August 18, 200817 yr Thanks for your support! Thanks for your support Guys, I would have hated to be banished!! Just a couple of quick points and then I'll leave it. It is purely the frame I get a bit "tired and emotional about". The frame was designed to be both the basis of a good, strong and well balanced bike and it's distinctive shape was supposed to be our trade mark. It's 100% my fault that it's being copied because at that time we could not afford to protect it properly. So unless the frame is pretty well exactly the same as ours we can't do anything. On close inspection of course the clones are very different, they are not made the way ours are because that would then render them too expensive to be sold as a rip offs. The rest of the components are freely available, even the battery and controller which although we spent a lot of time working with the respective manufacturers on the specifications are now available to anyone, I don't have a problem with that. All of the parts on our bikes are a long cry from "Bone Shaker" and "Penny Farthing" components of the past and we are more than comfortable in using others wonderful innovations and improvements. Regarding my colorful and unprofessional description of the people who have copied the frame, yes perhaps referring to them as "gits" and low lives" was a bit extreme but I do get a little passionate about our bike. Please note though, I would never refer to them as thieves or con men although as companies like Rolex and Dior, for instance, who spend millions on R and D and getting their products to market would not agree. Believe me it is one thing to design something new and distinctive, then going through the pains of having it made for the first time, and quite another to simply pitch up at a bike factory with a product and say "copy this for me mate"! Best regards David
August 18, 200817 yr Yes, the main reason I bought the Wisper was because of the manufacturers presence on these boards as I knew I could get up to date info and service queries dealt with efficiently. I knew nothing about electric bikes prior to browsing this website a week before my purchase, it was a big step but I felt comfortable in the knowledge that I would get good customer service. I think its good to engage with developers and manufacturers on forums such as these as the constant feedback helps to shape the development and advancement of the technology and product to suit customers needs, which can change over time.
August 18, 200817 yr Yes Moon my point precisely. It's good to see manufacturers and dealers taking an interest in this site and per se their customers. I know it's good P.R. for them to do so but it is good to hear from people who are passionate about their products and it would give me confidence to deal with people like that rather than someone flogging what they perceive to be a lucrative consumer line before they move on to the next big thing and conveniently forget the poor customers who trusted them for product support. At least Mr Ezee, Mr Wisper, Mr 50 cycles and a few others are regular contributors who seem to be actually interested in their customers as well as their bikes and long may that continue. Edited August 18, 200817 yr by Saddlesore
August 18, 200817 yr Well I agree, it would be nice to have additional support on the forum. Especially considering that I hate to be a pain and keep pestering the manufacturers directly with problems. So it's nice to have them volunteer to help with any bike related issues that I may have posted on a forum. But I must warn WisperBikes that my experience was quite frustrating when considering purchasing one of their bikes. I tried to contact Wisper about their bikes via the Southampton site and didn't get a reply. I then emailed their other site and got a reply a few days later. But by then I had already decided to buy a bike from the very responsive 'The Electric Transport Shop' instead. What made it so frustrating is that I could see David was very active on this forum and yet there was no reply to my emails via their site. An analogy would be to see somebody showing off a cool bike at an event and then going to their store to purchase a bike, only to find their store was closed!. It's pointless to have all that support when there's nobody back at the store to sell the blooming bikes! grr Hopefully Wisper has since ironed out the problems, as I see I'm not the first person to whine about the Southamption site. I would also recommend that they close one of their websites ASAP as it's quite unsettling to see a company with two UK websites. On a positive note:- I liked the design of both their websites and really wanted to buy a bike directly from them rather than from a third party.
August 18, 200817 yr Well I just looked at the two bikes side by side and I can see now that its a copy. So that is a bit lame. Personally I think seeing a bike thats a blatant rip-off would probably put more people off buying it because it just makes you think that the person making it hasn't got much imagination or ability of their own.
August 18, 200817 yr Well I just looked at the two bikes side by side and I can see now that its a copy. So that is a bit lame. Personally I think seeing a bike thats a blatant rip-off would probably put more people off buying it because it just makes you think that the person making it hasn't got much imagination or ability of their own. Unfortunately there are those who always think a bargain is possible and it's those who buy, thinking they are getting the equivalent at the lower price. Since people as far apart as Britain, Spain and New Zealand all independently call these bikes clones and understand them to be clones of the Wisper 905, it's fairly obvious that they are being promoted as such by that clone supplier and his dealers, cashing in on the similarity. That more than anything is why I find it objectionable. .
August 18, 200817 yr Thanks for your support Guys, I would have hated to be banished!! Just a couple of quick points and then I'll leave it. It is purely the frame I get a bit "tired and emotional about". The frame was designed to be both the basis of a good, strong and well balanced bike and it's distinctive shape was supposed to be our trade mark. It's 100% my fault that it's being copied because at that time we could not afford to protect it properly. So unless the frame is pretty well exactly the same as ours we can't do anything. On close inspection of course the clones are very different, they are not made the way ours are because that would then render them too expensive to be sold as a rip offs. The rest of the components are freely available, even the battery and controller which although we spent a lot of time working with the respective manufacturers on the specifications are now available to anyone, I don't have a problem with that. All of the parts on our bikes are a long cry from "Bone Shaker" and "Penny Farthing" components of the past and we are more than comfortable in using others wonderful innovations and improvements. Regarding my colorful and unprofessional description of the people who have copied the frame, yes perhaps referring to them as "gits" and low lives" was a bit extreme but I do get a little passionate about our bike. Please note though, I would never refer to them as thieves or con men although as companies like Rolex and Dior, for instance, who spend millions on R and D and getting their products to market would not agree. Believe me it is one thing to design something new and distinctive, then going through the pains of having it made for the first time, and quite another to simply pitch up at a bike factory with a product and say "copy this for me mate"! Best regards David Thats a bit more reasoned and professional:) perhaps when I come for a test ride we can have a big hug lol On the subject of design, Bikes are a bit like PC's all sharing different versions of similar equipment. But I take your point regards the frame.... I showed the 905 SE to my wife and she said "you must be joking!" and that no way was she riding a bike like that....any girlie versions coming out? Edited August 18, 200817 yr by eddieo
August 18, 200817 yr I feel the clone bikes would sell to a different type of market than the wisper bikes,the wisper attracting buyers expecting quality and willing to pay for it, and the clone buyers hoping for a bargain and willing to take a gamble.
August 19, 200817 yr Blimey Hi Guys Have been away from the forum for a while due to some sad news resulting in a death in the family. However I am now back and noticed this lively thread As you all know I own a Wisper 905se bought from Germany and have found David and Doug and Wisper to be the tops in product, after care etc. Wisper are obviously passionate about their bikes and I find that comforting and they have been quick to reply to any of my queries so it's a shame Wibble didn't get a response but I am sure there was a reason. I just know you wouldn't get the after care service like this from an Ebay looky likey, copy cat supplier However, it is a free country and people are free to buy the bike of their choosing and so be it. Unfortunately it may cost more in the long term and I would rather stick with a supplier who really cares and will be around when things go wrong As for cost? Yes I guess we would all want every product we buy cheaper but in that age old saying: "You get what you pay for" I think in this case it is certainly appropriate Keep up the passion the posting and the great bikes David. Regards
August 19, 200817 yr Seeker Moon has pretty much summed it up for me also. it was David's presence and the positive comments that made up my mind. I also second Mandy's comments to Wibble. I live in Southampton, not far from the Wisper base, and I find Stuart a great guy to deal with. Wibble was it the actual website that your issue was with? I agree that Doug took a day or two to get back to me, but I get the distict impression that these guys are blue ar$e flies going above and beyond to provide the best of something they are passionate about. It's something I found to be non-existant in the first dealer I approached, and something I feel more than justifies the price. David, just keep doing what your doing and any clone will just have to eat your dust:D The fact that you managed sell all your bikes almost before they've landed on UK soil speaks for itself.
August 19, 200817 yr I have been looking at this clone thread and I can buy this shape of bike from over 30 manufacturers in China from Alibaba, branded in any brand I like from around 300-400 euros if I want to buy a container full. So I find it difficult to belive it was all down to one disgruntled employee. As Flecc put it in an earlier post most electric bikes are parts bucket bikes (even a wisper I'm afraid) using motors, batteries, wheels and brakes from other suppliers. There is very little invention in the electric bike world and most of the important patents are owned by Sanyo, Panasonic or the multitude of Chinese companies. I ask, how many different brands of Racing bike are there using the same shape of frame using Shimano components ? All of them. James
August 19, 200817 yr Thats Mark Rao's company the 'employee' but there are others; Mountain Electric Bike li-ion battery mountain E-Bike li-ion battery mountain E-Bike After that I got bored of looking Found some very nice Powacycle Windsory and Salisbury looking type bikes to; So all credit to Wisper and their customer service and the bottle to develop their electric bike, but copying and cloning like DVDs and Rolex copies, not quite the same. James
August 20, 200817 yr company managment is essential for the product The shape is not the only sales point, the managment of the factory is the extreme point for a good proudct. Factory is not composed by one or two persons, should at least 5 departments. The team work and scientific managment with erudite engineers are needed as well. Of course the idea of the boss should meet the market developing. The supplier not only work when earns money, but also should do the after sale services if products have problems when they are in his customers. It seems that very common many factories have the experiences of doing just only one time business with their customers. No returned business, because their customers had a bad experiences with supplier. Not all suppliers are suit for the buyers. I think if you are the impoter or the procurement staff, you can understand the above comments. You can choose many things same or similar but I think you must choose a branded one which let you have confidence that you will be treated well if the product has problems in the future. For example, there are many simialr or exactly same mobile phones in the market, why Nokia or motorrola sales most well compare others?
August 20, 200817 yr Mmmmm after checking out those links the minimum order is 30! Most people would just like the one Also the frames that have been copied seem to be many branded bikes out there and not just Wisper. David/Wisper, you haven't got anything to worry about at all! You are based in the UK, do all the hard work and give excellent after sales service. More than those guys would I take my hat off to your commitment and your bikes! Keep posting, keep selling and keep up the great work!! I reckon business will be on the up and up considering the recent rises in everything, apart from wages that is!! LOL Did anyone see GMTV this morning? Kate Garraway wants a Leccy bike!! The one she said she tried at a bike show was obviously a pedelec and only accomplished a 10 mile journey. She didn't mention the brand of bike for obvious reasons but electric bikes were mentioned on prime time TV so that was a great thing Any ideas of what one she is after for Xmas? She said it had a baby carrier on the front too!! lol I may place the above in a new thread as others may have seen it and not come across this thread?
November 5, 200916 yr Here we go again, from a Business Seller ! (0 feedback) Electric Mountain bike (same as wisper) Brand new 24V on eBay (end time 12-Nov-09 00:03:44 GMT) eBay My World - elecscoot http://i.ebayimg.com/12/%21BePn1rQ%212k~$%28KGrHqYH-CYErgL0%29g66BK8eB3y-8w~~_12.JPG "Electric Mountain bike (same as wisper) Brand new 24V" All Aluminium Lightweight (26kg total) electric Mountain Bike. 26" wheels, Discs brakes back and front. Zoom front forks. Shimano Gears. KendoTektra/ Asses gear. Front and rear mudguards, water bottle. 24V 10AH Li-ion Batteries. 4 hour charge. Can be rode without pedaling giving you around 25 miles unassisted, or around 40 miles assisted. 18mph unassisted. Easily removed battery, just slides up and out, has a key lock mechanism 900+ charges. Quick lok seat and wheels, quickly and easily removed. Seat tilts forward (kwik lok) for ease of removing battery for charging. Excellent specification and value for money. Order now for pre Christmas delivery!!! Any questions please ring us on 01207 502599 or visit our ebay shop
November 5, 200916 yr Oh dear As the good Sargent Major Williams (shut up) said, Oh dear, how sad, never mind! They have to be on drugs You can buy a Wisper 905eco for the same price it has better equipment, it's 6kg lighter, has a larger battery and a 2 year guarantee! All the best David Edited November 5, 200916 yr by Wisper Bikes
November 5, 200916 yr O Dear indeed! Blimey how time flys! Trust Dan to dig this one up, how embarrassing. Well I now have two REAL Wisper's and my 905 is still a joy to ride. Although I do miss the old cut and trust of a decent ding dong:D
November 5, 200916 yr exchanged brain with a goat these guys clearly exchanged the brains with a goat. That frame is the most awful frame I have ever seen and I'm talking about the head of the frame and those re-enforcing metal sheets welded from both top and the bottom. 24V 10Ah - Lol what's a bargain but the guys should go back 10 years back, wish them all the best
November 5, 200916 yr hmmm So what motor is that on the back ? I keep thinking I see Tongxins everywhere I look, I have them on the brain! Regards Jerry
November 5, 200916 yr hmmm So what motor is that on the back ? I keep thinking I see Tongxins everywhere I look, I have them on the brain! Regards Jerry It looks like a Suzhou Bafang, or one of the clones of that, though it looks like the genuine article. Definitely not a Tongxin. .
November 12, 200916 yr deja-vu Electric Mountain bike (sim to wisper) new -36V on eBay (end time 19-Nov-09 00:37:36 GMT)
November 12, 200916 yr If you track back into this sole buyers feedback you'll see that he actually bought a 2000w scooter from them not one of these Wisper clones.
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