I can relate to your headphone analogy. I write and record music and know that the law of diminishing returns applies to audio/studio gear. I think the same law applies to Ebikes BUT.......I think the top end stuff is where the law applies (£4000 and up).I know that I love my Cube more than my Crossfire and consider the extra £300 I paid (this was when the Crossfire was £999) to be well worth it. But I had already decided that I loved ebiking and was able to "donate" the Crossfire to my wife. For me, even at almost double the current price the Cube would be my choice but you need to be sure that an ebike is for you before commiting £1400. However, when we replace our Dutch style hire bike we will probably go for a Crossfire - a decision based on cost and how soon it will recoup the outlay. That's a decision from the head - if we were making the decision with our hearts we'd go for the Cube.

Hello Andy

 

Sorry to bother you but I see you are in Devon/ Cornwall border, I am looking for my 1st bike but struggling as I am short, I note you have a dutch style hire bike, Do you mind if I ask what one it is or could you give me any advice of suitability as you know living in devon there are not many places close by to try bikes out

 

Thanks in advance & apologies for jumping in on this thread

Hello Andy

 

Sorry to bother you but I see you are in Devon/ Cornwall border, I am looking for my 1st bike but struggling as I am short, I note you have a dutch style hire bike, Do you mind if I ask what one it is or could you give me any advice of suitability as you know living in devon there are not many places close by to try bikes out

 

Thanks in advance & apologies for jumping in on this thread

 

Donna...you may look at the new Kudos Sprint,the design is such that it accomodates from 4'8" to 6'0 ft.....www.kudoscycles.com

Kudos Dave

Hello Andy

 

Sorry to bother you but I see you are in Devon/ Cornwall border, I am looking for my 1st bike but struggling as I am short, I note you have a dutch style hire bike, Do you mind if I ask what one it is or could you give me any advice of suitability as you know living in devon there are not many places close by to try bikes out

 

Thanks in advance & apologies for jumping in on this thread

No problem. I'm away for the weekend but I'll get the specs etc on our Flyer Dutch style bike when I get back....however.......you definitely DON'T want one exactly like it! It's heavy and unwieldy and has the turning circle of a supertanker. Moreover it has drum brakes which aren't a patch on discs. It makes me nervous descending some of the hills round here. My wife is 5'2" and the smallest Carrera Crossfire ebike fits her nicely but if you are shorter than that you might struggle as she has the saddle right down. Have a look in one of the larger Halfords - the one at Marsh Mills in Plymouth has at least one bike person with reasonable knowledge and a fair selection of Ebikes. I'm not a fan of folding bikes but smaller wheels often mean easier fitting for shorter people. We borrowed a couple of ebikes from Dartmoor Cycles in Tavistock (when we had four people wanting bikes and we only have two) and one of the ones they lent us was a small Raleigh which suited the girl that hired it perfectly and she was certainly what you'd call "petite" so it might worth researching frame sizes of Raleigh models - although I'd always want to at least sit on any bike I was thinking of buying. Depends where you live but there is an ebike shop in Okehampton and one just opening near Exeter if I remember right. Any good bike shop can advise you on frame sizes. Good luck!

Donna...you may look at the new Kudos Sprint,the design is such that it accomodates from 4'8" to 6'0 ft.....www.kudoscycles.com

Kudos Dave

 

Hello Dave

 

I am going to try & get to see kudos safari however I just wanted to check how the pedal assist works is it similar to the juicy which is speed related or torque related, Im not sure if it was just me not using the juicy correct but at times I felt the pedals were running too fast so I didn't need to out any effort in at all, Plymouth Bike hire recommended either the juicy or kudos but they don't have a step through kudos I could try

Donna,are you trying these bikes on a hill ?

A speed sensor is a rotational switch,you rotate pedals you get power,you can adjust the amount of power using the PAS selector. A torque sensor detects the effort you are exerting on the pedals and replicates that effort,if you push hard on the pedals you get max power,if you light touch the pedals you get low power. A torque sensor is ideal for someone who is pretty fit but needs help at steep hills,but if your legs are tired you cannot get power without inputting power,it gives a very intuitive ride.

The Safari is an older style of bike,its quite heavy but has a very wide step thru,that is why I suggested the new Sprint model,it is lighter has a longer range (11Ah battery).

KudosDave

Donna,are you trying these bikes on a hill ?

A speed sensor is a rotational switch,you rotate pedals you get power,you can adjust the amount of power using the PAS selector. A torque sensor detects the effort you are exerting on the pedals and replicates that effort,if you push hard on the pedals you get max power,if you light touch the pedals you get low power. A torque sensor is ideal for someone who is pretty fit but needs help at steep hills,but if your legs are tired you cannot get power without inputting power,it gives a very intuitive ride.

The Safari is an older style of bike,its quite heavy but has a very wide step thru,that is why I suggested the new Sprint model,it is lighter has a longer range (11Ah battery).

KudosDave

Hello Dave

 

Do you know where I might be able to see the new sprint close to Devon, Sorry I forgot to say also I tried the juicy on flat & some small hills but nothing too big, My husband had the Raleigh Captus & he did say he had to put in a lot more effort than me, I only used the juicy on low on medium setting but on the flat it just felt as if I didn't need to put any effort in, But Im aware I might struggle with a torque one, What I don't want is to have to put no effort in at all as the idea is to get fitter & loose a bit of weight, The only thing that puts me off the sprint is the tyre size & lack of colours to choose from

Thanks

Edited August 16, 20169 yr by Donna

Donna,I am sorry but no dealer has taken on the Sprint....since Brexit many of the dealers are nervous to take on new stock.

Perhaps you could persuade your dealer to take on one,if you offered to pay the return carriage.

It is,at that price level,almost a unique bike in the UK....Kalkhoff and KTM had a similar style bike but it was £2k price level.

KudosDave

Donna,I am sorry but no dealer has taken on the Sprint....since Brexit many of the dealers are nervous to take on new stock.

Perhaps you could persuade your dealer to take on one,if you offered to pay the return carriage.

It is,at that price level,almost a unique bike in the UK....Kalkhoff and KTM had a similar style bike but it was £2k price level.

KudosDave

I am correct in thinking it only comes in black & only with 24" Wheels

How much does it cost to return, I might speak to a local dealer

Thanks

I only used the juicy on low on medium setting but on the flat it just felt as if I didn't need to put any effort in

Hi Donna

After 8 miles an hour in Low setting you would be doing all the work - maybe you're fitter than you think! I didn't think Plymouth had any of our Poco, which you might like. You can try one though at Exeter Electric Bike Higher.

Hi Donna

After 8 miles an hour in Low setting you would be doing all the work - maybe you're fitter than you think! I didn't think Plymouth had any of our Poco, which you might like. You can try one though at Exeter Electric Bike Higher.

 

 

Hi

 

No Plymouth doesn't have the poco, I tried the classic which whilst my feet didn't reach the ground was a comfortable bike but I felt as if I wasn't doing much work, Im not sure what speed we were going as it doesn't say but I did notice you can add an lcd upgrade, Im thinking of trying it again this weekend, My husband had the raleigh cactus & he said he had to put in more effort than I did which may not be good for me as I get heat exhaustion & pass out easily so that wouldn't be great either

I like the look of the juicy & the colour options & Andrew at Plymouth Bike Hire was a great help

Hi Donna,

I ride a 'pedal assist' version and am also trying to get fit -I do find that sometimes it seems as if I don't need to put much effort in (on flats) but if I'm in the mood I simply drop the 'assist' level down (or off) and/or adjust the gears and that does the trick.

Having the option to up the 'assist' with minimal pedal effort has certainly helped me out when I've been up against a strong headwind and my energy levels are low.

Hi Donna,

I ride a 'pedal assist' version and am also trying to get fit -I do find that sometimes it seems as if I don't need to put much effort in (on flats) but if I'm in the mood I simply drop the 'assist' level down (or off) and/or adjust the gears and that does the trick.

Having the option to up the 'assist' with minimal pedal effort has certainly helped me out when I've been up against a strong headwind and my energy levels are low.

 

Hello Suseka

 

Thank you for replying, Do you mind if I ask what bike you have, I am struggling little as Im short but I think I just need to learn how to get off when stopping properly, I don't want it too easy but then if it is too difficult it will put me off riding altogether

Edited August 16, 20169 yr by Donna

Mine is the Wisper 705se, they also do a Torque version. The 705 is a stepthrough , which I need because I too am vertically challenged am 5'4" but with short legs. I have to put the seat post down to the lowest level, but find I can touch my toe down without having to dismount.

 

I was looking for a Dutch style but the one I tried was just too big a frame for me. I am really pleased with my choice and am building confidence and stamina each time I ride

PS. You might want to check out the AMPS.com website for details and specs, or maybe David, who owns the Wisper brand, might pop on here to help. His Torque version has the best of both, with a pedal assist option. Angelnorth, a member on here has one a loves it.

 

I tried the T version but opted for the pedal assist, but the best advice is to try a few out if you can.

 

Might be worth starting a new thread and open the question up to many of the very experienced ebikers here. Just a thought.

His Torque version has the best of both, with a pedal assist option. Angelnorth, a member on here has one a loves it.

 

Hello, that would be me

 

I've just reviewed it here - happy to answer any questions if you have them Donna, either on that thread or this!

 

Pssst - Suseka, Donna already started a thread to seek advice here (and she's shorter than you).

Aha. Thanks Donna. Am on my mobile so hadn't spotted that

I am correct in thinking it only comes in black & only with 24" Wheels

How much does it cost to return, I might speak to a local dealer

Thanks

 

You are correct it only comes in black and with 24" wheels,it would cost about £10 to return.

Note that it has the latest Samsung 11,4Ah semi concealed battery.

KudosDave

Hello Suseka

 

Thank you for replying, Do you mind if I ask what bike you have, I am struggling little as Im short but I think I just need to learn how to get off when stopping properly, I don't want it too easy but then if it is too difficult it will put me off riding altogether

 

Thanks Suseka,

 

Hi Donna, the Wisper bikes are all available at the Bike Cellar in Plymouth. The 705se seat can be lowered quite considerably as can the Torque version, you may need the seat handle removed on the Torque bike.

 

Craig at the Plymouth shop is a great guy he would be more than happy to give you a test ride on both.

 

Kind regards, David

Thanks Suseka,

 

Hi Donna, the Wisper bikes are all available at the Bike Cellar in Plymouth. The 705se seat can be lowered quite considerably as can the Torque version, you may need the seat handle removed on the Torque bike.

 

Craig at the Plymouth shop is a great guy he would be more than happy to give you a test ride on both.

 

Kind regards, David

 

Hello David

 

Many thanks. I will get hold of him for a test ride. Looking online I can see the SE in various colours but can only see the torque in black is that the only colour it comes in. Not a problem if it is as that isn't a deal breaker.

Thanks

Im not sure if it was just me not using the juicy correct but at times I felt the pedals were running too fast so I didn't need to out any effort in at all,

 

That just means you were in the wrong gear, even on a pedelec it is important to be in the right gear.

Hello David

 

Many thanks. I will get hold of him for a test ride. Looking online I can see the SE in various colours but can only see the torque in black is that the only colour it comes in. Not a problem if it is as that isn't a deal breaker.

Thanks

 

Hi Donna,

 

You are correct, the795se is in three colours but the 795Torque is only available in silk finish Titanium Grey.

 

All the best, David

...the 795Torque is only available in silk finish Titanium Grey.

 

...which has that bit more panache than black

...which has that bit more panache than black

 

 

Thanks. I am going to test them out on Saturday. Who would have thought getting a bike could be so difficult.

Testing is definitely the way to go - hope you find your perfect bike!

...which has that bit more panache than black

 

It is a different colour as well!

 

Titanium GREY 705Torque

 

 

 

Stealth BLACK 705se