Kalkhoff Pro Connect Pedelec Electric Bike

The Kalkhoff Pro Connect uses a pedelec system, meaning the Panasonic motor senses when and how hard the pedals are being used. Your pedaling is converted into motor power which drives the rear wheel through the chain and gears. The build quality is excellent and the bike has many great features including Shimano gears and brakes, Bush & Muller lights, and two years warranty. See the full specification at 50Cycles.

The big plus is the detachable battery which is easily removed to enable charging in the house which took roughly 3 hours before the charger lights went out when fully charged. With the bike at 25kg it was great to have a side stand when parking the bike.

The bike was tested on a 7.1 mile circuit (see graph at bottom of page) through the countryside with stretches of relatively flat roads but also many small hills, gentle inclines and two quite steep hills to test the performance of the bike over three different terrains. The conditions were quite good with moderate winds and dry road surface and little traffic to slow down the rider.

The power assistance control is very easy to use when riding and it was instantly noticeable that you were being given help in pedaling. As soon as you get used to the gears it becomes an effortless ride and I never had to get out of the saddle to pedal throughout the 7.1 mile circuit. Once you drop through the gears even the steepest hill was climbed effortlessly. I do this circuit quite regularly on both a mountain bike and road bike and the Kalkhoff Pro Connect bike was by far the easiest ride with its power assistance. You also feel very safe on the bike (if it was a car it would be an Audi) with its excellent build quality and comfort, although it would benefit from a suspension seatpost which was not on the bike we tested. The braking system was also as good as any bike I have ridden and ensured you stopped quickly and safely. From a Green perspective it was also good to see the large cardboard box the bike was delivered in was from recycled paper.

I do feel it would benefit from an extra gear for the flat sections although the speed restrictions may dictate that this is not practical. On the flat sections I felt the bike could have gone a little faster with that extra gear. The bike can certainly fill all the categories of Commuter, Recreational and Comfortable electric bike.

This is the first Electric Bike we have tested so we may revisit to look at value for money and performance against other electric bikes once we have tested the others to compare.

Many thanks to 50Cycles who allowed us to test the bike and are the UK distributors of Kalkhoff Pro Connect Pedelec Electric Bikes

Date of Review - 26th and 27th June 2008 - Reviewed by Peter

BUY Kalkhoff Pro Connect at 50Cycles

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