Kalkhoff Sahel Premium i360 Harmony

[Deleted member 4366]

That's exactly my sentiments. Everybody gets a work-out on level one - if that's what you want.

 

[RobF]

A couple of posters on here are talking about getting 'bike fit', not just getting a workout.

The torque sensor bikes are a better tool for improving bike fitness, but willpower is still needed.

It is also a very slow process.

Despite doing lots of miles on my Bosch bikes, my bike fitness has not improved as much as I'd hoped.

Less 'sport' and more 'tour' or even 'eco' is called for.

 

[JohnCade]

Over & over & over again, we have posts claiming a speed- based pas system will not improve fitness - Balderdash!

There's a pair of buttons/arrows on the handlebar console which are operated by something called willpower:
On those days I'm feeling a bit jaded I select level 3, which gives me assistance up to about 16mph, which is normally quick enough for a relaxed cruise on the rare flat bits around here. When I want to go a bit quicker I put in a bit of effort & see what happens.
On the days I'm feeling like stretching the lungs a bit, I select level 2, which assists up to about 12mph & put in the rest of the effort myself, or just chill & enjoy the scenery.

Over the 10 months I've had the bike, my riding style has evolved such that I set off in level 2 & keep it there until I encounter a significant hill which causes me to strain a bit in 6th gear; I select level 3 & change down appropriately:
Reaching the crest (and this is the important bit) I revert to level 2 & clang up through the gears.

Maintaining a heartrate of 100bpm is never going to improve anyone's fitness - I aim to keep between 100 - 140, thereby not straining anything, but breathing quite hard on occasion.

Levels 4&5 are pretty much redundant, as I really only need maximum assist on steep hills, which I generally climb slower than 16mph, anyway.

I don't claim anything of the kind. Of course it will if you put in the work and the bike is pleasant to ride at a low assist level. Which some aren't BTW.

What I say is that human nature being what it is the chances are that someone will be doing less work than they think they are, and will slack off because it's easy to do. Which is not an option with a TS bike. With that you have to get fairly fit to ride it far in hilly country like it or not.

In fact d8veh who recommended your post, wrote a few days ago that he was fit when he had a lower powered bike, but lost that fitness when he got a higher powered one with a bigger battery. With a TS bike he wouldn't have had the option to take it a lot easier.

As I said human nature. The other part of human nature which is hardwired into us is our almost infinite capacity to fool ourselves.

 

[jackhandy]

If you're fooling yourself , whilst already Cheating by riding a 'lecktrick bike, I'm afraid there's no hope

My view is, if you have a bike that's hard work, you'll often find reasons to not use it on the iffy days; whereas, if you have a bike that'll give you the option of an easier ride, you're likely to use it more often - which is the better way to improve fitness.

Here endeth today's lesson

 

[john h]

As with all ebikes, you have the option of turning off the electrics, and just pedal like a none ebike, i do this often on my whoosh C D , helped me get bike fit, a few miles each day you soon get fit also if you were to run out of power you could still get home.

 

[JohnCade]

If you're fooling yourself , whilst already Cheating by riding a 'lecktrick bike, I'm afraid there's no hope

My view is, if you have a bike that's hard work, you'll often find reasons to not use it on the iffy days; whereas, if you have a bike that'll give you the option of an easier ride, you're likely to use it more often - which is the better way to improve fitness.

Here endeth today's lesson

But I want to work hard to get fit you see....and if I want it easier I just slow down.

 

[Jonah]

The fact is riding TS bikes and pedal sensor bikes is a completely different experience. Other people's opinions are just that, you must try them out on a decent run over mixed terrain and make your own mind up.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

In fact d8veh who recommended your post, wrote a few days ago that he was fit when he had a lower powered bike, but lost that fitness when he got a higher powered one with a bigger battery. With a TS bike he wouldn't have had the option to take it a lot easier.

I might have given that impression, but it's not quite true. I used to cycle to work and back 30 miles a day four days a week, and do 80 mile trips for pleasure. now I'm retired and do about one 30 mile trip a week on average, which is why I'm not so fit. My previous comments were a bit tongue in cheek. My main bike now is my 250w Xiongda, which makes me pedal steadily, a bit like a crank-drive. I just don't do enough miles to get the level of fitness I had before.

Just as an aside, one time I did 43 miles on my 500w BPM motored Giant without even switching it on during an 84 mile jaunt, which just goes to show that motor size/type and sensor type has no bearing on how much effort you put in. As a rider, you always have a choice regardless of what you have.