Wisper wildcat VS Turbo Levo FSR comp

[boneht]

I was on the verge of buying the Wisper a few days back after a very impressive test drive but doing a bit of research it seems a little dated and I can get a 2019 Turbo Levo for the same price.

Wisper has full carbon frame, levo has the brose motor, integrated battery and better spec.

Oh and I can get the Wisper from my very local bike shop.

 

[2unfit2ride]

This one

Or the older version?
Nice looking bike.

 

[boneht]

The new model isn't out yet, I'm looking at the older model which came out in 2018

Wildcat Carbon eMTB | Full Suspension eBike | Wisper Electric Bikes

Its definitely lower tech than the 2019 levo but is full carbon.

The external battery is quite a big deal imo and the resistance from the shimano motor vs the brose.

It did ride very well though.

 

[outerlimits]

I test rode a Merida that rode super very nice but did not like the motor. I tested the Levo, and tho not as high spec it rode ok / great, and I liked the motor.
So I got the Levo, and done a few upgrades as funds have allowed. Very happy with my choice. It’s easy to upgrade parts if need be, but hard and expensive to upgrade the frame and or motor.

 

[SquireRides]

Shimano tech hasn't changed for 2020, so the Wisper is still up to date. If it rides well and you can get support from your LBS (and you can support you LBS!) go for it.

 

[Zimmerframe]

resistance from the shimano motor vs the brose

I'd say the resistance from the E8000 and the Brose, above assistance, is pretty much identical - ie, no noticeable resistance.

 

[boneht]

I'd say the resistance from the E8000 and the Brose, above assistance, is pretty much identical - ie, no noticeable resistance.

Interesting, that's pretty much my experience but the reviews say otherwise. I did detect a minimal kind of unwillingness to let go at the cutoff point but after that it felt OK. The brose lets go beautifully.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Interesting, that's pretty much my experience but the reviews say otherwise. I did detect a minimal kind of unwillingness to let go at the cutoff point but after that it felt OK. The brose lets go beautifully.

I think you'll be fine motor wise whichever way you go. I was going to buy another e8000 bike as I was happy with my existing E8000 motor, but ended up with a brose. The Trail mode works really well on the E8000 for intuitively providing assistance and stretching out your battery at the same time, though with the brose you can use the blevo app and setup Smart assist which is similar ish, just not as intuitive. The E8000 is louder, I found the brose a bit strange at the start because I'd got used to the whirring of the E8000 letting me know it was working/assisting. I think another reason the brose feels more seamless with the cutoff is because you don't hear the assistance suddenly stop.

Real world performance wise they're quite similar. The Brose just has the edge in certain circumstances, but not enough to let that influence your bike decision.

 

[outerlimits]

I think you'll be fine motor wise whichever way you go. I was going to buy another e8000 bike as I was happy with my existing E8000 motor, but ended up with a brose. The Trail mode works really well on the E8000 for intuitively providing assistance and stretching out your battery at the same time, though with the brose you can use the blevo app and setup Smart assist which is similar ish, just not as intuitive. The E8000 is louder, I found the brose a bit strange at the start because I'd got used to the whirring of the E8000 letting me know it was working/assisting. I think another reason the brose feels more seamless with the cutoff is because you don't hear the assistance suddenly stop.

Real world performance wise they're quite similar. The Brose just has the edge in certain circumstances, but not enough to let that influence your bike decision.

I really hope that is the case, because when I test rode the E8000 it was like grabbing a handful of brakes. I really hope they have fixed that.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I really hope that is the case, because when I test rode the E8000 it was like grabbing a handful of brakes. I really hope they have fixed that.

I remember reading about it being described as a bit like hitting a wall when the assistance stopped, but I think they smoothed things out over time with firmware updates. Obviously you notice there's quite a big difference between assisted and non assisted, especially when you're already on a heavy bike at 25/32kph, but it never felt like there was "added" resistance from the motor.

 

[boneht]

I remember reading about it being described as a bit like hitting a wall when the assistance stopped, but I think they smoothed things out over time with firmware updates. Obviously you notice there's quite a big difference between assisted and non assisted, especially when you're already on a heavy bike at 25/32kph, but it never felt like there was "added" resistance from the motor.

Yes, I've tried Bosch, new and old, Yamaha, Shimano and Brose. All have the breaking effect when the power is cut and it stands to reason, losing power is the same as braking. I can't discern any resistance in addition to the loss of power other than during the 15/16mph switchover. It would be much better at 20mph imo.

 

[Rusty]

I have both an e8000 & Brose - notice very little difference at the cut-off. They both start to lag around 28-29kph then after 32 feel different again.

 

[Gary]

I really hope that is the case, because when I test rode the E8000 it was like grabbing a handful of brakes. I really hope they have fixed that.

There's no percievable resistance from a shimano motor above the assistance cut out.
to test this simply freeewheel downhill sat down at a speed above the cut out and take both feet off the pedals and then kick the forward pedal. it'll spin the chain freely. if there were noticable resistance the chainring wouldn't spin so freely.
(or put the bike on a work stand and remove the chain and spin the cranks with the motor in OFF mode)
Early Shimano firmware cut assistance off too quickly (harshly) and it felt like you were hitting a wall of resistance (in reality all you were feeling was the sudden extra rolling resistance and weight of an un assisted Ebike). with subsequent updates to the firmware the motor now cuts in and out far more smoothly so you no longer feels anywhere near as harsh when you ride past the asistance limit.

 

[boneht]

Thanks everyone I am reassured about the shimano motor because most comments reflect my test rides. They all have the grabbing sensation when the motor cuts off and its more. Noticeable if you are in a high mode (obviously). There is the advantage of the steps unlocker app too.

Can I cope with the external battery vs the neatly integrated levo though? Continues to ponder.....

 

[Gary]

What's to cope with?
It's more easily /quickly swappable and lighter than an internal battery. Not to mention generally better weight balanced with most frames.

All Emtbs look like Ebikes and even a Levo isn't exactly a looker.

 

[Macone]

I think you'll be fine motor wise whichever way you go. I was going to buy another e8000 bike as I was happy with my existing E8000 motor, but ended up with a brose. The Trail mode works really well on the E8000 for intuitively providing assistance and stretching out your battery at the same time, though with the brose you can use the blevo app and setup Smart assist which is similar ish, just not as intuitive. The E8000 is louder, I found the brose a bit strange at the start because I'd got used to the whirring of the E8000 letting me know it was working/assisting. I think another reason the brose feels more seamless with the cutoff is because you don't hear the assistance suddenly stop.

Real world performance wise they're quite similar. The Brose just has the edge in certain circumstances, but not enough to let that influence your bike decision.

Bloody Hell Zimmer, theres no need to get all serious on us!!!, Well, like, its ok and all but just not used to it!!!! you made perfect sense there and that scares me.

 

[MarkH]

I've got both motors and the only difference I see is the E8000 is a bit more binary when kicking in/out but only during boost mode. At lower modes and when rolling off past the max assist speed they are pretty much the same. The E8000 is obviously way louder which may be a problem for some but doesn't bother me.

 

[boneht]

It's a bit ugly and dated. I agree it has practical advantages although no space for a bottle holder

 

[boneht]

I've got both motors and the only difference I see is the E8000 is a bit more binary when kicking in/out but only during boost mode. At lower modes and when rolling off past the max assist speed they are pretty much the same. The E8000 is obviously way louder which may be a problem for some but doesn't bother me.

I actually like the noise ?

 

[DrStupid]

I like the noise to... it reminds me that its not broke...yet!

The ext battery is the best thing about the bike, that and the XT drive line. Having to service two bikes with integrated batteries, and one with an external. I've had trouble with both integrated units (nothing serious) but still trouble.

My concern with the bike is the fork. If that MoCo damper is not better than the one on my Speedfox with revelations, It will be harsh.

 

[boneht]

I like the noise to... it reminds me that its not broke...yet!

The ext battery is the best thing about the bike, that and the XT drive line. Having to service two bikes with integrated batteries, and one with an external. I've had trouble with both integrated units (nothing serious) but still trouble.

My concern with the bike is the fork. If that MoCo damper is not better than the one on my Speedfox with revelations, It will be harsh.

Thanks for the feedback, I liked the suspension but I'm a trail rider, that's why I like the geometry of the Wisper too, although the specialised is almost identical.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Bloody Hell Zimmer, theres no need to get all serious on us!!!,

Sorry .. I had .. a .... moment .....

you made perfect sense there and that scares me.

It scares me too ... don't worry, it's unlikely it will happen again !

 

[DrStupid]

Thanks for the feedback, I liked the suspension but I'm a trail rider, that's why I like the geometry of the Wisper too, although the specialised is almost identical.

The MoCo seems fine for smooth stuff, and actually takes big hits fine.. it's the trail chatter that seems to pack it up, and after about three quick little hits, it seems to hit back. One man's opinion so take it for what it is.

 

[boneht]

Saw a Focus Jam2 6.8 yesterday, that's a possibility too now, seems a lot of bike for the money

 

[boneht]

Testing a turbo levo comp. It handles great and the motor is very subtle. It doesn't have an equivalent of shimanos trail or boschs emtb mode which is a shame. I've tinkered with the motor setting today to see if it improves the response.