Help! Is there a market for the Wisper Wayfarer?

[Wisper Bikes]

Thanks Crockers, finding my way a little on this level of bike. We are going to bring back the Wisper Works tag to signify when the bikes are built here in Kent.

We will be making the next 1000 or so of our standard Wispers here until we have the Taiwanese bikes flowing, we will then utilise our new manufacturing facility to build Works bikes. Its going to be a very interesting year.

All good!

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Here is the carbon version frame ready for building.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

It'll look something like this but we have decided on 27.5 2.25 tyres so a little more trail and a little less city.

 

[Crockers]

Looking good for me but may be too large for the wife.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Crockers we will be making two sizes.

All the best, David

 

[anotherkiwi]

The bike will retail between £3,500 and £4,500 depending on specs.

Looking at the above photo for >3,963€ I would want as standard a Tubus Fly rack, a NCX seat post, a RST mono-shock fork, Hebie chainglider, ergotec trekking handlebar, stem and pedals, b+m lights and decent aluminum mudguards covering Schwalbe Big Ben Plus tyres. That is how a German/Austrian/Swiss bike would be equipped for similar money.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

The specs we are looking at would certainly compete very favourably Kiwi. At the top end we would be using the brand new Nexus 5 ebike hub from Shimano with Di2 electronic change, Rockshox, Schwalbe Big Bens could be chosen from a list of tyres. Shimano E7000 504Wh in frame battery and of course the carbon frame.

The Alloy version would start at about £2,200.00 with a lower spec and the E5000 drive.

At Eurobike we found that we were about 20% cheaper than equivalent European bikes.

All the best, David

 

[anotherkiwi]

The rack has to go David! Why mess up a good looking frame with such a horror? Even on a rendering. How about folding pedals and a turning stem as standard so you can make the bike flat for train transport or parking in the hall at the office or at home?

As they say the devil is in the detail and you need to bring a little + here and there to stand out from the crowd.

 

[Crockers]

David, will you have a prototype at the NEC or is it too early?

 

[Wisper Bikes]

David, will you have a prototype at the NEC or is it too early?

Yes we will Crockers, but the large frame. In carbon and I hope alloy too.

All the best, David

 

[Crockers]

Have you considered a choice of colours? Red. White. Blue.

If you're considering offering a choice of configurations have you considered an online configurator?

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Crockers, not sure about colours this year but yes we are going to have an on line configuration system. Much like the RM model.

 

[Crockers]

Hi Crockers we will be making two sizes.

All the best, David

David

Would the smaller size have the same size wheels or are you considering 26" ones.

Tickets bought so hopefully see you at the show on Sunday.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Crockers, we will have a small stand there, as we are at Bike Week in Taiwan.

All the best, David

 

[Crockers]

Hi Crockers, we will have a small stand there, as we are at Bike Week in Taiwan.

All the best, David

Are we both talking about the same show....NEC ??

 

[Auxtail]

HI David,
Electric Bike share is big business in US, see Uber and Lyft. This design is pretty similar to their requirements. Step Thru, electric and robust.
I think there are a few operators out there, but Santander are the biggest. If you need a contact I can DM. Might need to bring the price down. Target weight 20Kg. High tension steel probably.
Cheers
Craig
PS. Like the lots of people with great ideas quote.

 

[Chainring]

The bike will retail between £3,500 and £4,500 depending on specs.

Looking at the above photo for >3,963€ I would want as standard a Tubus Fly rack, a NCX seat post, a RST mono-shock fork, Hebie chainglider, ergotec trekking handlebar, stem and pedals, b+m lights and decent aluminum mudguards covering Schwalbe Big Ben Plus tyres. That is how a German/Austrian/Swiss bike would be equipped for similar money.

At that price, I would like an Ursus Big Foot stand, steering stabiliser and lugs for a front rack, similar to Tern, Edge, Juiced, Rad Power etc. I would also expect Samantha Fox to come round once a month to run a duster over the spokes. It's not easy designing these bikes, is it? There's always one! I realise the more a bike sells for, the more mark-up there is, and you are in business to make a profit, but some bike prices are scary. Someone at Eurobike on YouTube quoted £11,000 for his top model. I saw a house in Spain for sale the other day for eight thousand euros. Makes you think.

 

[Chainring]

At that price, I would like an Ursus Big Foot stand, steering stabiliser and lugs for a front rack, similar to Tern, Edge, Juiced, Rad Power etc. I would also expect Samantha Fox to come round once a month to run a duster over the spokes. It's not easy designing these bikes, is it? There's always one! I realise the more a bike sells for, the more mark-up there is, and you are in business to make a profit, but some bike prices are scary. Someone at Eurobike on YouTube quoted £11,000 for his top model.

Sorry, that should have been the Ursus Jumbo 80 Twin-leg folding stand. A purpose-made rack for the mounting lugs would make sense, as well. We can come up with all these suggestions - it's easy! I used to work in a shop where people came in and said things like: 'You should stock' or 'Why don't you move that over there?' They were full of bright ideas, but of course, they did not have to implement them.

 

[Chainring]

Hi pedelecers,

I am in a quandary.

We have designed a new step through frame in carbon. Our target audience is larger, heavier riders wanting a stiff, solid, light weight frame with high end components. Shimano 7000 series and in frame removable battery. The bike will retail between £3,500 and £4,500 depending on specs.

Obviously the bike is not only for the larger and heavier rider but it will cater for those guys too.

Am I completely barking?

All the best, David

This video just popped up on YouTube:

It gives a very good idea of what is involved in building a new bike, and all the things you have to sort out, David. It's not easy, is it?*!

 

[Woosh]

"we went to Taiwan and started a bike company" is a tad pessimistic. It does not matter where you get your bikes built nowadays, Taiwan, Cambodia (Halfords), Vietnam (Merida) the competition is ferocious in all segments of the market, you have to have vision and drive to succeed. Manufacturing (or assembling) is a small portion of the business. Assembly cost represents about 5%-7% of the value of my bikes.