February 25, 201016 yr I do wish companies wouldn't go live with unfinished web sites. If they can't be bothered to finish a web site before publishing it leaves me wondering if they will develop their bikes before selling. One bike shop in London has a site so illiterate I didn't even consider buying from them. Maybe it's only me and maybe it's unfair but I doubt that I'm the ony one. You're absolutely right Lemmy, there really isn't any excuse for the state of some sites, and even those that look ok on the surface are often riddled with errors in specifications etc. I also intensely dislike sites that have no online communication links, giving only a mobile phone number, even though they are often reputable long established companies. .
February 25, 201016 yr To be fair Bruce has 4 new bikes and only one looks a bit like a wisper....... As blatant as this? "LIFECYCLE MOUNTAIN SPORTS BIKE" http://i46.tinypic.com/2w2muea.jpg Where did you get that photo from? I can't find it in their online brochure. I must say I enjoyed reading their brochure, lots of 'real world' info on batteries and usage, shame there's no prices anywhere or specs, are the bikes actually for sale yet? Massive 36v 16Ah battery as well If the spec is similar to the Wispers and they come out cheaper, then where is the harm in a bit of competition, surely it lowers the prices all round for consumers, which, being a consumer is very good news for me indeed. They also appear to be targetting their bikes better with the off-road version having off-road orientated tyres etc.
February 25, 201016 yr That is not one of Bruce's bikes...That is the point I was making, probably not clearly enough, these clones are everywhere. I feel very sorry for Wisper and David in particular as this kind of blatant copying is scandalous and must hurt........ Electric Bike Company, Electrically powered bicycles, Electric mountain bikes Edited February 25, 201016 yr by eddieo
February 25, 201016 yr That is not one of Bruce's bikes...That is the point I was making, probably not clearly enough, these clones are everywhere. I feel very sorry for Wisper and David in particular as this kind of blatant copying is scandalous and must hurt........ Electric Bike Company, Electrically powered bicycles, Electric mountain bikes Strange, they are selling Wispers at the same price as their Lifecycle range. The main difference I can see is that the frames of the Lifecycles are slightly larger than the Wispers. Which came first ?
February 25, 201016 yr They have the older style kettle plug - are they legal? I thought not.... twin disk brakes so probably 6 gears like a lot of clones...
February 25, 201016 yr They have the older style kettle plug - are they legal? I thought not.... twin disk brakes so probably 6 gears like a lot of clones... The specs say 7 speed and if they were illegal then they should be sold with a warning or Trading Standards should be informed - pronto ! Shame that the 2 year warranty does not cover "Riding the bike hard across rough terrain for which it is not suited." and"NOTE: We reserve the right to determine what damage is due to defective materials and what is due to product abuse or misuse. Misuse includes leaving the bike covered in mud and dirt. Not keeping the bike lubricated with the correct oil. Using incorect lubrucants such as WD40" I wonder if the Wisper warranty covers their bikes for the same useage? Edited February 25, 201016 yr by eTim
February 25, 201016 yr Strange, they are selling Wispers at the same price as their Lifecycle range. The main difference I can see is that the frames of the Lifecycles are slightly larger than the Wispers. Which came first ? This might explain things http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/4662-any-wisper-owners-southampton.html
February 25, 201016 yr This might explain things http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/4662-any-wisper-owners-southampton.html So another dealer drops off my list of possibles. As with everything else, those that copy the market leader are usually never as good as the original most of the time. Paying a premium usually works out cheaper in the long run (and I'm not trying to be snobbish about it, just trying to judge where the quality/VFM is in the ebike market). Edited February 25, 201016 yr by eTim
February 25, 201016 yr are you after a Wisper? There are loads of dealers in South and SE England as well as Outer London...
February 25, 201016 yr I think that consumer wise bit of competition is a good thing. For manufacturers it another kick to get better and go ahead. That silver bike that looks slightly similarly to Wisper is not a copy. I think it is an awful looking bike, it looks Cheap Chinese and that is it. Copy is something that looks identical and that bike is far far away from Wisper, parts etc are probably total rubbish anyway. I really wish to see one day the bike that is really well made and styled.
February 25, 201016 yr are you after a Wisper? There are loads of dealers in South and SE England as well as Outer London... I'm looking for some sort of off-road machine (I started this thread http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/5493-bike-off-road.html) either to convert an existing bike or off the shelf, I've got my eye on the 906xc, they are mighty expensive and I'm trying to work out if they are VFM.
February 26, 201016 yr On a lighter note! On a lighter note, here is some footage of the new 806fe 36V! http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3307590/MVI_3519.AVI All the best David
February 26, 201016 yr On a lighter note, here is some footage of the new 806fe 36V! http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3307590/MVI_3519.AVI All the best David That's a big movie file - downloading.... What are the two models for release later in the year you speak of ?
February 26, 201016 yr Innovate rather than copy I know they say "It's a form of flattery" but if I had spent as long a time and as much money as David in building a brand, designing and fine-tuning a market leading product only to see inferior copy and copy materialise then I too would be just a little peeved I agree competition is good in a market and helps products to develop, but that relies on 'new' innovations that move things forwards and adds to what is already on offer. My challenge is "Come on copy companies, give us something new!" That's my four-penneth Jason
February 26, 201016 yr As the market matures, I would like to see an increasing number of customer customisable options for a basic product (much like what is seen in the auto industry). Whether this should come as differing machines tuned to individual circumstance (eg. a choice of motors favouring hill climbing torque vs speed), or the production of bare bones ebike frames specifically aimed at home builders, that a range of manufacturers support with interchangeable kit components, I'm not sure - preferably both. The latter option would require a system of accord and/or licencing between peers in the industry, and promote fair competition and indeed innovation within the refinement of basic designs. This would be much the same as has happened in the personal computer industry, with the design evolving and improving continuously, but with the user always having a reliable product, whatever manufacturer or price point they choose. I suppose in the end it's all about the customer feeling like they've got value for money, and think that a more bespoke route would allow people to see the breakdown of the overall cost, and make savings on what they may see as unnecessary expense. Edited February 26, 201016 yr by Straylight
February 26, 201016 yr As the market matures, I would like to see an increasing number of customer customisable options for a basic product (much like what is seen in the auto industry). Whether this should come as differing machines tuned to individual circumstance (eg. a choice of motors favouring hill climbing torque vs speed), or the production of bare bones ebike frames specifically aimed at home builders, that a range of manufacturers support with interchangeable kit components, I'm not sure - preferably both. The latter option would require a system of accord and/or licencing between peers in the industry, and promote fair competition and indeed innovation within the refinement of basic designs. This would be much the same as has happened in the personal computer industry, with the design evolving and improving continuously, but with the user always having a reliable product, whatever manufacturer or price point they choose. I suppose in the end it's all about the customer feeling like they've got value for money, and think that a more bespoke route would allow people to see the breakdown of the overall cost, and make savings on what they may see as unnecessary expense. Having recently been studying the Bionx kits, they appear to be doing something like this already with a range of 6 different motor types and 6 different battery types and optional throttle control on the same controller.
February 26, 201016 yr That's a big movie file - downloading.... What are the two models for release later in the year you speak of ? Hi Tim We have three new products that will be launched this year. 1. The Spirit by Wisper A very high quality bike as per the existing Wispers, but a bike aimed at the rental and high volume markets. The bike will retail at about £850 and is high quality, low spec, low maintenance. We have taken out many of the components that need adjustment and servicing and have added a torque sensor to run with a cadence sensor and a toggle between the two types of power delivery system. The bike has standard forks, V brakes, carrier type 36V 10A Lithium Polymer battery, no throttle, no brake switches, a 250W front wheel motor, Shimano Nexus 3 speed hub gears, on off on the handle bars with three assistance levels. All electronics are modular, easily changed and very accessible. 2. The Wisper Kit We should have had this on the market by now but had problems with the carbon fibre moulds. It will be here early summer. 3. The Wisper 1006 range of two bikes Very high spec carbon matrix touring bikes, one being under 16kg with 27 gears and the other heavier model with the new 11 speed Alfine gear box and full of tech, such as global positioning, blue tooth, the safety "shush" and a power assist controlled by the riders heart rate. Really exciting stuff, not cheap!! I will keep the forum posted. All the best David
February 26, 201016 yr 3. The Wisper 1006 range of two bikes Very high spec carbon matrix touring bikes, one being under 16kg with 27 gears and the other heavier model with the new 11 speed Alfine gear box and full of tech, such as global positioning, blue tooth, the safety "shush" and a power assist controlled by the riders heart rate. Really exciting stuff, not cheap!! Star Trek here we come - I take it heartrate controlled assist will mean ramping up the assist when the heart rate goes past a certain point - LOL? Quite a good fitness feature or heart attack saver !
February 26, 201016 yr Star Trek here we come - I take it heartrate controlled assist will mean ramping up the assist when the heart rate goes past a certain point - LOL? Quite a good fitness feature or heart attack saver ! I can just see it now cycling down the main street at a steady 10 mph attractive young woman walking down the pavement, gives you a wee smile and the bike takes off like a scoulded cat:D
February 26, 201016 yr Star Trek here we come - I take it heartrate controlled assist will mean ramping up the assist when the heart rate goes past a certain point - LOL? Quite a good fitness feature or heart attack saver ! Exactly that Tim, you set the bike to say 100/120 beats per minute and the assist will not kick in until it reaches 120 and stays with you until your heart drops below 100. It also tells you how many calories you have burned on a training session or gentle cycle ride. All the best David
February 27, 201016 yr Out of interest David, have you ever considered licencing the 905 frame design to the makers of the clones? This way you could at least make some cash out of what appears to be an uncontainable trend, maybe even get some free advertising if you insisted they had a "frame by Wisper" mark. I'm probably talking rubbish, it was just a thought....
February 27, 201016 yr Exactly that Tim, you set the bike to say 100/120 beats per minute and the assist will not kick in until it reaches 120 and stays with you until your heart drops below 100. It also tells you how many calories you have burned on a training session or gentle cycle ride. All the best David I gotta get me one of them:p
February 27, 201016 yr They can't be all bad - they were kind enough to give names to their batteries Hector and Gavin - and some of the bike colours were pretty. What names or brand is their battry, i could not find it in the brochure???
February 27, 201016 yr because the plug is compatible with a 230 v kettle plug lead? it is probably not CE compliant..... and yes some people are THAT stupid:rolleyes: like the women with the RV in the states who went in the back to make a cup of coffee and sued the manufacturer because the cruise control did not prevent a crash...she won the case
February 28, 201016 yr For the record, the connector on the Wisper 2008 battery pack isn't compatible with the standard IEC C13/14 kettle lead, as what would be the earth pin is 90 degrees out of line. In fact I've no idea what it actualy is - it would seem not any of the standard IEC types. like the women with the RV in the states who went in the back to make a cup of coffee and sued the manufacturer because the cruise control did not prevent a crash...she won the case There's a candidate for the Darwin awards - if only she'd done it properly... Edited February 28, 201016 yr by Straylight
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