Frequently asked questions about electric bikes

What motors do Woosh electric bikes have?

The Camino, Gran-Camino and Rambletta use Shengyi motors, the Santana 3 uses the Bafang SWX02 motor, the Faro uses Aikema 85SX motor.
All motor are EN15194 standard, rated 250W. You can see the e-bike motor videos here.

Does the motor ever cut out?

For your safety, the motor will cut out when you squeeze the brakes, even just a little.
The motor will also cut out when you go faster than 15 miles per hour.

Will your bikes sail up hills?

It depends on your weight. The heavier you are, the more slowly you can go uphill on throttle.
With hub motors, you will need to use pedal the assist mode going up most hills.
With crank drive bikes, you can switch gear and get up 10% hills on the throttle alone.
In general, there is only so much a 250W motor can carry uphill. On steep hills, even our CD bikes need pedal assist.
Our bikes are NOT suitable for off-roading.
All our bikes are suitable for very hilly areas.

Dynamic cyclists

An electric bike, whether from us or from another supplier, is restricted to 25km/h or 15.5mph.
You can ride faster than that if you want, but your will have to ride unpowered which is easily achievable on flat roads.

Can I get to the maximum speed on throttle alone?

To reach 15mph on throttle alone, you probably can on flat roads or small inclines, up to about 5% gradient and without much headwind.
On steeper roads or in strong headwind, you will have to pedal a bit more to help the motor.

How long does the battery last?

About 5 years.
Batteries degrade slowly over time, it's a case of use it or lose it.

Is it difficult to change gears on hills?

No, it's much easier to change gears on hills with an electric bike than with normal bike.
It helps to throttle up to maximum to help the bike with momentum before you change gears.
Bikes with crank motor like the Krieger and Bali, you need to learn to this maneuver to help with gear change: slightly squeeze one of the two brake levers a second to cut out the motor, change gear and throttle up again, very much like you would do with your car.

How easy is it to pedal without power?

You will lose about 10% of your speed in comparison with riding an average non-electric bikes.
All our bikes are around 7-8kg heavier than an average non-electric bike. You can feel a tiny resistance in the motor but it's hardly noticeable.
As the weight of the motor and battery become noticeable when riding without power, the Faro being very lighytweight rides un-powered very much like a normal road bike. All the other bikes feel a little heavier and are about the same.

why can't you be precise about the range?

Because the answer depends so much on terrain, speed, headwind and riders.
On flat roads, you will need between 10 to 12WH (Watt-Hours) per mile, more going uphill, less if you cycle along to help the motor.
For comparison, a pedalling human needs about 14WH per mile on flat roads.
An e-bike with a 36V 10AH battery (360WH) will give you 30-36 miles on flat roads
Again, your range will reduce substantially if you are slowed down by headwinds. Braking will also reduce the range.
People also tend to ride faster when they have a more powerful motor, Krieger, Bali, Big Bear. They also input less.
If you intend to buy a bike for commuting, allow at least 25% leeway for traffic lights in towns and cities.

Do I have to maintain my electric bike?

Yes. All our bikes are checked mechanically and electrically before despatch.
However, riding will subject it to wear and tear and it will need to be looked after.
The most important maintenance that everyone should be able to do is to clean the bike and keep it dry.
Then grease the mechanical parts in much the same way as you would a regular bike.
The electrical components should not need any maintenance.
All our bikes come with a maintenance manual to assist you.
You can download our Maintenance Manual here.

How much does a replacement battery cost?

See the section on batteries here.

How much does a replacement motor wheel cost?

Currently, a replacement motor wheel costs around £140 to £170 including free shipping.

Where can I see your bikes?

Only at our Southend shop.

I am not a bike mechanic. How can I be sure that your bike is safe for me to ride?

Our bikes need some assembly (handlebars and pedals) and brakes checked before they are ready for the road.
If you would rather not do this we can get a local bike shop to do it for you.
Your bike will be delivered to the shop. They will then prepare it for you and fully charge the battery.
All you then need to do is get someone to drop you off, pay them their fee (£35) using the same card with which you ordered the bike.... and off you go. Call us if you'd like this service.

What happens if I live miles away and things go wrong?

Just telephone support on 01702 684444.
If it's complicated, we will arrange with a local bike shop or a mobile mechanic where you live to sort out your problem.
If the repair is not covered by our warranty, you'll have to pay for the repair yourself.
Since we do not sell through bike shops most of our customers tend to be practical and able to deal with routine mechanical maintenance or have a friend or family member who will do this for them.
Common tasks include not just keeping the bike clean and dry but also pumping up and replacing tyres and inner tubes, adjusting brakes and gears and dealing with occasional small repairs .
Please see our After Sales Service and support section

What if I bought my Woosh bike secondhand?

A lot of Woosh bikes are now being purchased second hand.
It is no longer possible for us to offer help for them free of charge.
If you have purchased a Woosh Bike second hand and need a part or assistance, please call us.
Your details will then be registered onto our system.
Support (mostly by email) will then be free of charge but parts will of course be chargeable.

How much do you carry in spares?

We carry around 10% of our stocks to insure good servicing and dependability.

Where else can I find e-bike spare parts?

We use Shimano kits (or compatible) for all moving parts.
Virtually all mechanical parts can be found at your local bike shops or online.
Motors and batteries are widely available in the UK.
Check out the pedelecs forum for useful information.

Where are your bikes made?

We assemble our bikes in Southend-On-Sea from parts made in Shanghai, China.

Do you deliver overseas?

Only to Scottish islands, the Channel islands, the Isle of Man and the Isle of Wight!
These incur a charge for the crossing, normally paid for by the customer – our delivery up to the port is free.
We regret we are unable to offer a service to Europe at present.

Are your electric bikes safe?

Yes, they conform to European EN15194 standards and come with full certification.
Click to download the Certificate of Conformity here.

Can I derestrict your electric bikes?

No, it will void your warranty.
Also, if you derestrict your bike, you need to get it registered as an electric moped, attach a number plate, get a free tax disc, have it MOT'd, only ride it on roads (not cycle lanes or paths) and also wear a helmet.
If someone decides to report you for riding a derestricted bike on the roads without it being registered or without insurance and helmet, you will most likely lose your driving licence.

Do you supply electric bike kits and electric scooters?

We offer electric bike kits but not electric scooters.
Our main concern is support and warranty for we have no control of what and how other parts are connected to our kits.
If you are interested, take a look at the range of 8-Fun crank drive kits that we stock.

About electric bikes in general

1. What's so good about electric bikes?

They take the strain from your legs, making cycling much easier.
Riding them is such fun that you get out more and get fitter.
Cheap to run, no parking fees, no CBT, road tax, insurance, MOT!!

2. Any bad points?

They are heavier than normal bikes
They need a bit more maintenance than a standard bike... but that's pretty much it!
Electric bikes aren't for everyone: if you already ride at over 15 mph most of the time there will be little point for you.

3. How fast can they go?

The legal limit in the UK is 15mph powered by the motor

5. How do the electrics work?

Just switch on the key and either start pedalling or turn the throttle gently down towards you.
The bike will move along under its own power, and braking will cut this off.
Woosh bikes have both pedal and throttle assist, european made bikes only have pedal assist.

4. Does the e-bike recharge as you go along?

No - you need to use the charger supplied

4. How do I know that the battery is fully charged?

For each mile you ride on power, you'll need about 10 minutes charging time.
Leave the battery on charge until the charging light goes green and stays green for 5 minutes.

5. How long is the battery expected to last?

The battery should have around 700-1000 recharge cycles, about 5 years.
Its capacity diminishes over time, when it goes down to 75%, you should replace it.
The more you use the bike, the better the battery retains its capacity, since it keeps the Lithium moving.

I still have questions.

Please follow this link ‘webform’ to submit questions by email or call us on (01702) 684444.
Please also read our sales condition