Kalkhoff??

[Garf666]

How risky would it be to buy a Kalkhoff AGATTU I7 7G 11AH 36V E-Bike 2017.
Seems to tick all the boxes for the Mrs. She is max 5ft tall and 50kg. From the research I've been doing i think I'd prefer her to have a crank drive and hub gears.

this really seems the best option within our budget (less than 1.5k) but the motor issues are the big worry.

 

[Rutland Cycling]

If you are unsure about the Impulse motors, I would definitely suggest having a look at the Agattu B7 2017 which comes with the Bosch Active Line motor. It's not quite as powerful as the Impulse but does feel a bit more natural when riding.

We do have Small sizes in stock and ready to ship!

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/382632/products/kalkhoff-agattu-b7-2017-electric-hybrid-bike-grey.aspx

Another one to look at would be the Jubilee B7 2018 which also comes with a Bosch system, we have this one in stock in an extra small with a 26" wheel.

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/electric-bikes/kalkhoff-jubilee-move-b7-2018-electric-hybrid-bike-grey_379928

The main difference between the 2 is that the Agattu comes with a hydraulic rim brake and the Jubilee comes with a V brake.

Feel free to get in touch with us directly if you have any questions on the bikes!

Luke

 

[Garf666]

Thanks Luke will definitely keep those in mind. We'll be looking to buy when we arrive back in England 1st week January. I see you have store in Cambridge so we may go and have a look (we'll be in Bishops Stortford)

 

[Rutland Cycling]

No problem at all!

If you are planning on coming down to a store, it will be best to give the store a quick call prior to visiting to ensure that they have the bikes you are wanting to look at on the shop floor. We do have electric bike specialists in all of our stores who will be more than happy to organise a test-ride for you.

We will look forward to your visit in January!

 

[Garf666]

am I erring in my thoughts that a crank drive would be the best option for her? Bikes like the Giant Ease look a good alternative but that is front hub. She would use it mainly in town. there are some small hills but nothing too much. She is only 50kg and pretty fit. main issue is finding a bike small enough. That and in her mind one that is pretty enough (definitely not a black bike)

 

[Rutland Cycling]

am I erring in my thoughts that a crank drive would be the best option for her? Bikes like the Giant Ease look a good alternative but that is front hub. She would use it mainly in town. there are some small hills but nothing too much. She is only 50kg and pretty fit. main issue is finding a bike small enough. That and in her mind one that is pretty enough (definitely not a black bike)

Crank drive would definitely be the best option, much more of a natural riding feel than a hub-drive motor.

Dependant on your budget, it may be worth looking at the 2018 Cube Elly. These come in a new 42cm frame size and in my opinion, are the most stylish looking low-step electric bikes you can buy;

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/380877/products/cube-elly-cruise-hybrid-500-2018-electric-hybrid-bike-blue.aspx

These come with the Bosch Active Line motor, 500Wh battery and a Shimano Nexus 7-Speed hub gear.

If you are looking at the £1500 price bracket then the Kalkoff's are the best value for money.

Many thanks,
Luke

 

[Garf666]

Thanks. The Elly would be perfect but its stretching the budget too much. My Mrs would love how it looks and the colours.
Unfortunately for the next 2 years I will be taking a massive pay cut to re-qualify into a different profession and the move back to the UK (including her visa and the cat) is costing us a small fortune. means I have to really think about the budget. Will also be looking for one for myself if I can get a parking spot for it at the local railway station.

 

[Rutland Cycling]

Thanks. The Elly would be perfect but its stretching the budget too much. My Mrs would love how it looks and the colours.
Unfortunately for the next 2 years I will be taking a massive pay cut to re-qualify into a different profession and the move back to the UK (including her visa and the cat) is costing us a small fortune. means I have to really think about the budget. Will also be looking for one for myself if I can get a parking spot for it at the local railway station.

Cube also do a version with a 400Wh battery @ £1999.99 in a 42cm frame, they also come in Red!

The Agattu B7 is currently the best value for money in terms of spec, you get the same spec as the 400Wh Cube, and it's £300.00 less. The Cube has been styled a lot nicer though!

If you are after his n hers bikes, the Giant Prime-E +3 would be another one to look at, the only difference with these is that you get a Yamaha system, 300Wh battery, and 9-speed derailleur gears. Larry Lamb is currently giving them a very good review on channel 5!

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/372145/products/giant-prime-e-plus-3-2017-womens-electric-bike-brown.aspx

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/372144/products/giant-prime-e-plus-3-2017-electric-bike-brown.aspx

 

[Nealh]

If money is very tight budget wise, consider a his and her bike. Kudo still have the step thru with the nexus 8 hub geared Safari on offer a pair of bikes for under 1k, they are new older range being phased out.

 

[Jimod]

Crank drive would definitely be the best option, much more of a natural riding feel than a hub-drive motor.


Many thanks,
Luke

In your humble opinion of course. The OP needs to get his wife to try different types and makes of bike before deciding. In my garage right now there's 2 hub motor bikes and a crank drive bike. I've never found the crank drive to feel more or less natural.

 

[Garf666]

If money is very tight budget wise, consider a his and her bike. Kudo still have the step thru with the nexus 8 hub geared Safari on offer a pair of bikes for under 1k, they are new older range being phased out.

Thanks for the suggestion. Good price but at 29kg they would be too heavy for her

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I would say that crank drive is the worst option for her, especially as she only weighs 50 kg. Hub-motors are much easier for non-technical people to get on with. I can't see any advantage whatsoever from a crank-drive for someone like that.

 

[Rutland Cycling]

In your humble opinion of course. The OP needs to get his wife to try different types and makes of bike before deciding. In my garage right now there's 2 hub motor bikes and a crank drive bike. I've never found the crank drive to feel more or less natural.

Of course! In our experience, we find customers prefer crank drive motors and we do have hub-drive systems for sale. We do encourage the trial of different systems in our stores and all bikes are available for test rides

 

[Garf666]

Its not an insignificant expenditure so yes I will get her to try a few. We are a bit limited due to her height and her desire for it to look nice. She has never had a bike with gears so that's why I'm thinking a hub geared bike would be better. Also the fact i'm a bit of a technical idiot. Anyone tried the Benelli Classica?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Get her a reputable proven brand like a Wisper or Juicy, where you know you'll get proper support if ever you need it.

 

[Woosh]

at 5ft, 50kgs,she would feel much more secure on a Woosh Petite.

 

[Garf666]

Get her a reputable proven brand like a Wisper or Juicy, where you know you'll get proper support if ever you need it.

the wisper looks like it would be too big.

think will look at the Benelli Classica, Freego Regency, Juicy Pocco. Will show her the Woosh Petite to see if she would accept how it looks. All except the benelli though don't have hub gears

on top of that will get her to try the likes of Kalkhof and Giant

thanks for all the advice

 

[Wisper Bikes]

The choice between crank and hub motors very much depends on the type of riding you are considering.

We make and market both centre and hub motored bikes.

In our experience, off road cycling where you will encounter very steep sharp hills is better with a good centre motor such as Shimano or Bosch, they may look ugly to some but the power from the motor goes through the gear system, this may not be quite as efficient as a hub drive but on very steep inclines they perform well. Perfect for mountain bikes.

Around town and for country rides in areas without extremely steep hills, the more obvious choice is a hub motor, they are neater, more efficient and don't put any extra wear and tear on the chain and gears so they will last longer. Being situated behind the rider hub powered bikes are quieter and with the latest motors being so small they sit neatly and unobtrusively behind the gear cassette, they are easier to service and normally less expensive.

As the guys at Rutland say it is important to test a few bikes and motors before you buy, whether it's a hub or centre motored bike a torque sensor and good controller make all the difference. The bike will be all but silent and feel smooth and natural without the need to pedal for half a turn or so before the power kicks in, very important on hill starts.

Companies like Bosch have done a superb marketing job on centre motors but don't believe all the hype. In my opinion hub motors are better in most normal day to day conditions, but cannot compare with a centre motor for mountain biking or very steep hills.

I hope this helps.

All the best, David

 

[Garf666]

no real steep hills where we will be living.
Still thinking a nexus hub bike may be better for her as she is not used to geared bikes.

looks like we'll be trying a few bikes out. Pity Wisper don't do a small version.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Gear-changing is the same whether you have hub-gears or derailleur: You press a button on the handlebars. It's not an issue. Both systems do some things better than the other, so they end up equal.