I suppose it was inevitable that one day, a center-drive machine would join the collection, but choosing the most suitable machine was a rather drawn out affair. The machine needed to be able to cope with trail riding, so the first requirement was disc brakes all round. Many of the trails I ride are limestone hardpack with the top layer 3 mm down to dust, add a little rainwater, and the grinding paste created will quickly wear rims to the point where replacement is needed, not a cheap job. The machine also needed to have enough range for 5-6 hour rides of around 40 miles. This would usually mean climbing to 900 feet ASL, possibly twice on the same ride.
The first machine that caught my eye was the Gepida Sirmium with a Yamaha center-drive. I had a very good look at this machine at Presteigne. Clearly designed for roughing it, I was surprised to find rim brakes front and rear. Although the machine could be fitted with a disc front brake, It was the very small 8.5 ah battery which finally ruled it out. Even with a 2nd battery on board, I doubt it would last the distance.
At the time, I had a 36 volt center-drive as my dream machine, so I was mildly optimistic when the German made Daum pedelec appeared in AtoB. The let-down was the main battery occupying the place where my 2nd battery would go, add to this the rim brakes and that was another contender out of the picture.
Another very attractive machine to go under the microscope was the Raleigh Leeds Sport, unfortunately it was not available in Britain, and shipping costs from Europe would have made it prohibitively expensive, particularly as it's Kalkhoff equivalent had been reduced to £1895 delivered.
The final decision was made very quickly with the imminent availability of the BMZ 18 ah battery, which will fit almost all Panasonic powered machines. And so it was, two days later, despite the best efforts of the 'dynamite boys', the Kalkhoff Sahel Pro disc arrived unscathed.
Drive-side
Anchor-side.
Solid alloy Pletscher side-stand bolted directly to the die-cast drop-outs.
DT Swiss eyeletted rims and incredibly tough composite blade style mudguards
Fully assembled apart from the pedals, all that was needed was to swivel the handlebars into position. With the battery charging, seat and handlebar heights were adjusted, a speedo fitted and calibrated and the 'ting' bell replaced with a traditional 'ding-a-ling'. As it was almost tea-time when the five lights went out on the battery, the first ride was postponed until the next morning, and what an eye-opener it was.
To be continued.................
The first machine that caught my eye was the Gepida Sirmium with a Yamaha center-drive. I had a very good look at this machine at Presteigne. Clearly designed for roughing it, I was surprised to find rim brakes front and rear. Although the machine could be fitted with a disc front brake, It was the very small 8.5 ah battery which finally ruled it out. Even with a 2nd battery on board, I doubt it would last the distance.
At the time, I had a 36 volt center-drive as my dream machine, so I was mildly optimistic when the German made Daum pedelec appeared in AtoB. The let-down was the main battery occupying the place where my 2nd battery would go, add to this the rim brakes and that was another contender out of the picture.
Another very attractive machine to go under the microscope was the Raleigh Leeds Sport, unfortunately it was not available in Britain, and shipping costs from Europe would have made it prohibitively expensive, particularly as it's Kalkhoff equivalent had been reduced to £1895 delivered.
The final decision was made very quickly with the imminent availability of the BMZ 18 ah battery, which will fit almost all Panasonic powered machines. And so it was, two days later, despite the best efforts of the 'dynamite boys', the Kalkhoff Sahel Pro disc arrived unscathed.
Drive-side
Anchor-side.
Solid alloy Pletscher side-stand bolted directly to the die-cast drop-outs.
DT Swiss eyeletted rims and incredibly tough composite blade style mudguards
Fully assembled apart from the pedals, all that was needed was to swivel the handlebars into position. With the battery charging, seat and handlebar heights were adjusted, a speedo fitted and calibrated and the 'ting' bell replaced with a traditional 'ding-a-ling'. As it was almost tea-time when the five lights went out on the battery, the first ride was postponed until the next morning, and what an eye-opener it was.
To be continued.................
