Pro-Connect - My First Ride

[Larkspur]

I'm afraid I couldn't resist following in others footsteps and starting a thread to describe my first experience of electric biking on the Pro-Connect.

First-off, the effect is subtle. Somehow I was expecting an instant blast of power as I turned the pedals but it didn't happen - just felt like a normal bike as I rode off down the road. This feeling continued as I travelled steadily on the flat, never out of 8th gear, even when pulling away at junctions.

Then I hit my first hill - I just carried on pedalling and the bike went up it as if I was on flat - no sweat. I spent the next hour riding round my area, going up every hill I could think of - just for the hell of it. On most hills I switched to high power mode, more because I felt I ought to than any other reason: on the steepest hill in my area, which I was seriously worried the bike might not cope with very well, I had to change down to 6th gear half way up!!
On the flat I mostly switched to Eco mode, pedalling along at a steady speed was pretty much effortless. It is so easy to switch modes whenever necessary that you may as well conserve power when the going is easy.

I absolutely love this bike!! It's fantastic. OK, I can't compare it to another electric bike - I've never ridden one. But a few weeks ago when I tried riding my son's 21 gear Raleigh Urban up one of the hills that I've just sailed up on the Kalkhoff, I had to stop half way up with my quadriceps burning.

Cycling is so much more fun than driving - but sometimes excessively challenging on a normal bike because of the extreme effort involved in climbing hills. On the Kalkhoff you just bowl along the whole time, not at high speed, but at a steady pace. Today is a beautiful day, perfect for cycling, maybe I won't enjoy it quite as much when I'm riding to work at 6:30 on a Winter's morning: but today I really did smell the coffee.

Sorry for a lack of technical detail. Everything seemed to work properly, no problems at all. It is a bit undergeared for me and I may do something about that when I've had it a while - for now I'm just going to enjoy it as it is.

Was it worth the wait? Yes.
Was it worth £1400? Yes
Is it the most practical and fun way to get about and environmentally friendly too? Yes

I'll leave it there - don't want to get carried away!

Chris

 

[flecc]

No tech detail needed Chris, your account tells with eloquence the nature of these bikes and the pleasure they can give, in both riding and ownership.

Hope you enjoy many happy miles and a dry and pleasant summer.
.

 

[Larkspur]

No tech detail needed Chris, your account tells with eloquence the nature of these bikes and the pleasure they can give, in both riding and ownership.

Hope you enjoy many happy miles and a dry and pleasant summer.
.

Cheers Flecc. Your review of the Agattu significantly influenced my purchasing decision - so you definitely did me a good turn! Hope you have a good Summer's biking too.

Chris

 

[timelordUK]

I was going to post about my First Ride experiences - but you said it all really....

For me... the best bit was my brother's reaction, who has continually taken the P**s since I annoced I was getting a pedelec.....

He was very jealous, huffing and puffing behind me, up the first big hill!!

I need to gen up now on the basics of good cycle maintenance, so this machine can last a long time !!

 

[Larkspur]

I was going to post about my First Ride experiences - but you said it all really....

For me... the best bit was my brother's reaction, who has continually taken the P**s since I annoced I was getting a pedelec.....

He was very jealous, huffing and puffing behind me, up the first big hill!!

I need to gen up now on the basics of good cycle maintenance, so this machine can last a long time !!

Yeah, my brother reacted in a similiar fashion when I announced I was going to be riding to work on a bike (said it would last about a week).

On the maintenance front - this is something I have to get to grips with too. I have invested in a high quality hand-pump and a tube of Slime in case I get a puncture between home and work. I've also bought two valve converters (45p each) from cycleworld.com, which convert the inner-tube valves from Woods to Shrader. This is definitely a top tip as neither my pump nor the slime will work with woods valves. If you email cycleworld, via their website, they will reduce their standard £5 delivery charge to £2.50 for the converters - I was very impressed that they took the time to call me and take my order over the phone for such a small sum. Thanks to Aldby and Essexman for putting me onto this idea in the first place.

Enjoy your bike Timelord and please share any experiences and discoveries - I can't stop smiling - I'm like a kid with a new toy.

 

[rustyrocker]

Excellent review, Chris

I travel on fairly level roads, and have so far only used 8th gear, so will sort that out asap. I thought I paid 50C fifteen quid for the gear mod, but no mod was done, and no sprocket supplied even, but I think they are only 3 or 4 quid.

Its very comfortable too. It rides over potholes and speedbumps better than any other bike I have ridden, so a big thumbs up from me.

Mick

 

[flecc]

I thought I paid 50C fifteen quid for the gear mod, but no mod was done, and no sprocket supplied even, but I think they are only 3 or 4 quid.

Mick

I believe 50cycles have stopped offering the service Mick, due to the legal implications of supplying a bike which could be capable of more than the legal limit.
.

 

[Tim]

I believe 50cycles have stopped offering the service Mick, due to the legal implications of supplying a bike which could be capable of more than the legal limit.
.

Not at all, there's nothing illegal about selling someone a sprocket! We're not fitting them very often any more though, that's true.

Mick, the despatch department is incredibly busy fulfilling all those back orders at the moment - a quick call after the weekend should see your sprocket being sent.

 

[flecc]

It was the fitting I meant Tim, but thanks for the clarification.
.

 

[rustyrocker]

Sorry Tim. I didnt mean to sound like I was complaining, the service from you, and the bike, have been top notch.

On the legal side, I dont mind if the motor is only powered to 15mph, but can any mod be done to raise just the ratio, (not sure if even the 16 teeth will do it) so I can pedal up to 25/30mph if conditions permit. I am fairly fit (ish), and have another bike (Marin Mill Valley) with 50/34 front, and 11/26 rear.

Many thanks
Mick

 

[TomB]

cranky

one other way of playng with the "gearing" (not quite) is to alter the crank length.

this is a whole interesting topic: Bicycle Cranks

dont know how standard the crank arms on the panasonic unit are though -does anyone know?

 

[poppy]

I'm afraid I couldn't resist following in others footsteps and starting a thread to describe my first experience of electric biking on the Pro-Connect.

First-off, the effect is subtle. Somehow I was expecting an instant blast of power as I turned the pedals but it didn't happen - just felt like a normal bike as I rode off down the road. This feeling continued as I travelled steadily on the flat, never out of 8th gear, even when pulling away at junctions.

Then I hit my first hill - I just carried on pedalling and the bike went up it as if I was on flat - no sweat. I spent the next hour riding round my area, going up every hill I could think of - just for the hell of it. On most hills I switched to high power mode, more because I felt I ought to than any other reason: on the steepest hill in my area, which I was seriously worried the bike might not cope with very well, I had to change down to 6th gear half way up!!
On the flat I mostly switched to Eco mode, pedalling along at a steady speed was pretty much effortless. It is so easy to switch modes whenever necessary that you may as well conserve power when the going is easy.

I absolutely love this bike!! It's fantastic. OK, I can't compare it to another electric bike - I've never ridden one. But a few weeks ago when I tried riding my son's 21 gear Raleigh Urban up one of the hills that I've just sailed up on the Kalkhoff, I had to stop half way up with my quadriceps burning.

Cycling is so much more fun than driving - but sometimes excessively challenging on a normal bike because of the extreme effort involved in climbing hills. On the Kalkhoff you just bowl along the whole time, not at high speed, but at a steady pace. Today is a beautiful day, perfect for cycling, maybe I won't enjoy it quite as much when I'm riding to work at 6:30 on a Winter's morning: but today I really did smell the coffee.

Sorry for a lack of technical detail. Everything seemed to work properly, no problems at all. It is a bit undergeared for me and I may do something about that when I've had it a while - for now I'm just going to enjoy it as it is.

Was it worth the wait? Yes.
Was it worth £1400? Yes
Is it the most practical and fun way to get about and environmentally friendly too? Yes

I'll leave it there - don't want to get carried away!

Chris

If you´re not an expert biker, regular or electric, and not fit, merely interested in being carried around with LITTLE effort...do get carried away!. At least with me. Flecc is on the brink of pushing me toward the Pro connect too!
PS. Spare me the quality parts of the bike. They are well known. Tell me more about the effort pedalling all sorts of roads, long hills even if they are not steep, the starting off...
Flecc: Don´t think i don´t appreciate your opinion..It´s just that you´re too sporty and optimistic about my fitness and spirit!
Regards Chris. And Flecc, too.

 

[Larkspur]

If you´re not an expert biker, regular or electric, and not fit, merely interested in being carried around with LITTLE effort...do get carried away!. At least with me. Flecc is on the brink of pushing me toward the Pro connect too!
PS. Spare me the quality parts of the bike. They are well known. Tell me more about the effort pedalling all sorts of roads, long hills even if they are not steep, the starting off...
Flecc: Don´t think i don´t appreciate your opinion..It´s just that you´re too sporty and optimistic about my fitness and spirit!
Regards Chris. And Flecc, too.

Hi Poppy,

Apart from the very odd occasion, I have not really done any cycling for years - but I am quite fit compared to the average 46 year old, as I run regularly. Having said that, in comparison to a normal bike, the Pro Connect is very easy to pedal and very smooth. On my first ride I was able to repeatedly and easily climb hills on the Pro Connect that I would have to virtually kill myself to ride up on a normal bike and not only that, I was able to do so (in high power mode) without dropping below 5th or 6th gear. When I say easy, I mean sitting in the saddle, with no feeling at all of making a hard effort. As such, I would find it hard to imagine that anyone, other than someone who was ill, or disabled wouldn't be able to go up the same hills in 1st or 2nd. But the truth is, I don't know this to be the case - I only know what I was able to do.

I'm speculating, but I suspect that someone who couldn't cope on a Pro Connect, probably couldn't cope on any form of partially self-powered bike. Are you able to ride a normal bike on the flat? Can you pedal a normal bike up slight inclines? If you can, then I would guess that you would enjoy a Pro Connect and find it enabled you to go places you wouldn't dream of going on a normal bike. But if riding a normal bike on the flat leaves you exhausted and breathless then a Pro Connect might be Ok on the flat, but probably wouldn't help you climb hills. These bikes are very very good, but a basic level of normal, every day fitness is required.

If you are unable to test ride a Pro Connect then I think you need to be very honest with yourself before buying one.

 

[poppy]

Hi Poppy,

Apart from the very odd occasion, I have not really done any cycling for years - but I am quite fit compared to the average 46 year old, as I run regularly. Having said that, in comparison to a normal bike, the Pro Connect is very easy to pedal and very smooth. On my first ride I was able to repeatedly and easily climb hills on the Pro Connect that I would have to virtually kill myself to ride up on a normal bike and not only that, I was able to do so (in high power mode) without dropping below 5th or 6th gear. When I say easy, I mean sitting in the saddle, with no feeling at all of making a hard effort. As such, I would find it hard to imagine that anyone, other than someone who was ill, or disabled wouldn't be able to go up the same hills in 1st or 2nd. But the truth is, I don't know this to be the case - I only know what I was able to do.

I'm speculating, but I suspect that someone who couldn't cope on a Pro Connect, probably couldn't cope on any form of partially self-powered bike. Are you able to ride a normal bike on the flat? Can you pedal a normal bike up slight inclines? If you can, then I would guess that you would enjoy a Pro Connect and find it enabled you to go places you wouldn't dream of going on a normal bike. But if riding a normal bike on the flat leaves you exhausted and breathless then a Pro Connect might be Ok on the flat, but probably wouldn't help you climb hills. These bikes are very very good, but a basic level of normal, every day fitness is required.

If you are unable to test ride a Pro Connect then I think you need to be very honest with yourself before buying one.

Hi Larkspur! As Flecc has said, you are quite eloquent! Trying to be honest to myself isn´t a small task. I, too, by underrating my fitness, run the risk of not getting the bike that has gotten such praises.
In my current E-bike I do pedal off-motor on flats, almost always-unless I want speed , in which case I motor but on top gear. My bike weighs 23 kg. If the Pro can cope in the same way -without the motor stalling or stopping and the battery discharging over middle long hills- as my bike does, I would go for it, if only for the quality of the components, the less weight, and all your comments.
Another thing that worries me is that i´m used to straight handlebars and the Pro´s look slightly curved, and I feel that it¨ll give less security.
Have you started off stationary on hills or traffic lights? How does it feel?
If you don´t mind I´ll keep bugging you with my questions.
Thanks.

 

[Larkspur]

Hi Larkspur! As Flecc has said, you are quite eloquent! Trying to be honest to myself isn´t a small task. I, too, by underrating my fitness, run the risk of not getting the bike that has gotten such praises.
In my current E-bike I do pedal off-motor on flats, almost always-unless I want speed , in which case I motor but on top gear. My bike weighs 23 kg. If the Pro can cope in the same way -without the motor stalling or stopping and the battery discharging over middle long hills- as my bike does, I would go for it, if only for the quality of the components, the less weight, and all your comments.
Another thing that worries me is that i´m used to straight handlebars and the Pro´s look slightly curved, and I feel that it¨ll give less security.
Have you started off stationary on hills or traffic lights? How does it feel?
If you don´t mind I´ll keep bugging you with my questions.
Thanks.

The handlebars are slightly curved but feel completely natural and are not in any way insecure.

I have found pulling away quite smooth and quick, as the motor helps you most when you are turning the pedals slowly. I am usually in a high gear when pulling away on the flat, as I have found it unecessary to change down to the lower gears, so I quickly get up to cruising speed. Not sure I've done much pulling away on hills so can't really comment, but in theory the hub gears should make this easier than derailleurs as you can change down through the gears when at a standstill. This means that if you were going up a hill in 5th gear and were forced to stop for some reason - you could change down to first while at a standstill, enabling you to get going again.

I have been up quite a lot of moderately steep hills between a quarter and half a mile in length, sometimes in fairly quick succession and have not had any problems with the battery suddenly discharging. I tend to switch to high power mode for hills and obviously this does cause higher battery drain but not dramatic or unexpected drain. Obviously, if the battery was low at the beginning of such a hill there would be a danger that the hill might drain all the the juice out of it, but really you run that risk with any form of transport that requires fuel and is running near empty.

Hope that helps

Chris

P.S. I'm so complimented to hear that you think I'm quite eloquent!

 

[poppy]

The handlebars are slightly curved but feel completely natural and are not in any way insecure.

I have found pulling away quite smooth and quick, as the motor helps you most when you are turning the pedals slowly. I am usually in a high gear when pulling away on the flat, as I have found it unecessary to change down to the lower gears, so I quickly get up to cruising speed. Not sure I've done much pulling away on hills so can't really comment, but in theory the hub gears should make this easier than derailleurs as you can change down through the gears when at a standstill. This means that if you were going up a hill in 5th gear and were forced to stop for some reason - you could change down to first while at a standstill, enabling you to get going again.

I have been up quite a lot of moderately steep hills between a quarter and half a mile in length, sometimes in fairly quick succession and have not had any problems with the battery suddenly discharging. I tend to switch to high power mode for hills and obviously this does cause higher battery drain but not dramatic or unexpected drain. Obviously, if the battery was low at the beginning of such a hill there would be a danger that the hill might drain all the the juice out of it, but really you run that risk with any form of transport that requires fuel and is running near empty.

Hope that helps

Chris

P.S. I'm so complimented to hear that you think I'm quite eloquent!

Thanks for your input. But I´m afraid that I am not in your major"fitness"leagues.
I´ll have to wait for a self-appointed weakling to give me the go ahead and buy the Pro Connect. Good old Flecc put the fear of God in me when he explained the % of personal effort one has to put in!
Regards.

 

[flecc]

I´ll have to wait for a self-appointed weakling to give me the go ahead and buy the Pro Connect. Good old Flecc put the fear of God in me when he explained the % of personal effort one has to put in!
Regards.

43% minimum input isn't too bad, and if it's the fear of God that's worrying you, a prayer could also be added for the steeper hills.
.

 

[poppy]

43% minimum input isn't too bad, and if it's the fear of God that's worrying you, a prayer could also be added for the steeper hills.
.

There you go again! Taunting and scaring the ...out of me with the % of personal effort ha ha!. On the other hand I have Mandy assuring me how blissfully lazy one can be with the W.905 se...appealing to my despicably base instincts!

 

[flecc]

There you go again! Taunting and scaring the ...out of me with the % of personal effort ha ha!. On the other hand I have Mandy assuring me how blissfully lazy one can be with the W.905 se...appealing to my despicably base instincts!

Ah but Mandy doesn't have to ride over this between Ferrol and Covas as you do!



Now you're even more scared!
.

 

[poppy]

Ah but Mandy doesn't have to ride over this between Ferrol and Covas as you do!

View attachment 314

Now you're even more scared!
.

Say Flecc, Would you please send me a bigger picture of this ominous and frightening map of yours via such a way that I can see more of the scary details? Don´t bother with trying to explain to me how to do it myself, it would be a total waste of time- And I need your patience and talents for my endless questions! You´ve got your work cut out for you!
Thanks.