Kalkhoff Pro Connect
The Kalkhoff Pro Connect electric bike is seen by many users
to be the best in its price range. The 2009 and 2010 models
have had great reviews from owners and the 2011 S (for Sports)
model is even more powerful, with greater range than ever.
You might call this the "Smart People's" choice
of E-bike, the one many go for after thorough research.
Kalkhoff Pro Connect electric bike |
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A technical marvel, this bike uses the brand new Shimano
Deore XT 10-speed rear derailleur gears. The drivetrain consists
of a 41-tooth chainwheel and 11 to 34-tooth cassette with
9 titanium sprockets. The SL-K Light carbon compact crankset
comes from FSA (Full Speed Ahead). Stiffness, light weight
and strength are the crank qualities a cyclist needs and these
cranksets have all three.
Giving travel distances of up to 140 km per charge, the new
18 Ah battery developed in Kalkhoff's factory in Germany is
the first of its kind and the largest on the market today.
Previously having a life of 500 charging cycles, these new
Kalkhoff batteries have a life of 1100 cycles. From 2011 onward,
all Kalkhoff's e-bikes with a frame lock will use a single
key for the cylinder locks on both the frame and the battery.
The Kalkhoff Pro Connect electric bike is powered by a Panasonic
motor, mounted low down behind the seat tube. With its low
center of gravity, this gives it the best handling capability.
A torque sensor, linked to the motor, monitors pedaling power
constantly, to identify when the powered assist should kick
in. The motor, with the chain drive, will provide the required
assist level, up to 200% from 2011. Assistance ratios range
from 1:0.7 (Eco) through 1:1.3 (Medium) and 1:2 (High).
The wheel rims are Black Jack XC400's, with Niro Schwarz
spokes and Top Contact tyres from Continental. These include
puncture protection in the form of a breaker strip made of
Vectran, a reinforcing material used by NASA in spacesuits
and Mars landers. Braking is provided by Magura Julie Speed,
hydraulic disc brakes, with front and rear hubs both being
the popular Shimano XT Discs.
When You Come to a Fork in the Road ...
The forks are Suntour NCX-D with lockout and coiled spring
suspension, weighing in at around 2 kg. The lockout feature
means that the amount of suspension travel can be eliminated
for more efficient cycling on flat terrain. FSA K-Force flatbar
handlebars, with a Carbon/Kevlar composite construction and
a stem of the same make, are finished off with Ergon ergonomic
handlebar grips with bar ends.
With a Fizik Rondine saddle mounted on a FSA SL-250 seatpost
you're guaranteed a comfortable ride over the distances you'll
be travelling on this e-bike. The SKS mudguards come as standard,
complete with a reflector. Reflectors are also fitted to the
light aluminium pedals. The luggage rack has a stainless steel
spring flap, strong enough to hold small, lightweight items.
A Revolver Sport chainguard and a Pletscher Comp Plus Kickstand
complete the mechanical components that come with these e-bikes.
The Kalkhoff Pro Connect electric bike has a Panasonic LCD
display with integrated speedometer and backlight and for
safety on night cycling trips, a high-quality AXA LED Nano
front light. Finished with a powder-coated magicblack matt
finish, this e-bike is the one to seriously consider in its
price range, given Kalkhoff's great reputation for quality.
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