Review of Kalkhoff ProConnect S.

[Dynamic Position]

Kalkhoff Proconnect S

Reviewer: Dynamic Position Previous E-Bike Experience: None

Purchased From: 50 Cycles

Purchase Price: £2295

Time Owned: 6 weeks Distance Travelled: 255 miles

Terrain: 63% flat tarmac off road surface, 37% steep hills on-road (1:5 - 1:3 est.).

Bike Weight: 22Kg Battery Weight: 3Kg

My Weight: 91 Kg Pannier Bag weight: 4KG

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An e-bike bought to replace my worn out 6 year old Raleigh P4000 (with 8000+ miles) push-bike for commuting purposes. (In inclement (wet) weather commuting is done by car.)

Purchase was made on a purely technical basis without ever having ridden an e-bike before with my questions being answered by Pedelec Forum members and their resident expert Flecc.

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I was impressed with the Kalkhoff Proconnect S e-bike immediately I took it out of the box. It was easy to adjust the handle bars, seat and fit the pedals. The battery was charged within 6 hours.

The ProConnect S is very well engineered and came supplied with everything that I needed as standard. I was particularly pleased that the bike did not look too different from my Raleigh P4000 and without the battery it weighed exactly the same.

I can only compare the performance of the ProConnect S against my Raleigh P4000, but the difference is stunning. The average commute time has shortened from 28 minutes to less than 19 minutes for a 4.2 mile one way trip. (The same commute by car takes between 20 minutes and 1 hour depending on traffic). With ‘high assist’ on for most of the journey the 4.2 miles has been covered in 17 minutes. The off-road terrain being covered at an average speed of 20 mph and the on-road hills at 6 – 12 mph (up-hill) and 18 – 36mph down hill. Trying as hard as I could to pedal the fastest speed obtained was 40mph over ¾ of a mile down hill stretch of road.

According to the supplied cycle computer the 250 miles have been covered in 20 hours.

I have been impressed at how the Kalkhoff Proconnect S performs just like an ordinary push-bike without power. I have been awestruck at how well the hydraulic brakes work especially in wet conditions. The ProConnect S has tackled all the up hills without straining even though speed is reduced to 6 mph – it is quicker than walking!
The ProConnect S battery can give 40 miles+ assistance depending on the terrain and mode set. Last week I used high power mode within a city road environment and was getting at least 25 miles from the battery. My normal weekly commute (42 miles) could be done on one battery recharge if necessary.


So far I have been lucky, no punctures and not noticed any deflation. The tyres have given good grip and and coped well in wet conditions.

The gearing of the ProConnect S is perfectly judged for a mixture of terrain types when the bike is loaded to design capacity. At the 120Kg design capacity it is difficult to achieve more than 22mph on the flat under full assist, though 16mph is comfortably achievable without any power.

I have not noticed/appreciated the front suspension forks to date, perhaps because most journeys have been done on tarmac surfaces?

The weakest aspect of the Kalkhoff ProConnect S as supplied is the accessories. The bike computer mounting base with light was flimsy and cracked/broken. The supplied bell is pretty cheap and only produces a quiet ring!

I have still to try the lights in typical/proper commute; comments will be left until a follow up review.



Summary

The Kalkhoff ProConnect S is an excellent electrically assisted e-bike, but to be worth the money it will need to continue to give excellent performance over many years/miles. This is an e-bike for the serious cyclist/commuter who can justify the costs against commuting by car and his/her health.


Rating (out of 10): 9.9

 

[Cyclezee]

Bicycle: Kalkhoff Proconnect S

Reviewer: Aldby, 2 years e-bike experience

Purchased From: 50cycles

Purchase Price: £1795

Time Owned: 6 Weeks

Distance Travelled: 280 miles

Type of Use: Leisure and Shopping

Local Terrain: Moderate Hills

My Weight: 89 Kg
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Strengths: Performance, Reliability, Lightweight, Gears, Brakes, Silent running, Range, Comfort, Build quality and 2 year warranty on the bike and battery.
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Weaknesses: The Bell.
The tyres puncture resitance, but in fairness the jury is till out on those.
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Summary: Probably the best e-bike I have owned or ridden. My previous and current bikes include Giant Lafree, Ezee Torq, Ezee Quando, Ezee Forza, Wisper 905se, Cytronex Trek, Kalkhoff Agattu.

The closest comparable bike is the Agattu, but the 'S' is lighter and noticeably quicker off the mark, particularly in the highest power setting. 150% as compared to the 130% of the Agattu.

Top assisted speed is in the region of 21 mph, but it is quite difficult to give an accurate figure, at 20 mph and above there is considerable wind noise, the quiet motor is inaudible and pedalling on the flat at up 29 mph, I can not not tell when power cuts in or out.

The proven Pansonic drive and battery is a major plus point, original Agattu has remained problem free in this respect for 20 months.

It is lightweight in comparison to most other e-bikes with only a couple of others from Cytronex and E-motion weighing in less than the 'S'.

The Shimano Deore XT gears gears are well matched to the bike and the gearchange is very light, smooth and positive.

In my opinion the Magura HS11 rim brakes are perfect, requiring little or no adjustment unlike cable operated barkes.

So far I have acheived 25 miles on high power and yet to find the maximum range on the other settings.

I had not expected it to be quite so comfortable to ride, but the front suspension, slightly stiffer than the Agattu on the softest setting, cushions against shocks quite adequately and the remote 'lock out' allows the rider choose the setting on the move. The saddle is quite comfortable without a suspension seatpost.

Overall the build quality of the bike is excellent and the components from handlebar grips to lights etc., are top quality.

I only have 1 minor complaint, the bell, looks good on the bike, but mine doesn't work. On my first ride, I hit a fairly small pothole and the top of the bell came off. I managed to catch the cover, but lost some of the internals.

I had expected the Continental Top Contact tyres to be comparable to Schwalbe Marathon Plus, but after only 24 miles a thorn punctured the rear tyre and I am currently waiting for a replacement from 50cycles.
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Overall Rating (out of 10) : 9.5

J hn

 

[Straylight]

Sorry, but I'm far too curious not to ask: why such a difference in puchase price? (I know it'll be something obvious like VAT.....)

 

[flecc]

Sorry, but I'm far too curious not to ask: why such a difference in puchase price? (I know it'll be something obvious like VAT.....)

The S model has suspension forks and Magura hydraulic brakes plus the high speed version of the Panasonic unit which is a small scale production item used by only two bicycle companies (BikeTech and Derby Cycles) for very limited sales. The standard Panasonic unit is in contrast produced in very large quantities and used by at least a dozen firms including Panasonic themselves, hence very different costs and prices for the units.

Then as you say, the effect of adding VAT and retailer margins as percentages swells the difference further.

Finally, luxury items generally follow the rule of diminishing value for money. You can buy a Mondeo or a Jaguar X type which in fact is a tarted up Mondeo, but you wouldn't know it from the price. Equally the extra cost of a top of a range model of any car is not justified purely by the extra equipment it has over the base model.
.

 

[eddieo]

I think Straylight is talking about the difference in prices in these two reviews?

£1795 & £2295 respectively for the same models?

both six weeks old and from 50 cycles.............

 

[frank9755]

It's simple - John always gets the bargains! I still remember he paid about #100 less for his Wisper than I did nearly 2 years ago!

 

[flecc]

I think Straylight is talking about the difference in prices in these two reviews?

£1795 & £2295 respectively for the same models?

If that's the case, it's just because John has I think inadvertantly entered the standard Pro Connect price in his review. The Kalkhoff S models are all £2295.
.

 

[Cyclezee]

Straylight,

I placed an order as soon as they were announced in 2008 at the introdutory discounted price £1795 included VAT and delivery.
Had to wait 6 months for it though

Flecc,

No mistake, that is what I paid for my 'S'.

Frank9755,

As for the 905se, I negotiated a deal with e-wheeels of Hamburg and bought 6, hence the price I paid.

J hn

 

[flecc]

Thanks John, I'd forgotten about the introductory offer, a nice buy at that price.
.

 

[Dynamic Position]

John, you got a bargain. It's just a pity I didn't think about an e-bike purchase until January this year. I think I suffered as a result of the poor currency exchange rates! Your Kalkhoff ProConnect S appears to go faster than my one and it also exceeds Kalkhoff 's published 26mph figure.

How does the ProConnect S compare to the Cytronex bike (I probably would have chanced buying one of these if they had been available)?

I just realised that I should have made this intial posting under the Review Forum.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Dynamic,

My bike isn't faster than yours, the 29 mph figure I quoted is an unassisted speed just pedalling on the flat. What I was trying to say was that I really can't tell precisely when assistance stops.
I believe Flecc said that assistance gradually tapers off the faster you are travelling, i.e. there is no sudden cut off point as with bikes limited to 15 mph.

The Cytronex Trek I owned was a truly excellent bike, but more suited to a fitter rider who just wants a bit of boost on hills.

I have posted in the review section, but this can take 48 hours to appear.

J hn

 

[flecc]

I just realised that I should have made this initial posting under the Review Forum.

No problem. If you just copy it across into the Reviews Section, our administrator will pick it and publish it. As John says, they go via admin, basically as a protection against any malicious reviews like those posted by some rival companies online.

Many members post their reviews in here first, no bad thing as it ensures most get a chance to see them which they might not if tucked away elsewhere.
.

 

[Dynamic Position]

John,

You seemed to have gone through a lot of e-bikes in two years. This would suggest that the previous models you owned are not that great in reality or that you have found an extremely cost effective way of e-biking, by buying bikes cheap and then selling them fairly quickly to avoid the depreciation in monetary value and battery performance?

 

[Dynamic Position]

No problem. If you just copy it across into the Reviews Section, our administrator will pick it and publish it. As John says, they go via admin, basically as a protection against any malicious reviews like those posted by some rival companies online.

Many members post their reviews in here first, no bad thing as it ensures most get a chance to see them which they might not if tucked away elsewhere.
.

Thanks Flecc.

I have done as you have suggested.

The price of e-bikes seem to have taken a sudden jump in a similar manner to price rises in the energy and supermarket sectors. It was just as well I bought the Kalkhoff ProConnect when I did because other wise I would have used the money towards another car!

 

[flecc]

The price of e-bikes seem to have taken a sudden jump in a similar manner to price rises in the energy and supermarket sectors.

They certainly did, but batteries have been even more badly affected. Unfortunately the exchange rate changes coincided with the period when the development and increased production costs of the new generation batteries were also filtering through, so prices have risen horrendously, in the worst case by over 40% but often around 33%.

It's now become a serious issue affecting the viability of using e-bikes or keeping one on the road.
.

 

[matt-derby]

Cytronex CB Urban 500

Hi DynamicP.,

I'll post a proper review after 6 weeks on my new Cytronex bike. I've received it last Wednesday and have covered 92.7 miles so far.. At the moment I'd say they are very different beasts. I've ridden the Emotion sport and ProConnect to compare.

This morning I covered 5.7 miles in 18min. The battery is almost conditioned, just one more drain and full charge to go.

 

[Dynamic Position]

They certainly did, but batteries have been even more badly affected. Unfortunately the exchange rate changes coincided with the period when the development and increased production costs of the new generation batteries were also filtering through, so prices have risen horrendously, in the worst case by over 40% but often around 33%.

It's now become a serious issue affecting the viability of using e-bikes or keeping one on the road.
.

When you compare the costs to keeping a family car on the road the e-bike is cheaper, quicker and gives you exercise. It looks like fuel prices are going to just keep going up and I also have to consider bus fares which is like chucking money away, but its expenses which must be met.

 

[flecc]

When you compare the costs to keeping a family car on the road the e-bike is cheaper, quicker and gives you exercise. It looks like fuel prices are going to just keep going up and I also have to consider bus fares which is like chucking money away, but its expenses which must be met.

I agree the value is not in question, but the problem for many is the capital amount involved in renewing the battery. When someone has bought a bike two years ago when a new battery for their bike cost about £250, learning that it's now anything from over £400 to over £500 is just too much to take and often beyond what they can afford. We've had the odd ones in this site who've refused to pay out and abandoned their bike for the present, and I've no doubt there are many more e-bike owners outside this site who will be even less aware of the recent price trends.

I suspect many of the two to three year olds on ebay and the like are a way of ducking the battery cost issue by abandoning e-biking, since the majority of owners aren't commuters and don't have to have an e-bike.
.

 

[Kenny]

Good to read the reviews from Dianamic and John. With John's experience of most of the other popular electric bikes available it's good to see he rates the the ProConnect S as possibly the pick of the bunch, fully justifying my choice.

My reason for choosing this bike over the also well equipped normal ProConnect was that I like the more comfortable ride suspension forks afford. I know the Aggatu has front suspension but it does not have the sporty look of the "S" nor the lighter weight at 21.5kg for my 50cm frame size. Oh! and the faster speed was also part of the attraction.

My impressions on the bike are pretty much the same as already stated - A top quality bike coupled to the well proven slightly tweaked Panasonic motor giving an excellent cycling experience. Hill climbing is superb and it will power you up to about 24mph on the flat without excessive effort and about 18mph with the wind against you where you would be struggling to do over 10mph on a conventional bike.

I really cant fault this bike, I just wish some of my cycling friends had one as I enjoy the cycling experience with company and I'm not sure this bike sits comfortably alongside non-powered bikes.

Ken

 

[musicbooks]

Hi John and Dynamic,
Thanks very much for the reviews. Being an Agattu owner, they were very interesting to read for comparisons. I am still a little shocked at the price difference between the Agattu and the Pro Connect s and not sure that it is justified. Also, ass Flecc pointed out, I am concerned about battery prices which seem to be spiralling. By the time I am ready for a new one, they could be £500- £600 I have been putting away a few quid each week in a battery fund so that the hit isn't too painful further down the line, but the prices seem to be running away from my savings plan

I am seriously considering buying a replacement now, but don't know if this is a good idea as I won't be using it for another18 months- 2 years. Any thoughts?

Thanks again guys for the reviews.

BW
musicbooks