Kalkhoff vs Ezee Torq

[Tessie]

Hi everyone,
I have read your reviews with much interest as I am looking to buy an electric bike for commuting to work. It's not a terribly far distance as I live in East Twickenham and work in Richmond (which takes 20 minutes to walk every day over Richmond Bridge). My hubby started researching what type of cycles are out there and discovered the electric bike. I wasn't very excited when he told me about it and half expected some clanky looking thing which makes a lot of noise (chitty-chitty bang-bang style). But boy was I wrong! We have now test driven several brands (thanks to Nicci from The Electric Transport Shop) and then test drove the Kalkhoff in Richmond park last weekend. The final two bikes that we road tested with Nicci were the Wisper (heehah - could this bike go!) and the Ezee Torq which was even more impressive (I think it's the mini-biker chick in me that likes the throttle bit). What I also did prefer about the Ezee was that you didn't feel as if you were "peddling air" where the other bikes did. Now, the confusion arose when we tested the Kalkhoff - it's a very comfy bike with all the necessary gadgets and has been highly rated for climbing hills but is pure pedelec. Common sense tells me that this would be the bike to buy (Kalkhoff Tasman) but part of me thinks what if I just want to be a little lazy and throttle along the Ezee would be more practical (not that I would do this often mind you!). Would the novelty of having the throttle wear off and would I then regret not buying the Kalkhoff? I want to commute to work without getting there all sweaty, hot and bothered! Any advice would be most welcome.

Tess

 

[joab]

Both bikes would work but I love the throttle because it allows me to fully control the assistance I want. On the panasonic the system the determines more or less the assistance your getting. Again both would work.

 

[flecc]

It's really down to your personal preference Tess, which you instinctively prefer after trying them. It's unlikely that your preference would change so I'd advise you go with what appeals to you most.
.

 

[Cyclezee]

Tess,

I have both a Kalkhoff Agattu and an Ezee Torq Trekking. Personally, I think you wouldn't go far wrong with either bike and I it really comes down to personal preference. The Kalkhoff is a very well made reliable bike with a good warranty and after sales service, the Torq is a bit of a 'boy racer' among electric bikes, also fairly well made and now more reliable with the recent battery improvements. However the 'boy racer' element has been tamed on the latest models as they can't be derestricted. The Wisper is also not a bad bike, but not as well made as the other two.
Another bike worth serious consideration is the Cytronex.

To sum up, if you want to twist a throttle, it has to be the Torq, if you want to be very sensible buy a Kalkhoff Agattu. Don't bother with a Tasman or Pro Connect, they are not worth the extra money.

J hn

 

[MR E]

For me , use of throttle only is a great asset in town traffic. You can pull away from traffic lights etc , regardless of the gear that the bike is in.

See some of the drivers faces when you pull away at speed.

Away from traffic , then I nearly always use pedal assist.

I did consider both the Torq and Kalkhoff , but the Torq won because of the two modes , and I love the bike.

However , if you do decide on the Torq , better check as I have heard that they may be changing to pedalec only mode ??
Possibly to comply with new legislation .

 

[Barnowl]

See some of the drivers faces when you pull away at speed.

.

Isn't that dangerous

 

[flecc]

Isn't that dangerous

I always pull away fast at the head of the queue at lights when I can to make space for my own safety, much better than being stuck at the edge with traffic piling past too close.

Once I'm ahead I can make space for myself and force traffic around me, leaving me a near side safety factor, or if the road narrows, force them to wait until it's wider and safe to pass. There's no law to say that cars have to travel faster than bikes and we all have equal rights on the road, so making motorists wait when necessary for mutual safety is perfectly legitimate.
.

 

[Barnowl]

I always pull away fast at the head of the queue at lights when I can to make space for my own safety, much better than being stuck at the edge with traffic piling past too close.

Once I'm ahead I can make space for myself and force traffic around me, leaving me a near side safety factor, or if the road narrows, force them to wait until it's wider and safe to pass. There's no law to say that cars have to travel faster than bikes and we all have equal rights on the road, so making motorists wait when necessary for mutual safety is perfectly legitimate.
.

Sorry, I meant watching the look on drivers faces while pulling away at speed. Eyes front

 

[flecc]

Sorry, I meant watching the look on drivers faces while pulling away at speed. Eyes front

I did wonder for a moment, but couldn't make my mind up whether you were joking so responded. I do look at the drivers faces though, but when they eventually pass and glance sideways with a surprised look at this old geezer with supercycling abilities.

I once had a Saab driver who I'd shot away from turn up a side road after me and drive alongside with window wound down, asking "Has that got a motor?". He looked quite relieved when I smiled and said yes.
.

 

[Barnowl]

I am looking to buy an electric bike for commuting to work. It's not a terribly far distance as I live in East Twickenham and work in Richmond (which takes 20 minutes to walk every day over Richmond Bridge).
Tess

Tess

It looks like your commute is less than 2 miles. There's no way you're going to get there all sweaty, hot and bothered no matter what you decide to buy. You don't say if you're going to use the bike to venture further afield or if you're planning to tackle some serious hills.
Given the low mileage and terrain I think I'd just go for the one I liked the best ie. the best looking, comfortable and the most fun! It does sound like the Ezee to me.

 

[Barnowl]

I do look at the drivers faces though, but when they eventually pass and glance sideways with a surprised look at this old geezer with supercycling abilities. .

Having read your recent posts I can understand that!

Good advice anyway on pulling away. I read your comments on a much earlier thread and put them into practice. Much safer

 

[Tessie]

Thanks Barnowl, I cracked out laughing when I read the posts by Flecc pulling away at speed and could just picture the rather surprised faces of the drivers - LOL. I will be using the bike for recreation purposes as well as we live very close to the river but I must admit it's not a very hilly area at all.

 

[poppy]

Thanks Barnowl, I cracked out laughing when I read the posts by Flecc pulling away at speed and could just picture the rather surprised faces of the drivers - LOL. I will be using the bike for recreation purposes as well as we live very close to the river but I must admit it's not a very hilly area at all.

More reason to go for the Kalkhoff, if a I may say so. Ezee and Wisper are too fast for a leisurely slow ride. Of course it seems I´m the in the minority when it comes to the pros of slow, sedate riding ha ha!

 

[Phil the drill]

Hi Tess

You don't mention the Powacycle, Mistral, or new Powabyke models - three ebikes that are vastly cheaper than either the Kalkhoff or Ezee models, yet still perfectly capable of doing the sort of commute or leisure cycling that you would require. The Powacycle and Powabyke in particular are backed up by a much more extensive dealer network than either the Ezee or the Kalkhoff and there are occaisions when that has definite advantages.
The Kalkhoff and Ezee are better bikes, but they may just be rather 'over engineered' for what you need. The others are perfectly capable machines and will still leave enough change (over and above the Kalkhoff and Ezee) for a few good days out afterwards .

Cheers, Phil

 

[eddieo]

Good post Tessie! sums up the predicament for most perfectly, and I love your "peddling air" observation lol, as this is how I feel with my wisper. I like Poppy, want a more sedate bike with controllable Power when I want it....not to be whisked away at speed left "pedaling air" as you so rightly say. Will probably get an Agutta for my wife and end up using it myself

 

[Tessie]

Hi Phil,
We did test ride the Powacycle and Mistral (but not the Powacycle) but I also found that it felt like I was "peddling air" when the assistance was on. The only bike that didn't give me this sensation was the Ezee and Kalkhoff. I do agree that they are cheaper and do have a greater dealer network!

 

[Tessie]

Oops, meant we didn't test ride the Powabyke!