Wisper Tailwind Comfort Crossbar
A well-equipped hybrid with a unique and Uklegal full-throttle control option
It seems Wisper has thought carefully about what it offers with the Tailwind range. You get a choice of battery sizes, a step-through or conventional frame and three tyre choices, plus the unusual option of a Uk-legal throttle activation.
How does Wisper offer a throttle when UK e-bike law states this isn’t permitted? It turns out Wisper helped negotiate an exception to the rules when UK e-bike legislation was harmonised with EU law back in 2016. The result was the introduction of the littleknown category of 250W Low Powered Mopeds – although these machines are e-bikes with a throttle in all but name.
For an extra £200 Wisper will apply for a Type Approval certificate for your bike from the Driver & Vehicle Standards
Agency (DVSA). The resulting bike still has a maximum assistance speed of 25kmh (15.5mph) and can be ridden like a regular e-bike with no helmet, registration, licence plate, tax or insurance. It’s a style of bike that will benefit anyone physically unable to generate power themselves, along with those who simply want to nip through traffic without waiting for the assist to kick in.
The Tailwind Comfort is also fully equipped for everything from commuting to touring and gentle trail riding, with hardwired lights, mudguards, a sturdy rear rack and kickstand. Braking and transmission are effectively catered for via hydraulic disc brakes and a nine-speed Shimano derailleur.
The basic bike arrives with a 360Wh battery, although you can upgrade to 540Wh for an extra fee. The battery is connected to a rear hub motor and the bike features four levels of power assist. At the same time, its LCD display lets you monitor the motor’s output and keep an eye on whether it’s behaving as expected.
▶ From £2,049
▶ wisperbikes.com