Kalkhoff Evo Activity v Woosh Big Bear

Marny Hill

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 29, 2010
13
0
I have a Woosh Big Bear at present and am thinking of changing yet again (having had a few problems with the Big Bear). Has the Kalkhoff Evo Activity as powerful a motor as the Big Bear? It is very easy to go up steep hills with the Big Bear and I wonder whether the Evo would be the same? My first ebike was the Wisper Allpino and it was absolutely wonderful except that it was too big for me (I had an accident which was entirely my fault because of the size). Since then I have had a Giant and now the Woosh Big Bear. Neither of which have been terribly successful. The advertising for the Evo says it has a much more powerful motor now - will it be comparable? We live in Edinburgh and cycle out of the city most weekends - pretty hilly for me and I need all the help I can get!
 

trex

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 15, 2011
7,703
2,671
the two bikes have roughly the same power and weight but that's where the similarity ends. The Evo will be very good on hills.
Your Big Bear has crossbar frame with rear rack battery, the Evo has step through with behind seat post battery, much more ladies friendly.The Bear has front hub motor, the Evo has crank drive and better traction. The brakes on the Bear are mechanical, the Evo has hydraulic brakes, much more efficient and comfortable. The Bear has chain and derailleur, the Evo belt and hub gear, much quieter. Woosh Santana CD is nearer to the Evo than the Bear but still no comparison.
On the negative side, both bikes are bulky and heavy. The Evo is pedal assist only.
Woosh will have the KLS in December which may suit you. It is lighter weight, more compact, has a low step frame and a rear 8-Fun SWX02 motor (90% power of a BPM but in smaller casing). How about asking Hatti to PX your bike for a KLS?
 
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JohnCade

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 16, 2014
1,486
736
The Kalkhoff is torque sensor so will need more input from you to get the max power out than a BB possibly. Having said that they say that they have a built in cadence sensor in the Evo model as well so it might give something like the best of both worlds.

The Evo will be a lot better made and finished with better parts, as you would expect from the price difference. I see they are claiming 100Nm of torque whatever that means in practice. But I know from riding them that the Impulse 11 is more powerful than the Impulse 1, so as the power war heats up this one probably is a lot more powerful than the Impulse 11. More powerful than a BB too. My Impulse 1 is said to have less than half the torque they claim from the Evo and I have never needed to use first gear, and very rarely second and I live in a very hilly area with some very long steep hills.
 

Marny Hill

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 29, 2010
13
0
the two bikes have roughly the same power and weight but that's where the similarity ends. The Evo will be very good on hills.
Your Big Bear has crossbar frame with rear rack battery, the Evo has step through with behind seat post battery, much more ladies friendly.The Bear has front hub motor, the Evo has crank drive and better traction. The brakes on the Bear are mechanical, the Evo has hydraulic brakes, much more efficient and comfortable. The Bear has chain and derailleur, the Evo belt and hub gear, much quieter. Woosh Santana CD is nearer to the Evo than the Bear but still no comparison.
On the negative side, both bikes are bulky and heavy. The Evo is pedal assist only.
Woosh will have the KLS in December which may suit you. It is lighter weight, more compact, has a low step frame and a rear 8-Fun SWX02 motor (90% power of a BPM but in smaller casing). How about asking Hatti to PX your bike for a KLS?
Thanks, Trex. Ihave found out that the Evo is definitely too big for me (28 inch wheels) and probably too heavy .Hatti tells me that the bike they are getting in is a crossbar. What a pity as it sounds great. The Big Bear is wonderful but is a bit heavy especially if I have to get it on the tow bar myself! She says they have another new bike coming in in January so perhaps that will be a step through light weight.
 

trex

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 15, 2011
7,703
2,671
yes, the KLS is 2kg lighter than your Bear and is a step through. It has also quick release front wheel, very easy to carry in your car. Did you ask Hatti for the possibility of swapping your bike with the new one?
 

Marny Hill

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 29, 2010
13
0
yes, the KLS is 2kg lighter than your Bear and is a step through. It has also quick release front wheel, very easy to carry in your car. Did you ask Hatti for the possibility of swapping your bike with the new one?
I will ask her as that would definitely be of interrest. Thanks again.
 

Kudoscycles

Official Trade Member
Apr 15, 2011
5,566
5,048
www.kudoscycles.com
Marny Hill......have you considered our Kudos Sonata....it has the BPM motor in the rear,best of the Shimano gear sets,hydraulic brakes and 26" wheels,23kg weight. The Rapide and Sonata were specified to produce the best bikes we could produce,not price driven.
Everyone who rides the Sonata says it is the best bike Kudos have produced.
KudosDave