Pro-Connect or Twist 1.0?

[tillson]

I am going to buy an electrically assisted bike within the next few weeks and have narrowed it down to one of two. The Giant Twist 1.0 or the Kalkhoff Pro-Connect.

Which is best? Today I went out for a couple of hours on a friend’s Giant Lafree and was thoroughly impressed with it. I am quite “bike un-fit” at the moment but had no problems cycling a very hilly route. From what I know, the Lafree is similar to the Pro-Connect in terms of drive etc, so I imagine the experience on the Giant Lafree will be similar to that of the Kalkoff.

Can anyone contrast this with riding a Giant Twist with the Sanyo hub motor? What are the advantages / dis-advantages of each type of drive system / bike? I know the range is supposed to be better on the Giant. Which will give me the best assistance on hills / level and with speed? I am going to try and arrange a test ride on each, but I don’t think that you can beat other people’s views on these matters to get a clear picture.

Thanks

Tom

 

[flecc]

I think it's no contest that the Pro Connect with the similar system to the Lafree is the superior machine. Some might feel I'm biased towards this system, but you'll find that A to B magazine are just as emphatic about their liking for the Pro Connect and their concerns about the weaknesses of the new generation Giant Twist, including it's slowness.

The Sanyo motor on that Twist is set up to regenerate power on downhills, but this system is apparently very inefficient, and having it that way means the motor is always engaged meaning high drag. It's a miserable experience to try to ride without power on as a result, something very much easier on the Pro Connect.
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