Emotion Sport Max +

[HarryB]

The Sport Delux http://www.onbike.co.uk/emotion-electric-bikes/e-motion-sport-deluxe-2.html looks like a good choice with the new console - much more useful and also gets rid of the rotten front forks that the Max has. Could do with the 18Ah battery rather than just 12Ah and I am not sure the panasonics batteries are any better quality that the ones Kalkoff use (from my experience anyway).

 

[eddieo]

Harry do you have a rack and mudguards on yours? would you buy one again.......

 

[NRG]

Console is the same as on my PCS, very good....

 

[HarryB]

I have a rack - I fitted a specific disc one as Onbike didn't have any that fitted. No mudguards though - lazyness on my part as it sure needs them. Not sure I would buy another one as a commuter - I would go for a hub bike. The chain gets a hell of a battering with the power going through the derailleur. The Kalkoff pro-connect disc looks better value to me so that would be my choice - wasn't available at the time of course.

 

[HarryB]

...and I see 50 Cycles now stock E-motion bikes now.

 

[flecc]

...and I see 50 Cycles now stock E-motion bikes now.

And the Tonaro BigHit with the Yamaha type bevel motor drive.

With Kalkhoff-Panasonic, Kalkhoff-BionX, Haibike, BH-Emotion, Oxygen, Tonaro, seems they are after world domination!

 

[eddieo]

Indeed...Maybe that explains the no invite to you no where......

But wider distribution and a bit of competition has to be better for us the consumer.

 

[M_B]

HarryB, I was very interested in your comments, as I've short listed the BH E-Motion Sport Max + for riding the 7 miles back and forth to work on the flat (and for leisure). Its the only range of electric bikes that I could find that look like a normal bike. I live in a 2nd floor flat, so whatever I get has to get lifted up and down four flights of stairs every morning/evening therefore weight is high on my priority. I also want something that is light enough to ride unassisted.

Up until now BH's E-motion bikes all used the Panasonic crank drive system, however you say you would probably buy a hub drive bike if you had to choose again? So its interesting that BH appear to have launched a new range of rear Hub driven bikes with a Samsung battery moulded into the frame, I dunno if this is done for cost reasons or whether BH are having a rethink?

The range of electric bikes: BH bikes catalog | BH E-Motion

I'd steered away from Hub driven due to less flexability in using the gearing, and the complications of removing the rear wheel in the event of a puncture. Anyway, your experience is interesting.

 

[flecc]

Looks like it may be the BionX motor in the BH, probably a choice rather than a change. Kalkhoff are doing the same, both Panasonic and BionX systems sold in parallel.

 

[HarryB]

HarryB, I was very interested in your comments, as I've short listed the BH E-Motion Sport Max + for riding the 7 miles back and forth to work on the flat (and for leisure). Its the only range of electric bikes that I could find that look like a normal bike. I live in a 2nd floor flat, so whatever I get has to get lifted up and down four flights of stairs every morning/evening therefore weight is high on my priority. I also want something that is light enough to ride unassisted.

Up until now BH's E-motion bikes all used the Panasonic crank drive system, however you say you would probably buy a hub drive bike if you had to choose again? So its interesting that BH appear to have launched a new range of rear Hub driven bikes with a Samsung battery moulded into the frame, I dunno if this is done for cost reasons or whether BH are having a rethink?

The range of electric bikes: BH bikes catalog | BH E-Motion

I'd steered away from Hub driven due to less flexability in using the gearing, and the complications of removing the rear wheel in the event of a puncture. Anyway, your experience is interesting.

My mistake as I left out "geared" so what I really meant was as hub geared bike like the Alfine in the Pro-connect. The Bionx are a very good hub motored bikes though. What makes you favour the Sport Max over the Pro-connect or even the Sport Delux

 

[M_B]

I don't like the Kalkhoff 'look', and they are more expensive. The Sport Lux doesn't have any front suspension...

 

[HarryB]

The pro-connect is only £100 more and comes with the 18 ah battery and lights. The front forks are dreadful - not much in the way of suspension and introduce a vague-ness and wobble in the steering!

 

[M_B]

Ok, you've put me off those forks on the Sport Max+, Not sure which pro-connect you mean though, cheapest I can find on 50cycles is the £2k Kalkhoff Pro Connect Disc Electric Bike, but that's got the wrong picture, that model is actually a step through frame. Kalkhoff : Models 2011 kalkhoff don't specify the weights of their bikes so its hard to compare.

 

[HarryB]

Yes I realise the price has just gone up for the Pro-connect Disc by £100 since the end of April - still it is better spec'ed and equiped than the E-motion. So for you it is down to looks (I don't think the Pro-connect looks too bad though I don't like that huge chainguard) and whether to pay more for the Alfine over the derailleur gears (plus bigger battery). I would try before you buy and so settle your choice - have you tried any of the Kalkoff range or E-motion?

 

[M_B]

Thanks, I'm intending to visit Onbike this Saturday to try out a few BH models, and will see if they will swap the forks on the Sport Max (or Lux) based on your experience... Showed pics of the Kalkoff to a few collegues at work, and they said they wouldn't want to be seen riding one :-(

Also asked for some info from Haibike on the new eQ XDURO Cross and XDURO Trekking models (out of the budget I have set) but they do look very good wityh that Bosch drive.

 

[NRG]

....Showed pics of the Kalkoff to a few collegues at work, and they said they wouldn't want to be seen riding one :-(

Let me guess, they are all fair weather lycra types who wont ride in the cold n wet?

 

[tillson]

Ok, you've put me off those forks on the Sport Max+, Not sure which pro-connect you mean though, cheapest I can find on 50cycles is the £2k Kalkhoff Pro Connect Disc Electric Bike, but that's got the wrong picture, that model is actually a step through frame. Kalkhoff : Models 2011 kalkhoff don't specify the weights of their bikes so its hard to compare.

50 Cycles are selling 2010 Pro C models for £1500 with a two year warranty HERE. The Pro C is a very good commuter bike, I've had one for nearly 3 years and used it daily without hardly any problems. Its a nice bike and £500 cheaper than the Disk

The only two minus points for you on this model are: No suspension and cable V Brakes. Not a major drama to retro fit these though.