountain bike. It took me about 27 minutes each way. I was, of course, regularly overtaken by the 'lycra' brigade who always said hello in passing.

I bought a Woosh Sirocco about six months ago as my first e-bike. Initially, it was only doing about 9 miles before cutting out meaning I had to pedal it most of the way home unpowered. Yes, it was hard work, like giving someone a backy. I sent the battery back and got a replacement withing a week but while waiting I was back on my old bike which felt so light and fast in comparison.

With the new battery working well, I was doing my journy in about 38 minutes each way and was regularly passed by the 'old lady with her shopping' brigade. The bike was hard enough to pedal at 10mph unpowered so pushing it beyond its cut off speed was not going to happen without a tail wind or a hill. Even after building up a good 25mph+ downhill, as soon as I reached the flat again it felt like the brakes were going on, dragging me back down to the cut off. Also trying to get it going from a stand still was not exactly easy. Even standing on the pedals seemed to have little impact on the acceleration.

I'd imagine this performance would be a reflection on restricted hub drives in general, not just the Woosh... which is why I put a crank drive on my old bike. I now pass the 'lycra' brigade and say hello in passing.

 

[GaRRy]

Thanks for the responses d8veh and Geebee...most informative.
I've had 4 ebikes..a Powabyke X6 ...a Wisper Eco...and 2 UrbanMover UM44 U Sprite...all hub driven.
...none of them could I pedal without power on even the slightest gradient.
...I don't know what regan is but I assume my bike has it.

Agree about the Urban Mover (Have a 36SX). Not impossible to ride unassisted but defiantly hard work.

However not true of all Hub bikes. Both my NEO's can be ridden pretty much like a normal bike with no power in most normal conditions (including sensible hills) and im sure they are not unique.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Hi Mike
One place quite near you which would be well worth a visit is E-Bike Hire who will be able to demonstrate a number of bikes and let you have a try.

It does cost a little more to obtain a bike with a dealer support network, as Dave points out, but that support does have a measurable value, especially if you have any issue that needs specialist help to resolve.

There are all sorts of dealers out there, all keen to sell you their wares. One way to differentiate is to look for membership of BEBA, the British Electric Bike Association. Members of BEBA all subscribe to an excellent code of practice and are all well equipped to offer great support, should it be needed.

The quality of components, investment in factory facilities and machinery, quality control systems, robustness of supply and distribution, staff welfare and investment in training and development of both people and products, along with the general financial resilience of a supplier to be around long-term to provide support in the future: all is reflected in the purchase cost of any product.

Woosh seem to have a long term plan and have fans on these forums. They seem open and honest and clearly aim to please. Freego also have been around a relatively long time for this business and a very well established network of dealers. They are also members of BEBA. It is sad that Martin, who used to represent them on these forums, is no longer with us, and his input is missed. He would better have explained why their bikes, which are very similar in spec to our own, are priced the way they are.

Who can say which strategy will lead to the many years of trouble free cycling which should be the wish of all suppliers for their customers, at the best possible value? I'm certain all suppliers share that goal.

I hope you get the chance to have a closer look at Juicy Bikes as you arrange your demo rides.

Bob,unfortunately BEBA has no quality standard as part of its membership,so membership of BEBA is no guarantee of quality. The best guarantee we currently have available is the quality and legality standard of EN 15194. All purchasers of an electric bike should ask whether the bike meets EN 15194 certification. The standard is already a legal requirement throughout Europe,it's about time we signed up to it in the UK.
Regards
Dave,Kudos

 

[JuicyBike]

Bob,unfortunately BEBA has no quality standard as part of its membership,so membership of BEBA is no guarantee of quality. The best guarantee we currently have available is the quality and legality standard of EN 15194. All purchasers of an electric bike should ask whether the bike meets EN 15194 certification. The standard is already a legal requirement throughout Europe,it's about time we signed up to it in the UK.
Regards
Dave,Kudos

Absolutely not true David. I don't wish to divert this thread onto a new topic, but I must point out that the requirement to conform to the UK legal requirements, of which EN 15194 is part, is just 1 requirement of becoming a BEBA key or manufacturer member. There are 10 other conformities required of manufacturers, all concerned with ensuring a good level of commitment to, and quality for the consumer. BEBA Retail members are required to conform with 7 other criteria, mostly concerned with ensuring a successful and positive experience for the consumer.

Quality is absolutely at BEBA's core raison d'etre.

 

[jazper53]

Quality is absolutely at BEBA's core raison d'etre.

I thought it was mainly a political pressure group, to influence possible regulation that would favour its membership?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I do a 15 mile round trip to work and back which I used to do on an unpowered mountain bike. It took me about 27 minutes each way. I was, of course, regularly overtaken by the 'lycra' brigade who always said hello in passing.

I bought a Woosh Sirocco about six months ago as my first e-bike. Initially, it was only doing about 9 miles before cutting out meaning I had to pedal it most of the way home unpowered. Yes, it was hard work, like giving someone a backy. I sent the battery back and got a replacement withing a week but while waiting I was back on my old bike which felt so light and fast in comparison.

With the new battery working well, I was doing my journy in about 38 minutes each way and was regularly passed by the 'old lady with her shopping' brigade. The bike was hard enough to pedal at 10mph unpowered so pushing it beyond its cut off speed was not going to happen without a tail wind or a hill. Even after building up a good 25mph+ downhill, as soon as I reached the flat again it felt like the brakes were going on, dragging me back down to the cut off. Also trying to get it going from a stand still was not exactly easy. Even standing on the pedals seemed to have little impact on the acceleration.

I'd imagine this performance would be a reflection on restricted hub drives in general, not just the Woosh... which is why I put a crank drive on my old bike. I now pass the 'lycra' brigade and say hello in passing.

There must have been something seriously wrong with your bike - like binding brakes. The one I rode was very light and rode just like a non-electric bike.

 

[JuicyBike]

I thought it was mainly a political pressure group, to influence possible regulation that would favour its membership?

Yes, certainly! But not only on behalf BEBA manufacturers. Knowing what the Dept. Of Transport are thinking is of great benefit for members, and gives the heads-up to those involved.
I think it best, if this topic is to continue to be discussed, then another thread should be started. But not by me tonight. It's Good Friday after all!

 

[john h]

mike i just got a sorocco cd ,was out on it this morning for first time, went loch ordie, up hill most of way on a fire track 30 mile round trip ,my first impression is it is realy good hill climber battery still saying full when got home, good review on going on thread [ i am not associated with woosh other than a customer,]

 

[12xu22]

Hi Mike, I am in West Yorkshire and own a Wooosh Zephyr, you are more than welcome to take a look at it

 

[anniegirl]

I live in Lancashire. I'm a customer of Woosh, and have no other association with them. I have a Woosh Sirocco Sport, and this is easy to pedal without any assistance at all......as easy as my ordinary mountain bike. This model has 18 gears and is lighter than some of the other Woosh models. You may be able to test a Woosh bike out, , they have a scheme where a customer can be a demonstrator, so if you contact Woosh there may be a demonstrator in your area. The pedal assist is great, and this model has a throttle. This is my first electric bike, and have found this very easy to ride.

 

[Marctwo]

There must have been something seriously wrong with your bike - like binding brakes. The one I rode was very light and rode just like a non-electric bike.

Mechanically, the bike's fine. Quite nice, in fact. It did need a bit of setting up initially but not much.

I don't have enough experience to say if the motor's ok, though. It'd be interesting to see if I had a dodgy clutch or something.

I won't be using it for a few weeks yet though as the LED display/control unit's gone wrong making the lights are a bit eratic.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

All you have to do is lift each wheel off the ground in turn and spin them by hand. If they don't spin for a while, something's wrong. It should only take 10 seconds and you don't need any power.

 

[Marctwo]

All you have to do is lift each wheel off the ground in turn and spin them by hand. If they don't spin for a while, something's wrong. It should only take 10 seconds and you don't need any power.

lol. If it didn't pass that test it would've gone straight back six months ago.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Absolutely not true David. I don't wish to divert this thread onto a new topic, but I must point out that the requirement to conform to the UK legal requirements, of which EN 15194 is part, is just 1 requirement of becoming a BEBA key or manufacturer member. There are 10 other conformities required of manufacturers, all concerned with ensuring a good level of commitment to, and quality for the consumer. BEBA Retail members are required to conform with 7 other criteria, mostly concerned with ensuring a successful and positive experience for the consumer.

Quality is absolutely at BEBA's core raison d'etre.

Bob,are you saying that EN 15194 certification is a requirement of BEBA membership? David Miall suggested otherwise.
Anyway,be up your way in a couple of weeks at the Manifold Trail event,Wetton Mill Tea Rooms,April 13,perhaps you can come along and say hello. I would like to generate interest in ebike ownership by way of a northern ebike show similar to the southern Redbridge event, perhaps you would like to join up with Kudos in organising such a meet,are there other ebike suppliers up north who would be interested in such an event?
KudosDave

 

[Mike63]

mike i just got a sorocco cd ,was out on it this morning for first time

Hi John...appreciate your input to the thread.

....It's the Sorocco CD that I am interested in...sounds like you're almost next door to the dealer which is no bad thing...I just wish I could see one but nobody in my area with a Woosh bike.
I've been riding ebikes for 5 years and only seen one other bike on one occasion.

....massive market round here.

cheers....Mike