Bosch vs Impulse (again)

[Streethawk]

I know this has been discussed before, but it was the older versions of both systems. I've now test rode two 250w Bosch systems (a KTM Macina Cross and a BH Emotion Xenion) and two Kalkhoff Aggatus (the C11 and the C8).

I really wanted to like the Impulse, because of the larger batteries promising huge range however what i've found so far is that the Bosch system feels much more powerful up hills. Is this typical?

This, combined with the battery in the main triangle and the very nice Bosch control unit is leaning me quite strongly towards the Bosch for now. However, i am concerned about the range, i hear conflicting reports everywhere, but the claimed 27-60 miles ranges for the 400wh battery sounds the most realistic to me.

Do any Bosch owners have any comments on range to help me out please?

 

[Artstu]

Range is very dependant on the terrain and also if you can ride above the assisted speed. I imagine the most demanding of rides with say 2000 feet of climbing would equate to around 27 miles for the 400 wh battery in Turbo, I'll be trying mine shortly having just bought one.

Where do you live? Nottingham? and do you encounter a lot of hills?

edit: I wish I had a memory, I think you're up in Lancashire?

 

[Streethawk]

I'm in central Manchester, however much of my riding is in the surrounding national parks (peaks, dales, lakes, Snowdonia).

How do you find the Nexus 8 on your Macina? I had some trouble shifting down on the one i tested. That was really my only complaint about the bike though.

 

[Artstu]

There's a bit of a knack when the hub is pared with the Bosch, you just have to give a very brief full pause to pedalling and you can then get some nice slick changes. I soon got used to it.
Bear in mind the shimano hub geared Bosch bikes are limited to 200% assist and the derailleur ones have 250% assist. But in all honesty I'm more than happy with the power mine gives. I've tackled Winnats a couple of times in 2nd gear.

I'd like to try an Impluse bike on day, but after test riding the Bosch I felt it was exactly what I was looking for.

 

[flecc]

Pending any more Bosch owners coming in Streethawk, on the Impulse v Bosch choice, best go with your heart. Others might find the other way, but it's how you feel is the most important, e-bikes like all bikes being a very personal thing.

On range, most users of all these more sophisticated crank drive systems easily get around 12Wh per mile even in quite hilly territory, corresponding to 33 miles on that 400Wh battery. The most capable riders can sometimes get down to about 8Wh per mile on the Panasonic system, equal to 50 miles on the 400Wh equipped Bosch, but given the Bosch somewhat higher power that might be less commonly achieved.

 

[Streethawk]

Good advice Flecc, perhaps i need to test the Impulse again, trouble is, even Loughborough is 100+ miles one way and there's not really any challenging hills there. Perhaps i need a trip to London to er... visit my sister. Not that i'll be straight to 50cycles to test bikes, honest...

 

[103Alex1]

The 2013 Impulse can be configured at the controller in 3 different modes. This is entirely separate from the power assist levels you choose via the LCD.

You need to set the system at the controller to 'Sport' mode via the dealer device to get the superior hill climbing performance - so if you're going to test the bikes make sure they're set up right by the dealer. The regular configuration feels underpowered.

 

[Croxden]

Do any Bosch owners have any comments on range to help me out please?

Having to run my battery flat, or almost flat as per instructions, I got 65 miles. This was using mostly eco mode, now I up the power. What is the use of power assist if I still have to work hard at it. It's like having an E-type and pushing it. I have made a spreadsheet to record the mileage and when I charge it, it seems to approaching the 60 miles still, charging when two or three bars have gone out. I also divide the miles into the cost of the bike so at 6.7 pence a mile it seems quite cheap. Makes me feel better.

 

[Streethawk]

Hmmm, shouldnt really have to go to so much hassle just to make it a good climber.

 

[103Alex1]

Hmmm, shouldnt really have to go to so much hassle just to make it a good climber.

It's far nippier too - but uses a bit more power. Not everyone wants or needs that (e.g. the Dutch market or those who live in the fens (!) ) so you can set the controller profile to behave differently depending on your bike usage. Bit like having 3 different options with 1 product .. it's basically the controller power delivery profile parameters which are being altered to suit customer preferences.

It used to be a very good climber even in the 2012 configuration but this new configuration seems to 'give' consistently over longer steep climbs, which was a shortcoming of the older version. You only really noticed it after about 200m of climbing and then it really showed.

With bike configured for extra speed assist it also climbs like a billy goat and seems to be even more perky. You can take a long steep (12-`15%-odd) hill in 5th-6th gear quite happily pretty fast. Very steep gradients and it's down to 2nd. Obviously range goes down a lot.

I only ride the Impulse on Power setting. Would probably be the same with the Bosch. I like the way it performs on max assist. Then again it's the same with the Trek .

 

[Deleted member 4366]

When comparing the two, like Alex says, you need to be aware of what software version is in the Impulse and how it's set. You can make the impulse climb better than the Bosch, and you can make it go a lot faster as well, where the bigger battery is a real advantage. I guess if you could get hold of the equipment, you could probably reconfigure the Bosch too, but I've not heard of that yet.