oldseal

Excuse me for being slightly thick but where is "Columbus"?

I got the XXL version. It is more sturdy for rough terrain. I haven't had it long but first impressions are good!

Don't forget the Kalkhoffs have an 8 speed gear system, and a panasonic drive, and they're cheaper than the Gazelles. I have just got one and cannot stop riding it!

Sounds great........are you going to have a kalkhoff? I am still undecided, having ruled the wisper out I am nearer, swaying towards a Kalkhoff.

Well I've had a busy week, and ridden some bikes. Coupled with the advice given here I think I'm a bit nearer now. I have ridden a Wisper, and I got to be honest, I wasn't keen. I wasn't happy with the one size only, and it felt a bit "cheap". Hard to describe but I guess I don't have much to compare it to. Not too keen on the idea of it driving itself either......ha ha. I also had a go on a Sparta. This felt much better built, much more "sharp", but didn't seem to have much ooomph. Also I was put off by the maintenance side of things. I am now also looking into kit versions......Cytronex etc. A little put off by the range, but does anyone know what the hillclimbing is like on these? Sorry for all the questions, I want to make sure I make the right choice.

Is the Raleigh exactlythe same as the Kalkhoff?

As a person looking at potentially buying either a wisper or kalkhoff I find this very interesting. I have read your report and it doesn't seem like a bad one, so why is it you feel you don't have freedom of speech? I mean it praises the bike in the area it is supposed to excel, ie. hillclimbing etc. And you state the obvious, that excess weight and prolonged climbs will reduce the range, but everyone knows this,it's simple physics I guess. From what I understand the gearing has to be low to ensure the bike doesn't exceed the 15mph limit too. It must be a good bike as you still have it after all . Is there anything else that I am missing here, as your forum post sounds a bit negative, but the actual blog seems quite positive about the bike, apart from having to wait and the price. I wouldn't have an issue with either of these issues, as it is described as the Rolls Royce of pedelecs, and you would have to wait quite a while and pay quite a bit for one of those! Please don't take this post the wrong way, I am new to all this and would apreciate the advice of anyone who actually owns the bikes I am looking at.

Very good point, one I may have overlooked. What size would everyone say is the maximum for a wisper?

I am quite new here, and taking the plunge after owning a cheap ebay electric bike for the last year. I have had some issues with my "El Cheapo" and after some advice I have decided to get a top end model. I have read many an old post here, and decided the both bikes have their pro's and cons. My use will be a bit of everything really, very hilly commute, total distance will be about 23 miles each day. I like the sound of the Panasonic system on the Kalkhoff, but the Wisper seems to have many a fan here. Are there any other models I should consider or are these the main 2?

If you read the whole post he says 6 months. So if he has been riding it 5 days a week (no cheating when its been raining), 4 weeks a month, 6 months, thats 30 miles per day. That is a very high number of miles! I don't do that in my car.

Falling off whilst intoxicated doesn't hurt so much......untill the morning!