Wisper 905 or Ezee kit?

[OneWayTraffic]

Buying my first electric bicycle in December when I get back to NZ after my 8 year stint in Korea. I've narrowed down the options to two.

1. Wisper 905 cityS $2600-$2800 NZD.
2. Front Ezee kit $2000 NZD plus a bike to put it on. I'd get it from ebikes.ca and probably get the Cycle Analyst and LED lights, but I could wire those into the Wisper as well if I wanted, so I haven't included them in the price.

I'm having analysis paralysis here. No doubt I'll jump one way or the other when I get back in 4 weeks, but right now, the more I learn the harder it is to decide.

 

[Andy_82]

i would rather go wisper 905 se city s, it's just my choice and its definitely a good bike

 

[Andy_82]

Was just browsing the web and came across the largest electric bike you could find, must see it. that's is actually a tricycle but still quite interesting, looks like runs on heinzmann motor. maybe you should get one of those for NZ, you would probably stand out from the crowd

more pictures of that cargo tricycle i actually love it, sorry i went bit off topic

 

[flecc]

New Zealand is mainly a bit too hilly for that Andy!

Although both your choices are good performers for your territory OneWayTraffic, on balance I think the Wisper since you have the local support in NZ via Anthony at Whakatane who represents Wisper in the region:

electricbikes.co.nz - Electric Bikes, Kits, Ebikes and More ! - Home
.

 

[OneWayTraffic]

Yes the local support would be nice, though ebikes.ca do provide good backup, postage from Canada would be an issue...

What are the chances of actually getting a dud Ezee kit though? ebikes.ca do check everything before they send and a lot of issues are user fixable.

I'd really like one of those 'god' performers though. Never mind the roads, just teleport to where you're going.

The thing that's pushing me towards Ezee is mainly the ability to choose the bike of my choice. I'd like to use a nexus rear hub, though I'm not sure if the choice of gears would matter all that much with the motor pushing. I could also upgrade the Ezee to 48volts later (risking a brush with the fuzz) and swap it over to another bike if I wanted.

The 905 is turnkey though and it does have local support.

Decisions decisions.

I know I'll get them both!


*wakes Up.*

 

[flecc]

I've amended the reference to the Almighty.

I think the eZee motor is probably very reliable in the mould of the Suzhou ones that eZee learnt from and still use on the Quando model. It's more the battery that might suffer the odd problem on this very powerful motor, though that's more likely when out of the warranty.

However, having once had a Suzhou motor that suffered failed internal gears in the second week at under 200 miles, I'm conscious of the possibility.
.

 

[OneWayTraffic]

Well if I get an Ezee I'd probably be restricting the battery to a 1.5C draw and I'd eventually (in a year or three) be getting a bigger battery for it.

 

[Sir_Bob]

tat

please make sure you get the largest battery for your needs but watch out for the ones on ebay they can be dood.

thx

Bob

 

[PaulC]

Hi from Auckland, NZ.
I did lots of searching about 2 years ago for electric bike suppliers in NZ.

The NZ eZee importers are a firm whose main business is spa pools and outside garden furniture. The bikes sat in a small corner of their shop. They may have improved since but I was concerned that any bike batteries would be dead (low turnover) and where any technical support would come from.
An imported eZee kit from USA would attract GST at 12.5% on top of the purchase price.

The Wisper people have a good website and I talked to them earlier this year at an ecoshow in Auckland. Realists with a good product and I have now seen a few around Auckland.

The other alternative is a firm in Wellington at NZecobikes Limited who sell Crystalyte electric-bike kits (these are reliable). They've been in the electric bike/scooter business since about 2002. Not sure about their remote support if you are not in the Wellington area.

The NZ ebay (trademe.co.nz) always has lots of cheapo Chinese electric bikes of doubtful quality. However the odd gem occasionally turns up (e.g. I got my Giant LaFree from there).

Personally I would go for the Wisper on the grounds of quality and there is local support.
Cheers
Paul
Auckland

 

[OneWayTraffic]

I've seen the teampoynter website, and it's a shame that the Ezee's aren't imported by a more specialist company. I wasn't planning to buy from them anyway, not being Auckland based myself.

Hadn't thought about the GST. It might slip under the Radar, or it might not.

I have been looking at Trademe, I saw a Wisper705 little used for a good price a while ago. Can't bid yet, being out of the country.

Most of the Crystallyte motors sold by Ecobikes would technically be illegal in NZ, unless modified to low current draws.

I actually emailed NZLTA to ask them about the current law, and it's spirit vs its letter. I will post the final reply up here and also on the Sphere.

 

[PaulC]

NZ Customs impose GST (=VAT) on any imported goods whose value is more that NZ $500 and apply this policy without exception. I encountered it when I imported a Brompton from England.
The LTSA rules about electric bike power limits are aimed at bulk importers and individuals who bring in a single bike would most likely slip under the radar - so long as they pay the GST
Cheers
Paul
Auckland, NZ

 

[OneWayTraffic]

What I meant by asking the Land Transport Authority wasn't so much for importing, but for using. I just want to know the chances that I'll be pulled over by a cop. Probably small, but...

Anyway thanks for the heads up on GST. I'll need to keep that in mind.

 

[eBikes New Zealand ltd]

Hi Folks,

Nice to see all this good feedback about Wisper bikes, and our company... seems we are doing a good job

Yes, we also sell conversion kits, 24v10ah batt's, dapu controller and compatible front motor... For NZ hills, I'd still recommend a 905 city S or Sport, with the 14ah battery. The larger battery holds voltage better under hig load... meaning, a little more (about 10%) grunt on the hills than the 8ah.

Yes, I've a few cycle analysts on different bikes for testing peak current, etc... very handy.

ps. sorry, I don't chat often on this... I've so many balls in the air, even this reply is a luxury... so, if I don't reply, please don't be offended...

off to meet Govt around the proposed NZ National cycleway and how important intergrating ebike use will be to open useage of the cycleway to a wider age and fitness range... exciting.