S Pedelecs and hills

[Actually Blue]

How much of a difference is there between a restricted and unrestricted pedelec when climbing hills. I'm currently looking for a replacement e bike and am torn between two different Kalkhoff models. As far as I can see they use identical systems except that the unrestricted model adds an extra 100 watts of power and provides power assist up to 28mph. Since I mainly use the pedelec to compensate for hills I want to know if it's worth the extra expenese.

The two bikes are the Pro Connect impulse 9 and the Endeavour Impulse S10.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Derestricting doesn't change the hill-climbing ability. It only affects the maximum cut-off speed. If you can get hold of the programming device, you can probably change the power profile, which would give more torque maybe without affecting speed.

 

[Nealh]

I was allowed to ride some one else's S pedelec Endeavour speed and it flies if you want to peddle hard and have the fitness/stamina, I'm not as fit as I used to be but managed 35mph in turbo mode on the flat. Up hill after exerting myself I managed 18mph peddling but I was a bit puffed by then but no doubt a fitter person could achieve more. Problem I see is that S ped will get you noticed if travelling at that speed and attract the wrong attention esp from plod/traffic plod.

 

[flecc]

When buying, check with 50cycles on this Actually Blue, they have the necessary software facilities to adjust the power profile of Impulse units, so could probably tailor the legal one to suit. I think it's called the Sport setting.
.

 

[martinb]

Seemed strange to find myself overtaking a few Lycra clad racing cyclists on a steep hill returning to my home village. ( yes leicestershire has some steep hills)
Not sure what they thought but they gave me a strange look ( was on the phone at the same time, bluetooth)

And yes I now have a badass dongle fitted, huge difference as it keeps the motor in the right torque when cycling uphill in a high gear at speed.

 

[4bound]

In theory the two items - power and restricted speed are independant. However in practice it seems that 50cycles currently offer you a choice of 250W restricted to 14MPH or 350 watts 28MPH. My wife has an old Kalkoff which is very poor at hill climbing. I have a Endeavour Impulse S11 which is brilliant. I hill I often ride up on my unpowered bike at 7mph is, can easily be done on the S11 at 17mph! Hope this helps.

 

[JohnCade]

In theory the two items - power and restricted speed are independant. However in practice it seems that 50cycles currently offer you a choice of 250W restricted to 14MPH or 350 watts 28MPH. My wife has an old Kalkoff which is very poor at hill climbing. I have a Endeavour Impulse S11 which is brilliant. I hill I often ride up on my unpowered bike at 7mph is, can easily be done on the S11 at 17mph! Hope this helps.

You're not really compering like with like there though. Your wife's old Kalkhoff is probably a Panasonic and they are much less powerful than the original Impulse units which came in in 2012. The Impulse 11 is more powerful again and will go up quite steep hills with little effort. I was surprised at how well it did compared to the Impulse 1 actually. They cut out at a bit over 17 mph too taking account of the ten percent leeway in the regs over the allowed 15.5 mph.

 

[4bound]

Yes John, I accept that it is true its not a fair comparison, and you are right about the Panasonic. Unfortunately I am unable to offer a comparison between the 250 and 350 watt Impulse motors, but thought it worth mentioning what I did know. Which model is it that you are saying cut out at 17mph? One of the 250 W models I assume. The Impulse S11 certainly doesn't cut out till way above that.

 

[JohnCade]

Yes John, I accept that it is true its not a fair comparison, and you are right about the Panasonic. Unfortunately I am unable to offer a comparison between the 250 and 350 watt Impulse motors, but thought it worth mentioning what I did know. Which model is it that you are saying cut out at 17mph? One of the 250 W models I assume. The Impulse S11 certainly doesn't cut out till way above that.

All the UK legal Impulse models give tapering assist up to 17.3 mph and then cut out.

 

[4bound]

Agreed John, but we still haven't answered Actually Blues' question which is asking for a comparison between a road legal Pro Connect Impulse 9 (250 W 17 mph) and an off road only Endeavor Impulse S11(350W 28mph). I would be intrested in the answer because my wife is interested in upgrading her old Kalkoff to a more powerful model with a step through frame. The Pro Connect Impulse 9 looks like the best option at present. It would also mean I had access to a second battery for my S11!

 

[JohnCade]

I've never ridden the S pedalec so can't help there. I have ridden the Pro Connect 9 and it goes uphill like a train. Faster than my 2013 Impulse 1 with Sport software profile for the same effort, and that is pretty good on steep hills. People who have ridden both say the S pedelec is not necessarily a better climber. You have one so you can do a test ride on the other and compare them.

 

[4bound]

Thanks John, it seems that the Pro Connect 9 should be perfect for my wife. Now I just need to organise some warm dry weather for her!