Pro-Connect or Agattu

[Andyj]

In the process of purchasing the Kalkhoff Agattu how-ever have just seen the spec for the pro-connect and am rather impressed.

Being a very young 42 years old and not wishing to break any speed records am still drawn to the Agattu; but like I say am very very interested in the pro-connect.

Wanted a bike for the commute which is a little hilly but can't make up my mind on the speed or comfort issue.

Any suggestions???

 

[flecc]

ex works the assist speed range of both is the same Andy, but since the Pro-Connect is a little lighter and with no suspension, makes better use of the rider's effort, the riding part will make the Pro-Connect a little faster. It's slight weight difference and the availablity of a yet lower 8th gear means the rear sprocket could be reduced a bit more than on the Agattu to get a higher assist speed, but the difference in that would not be dramatic.

More important long term is what kind of bike you prefer, the comfort and convenience of a sprung step through, or the loss of those for a sportier appearance and a touch more speed.
.

 

[HarryB]

I think that there are a few of us trying to make the same decision about these two bikes. My heart is drawn toward the Pro-connect as I favour light weight above most things especially as I want to keep my speed up and keep fit. However my head tells me that I am a commuter and to be honest day in day out a diamond frame Agattu will be the better purchase. It would be much more comfortable for city use. I am also slightly constrained by the cycle to work scheme which has a limit of £1000 (not all companies have this limit) and so the idea of spending an extra £620 which would have to be classed as accessories would be out of the question.

 

[Cyclezee]

Or Raleigh Leicester £1195 or Raleigh Dover E approx £1400, Raleigh Germany's equivalent of the Pro-Connect.
Available from RALEIGH Leicester E 2008 : £1195.00 : BIKES : Electric Bikes - Hilderthorpe Cycles
These bikes are being imported by Raleigh UK. If you want to compare spec, follow these links Raleigh Bikes - Best of britain bikes - Raleigh Bikes - Best of britain bikes -

John

 

[tgame]

Raleigh Aggattu

Or Raleigh Leicester £1195 or Raleigh Dover E approx £1400, Raleigh Germany's equivalent of the Pro-Connect.
Available from RALEIGH Leicester E 2008 : £1195.00 : BIKES : Electric Bikes - Hilderthorpe Cycles
These bikes are being imported by Raleigh UK. If you want to compare spec, follow these links Raleigh Bikes - Best of britain bikes - Raleigh Bikes - Best of britain bikes -

John

Is the Raleigh a complete carbon copy of the Aggattu has anyone yet discovered?

 

[Cyclezee]

The spec looks the same and I would guess it is a carbon copy or vice versa. I would also imagine as they are offical Raleigh UK imports, other dealers will have them in the not too distant future.
Price wise they seem to be matching 50cycles to the £.
A major factor to consider though is aftersales service, but that could make a whole new topic or a trawl over old ground.

John

 

[flecc]

Are they definitely Raleigh UK imports John? I query it because they only appear on the German website as far as I can see, and I'd expect them on the UK website if they were officially importing.
.

 

[essexman]

Agree with Harry B

Agree with Harry B. ive plumped for the diamond frame agattu as i'm a commuter\shopper. The weight difference is not massive (considering how heavy these bikes are) and aside from the suspension i'd just end up adding stuff to it anyway.

 

[Cyclezee]

Are they definitely Raleigh UK imports John? I query it because they only appear on the German website as far as I can see, and I'd expect them on the UK website if they were officially importing.
.

Hi Flecc, that is what I was told by Hilderthorpe Cycles.

John

 

[flecc]

Thanks John. After the claims about the Schwinns they imported, that leaves me somewhat doubtful. If I was buying I'd take the precaution of checking that with Raleigh UK, for warranty honouring reasons of course.
.

 

[Tim]

Or Raleigh Leicester £1195 or Raleigh Dover E approx £1400, Raleigh Germany's equivalent of the Pro-Connect.
Available from RALEIGH Leicester E 2008 : £1195.00 : BIKES : Electric Bikes - Hilderthorpe Cycles
These bikes are being imported by Raleigh UK. If you want to compare spec, follow these links Raleigh Bikes - Best of britain bikes - Raleigh Bikes - Best of britain bikes -

John

Raleigh.de is not Raleigh UK. I doubt they are being imported by Raleigh - looks like a "very limited supply", "out of the side door" arrangement between hildethorpe and someone he met at a show - well that's what he told us anyway.

We are sole distributor of this line in the UK, under the Kalkhoff brand name.

 

[frank9755]

Based on the AtoB write up of these from a few months ago, which I posted recently, I would guess they're not yet official Raleigh imports but that there is a chance they may be soon.

...arrangement between hildethorpe and someone he met at a show...

Tim - is that not what trade shows are for?

If I were going to buy one of these (and they are pretty tempting!) and I lived in East Yorkshire, I'd probably go to Hildersthorpe. If I lived elsewhere, I'd be more likely to go to Tim and Co at 50 Cycles. If my local Raleigh dealer were to carry them, I'd go to him.

 

[Cyclezee]

Based on the AtoB write up of these from a few months ago, which I posted recently, I would guess they're not yet official Raleigh imports but that there is a chance they may be soon.



Tim - is that not what trade shows are for?

Having said that, if I was going to buy one of these (and they are pretty tempting!) and I lived in East Yorkshire, I'd probably go to Hildersthorpe. If I lived elsewhere, I'd be more likely to go to Tim and Co at 50 Cycles. If my local Raleigh dealer were to carry them, I'd go to him.

Exactly Frank, if the bikes are the same, the prices are the same, go for an establised firm with reliable backup in a convenient location.

John

 

[Tim]

Exactly Frank, if the bikes are the same, the prices are the same, go for an establised firm with reliable backup in a convenient location.

John

Definitely, and as distributor we have a list of local dealers who will be taking on Kalkhoff pedelec bikes throughout 2008, across the UK.

 

[frank9755]

Definitely, and as distributor we have a list of local dealers who will be taking on Kalkhoff pedelec bikes throughout 2008, across the UK.

Great news - well done!

 

[flecc]

Seconded, congratulations on that move Tim, which should help expand the brand and the popularity of e-bikes.
.

 

[tgame]

The spec looks the same and I would guess it is a carbon copy or vice versa. I would also imagine as they are offical Raleigh UK imports, other dealers will have them in the not too distant future.
Price wise they seem to be matching 50cycles to the £.
A major factor to consider though is aftersales service, but that could make a whole new topic or a trawl over old ground.

John

I seem to have noticed that the front brake of the Raleigh appears to be behind the front forks as Flecc found on the Aggattu he tested, but in all the photos I have seen of the Aggattu, mostly on the 50cycles site, they are shown in front of the forks.

 

[Cyclezee]

Well spotted Tony, the photo on the Kalkhoff website has the brake behind the front forks as does mine? Can't imagine there is any advantage in having it behind the forks, does look nicer though.
Excellent news from Tim about local dealers taking on the Kalkhoff. Who, where and when?
This should hopefully lead to an increase in pedelecs, fewer cars and a healthier population.

John

 

[Tim]

I seem to have noticed that the front brake of the Raleigh appears to be behind the front forks as Flecc found on the Aggattu he tested, but in all the photos I have seen of the Aggattu, mostly on the 50cycles site, they are shown in front of the forks.

The main Agattu pic on the site happens to be the 45cm 26-inch model which uses different forks. Here's our other picture:

Unscrunched version available here

 

[flecc]

It's understandable that the shortest bike is forced to have the brake in front, no doubt necessitated by the fork head being too close to the frame for a rear mounting.
.