Storck Raddar

BAH48

Pedelecer
Nov 6, 2012
166
15
Appleby Cumbria
This is the one you want. Less than £500 for the kit and battery, and it'll get you up 1 in 5 without pedalling. It has a free-wheel so can be pedalled without power. Choose whatever donor bike you want:
Bafang BPM 48V500W Rear Driving Bike Conversion Kit - BMSBATTERY

Thanks d8veh, I've got a couple of suitable bikes and that system looks pretty good, I suppose once I've got a 48v battery it probably wouldn't break the bank to try the GNG 450w crank drive.
 

BAH48

Pedelecer
Nov 6, 2012
166
15
Appleby Cumbria
"I plan to set up an experimement to establish how much drag the Raddar system produces on Freewheel with regen compared to the same bike with a normal rear wheel and cassette."


That would be interesting, but all I can say is that the effect is noticeable, especially when comparing it with the Scott/Bosch bike. I seem to spend quite a lot of time climbing hills and speeding down them, but in flatter country it wouldn't be quite so significant, if at all.
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
The GNG is better for off-road and generally having fun, while as the BPM is better as a work-horse for every day use.
 

Jhw

Just Joined
Apr 6, 2012
2
0
I have a Storck Raddar Multitask that I have used for commuting 12 km each way to work over the past 9 month. My route is mainly flat but there is a step uphill section towards the end of my journey home. The surface is tarmac road, cycle path and tow path with some cobblestones. I cycle for enjoyment and to keep fit. Generally I ride without power all the way to work and most of the way back. Approaching the final uphill stretch I turn on the motor to travel the last few kms. If I feel the need to use power for more or all of the journey then the battery will manage the full 24km. The motor is totally silent and has ample power for my needs. The balloon tyres are a revelation with little rolling resistance and extremely comfortable over the rough cobblestones. The only minor problem I have had is with the mudguards which are too short but riveting some cut up plastic long life milk bottles to act as mud flaps has worked well. Also for the price it would have been nice to have had an electronic display of speed and distance. For my needs the bike is excellent - quiet, comfortable and handles extremely well both with and without power. Highly recommended.
 

Storcker

Pedelecer
Nov 24, 2012
46
0
Hi, As a 63 year old 100kg occasional leisure cyclist, I've owned a Dawes Super Galaxy since 1998, I bought a Storck Raddar Multitask when I visited the NEC Cycle Show on the 28th September 2012.
Why did I choose that bike?
As I had just sold my motorcycle I decided to treat myself with the proceeds and hopefully make cycling local to my address, very hilly Mid Wales, more enjoyable. I looked at the Kalkhoff C11 and BH Emotion Neo Cross as alternatives but decided upon the Storck for its instantaneous silent drive and frame quality.
I collected the bike from Taunton, Reaction Electric, and have now done over 500 miles on it. Locally the longest ride I have done is 45 round trip miles to lake Vyrnwy, a lap of the lake 13 miles and cycle home. It was difficult to decide if the battery or I were in a more depleted state when I got home. I had to get off and walk up the worst hills on the way home.
I also put it in the car and drive to Dolgellau then use the Mawddach trail to Barmouth going as far as Harlech which is almost a 40 mile round trip. On this fairly flat route I and the battery still had some energy remaining.
So far I am enjoying my new bike and the Pedelec system allows even an old fat man to cycle up huge hills without even leaving the saddle.
 

eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6
2nd battery might be an idea for extended hilly rides...
 

piotrmacheta

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 23, 2009
316
0
I was at the Electric Transport Shop in Oxford on the weekend so I decided to have a go on a Storck bike and compare it to a Bosch drive KTM. I have a throttle operated ezee kit so a pedelec was quite a new experience for me. Not a thorough ride out but here is my view:
I was very impressed by the Storck because it was completely silent and very natural to use and it integrated with my pedalling very smoothly almost to the point on not realizing it was there except when going up a slight incline when you felt seemless help. The Bosch was also amazing and it seemed to give a bigger 'hit' and less integrated with my pedalling but I could hear the motor buzz as power came in but still v quiet. I had them both set to max for the comparison.
In short both were amazing. The weight of the KTM Bosch was quite noticable when picking it up but it was centralised mass. The Storck felt lighter and more impressive here but was a bit rear biassed as expected. I would be happy with either of these bikes but the real decision would be based on how well it performed off-road up steel hills (relatively slowly) as this is where I think assistance is most needed so I guess that the Bosch would probably win out due to drive through gears. My previous only experience with pedelec drive was about a year ago on my friend's Bionx assisted trike and about 2 years ago on a Kalkhoff Pro Connect Panasonic system. The Bionx was also super smooth but seemed to lack power and only really came in when I pushed really hard on the pedals but it did work very well, and the Kalkhoff was just not good for me as I think that my cadence was to high.
 

eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6
The KTM I like weighs 18 .5 kg i find the bikes much better balanced......found the rear weight bias is really of putting when lifting the strorke, these direct drive motors are real heavy! And why yo will never see them on a front wheel
 

indalo

Banned
Sep 13, 2009
1,380
1
Herts & Spain
Cakey, a Storck owner who seems to report objectively on the merits of the Raddar, had this to say about the style and geometry of the bike:


The raddar frame is the standard mountain bike frame. I know from riding and owning many bikes that the geometry of the frame is very important.

Storck is not an off road bikes. Unless your ass is made of titanium
I'm bound to say that I find the bike something of a curiosity, being neither one thing nor the other. Clearly, it's not designed to go rock-hopping nor to do any serious downhill stuff and it's not quite a fast road-racer either. I suppose it could be referred to as a stylish hybrid, competent on the road but at a price. It's difficult for me to imagine though how it can be twice as good or worth twice the price of my 17Kg Cytronex Cannondale bike which covers the ground pretty quickly and flies up hills.

The full-sus Haibike, (I wish they'd give them names instead of letters and numbers!) is altogether a different kettle of fish and to quote a much-hackneyed expression, "does what it says on the tin!" It looks like an MTB, can go places most ebikes would never reach and is a perfectly pleasant ride on tarmac with the ability to cover the ground quickly. I liked it a lot on test.

In short, I can understand the Haibike. It's fit for purpose but the Storck remains something of an enigma to me and given that they are very close in price, I'd have to pick the Haibike for its greater breadth of abilities plus that delightful S-Ram gear train.

Ebike enthusiasts are very lucky at the present time with Bosch having entered the market and their product being made available on an ever-increasing range of bikes. Prices seem to be dropping from the high-end level towards the medium price point if I can put it like that. Although ebikes so equipped are never going to appear with budget-level price tags, they do seem to be headed in the right direction, opening up some beautifully-styled, competent and reliable machines to a much wider audience.

As I shan't be riding as much over the winter period, I'm happy to wait a few months before considering my next acquisition. It seems clear that there will be more UK outlets for German ebikes than at present and I look forward to that.

I'm grateful to Cakey for providing a little perspective on the Storck as very few owners have commented on those bikes within these pages.

Indalo
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,136
30,556
I'm bound to say that I find the bike something of a curiosity, being neither one thing nor the other. Clearly, it's not designed to go rock-hopping nor to do any serious downhill stuff and it's not quite a fast road-racer either.
I was very impressed by the Storck because it was completely silent and very natural to use and it integrated with my pedalling very smoothly almost to the point on not realizing it was there except when going up a slight incline when you felt seamless help.
This seems to be the Storck's raison-d'être, a number of previous posts commenting in this manner. It appears to be ideal for those who value it's silently sophisticated addition of power above all. Obviously very different from the average of hub motor e-bikes and even beating the best crank units in these respects. I'd like to see a utility bike version for practical general use.
.
 
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D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
I don't know if they've changed much since the one I tried at Presteigne 18 months ago, but like many ebikes, it was great on the flat, but soon ran out of puff going up the steep test hill. I can imagine that strong cyclists would like it, but definitely not for aged lardies like me.
 

Caph

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 29, 2008
440
11
Nottingham, UK
Which equals a better bike for road use.
That's the point though Flecc. It really isn't. There are components and build quality that could make it so, but they aren't there. The Storck MD explains the value of the bike is achieved by the grade of aluminium, which I've already pointed out is the same as several £100 bikes or the quality of the paint (I give up!!!).

There are quite a few of us on this forum who know the value of parts, and this bike just does not add up. If you are going to charge a small fortune then fit quality parts so that, as you say, it would be a better bike for road use.

This company wants to charge premium price without backing it up with a premium product. They are basically trying to rip people off, and I find that offensive.

A Pinarello on the other hand, may be similar cost but comprises a quality SRAM Red, Dura Ace or similar groupset with a carbon frame interleaved with an aluminium mesh for added strength.

These guys think they can push a £1000 product and charge £3000 based on name alone. Shame on them.

Or maybe they're just stuck with an MD who doesn't realise that the ridiculous additional cost of the Swiss motor pales in to insignificance when compared with the solid reliability and grunt of the 8FUN sensorless 250W motor. I think we all know in the real world what they can do with their "nm" claims.
 

indalo

Banned
Sep 13, 2009
1,380
1
Herts & Spain
This company wants to charge premium price without backing it up with a premium product. They are basically trying to rip people off, and I find that offensive.
Blimey Caph! I've never known you so animated. You're right, of course, about the level of component being rather underwhelming at such an elevated price point and it offends me also when I read the attempts at justification from the dealer.

One only has to look at the bikes within the "budget" end of the market to see the components used at the lowest price point. Then consider that the major players such as Shimano and S-Ram actually provide better, more expensive parts which are generally the province of top quality machines, the choice of knowledgeable cycling enthusiasts.

£3000.....you've said it all really but to be fair, the paint job is quite nice and it's always impressive when a manufacturer takes a little time to grind down the welds, providing that smooth finish.

Indalo
 

Cakey

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 4, 2012
287
3
Being a strong cyclist suits me riding the storck . Where I live the hills do not get any bigger in the uk.
If I want a rest I go in the car or motor bike.
I also have a 1200w ebike that I do not use that much as I like the exercise.
I also ride a road bike over 100 miles a week. Which is a pinarello prince.(I wish I bought it for 3k)
For me silence is very important , I want to enjoy the countryside , not buzzed by a motor for 2 hours.
I also have a wisper 806 which to be honest , nice bike but irritatingly noisy.
Not found a roadie yet who can catch me up the hills on the storck .
On a 20 mile trip up and down hills I average 19mph , sometimes 21 :)
 
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Cakey

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 4, 2012
287
3
Is the frame any different then any other carbon mountain bike, Probably not . But the new whyte 46 is £3500 and it does not have a motor :)
My slight irritation with Storck is the different mix of components. Yes they should have xtr on all the bikes . But xt is good quality and more reliable than xtr . Having destroyed more xtr and SRAM xo I know.
My business partner had an Aston Martin it was full of crappy ford parts :)
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,136
30,556
He should have bought his Aston Martin before Ford bought the company. Same applies to Jaguar owners!

Of course it's whole industry thing, SAABs were thinly disguised Vauxhalls for 20 years until they went broke and shut down last year, Audis are built out of VW parts and FIAT multipoint diesel engines are in almost everything it seems. The whole list of cross-industry parts is endless.