MazB

ah cheers for that Flecc that makes sense! I didnt want to re-write it again, just becoz I'm lazy Maz

Is the Bike Review Thread not being updated? I posted a review of the IZIP Mezza Folder a few days back and its still not showing Maz

Izip Mezza Enlightened Reviewer: MazB Purchased From: Atmosphere Bristol Purchase Price: £950+ with discount Time Owned: Approx 3wks Local Terrain: Moderate/Steep Hills Strengths: Power Size and Weight Weaknesses: None at the moment Summary: I was very dubious about paying out so much money for the IZIP as I really wanted the Wispa Folder but opted for the IZIP as it had the throttle, something I felt I still needed as I cant always just use pedal power due to health issues (yawn!). I also have the UM55 which is a great bike but I needed a folder as I have changed jobs and needed to take the bike into the office. So far I have been well impressed with the IZIP. It folds in seconds and it feels so light compared to the UM55. Once folded it fits nicely under my desk. I've never had a bike with disc brake (front only) before and oh my god is that scary the first time you do an emergancy stop! Nearly went flying but have now learnt how to use it properly. The size and weight of the bike is perfect, although the weight felt scary in the wind as I suppose I was used to the heavier UM, but again you get used to it. The size is great for short or tall people and at 5ft its always a problem for me to get a bike thats comfortable as well as feeling safe and in control and I feel totally at home on this. The power is amazing, as I would expect as it has a 36volt motor, for my usage goes up hills with no effort much more effective in pedelec mode as opposed to the throttle. Switching between the pedelec and throttle is a simple switch on the handle bar. It has 7 gears which is sufficent for my needs and I havn't struggled as of yet in tackling any terrain. When I get a straight run and a good road surface I can get up to very good speeds . Overall I'm impressed but its early days but it feels like a good sturdy bike and I'm very happy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall Rating (8 of 10) : as I've only had it 3wks I'll wait to give it a higher mark to make sure it continues to be sturdy and all the bits and bobs last.

Hi Musicbooks, Have you tried Atmosphere in Bristol? not too far away and I've had a few dealings with them and always very good, always worth giving Alistair a call to see if he can help you. Maz.

Hi, thanks for the replys, Martin great descrip of the Wisper and and I have to agree it is a nice looking bike. I am used to a throttle and rear wheel motor, so these two differences are an issue. I'm in Bristol and Atmosphere bikes have both in stock so I will be trying them out and any others as they have a good range of electric bikes. My issue with the IZIP is the cost and not many reviews floating about, or even many mentions on the forum about performance which we would normally get with such a pricey bike. BTW ....you lot lost me on the candence but I enjoyed reading it Maz

I'm looking at getting a new bike this time a folder, at present I'm using the UM55. I've got it down to 2 models: 1. Wisper 806fe 2. Izip Mezza Don't really know too much about the Izip except at some point it was a cheep, cheerfull and heavy alternative. But seems as though Izip have come up market with this one costing over a grand! Wisper of cors is a great name but cannot find too many reviews, posts or comments on the 806 but it looks a very nice machine and I will be able to test ride this. Any comments on either would be appreciated or if you think I should look at others just throw them at me (not literally !) Maz

Just to Add.... I don't wear helmets even though I have one, I can't really think of a reason why I don't use it but after an incident last week I realised it actually doesn't matter. The incident - crossing the road in Bristol at pelican lights one car stops..second car goes through red lights and slams brakes on...third car goes through red lights slams brakes on and smacks into second car Press the button for a second time (as obviously not able to cross the road)..one car stops ...second car goes through red lights doesn't slam brakes on nearly hits the 2 cars above and continues on. Third time lucky I reckon press the button and wait for all cars to stop so I manage to cross the road, obviously shaken I asked the guys in the crashed cars if they are ok, then asked them why they didn't stop, the cheeky gits say its obviously bad lights, so I told them that their bad driving had nothing to do with this? My conclusion: I would have been dead both times as no helmet would have saved me I will still use my head (pardon the pun ) and not cross the road until all cars have stopped as I think this is the only way to avoid these bad drivers. I am just relieved that it was me crossing that morning and not a family or other cyclist as the outcome would have been horrendous. Safe riding everyone. Maz.

Had a gander at the above website and they looked so cool and useful that I decided to buy one I can now start a new craze in work "The best way to wear your Bufff" - should amuse the management Maz

Yep I suffered too with a freezing face, was quite comical as just as I got to work one of my mates stopped me as he was going to the shop, he asked me if I wanted anything and what came out of my mouth sounded like I'd been drinking all monrning I did decide to take the bus one morning, took me nearly 2hrs for a normal half hour journey by bike and I still had a freezing gob to boot, had to stand and people sneezing and coughing all round...it was miserable! So it was back on my bike and thankful for it and just wrapped up warm with a scarf still had a freezing gob but it was much more worth it. Next weeks weather is forcast for hail showers and getting colder again Maz.

Awe Grandad so sorry to hear about Grandma.... I wish her a speedy recovery and hope you both have a great celebration when she comes home, spoil her rotten I myself had a short stint in hospital this year, first time in I'd ever spent a night away from my hubby, and it ended up being 2 wks , not on 52 years yet (only 8) so I kinda of know how your feeling right now. Lots of love sent your way... Maz XXXX

Finally got round to putting my UM in for a service and just have to say I'm well impressed by the guys at Atmosphere here in Bristol. Put my bike in on Monday and picked it up today all shiny and new and they even gave it a complementary wash . I was well impressed with what they had in stock too Wisper 705 the new Powacycle's, Izip's and some folders. The 705 looks well nice and I think that is going to be my next purchase Their website is Electric Bikes Centre well worth a visit. Happy Xmas everyone and a Good New Year Maz.

Cheers Flecc, think I confused myself also LOL. Frank I think I will do as you say as I seem to have a motor cut-off on both handlebars so shouldn't be too much of a loss to lose one of em.. Ta for the advice Maz.

I'm trying to post a technical question (strange for me I know LOL) - but when I post in the technical side it says I don't have permission, didn't realise I needed it, so I will post it here and apologise too. I need to solder the 2 wires that cut-out the motor from the pedelec (Urban Mover 55) when you apply the brake. The one on the right works but the left one has come away with both wires. Easy enough I thought just take the nut out slide this bit off, take that out snip wires and solder back into place. But once I have the nut, the one that holds the whole brake and cut-out wires is off I cannot see where else I need to go, well I say that but I can see a wire ring that is loose (the right one is taught) but this is encased in some moulded thing. I'm not explaining myself too well and I will try and post a photo of what I'm rattling about - but I know Flecc will know by my cryptic clues above and I'm hoping you can point me in the right direction Cheers, Maz

Mandy I'm glad that you can use your bell, every time I used to use mine It ended in an argument! so much so that I ended up removing the bell. Just to add to the thread though, I have to cycle on a shared cylce/pedestrian path just after temple meads on Bath Road in Bristol. Now the lovely council decided to to take the markings off the path half way down the path and they reappear later on down the path. This has led to some lovely things going on, for instance when it was raining the walkers would swing their umbrella's I've lost count how many times I was nearly stabbed with them, and they now walk 2 by 2. Today I was cycling behind another cyclist (didnt overtake him) and there was 2 old ladies walking 2by2 so no one could get past, the gentleman cyclist polietly asked them if he could pass, they gave him daggers and muttered something as he passed. They then saw me and sucked their teeth! and cursed, how annoying is that! I told them it was a shared path and that they shouldn't get so annoyed, at least the guy asked to pass insted of just running you over (god that was so tempting!) Its for these sort of reasons I hate using shared paths and will always take the road over them, and at least cars don't talk back! Soz for the rant ! Maz

I made a point of watching it and yep was disappointing as I doubt that slot would persuade anyone to change from a car to a leccy bike. Even the "shopper" bike they briefly showed was an eyesore with the cylinders protruding out the back. But gotta say that jet powered bike looked like a whole lotta fun and I bet all of us would love a go, I certainly would

Deffo Panniers, Can't understad people who wear a nice hi-viz jacket and then lob a rucksack on ...not so much of an issue now the spring/summer is on the way whoo hooo, but in the winter I seen so many cyclists like this. Crazy. Maz

Can't believe some of the threads against 50 cycles recently. This one is now bordering on the insane. I mean can you imagine if we all got refunds on all products that never honoured the "warranty" or the company went bust or they stopped stocking "that particular item" So what if 50 Cycles aint stocking Ezee range anymore, they've moved on and bringing a different range to the market. I wish more companies would do that and give us all a better range and choice. I've never used 50 Cycles for the reason the bikes are way to big for me but would not hesitate to use them if a suitable bike was available. I think we all have problems and waiting times with our leccy bikes, I had a 4+ month wait for my bike from UM and I know full well that when I need bits for it, even if still under warranty the possibilty of them not being around or parts not available anymore is a very high probability. Its just a fact of life I'm afraid, but I think we should stop knocking those who do provide us with the choice in the first place.

I just been looking at going to Center Parcs - nearly £500 for 3 days think I will have to look at Hoeseasons LOL. I have the UM55 and I love it, does me for what I need not powerful at all and probs doesnt go the distance as some. But I am dreading the day I need to call UM for any reason whatsoever, probs when I need a new battery, and its probs going to be a nightmare unless they seriously improve their customer service. Maz.

I signed that Petition too how dare they try to do such a crazy thing I use the Bristol to Bath cycleway for pleasure but ride my UM55 daily into Bristol on the mad roads. What bike do you ride BrizzleBoy? I'll wave to ya if I see you

I also don't feel that car users are the problem, you may get 1 or 2 that annoy you but thats not bad going seeing how many cars are actually on the road. I find a lot cyclists and pedestrians more a pain and rude. Especially if I use a cycle path thats adjoining a walkway, one time actually being pushed off the cycle path into the road by some big six foot beefy docker and another being sworn at and told to get on the road. Yes both times I picked myself up and asked them if the picture of a bike on the ground wasnt a bit of a giveaway!! On the road I just think cyclists need to be more aware and on junctions like Flecc said in his previous post just take the time to anticipate which car is going to try and dart out, you can usually spot them I did nearly have an accident not too long ago, when I come off the cycle track I cross a dual carriageway - my right eye always looks forward and my left eye has a habit of keeping track of the traffic on the left I could see a certain car was not going to stop at the lights so I slammed my breaks on as did he he missed me by millimeters Do I love my left eye...sure do as this would have definitely been a diffo outcome. Lycra clad brigade - why the hell do they go through red lights? at like 30mph do they think they are riding a tank? Even if they hit me on my little UM55 they are going to come off worse..total madness! Riding on pavements when there is no cycle track - if I need to do this I always give pedestrians the right of way, if I need to stop to let them past I stop its not their problem i'm on the pavement. I can understand them getting annoyed at people zooming past them just like when we get passed by a car who's too close. So I think its just a bit of consideration on all parties, we and they always remember the bad experiences and the nutters. Right thats my rant and I think i've covered many posts Maz

Today I saw a Powacycle Windsor LPX parked outside Argos in Bristol. Nice to see one and it looked well nice (apart from the colour of the Battery!). Looks nicer in the flesh than on their website though. I didn't see the owner as I probs would have had a nice natter about the normal things like performance etc. Going back a couple of weeks I saw my first Torq in the flesh, was I excited! This was on Bath Road again in Bristol. This looked like a beast compared to my little 24in wheeled Urban Mover LOL. I did have a short chat with the owner - he mentioned that it didn't go as fast as he thought it would, which I was surprised at although I bet it goes a hell of lot faster than my little UM. Anyways nice to see some electric bikes around and nice ones at that. Maz.

I ride both on the pavement and road, when on the pavement I always cycle slow and always give way to pedestrians. Funny thing did happen the other day though. Here in Bristol there is a lot of construction, basically the whole city centre is being re-done. On one stretch of road I have no option but to use the pavement as the "workies" have closed the cycle path put scaffolding and a sign saying both pedestrians and cyclists to use the makeshift path. To my astonishment one of the workies gave me a mouthful for being on the pavement!! I had to point out to him that its there fault and please read his own sign before opening his mouth. That said though I do get annoyed at some cyclists who don't give a damn when on the pavement. Maz

Hello, Thought I would post on our lovely forum to see if anyone wants this or its off to Ebay. This is a small bike so no good for all of you big guys I'm a 24 to 25 inch leg and is perfect for my size. The trek navigator is a comfy bike and everything works as it should and has fairly new brakes. The Currie Motor is about 4yrs old and I replaced the batteries last January so still plenty of life in them. They are the lead acid batteries so a bit heavy but not noticeable when riding. Its the rack mounted version and I can provide panniers to fit if needed. PRICE: hmm lets say £150-200? but I am open to reasonable offers. I will be sad to see this go but after I got my new UM in the summer its had little use (but I have kept the batteries charged) the poor thing has just been sitting in the back. I am in the Bristol area and may be able to deliver within a reasonable distance. I will try and add some pics later. An ideal starter bike to get someone introduced to leccy biking! Maz

Hi, This looks like a really nice bike and its about time the "nice" bikes are coming in a range of sizes so us shorties can have a choice at last. I have a problem though, my hubby thinks I'm becoming a mini Flecc LOL as I have my Urban Mover and my kit job on my Trek and he says I can't have a third Anyways well done 50 cycles for bringing another leccy bike to the market. Maz.

I've used Powerscoots twice in the past. I actually bought my Currie Motor from them, amazing service I called in and placed my ordered, got a very nice and helpful chap and it arrived with-in 2 working days. Then I ordered my batteries from them a few years later, just to place the order was a nightmare - I had to phone a few times coz the person I got couldnt deal with taking orders. I think they took just short of a month to arrive. Maybe they just don't have the people there that they once had, and its the people that make the company, they are the ones that give the service and information and keep the company reputable in the customers eyes. I would use them again, but only if the product I needed was not available anywhere else. Maz