Pedego has introduced a fun new variation on its Cruiser range, which should go well here in Canada … the ‘Snowmobile’. In addition to the standard tires, the winter version of the electric bike comes with a pair of Schwalbe Ice Spiker tires. All you’ll need then is a pair of good gloves and some goggles! The new red Interceptor shown below would look perfect under the Christmas tree! Call us toll-free on 1-888-777-2066 if you’d like further information.
One of our main philosophies is getting people out of cars and on to bikes … using bikes more as a vehicle rather than a ‘toy’. Here’s a great example of this from the UK! Check out the ‘Delivery with a Difference’ video by scrolling down the page to 'All Videos' …
The 2011 Wisper electric bikes are now in the country!! The core of the 2011 ebikes is the same, with the 350W Japanese motor and high quality purpose-built frame. However, there are a number of great upgrades including:
· new 15.5Ah batteries on the 705 and 905 bikes (a 10% increase in capacity);
· 6 levels of pedal assist, including a 'zero' level;
· a new manifold-style front connection box;
· front and rear lights switchable from the pedal assist panel;
· 1.75" kevlar reinforced electric-bike specific tire;
· a re-designed dropout; and
· a new chain guard and crank spider.
Best of all, the prices have dropped slightly from the 2010 prices!!
Check the bikes out at www.voltagebikes.ca/wisper-electric-bikes
Here’s a recent article about Wisper from the BikeBiz mag:
I just came across a great video of one of our customers riding his Wisper 905SE City S bike in Edmonton. Awesome to see a minor detail like -30deg temperature doesn’t stop a good ride! Just for the record, he got the bike from our Edmonton dealer www.redbike.ca
Here’s a link to a review of a Wisper electric bike by the MSN gadget guys in the UK:
http://tech.uk.msn.com/features/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=155755980
For Wisper bikes in Canada, check out:
Your lithium ion battery makes up a significant portion of the cost of your electric bike, so it makes sense to look after it! Most of you have probably parked your bike for the winter, and there it will sit until the snow melts in spring. A few easy actions now will ensure that your battery is rearing to go then, and for years to come. I’ve tried to keep this article as simple as possible. For further information on lithium ion battery care, check out the link at the bottom of this post.
A lithium ion battery will slowly discharge over time as it sits in storage. If a battery is allowed to fully discharge, this will stress the cells in the battery and reduce the capacity and life of the battery. During normal riding, the Wisper batteries have a battery management system (BMS) which switches off the electrical system when the voltage drops to a certain point i.e. the battery is not allowed to fully discharge and the cells are protected. However, the BMS will not prevent a battery from slowly discharging as it sits in storage. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your battery retains some charge over the winter months. Unfortunately, it is also not ideal to put your battery in storage with 100% charge as this can put some stress on the cells. The following actions are therefore recommended for battery care:
Correct storage of your battery as detailed above will significantly increase the lifespan of your battery. A well maintained lithium battery will last up to five years, whereas a poorly maintained battery can be badly damaged over just one winter!
For more detailed information on batteries and how to care for them, check out the excellent online resource at the following link:
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries
The City of London (UK) recently rolled out a number of Wisper electric bikes as part of their cycle squad. A number of studies have shown that two wheels is the quickest way to get across an urban area … so all you dodgy geezers watch out!
The annual Expocycle in Montreal was a chance for dealers to see the latest and greatest in the bike world. The electric bike ‘presence’ at the show has grown significantly from last year and looks set to do so even further next year. At the Eurobike show in Germany earlier this month there were about 150 electric bike brands on show (double from the previous year) … yep, 150!! This is a reflection of the industry recognising that ebikes are here to stay and now form a serious portion of the market. For example, in the Netherlands this year, over 30% of total bike sales were electric bikes. Canada is a very early market, and may not reach this level, but electric bikes are coming!
The response to the Wisper bikes at the Expo was excellent and we will be adding to our dealer page over the next few weeks as a result. In particular, the store owners (and our customers!) appreciate being able to buy a high quality product for a reasonable price. Our 2 year warranty on batteries and motors is a big point of difference between Wisper and other brands. There is a lot to choose from out there, and a large variety of quality. Always check the warranties and service back-up before purchasing a bike!
There was a demo track at the show, although most of it was designed for off-road bikes. Check out the video of a Wisper folding bike being put through its paces (at the bottom of the post)…
