Kalkhoff or Storck

[Dark Star]

Hi - great website - very informative.

I'm new to ebikes and haven't been on any sort of bike for a few years now. Used to do a lot of off-road MTB'ing until my knees started giving me grief.

I'm looking at possibly buying a decent ebike and can't make up my mind between the Kalkhoff Image B27 BionX and the Storck Raddar Multitask SE, and several other good looking and well specced models. Any suggestions ? Any models that I shouldn't buy ?

I have a 10 mile commute to work, mixed terrain, mostly well paved cyclepath, some (pot-holed) country lane and a couple of fairly steep hills on a busy road, which I would probably be walking with a non-assisted bike.
Probably 30 - 40 mile trips at the weekend as well.

All and any comments welcome.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[steveindenmark]

I cannot comment on other bikes but I ride a Tonaro Enduro. I have a 22km ride to work every morning and it is all up and down. The Tonara has Zoom suspension on the front and although you average mountain biker would not look at it, it is very good for all the country and forest tracks I ride every day.

It has a crank drive and is easy to pedal when the power is off, which obviously gives me greater distance.

I have ridden up to 65km with power still left in the battery and so I cannot tell you what the end distance would have been.

I would consider myself to be a fit cyclist. I am 53 and regularly take my Trek road bike out for 100+ km rides and I also ride mountain bikes and a Bacchetta recumbent.

The Enduro makes commuting and forest rides so much easier.

Steve

 

[JuicyBike]

Hi Paul
I'd nudge you to take a look at our Sport 2011 XR14 or XR16
Both easily able to cover your range week days and weekends.
We have a review alongside Wisper and some others in Electric Bike Magazine and some of our gang will give their opinions about our bikes on these pages.
Hope you can find a dealer near you. If not, give us a call to arrange a test ride.

 

[Trevor@Storck]

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the site.

The best advice I can give is to take one for a test ride. If you let me know what region you live in I can point you in the direction of our stockists.

If you haven’t seen it yet there is a review of the Storck Raddar Multitask on BikeRadar.com, as well as feedback from the Tour De Presteigne on our site.

If you have any questions then please let us know.

 

[Dark Star]

Hi Steve, I had a look at the Tonaro range - saw your vid on youtube as well. I like the drive system and they generally seem to be well built and getting good reviews.
To be honest the frame design doesn't grab me - considered the Eagle with the traditional style frame but the weight of it put me off - I have a (short) flight of steps up to my flat and nowhere to keep it safely outside. At 32.5 kilos this is a bit of a beast.

Bob, I like the look of your new Sport XR16. This is a hub drive ? I seem to be veering towards choosing a crank drive but I'm open to persuasion. When is this model going to be available ?

Trev, I live in Harrogate, North Yorkshire - I don't know of any Storck dealers in this part of the world.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[steveindenmark]

You are right about the weight Paul. I certainly would not like to lug the Enduro up a flight of steps.

At the end of the day it is all about personal use and personal choice and there are loads of electric bikes to choose from and that is before you even start with the DIY builds.

Keep looking and try lots and I am sure you will find one you like.

Steve

 

[JuicyBike]

Hi Paul
The Juicy Sport XR16 is in stock now.
Hope you can venture over to Buxton for a try.

 

[Trevor@Storck]

Hi Paul,

Stif Cycles in Summerbidge currently have a Storck Raddar Multitask SE that is available to test.

I’m sure they would be more than happy to see you, and organise a test ride for you.
Their contact details are:

Store Address:
Stif Cycles
The Beech
New York Mills
Summerbridge
Nr Harrogate
HG3 4LA

Phone: 01423 780 738

Stif Performance Cycles

If you do decided to pop in and see them i'd love to know how you get on.

Thanks