Bike Reviews 

Ok I think I can admit it to myself and the rest of the world now. I love my ebike! 

I used to (more often than not) cycle to work a hilly 14 mile round trip. I hated it but persisted as it kept me from getting too chubby. It was the long hills and head winds that killed it for me. I can deal with the rain, I even enjoy it some times, but when you are peddling up hill into a strong head wind at a snails pace and getting soaked into the bargain, it gets a bit much. 

Now, thanks to Wisper Bikes and Atmosphere Electric Bikes in Brizzol, I actually enjoy cycling. I think the last time I could say that about riding a bike was when I threw my self around a skateboard park on a BMX as a teenager in the late 80's/early 90's. 

My first route (to where I work now) was 11 miles (round trip). I can do both legs faster than I could by car. I save £20 a week in petrol. I've given up smoking and feel better for getting a little bit of exercise. I also feel a bit smug about not driving the car too from a 'saving the planet' point of view. 

Since the cycling restrictions on Bournemouth prom are no longer in effect I decided to give that a go. A serious head wind and a fair bit of rain and I was still cruising along at 12mph somewhere around the unenforceable 10 mph bicycle speed limit with a grin on my mush. 

The following day I went into work via the prom and am now making a concerted effort to make that my route to and from work, as a ride along the beach in the morning is good for the soul. 

I can honestly say this is the first time I have sought out a longer route to and from work whilst riding a bike! In fact I am sitting here looking forward to a leisurely cycle home via the beach. 

So a big thanks goes to Alistair at Atmosphere for letting me try the 905SE Sport and Wisper Bikes for making it! 

 

When I decided to start cycling to work, I was doing it off the back of at least 3 years of no exercise whatsoever. The commute to work was just under 9 miles - 8.8 to be exact. I needed a solution that was viable - I needed a bike that I could get to work on in the morning, do my 9 hour day, then cycle home again at night and not be completely destroyed from the experience! I had also already worked out that if I did cycle, I could potentially save up to £100 petrol costs per month! Not to mention work on my fitness and feel good about reducing my carbon emissions :) . 

I couldn't afford a costly road bike - even on the cycle scheme. I had done a practice run on a normal hybrid bike and realised that it was going to be a big deal to cycle to work. That was until I discovered electric bikes. 

 

When reading reviews for electric bikes they were either used by extreme off-roaders or post-hip operation 60 year olds who were grateful they could now cycle the 2 miles to their daughters house. I only found one example of an electric bike user with a lengthy commute, so it was a little embarrassing telling people of my plans to buy one on the cycle scheme and use it for my medium length commute! After a trip down to the Atmosphere Electric Bike Centre, and a quick go on a PowerCycle Windsor (the ladies version of the Salisbury - if I thought I was embarrassed before...), I was dead set on getting an electric bike. 

I decided to go for a PowerCycle Salisbury because they boasted the lightest bikes of all electric ranges and were available locally - and so I could assume that parts and servicing for them would be as well. 

 

The PowerCycle Salisbury is a most viable way to commute to work. It takes me just as long as it takes in the car, but I don't have to sit in infuriating traffic - especially when there's been an accident on the M4 and the roads are gridlocked! I get 80 minutes cardio exercise every day, and don't have to pay gym costs, but actually SAVE money on petrol! The bike itself is fantastic. It still gives me a workout, but the added power really really helps get me to work on time without being completely wiped. The battery takes a while to charge up, but lasts me 4.5 trips between home and work and only costs 4p to charge. The bike comes completely kitted out with pannier rack, mudguards, stand, and a (well used) bell. It's really hardy as well. The 3-mode way of working is great, too, as the throttle-on mode is fantastic for getting away at traffic lights, and the pedal-assist mode is great for that long distant cycle. Also, if you want to wean yourself off the electricity, you can turn the motor off altogether without having to turn the battery off in case you change your mind later. It's so simple it's perfect! 

 

On the flip side, it's still a little heavy and the gears really have no meaning. The bike has 6 gears and I very rarely move down from 6th - probably because the pedal assist is so good! Sometimes I manage to build up so much speed that I could do with a lower gear, but that really is a minor issue. 

 

Big thank you to the guys and gals at the Atmosphere electric bike centre for making the transition possible and for all your help with getting the bike and other parts - you've all be more than helpful and have really gone that extra mile for me - thank you!! 

 

Well, it's true to say that I haven't stopped smiling since I got my Wisper 705 SE from Atmosphere Bikes in Bristol back in July. Great advice on what would suit my needs best (I have some serious hills to negotiate, and wanted enough battery to sail up them with a child on the back of the bike), followed by the swift arrival of my bike, and they were very helpful along the way. 

The gears are perfect, as in the lowest gear I can pedal with no strain up the worst hill on my commute, on high assist, and not feel ill in the process. It is a heavy beast, but the suspension is great so when the gales are lashing you and the road surface is bumpy, I feel like we are not going to part company. Still great exercise despite the big battery, but oh so much fun having the Freedom of Bath, and not having to think about hills when planning an outing. I recommend this bike highly to anyone who will listen, and Atmosphere really know their stuff, and are friendly and approachable with it (no cycle snobbery there!).