Try before you buy

[Conal]

As an avid reader of this forum I have read many posts advising prospective ebike purchasers to try out bikes from as many ebike makers as possible. I have also read that different bikes will suit different terrains and riding styles.

I have always agreed in theory although I thought the idea of some ebikes being fudementally different from others was an exaggeration.

Today I apologise for such thoughts. As I have already posted, I visited OnBike today and whilst I was there I test rode a Wisper, an E-motion, and Powabyke's X-6

My bike is an eZee Forza with no throttle, just pedelec, which I feel could have been made for my riding style and so my preferences are certainly bias.

The test site is certainly large enough - I had a whole industrial estate to myself! The only thing missing is a hill.

In reverse order of preference, I found the Powerbyke a little flimsy and characteristic of my old Powerbyke but much lighter and fun to ride, a bit like the fiat panda I used to drive.

The Wisper was lighter than my own bike but did not feel as solid (edited). I did not like the high-low power assist arrangement which means that, if you do pedal without using the throttle, you can only access 80% of the power. I also found it undergeared

My favourite by far was the E-motion. Phil explained how the two sensors worked but, to be honest, I found that I did not need this. As soon as I started pedalling I found everything about the bike natural. I loved the lightness of the frame and panasonic power assist - different to the eZee's feeling of raw power, more subtle. I understand that it cannot compare in speed to my eZee Forza on hill climbs but nevertheless climbs easily.

I enjoyed the trials and, if I was thinking of buying a bike, I wold have tried more makes and more models. I could have spent all day there.

Thanks to Phil Key and Andrew Grayland for their patience and explanations. I really enjoyed the visit and can now better understand comments made by more experienced members.

Anyone thinking of buying an ebike should visit a retailer who sells a selection of bikes, OnBike is an ideal example.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!

 

[Sir_Bob]

Howdie

Day off tonite just got back and its cold night of the year.

Not sure what you mean kidminster is definately to far to try one in scotland for most people in england or is the one in everytown

i am in derby and could never make it all that way. I did think that bikes on a train is not allowed. So after you try one how would you take it away, its not quite like a bag of booze down your local shop.

MY friend jimmy said that too much choice will make me conffused so better to stick with you know.

thx

Bob

 

[Conal]

No added value

Bob

Do me a favour, if you have nothing to say....say nothing

Conal

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Udergeared

The Wisper was lighter than my own bike but did not feel as well-built. I did not like the high-low power assist arrangement which means that, if you do pedal without using the throttle, you can only access 80% of the power. I also found it undergeared

Hi Conal

Thanks for your comments, without comments both good and not so good we could never improve!

It is interesting that you did not like the power set up, I must admit to feeling we needed to do somthing about this and crank up the hi power to maximum. If anyone has the same problems please let me know and I will make a fix available. Your comments have convinced me however to go to three settings on our 2010 bikes with 40/80/100%.

The build quality may be due to the lighter weight as I have never heard of this before, I will call Phil and see whether the demo bike is our latest and whether it is set up OK. A prospective Greek dealer went to see On Bike a couple of weeks ago and complained that there was a continuous rattle from the Wisper Phil is using as a demo. Fortunately they still thought the Wisper was the best and have just placed a sample order.

Gearing is an area where we seem to have both schools of thought some feel it is under geared and change the drive wheel and others (more rarely) feel it is over geared. Do you think it wold be a good idea to offer two chain wheel sizes?

Incidentally I agree with you, I think Phil's bike is superb, no good for me at my weight but if you want a sporty light weight ebike and range is not a big issue it is a great choice!

All the best David

 

[Straylight]

Hi David, interesting you should mention the rattle, I noticed this recently on my 905, and found it to be the controller knocking against the inside of it's housing. This was easily fixed with some packing to wedge it in - very small bits of cardboard, in my case as I was wary of over insulating it heat wise.

With regard to the power levels, I've found it depends on how the two levels are used, which for me has evolved with practice. I use low + throttle most of the time, only switching to high when hill climbing, and so don't want to stress the battery by demanding 100% power - it also means that I don't have to concern myself with the throttle when standing up on the pedals. So all in all, I'm very happy with the current control set-up, but can see how it might not suit people who want to use pedelec only.

I see my bike for what it is - a human/electric hybrid vehicle, and find it interesting to manage both sources of power whilst riding - call me sad, but it passes the time on long journeys down endless country lanes .

 

[Mussels]

Gearing is an area where we seem to have both schools of thought some feel it is under geared and change the drive wheel and others (more rarely) feel it is over geared. Do you think it wold be a good idea to offer two chain wheel sizes?

Yes I'd like that idea, I found the 905 over geared but that was the 08 model so it may have changed. I didn't mind changing the chainring but ever since I've had trouble with the chain coming off as I couldn't get one the right size with the chainguide attached to the ring as in the picture.

Would I have a similar problem with the chainguard like this one?

This is the picture of a 906 Alpino from your website, you mentioned elsewhere (I think) that all Alpino bikes have a white frame so is the chainguard wrong also?
There is one problem with offering a choice though as a lot of people won't know what they want.

 

[CeeGee]

It is interesting that you did not like the power set up, I must admit to feeling we needed to do somthing about this and crank up the hi power to maximum. If anyone has the same problems please let me know and I will make a fix available. Your comments have convinced me however to go to three settings on our 2010 bikes with 40/80/100%.

I have been thinking for some time that a dial enabling variable power would be useful instead of the current buttons. Occasionally "Lo" is too low, and "Hi" is too high.

Colin

 

[daniel.weck]

I enjoyed the trials and, if I was thinking of buying a bike, I wold have tried more makes and more models. I could have spent all day there.

LOL, replace "bike" with "sports car" and that's what I regularly used to do !

I haven't tried a crank-pedelec yet, I bet it's great.

 

[daniel.weck]

David

Looking at my comment I realise I should have said that the Wisper did not feel as solid as my bike. The bike I tried out had no rattles or squeaks. Sorry that I gave the incorrect impression that it was not well made.

Conal

Maybe you should edit your main post so that it reflects your thoughts
(readers tend to skip messages in the middle of the thread)

/Daniel

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Rattle

Hi David, interesting you should mention the rattle, I noticed this recently on my 905, and found it to be the controller knocking against the inside of it's housing. This was easily fixed with some packing to wedge it in - very small bits of cardboard, in my case as I was wary of over insulating it heat wise.

With regard to the power levels, I've found it depends on how the two levels are used, which for me has evolved with practice. I use low + throttle most of the time, only switching to high when hill climbing, and so don't want to stress the battery by demanding 100% power - it also means that I don't have to concern myself with the throttle when standing up on the pedals. So all in all, I'm very happy with the current control set-up, but can see how it might not suit people who want to use pedelec only.

I see my bike for what it is - a human/electric hybrid vehicle, and find it interesting to manage both sources of power whilst riding - call me sad, but it passes the time on long journeys down endless country lanes .

Hi Straylight, thanks for you input.

On all new bikes in the shops now there is a 4th hex bolt in the controller housing to secure the controller.

Regarding the power controls there do seem to be two very different schools of thought some like to use the throttle to claim the extra 20% power and save the battery others like 100% all the time. To play safe we are adding a third level at 100%, this way we should make everyone happy.

All the best

David

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Gearing

Hi Mussells

The Alpinos are white I will change the image on the site as soon as I have the studio shots and all the new graphics are in the correct place.



The chain guard in the image on the site is incorrect the new one will not cause problems if one needs to change the chain wheel. We currently use 48, 52, and 56 teeth depending on the model, they all work perfectly and we can make them all available. The 56 is more expensive.

All the best

David

 

[Bigbee]

As an avid reader of this forum I have read many posts advising prospective ebike purchasers to try out bikes from as many ebike makers as possible. I have also read that different bikes will suit different terrains and riding styles.

I have always agreed in theory although I thought the idea of some ebikes being fudementally different from others was an exaggeration.

Today I apologise for such thoughts. As I have already posted, I visited OnBike today and whilst I was there I test rode a Wisper, an E-motion, and Powabyke's X-6

My bike is an eZee Forza with no throttle, just pedelec, which I feel could have been made for my riding style and so my preferences are certainly bias.

The test site is certainly large enough - I had a whole industrial estate to myself! The only thing missing is a hill.

In reverse order of preference, I found the Powerbyke a little flimsy and characteristic of my old Powerbyke but much lighter and fun to ride, a bit like the fiat panda I used to drive.

The Wisper was lighter than my own bike but did not feel as solid (edited). I did not like the high-low power assist arrangement which means that, if you do pedal without using the throttle, you can only access 80% of the power. I also found it undergeared

My favourite by far was the E-motion. Phil explained how the two sensors worked but, to be honest, I found that I did not need this. As soon as I started pedalling I found everything about the bike natural. I loved the lightness of the frame and panasonic power assist - different to the eZee's feeling of raw power, more subtle. I understand that it cannot compare in speed to my eZee Forza on hill climbs but nevertheless climbs easily.

I enjoyed the trials and, if I was thinking of buying a bike, I wold have tried more makes and more models. I could have spent all day there.

Thanks to Phil Key and Andrew Grayland for their patience and explanations. I really enjoyed the visit and can now better understand comments made by more experienced members.

Anyone thinking of buying an ebike should visit a retailer who sells a selection of bikes, OnBike is an ideal example.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!

So you went to try the bikes with no intention of actually buying one?

 

[Barnowl]

Tempted to visit myself one day and see if I'm missing something. On Bike sound like a very good outfit and they're not that faraway. E-Bikes don't last forever

 

[Conal]

A long way for window shopping

Bigbee

I had a couple of faults on the bike that I could not fix and had pointers from Flecc. As I am technically challenged I thought I could kill two birds with one visit. Phil and Andrew had already told me that they have a wide range of bikes and for a long time I have felt at a disadvantage when reading some posts as I had no experience of riding bikes other than those I have owned - an Aprillia Enjoy (rubbish), a Powerbyke (very heavy with a lead acid battery but great value second hand) and my present eZee Forza.

I especially wanted to try our a Wisper as I have been so impresed by David's aftersales service (and help to those who buy Wispers second hand).

I will eventually buy another bike and, unless there are significant changes, it will be another eZee Forza as I now know that is the best bike for my particular needs.

I had never considered an E-Motion but loved the bike. Unfortunately I also love raw power (relatively speaking of course) so will stick with the Forza.
I kept my wallet firmly closed even though I was tempted.

Haven't you ever checked out items that you do not intend to buy?

I would not put my limited experience on a level with members who have purchase the bikes I tried out, and I did not test them on hills, but I can now better understand the points made and will get more satisfaction from this greater understanding. There is nothing like trying it yourself!

I am lucky enough to work for an organisation that offers the Cycle to Work scheme so will buy brand new, and I will buy from OnBike rather than mail order or from a LBS that sells ebikes as a sideline. I regard my visit as real value for money and will try to repeat it at least once a year to keep up with developments.

I would like to add that, even though OnBike are in the business of sales not free rides, they did not pressure me at all and did not push one bike's virtues over another, so I was able to make truly independent observations.

Conal