Storck Raddar Multitask...some observations

[Kenny]

Quote: To be honest, my own preference is for center-drives.... Panasonic, Bosch or what ever...machines that the rider simply hops onto, switch it on and off we go. Any machine that requires a lecture from a junior on how to ride a bicycle has no place in my collection. (That remark is not aimed at you Dave )


The Storck Raddar is obviously a quality machine and whether it's worth it's hefty price tag is really up to the individual.
Having to learn how to get the best out of the motor is also what puts me off Hub driven bikes.

I did a 26 mile run on my Panasonic centre drive last weekend using only the top 2 assist levels of x 1 and x1.5
(I rarely have to worry about using up all the battery since I upgraded to a 18ah)
Maybe my riding style just suits the Panasonic motor but I ride naturally and never give a thought to my cadence, just ride it like I ride my unassisted bikes. I don't alter my style yet never seem to be out of the bikes power band.
There's nothing to think about except enjoying the ride.

 

[jackhandy]

Any machine that requires a lecture from a junior on how to ride a bicycle has no place in my collection. (That remark is not aimed at you Dave )

My thanks again Dave for your polite, reasoned and non-judgemental reply.

Happy E-biking and stay safe

Regards
Bob

My opinion appears to match yours, Bob.

I have no idea as to which of us is which, but I find it Very telling that a purveyor of "High end" machines becomes defensive of his product to the extent that a couple of normal-ish recreational bicyclists' comments engender that kind of puerile reaction.

Anyone telling me I must change my riding style to suit his bike's limitations is on a loser, I'm afraid - It's taken far too long for me to refine my bad habits to ditch them now

If I am in the market for a new toy, of any kind, I like to compare like-for-like wherever possible: That situation is quite possibly going to occur in the Spring. I have fitted a couple of kits now; 1 front hub & 1 crank; and I ride 50-60 recreational miles most weeks, so I have a fair idea as to what I don't want in the way of an ebike; contrary to expert opinion.

From what I read on here, I reckon a Bosch centre-drive may well suit, but is too expensive

Fortuitously, I should get a unique opportunity to compare several contenders for my stash at the Eden ebike event, in April. If Wisper are kind enough to let me test-ride the Grace MX, knowing full well I can't afford one, then I'll have my benchmark Then we shall see.... It will all be very subjective, but that's what we are good at - Specifications & Expert opinion are useful, but what does the bike feel like under MY backside.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Having to learn how to get the best out of the motor is also what puts me off Hub driven bikes.

Please don't condemn all hub-driven bikes, just because the Storck has some quirks assossiated with its regen. Most hub-driven bikes don't have regen, so there's nothing significant to learn. With any bike, there's a short learning curve while you figure out how to optimise your riding style for speed, range, hill-climbing or whatever. Personally, I had great difficulty with the 26v Panasonic drive and couldn't climb steep hills on either of the two that I tried, compared with the Bosch, 36v Panasonic and Kalhoff Impulse bikes that were easy and didn't rquire any special technique. Out of all the bikes I've ridden, the Woosh Sirocco Sport was one of the easiest and natural bikes to ride and it has a hub-motor. Shame it didn't have a bit more power, or if only I weighed less.

I just wanted to make this point clear because a lot of people use information in these discussions/comments to inform their choice of bikes.

 

[eddieo]

From what I read on here, I reckon a Bosch centre-drive may well suit, but is too expensive

.

I have posted links on here for Bosch powered bikes on sale, some from as low as £1100. Only the other day I posted links to 3 bikes between £1300 and £1600

 

[Kenny]

Didn't mean to come over as being so dismissive of Hub driven bikes.

As always advised in this forum, I really should try some more as I'm sure there are some very good performers, both Hub and centre drive.

Unfortunately in my neck of the woods there are very few dealers or members who live close, so not easy to try different bikes.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I thought that you didn't quite mean it like that, so I just wanted to clarify the point.

It's always a shame when you don't get to try them all. I'm in the Midlands, so it's not too difficult to get to the various shows, where I do my best to try them all, especially anything new.

I've got a feeling that the new Kudos 2013 bikes are going to be what we've been waiting for. I hope they've got them right.

 

[GaRRy]

Didn't mean to come over as being so dismissive of Hub driven bikes.

Yea as its quite ironic that when I tried crank drives I did not like the ones I tried for precisely the same reason you dont like Hubs. ie they just did not feel natural to me.

People should try and remember on here that any thing said is just someones opinion. Our riding style,age,fitness,requirements,expectations etc all affect what we think is best for us. I have now seen several bikes mentioned on here where people have said you must do x,y,z to get best out of it. Personally i just want to get on and ride and if it does not work as I expect its no good for me (Although could be perfect for someone else)

 

[jackhandy]

I have posted links on here for Bosch powered bikes on sale, some from as low as £1100. Only the other day I posted links to 3 bikes between £1300 and £1600

And much appreciated those posts are, Eddieo but, living in the bag-end of the Westcountry, there's no way I can make a £150+ round-trip to check-out dealers who have one in stock - at any price.

Here's to more regional Shows & Events.

 

[eddieo]

Jack, by all means try a bike with the system at shows to see if you like it...But you are not going to get a Bosch powered bike in the UK for anything like what you can get for the money in Germany. It will be delivered to your door within a week I would think

 

[RobF]

There is a knack to riding each of the ebikes I've tried in order to get the best out of them.

But it's only that, a knack, after a few rides you've cracked it.

One of the many problems with the Storck is the knack seems more like a degree course.

A throttle can help on any ebike.

If, for whatever reason, the power is not coming on when you want it, you can always grab a handful of oomph.

 

[Storcker]

There is a knack to riding each of the ebikes I've tried in order to get the best out of them.

But it's only that, a knack, after a few rides you've cracked it.

One of the many problems with the Storck is the knack seems more like a degree course

My first Ebike is a Storck Raddar Multitask Equipped.
I chose it above others due to its simplicity of use and total silence.
It is a fairly expensive bike but a beautifully finished bike with a Swiss electric motor.
Having spent over forty years working in precision engineering "made in Switzerland" means quality of the first order.
I chose a rigid framed bike because I consider that better for a road/path bike, the Big Apple tyres do provide some comfort compared to narrow low profile tyres and cope well with potholes. I find the Big Apples roll well but are unsuitable for muddy sections as their width allows them to float over mud and provide little in grip on mud but this is a road bike.
I find I get assistance up to 17 mph, according to my Cat Eye computer, and find I can achieve that speed easily on the flat or indeed a little more. The regeneration, as explained to me, only operates when you stop pedalling and is very mild so you do not notice it in use. I often coast at speeds of 30 mph or just over with some braking to keep it in check as I live in very hilly Mid Wales.
As a 16 stone 63 year old I manage to climb 1000 ft hills, with much panting. on my Storck. The battery charge indicators have never gone below one light remaining on but by then the battery was depleted, that was after a 50 mile ride. I find that my typical ride from home of between 7 and 20 miles in very hilly terrain means one to two lights on the battery go out. When I take the bike in the car to the coast, less hilly, I use the bike with the assistance turned off apart from a few hilly bits and find the battery life is extended greatly and the bike rides very well unpowered. I can ride for 30 miles and only two lights on the battery have gone out in that situation.
Would I have been better off buying the other bikes I looked at, Kalkhoff Agutta C11 and BH Emotion Neo Cross, who knows. I would have to have actually owned a different bike before being able to determine that for myself, not just a test ride.
There are many different bikes out there to choose from. Personally I am not interested in building a bike from a kit, some cyclists really enjoy building their own but that is not for me.
Many years ago I purchased a Bang & Olufsen Hi-Fi, it cost as much as a new Ford Escort at the time, Some friends said I could have bought a higher performing Hi-Fi for that money or had the same performance and saved a lot of money. They missed the point of buying an expensive brand like B&O, just like buying a Storck, although my Hi-Fi is over thirty years old it is still a desirable thing to own.
Fifteen years ago I bought a Dawes Super Galaxy and it is still a very nice bike to ride and to own, I expect my Storck will be in years to come just as long lived.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Didn't one of the German magazines or bike organisations vote it "Best ebike in the world" or something like that? Or was it that same group that voted that shopper "Best in the Show" or something at Eurobike show?

 

[Cakey]

Yes electro rad voted it best ebike . On the video he is only round town on the flat , so not really a test.

 

[Cakey]

Also I do think its wrong they portray the 50nm or 60nm .
Anybody with any idea of ebikes would know this is not quite true.
I tested it , and as it just aided my overall fitness it was good for me.
Just call me lance on an ebike , pretty fit but a little bit of boost helps

 

[RobF]

Poster bike, innit?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I don't think it's fair to cotinuously slag-off this bike. Don't forget that they're one of the sponsors of this forum - not that that should give them any special priveliges other than mutual respect and fairness.

Some people tried the bike and were happy to buy it, so it must work for them.Even if it is all hype, some people like that, so don't spoil their dream.

If someone asks for an honest opinion about this bike it would be fair to vent opinions, but I personally feel that enough has been said for now.

 

[flecc]

Torque is regularly hyped and dishonestly reported by various suppliers. When I warned in here of the very low 20 Nm torque of the Sparta Ion M-gear, the supplier publically contradicted me, stating that the torque had been increased twice on the latest models, first to 40 Nm and most recently to 60 Nm.

I fact it's only been increased once, to 30 Nm, still leaving it one of the weakest systems on the market, and only half that the supplier quoted.

With deliberate supplier dishonesty still being commonplace, only trying a prospective purchase gives any indication of suitability, and then only when the bike can be tried in appropriate circumstances.

 

[Jeremy]

Torque is regularly hyped and dishonestly reported by various suppliers. When I warned in here of the very low 20 Nm torque of the Sparta Ion M-gear, the supplier publically contradicted me, stating that the torque had been increased twice on the latest models, first to 40 Nm and most recently to 60 Nm.

I fact it's only been increased once, to 30 Nm, still leaving it one of the weakest systems on the market, and only half that the supplier quoted.

With deliberate supplier dishonesty still being commonplace, only trying a prospective purchase gives any indication of suitability, and then only when the bike can be tried in appropriate circumstances.

Deliberate supplier dishonesty has been rife in the ebike marketplace for years. It reminds me of the behaviour of the dopers in cycle racing, it's that widespread. It's as if many suppliers think that the rules surrounding advertising and product claims don't apply to them.

Look at the fun and games I had trying to just put together a list of legal ebikes a few weeks ago. That showed up more confusion and hype from suppliers than you could wave a big stick at, most of it aimed to deceive purchasers, IMHO.