Optimum cadence plus assistance

[Methlickman]

Bought a s/h Kalkhoff ?Sahel/pro-connect (seems to be called both names) last year and been very happy with it so far. The old Super Galaxy and Muddy Fox are sadly gathering dust. Been wondering what is the best combination of cadence, gearing and level of assistance for getting decent range. Is it better to use lower gear, higher cadence and lowest level of assistance for longer period, or higher assistance, similar cadence but higher gear for shorter time? Or is this a stoopid question? (Bear with me, 76 next birthday so not as sharp as once!)

 

[Nealh]

For endless range leave the assist off, next best option is to use the lowest assist level you can get away with. If it means using a higher assist for inclines then so be it, but go lower asap when you can.
Cadence won't matter, it is what you are happier with. Selecting the best gear not to labour the motor is the option to consider.

 

[Methlickman]

That agrees with conclusion of discussion with old colleague who was physicist/electrical engineer. If the road is level and no headwind, a rare combination up here, then assistance is switched off, but living halfway up a hill means it’s always needed at one or other end of any outing.

 

[sjpt]

If you look at the Bosh range assistant you can get an idea of range with different levels of assist, different environment, different riding styles etc. Even if you don't have a Bosch drive it still shows the kind of variations expected. https://www.bosch-ebike.com/en/service/range-assistant/