Kalkhoff vs KTM

[Mike45]

Opinions sought on the relative overall build quality/reliability of these two marques. I am aware of Impulse 2 "clacking issues", any others?

 

[tillson]

Opinions sought on the relative overall build quality/reliability of these two marques. I am aware of Impulse 2 "clacking issues", any others?

The Kalkhoffs are well built and nicely finished, but there is a very big question mark over the motor, especially the Impulse 2 and very little being said about it from Kalkhoff themselves. That would make me very apprehensive.

I don't know much about KTM, never seen one, other than they are a large well established company with a dealership network, so back-up should be there. I don't like the Bosch motor though and that silly little chainwheel. I believe they went down that route because the chain kept jumping off the normal sized chainwheel and getting stuck on the earlier version of the motor. My experience of Bosch is that they make a lot of things, but aren't the best at any of them. However, KTM do use the Panasonic motor combined with a Nexus 8 on some of their more frumpy looking bikes. If I wanted a commuter that I could trust as a means of transport, rather than something at the height of fashion, I'd be tempted by one of those.

Have you thought about Haibike? Again, I have absolutely no personal experience of them or the Yamaha motor. But I do like the look of that motor. I think the Japanese have the most experience in this field because they have been at it for a long time. They made all the mistakes back in the early 2000s and now they seem to have it sorted, as you would expect from the Japs.

 

[Mike45]

The Kalkhoffs are well built and nicely finished, but there is a very big question mark over the motor, especially the Impulse 2 and very little being said about it from Kalkhoff themselves. That would make me very apprehensive.

I don't know much about KTM, never seen one, other than they are a large well established company with a dealership network, so back-up should be there. I don't like the Bosch motor though and that silly little chainwheel. I believe they went down that route because the chain kept jumping off the normal sized chainwheel and getting stuck on the earlier version of the motor. My experience of Bosch is that they make a lot of things, but aren't the best at any of them. However, KTM do use the Panasonic motor combined with a Nexus 8 on some of their more frumpy looking bikes. If I wanted a commuter that I could trust as a means of transport, rather than something at the height of fashion, I'd be tempted by one of those.

Have you thought about Haibike? Again, I have absolutely no personal experience of them or the Yamaha motor. But I do like the look of that motor. I think the Japanese have the most experience in this field because they have been at it for a long time. They made all the mistakes back in the early 2000s and now they seem to have it sorted, as you would expect from the Japs.

I am looking at a "frumpy" bike, specifically the Kalkhoff Ergo with an Impulse 2/NuVinci i360 combination and the KTM Amparo XL with a Panasonic/Nexus 8 combination.

Haibike don't seem to do mant "frumpy" bikes.

 

[tillson]

I'm sure you have seen it, but just in case, here are all the bikes produced by KTM. Not sure if they are all available in the UK though. The frumpy bikes, which I like by the way, are near the bottom.

http://www.ktm-bikes.at/en/bikes/e-bike.html

 

[nemesis]

I like the look of the KTM MACINA cx-5 because it has 29er wheels and the new bosch CX high torque motor plus a 500w battery and it would also make a good commuter with 700c slicks on,the best thing is to try to test ride as many as possible and find what suits you best.All the leading brands are built to a very high quality and finish.

 

[Mike45]

I'm sure you have seen it, but just in case, here are all the bikes produced by KTM. Not sure if they are all available in the UK though. The frumpy bikes, which I like by the way, are near the bottom.

http://www.ktm-bikes.at/en/bikes/e-bike.html

Studied it at length.......with a german dictionary in one hand

 

[Kudoscycles]

Mike...KTM is usually considered the BMW of the e-bike world,Kalkhoff is the Mercedes. The problem of KTM is delivery....sometimes you can be lucky and order a stock bike quickly,but the popular bikes are pre ordered by dealers,usually 4 months in advance. If you make contact with Tom at the London Electric Bike Company,he has access to the KTM build schedule and can give you a likely delivery date.
KudosDave

 

[1boris]

From what I understand reading at pedelecforum.de using google translate.There is LOTS of trouble with the impulse motor.And the new evo motor have the same weakness.The bosch motor is what I personally would choose.The Bosch CX is the strongest motor right now

 

[Mike45]

From what I understand reading at pedelecforum.de using google translate.There is LOTS of trouble with the impulse motor.And the new evo motor have the same weakness.The bosch motor is what I personally would choose.The Bosch CX is the strongest motor right now

Ouch

 

[Mike45]

Mike...KTM is usually considered the BMW of the e-bike world,Kalkhoff is the Mercedes. The problem of KTM is delivery....sometimes you can be lucky and order a stock bike quickly,but the popular bikes are pre ordered by dealers,usually 4 months in advance. If you make contact with Tom at the London Electric Bike Company,he has access to the KTM build schedule and can give you a likely delivery date.
KudosDave

Trouble is, I'm a Volvo man through and through.

 

[1boris]

Ouch

The yamaha motor is also good

 

[Mike45]

The yamaha motor is also good

What brands use a Yamaha motor

 

[Wander]

What brands use a Yamaha motor

Haibike & Lapierre.

 

[jdallan]

I have the KTM EStyleP with the Panasonic hub motor and derailleur gears. I have done about 2500 miles on it over the last 18 months and it has been excellent. Thoroughly recommended, however as KudosDave says above, the problem is getting one.

Jim

 

[1boris]

What brands use a Yamaha motor

And Winora ,Giant

 

[nemesis]

Opinions sought on the relative overall build quality/reliability of these two marques. I am aware of Impulse 2 "clacking issues", any others?

i do know one thing for sure,if you ride the impulse motor and the bosch motor you will pick the impulse because i have them both in speed tune and i hardly ride the bosch because it isn`t as fun to ride and is harder work plus the impulse battery goes further.

 

[tillson]

And Winora ,Giant

Yes, of course, Giant with the Yamaha motor. The Prime E plus 3 looks a nice bike. http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/prime.e.3/24986/90629/#specifications

I've owned a couple of Giant bikes in the past (non-electric) and currently have a Giant road bike. I have always thought their bikes offer great value for money and they have an excellent dealership network. A friend had a Lafree and the frame broke after four years of abuse. Giant replaced it with out and fuss and I've always remembered that level service.

I would say that Giant are worth a close look. The big unknown is the Yamaha motor, we tend not to hear much about it, good or bad.

 

[soundwave]

and they like snapping teeth off the front cog

 

[1boris]

i do know one thing for sure,if you ride the impulse motor and the bosch motor you will pick the impulse because i have them both in speed tune and i hardly ride the bosch because it isn`t as fun to ride and is harder work plus the impulse battery goes further.

There are many bosch motors.From 40 nm to the new Bosch cx with 75nm

 

[Mike45]

Haibike & Lapierre.

Bit too race bike for me