2012 Kalkhoff Sahel Compact Nexus

[flecc]

The controller is an integrated part of the management electronics Eddie, sealed safely away from damage.

And as you say and I omitted, no troublesome brake lever cutouts on these torque sensored pedelec e-bikes.

 

[jhruk]

The controller is an integrated part of the management electronics Eddie, sealed safely away from damage.

And also, sadly, sealed away from tinkering – which, for many of us, is half the fun.

 

[flecc]

And also, sadly, sealed away from tinkering – which, for many of us, is half the fun.

And the source of many a breakdown too!

 

[jhruk]

And the source of many a breakdown too!

Not with my tinkering!

 

[103Alex1]

Hi Jonah,

I can confirm that the impulse motor is the best system on the market I tried for all round performance of range power and torque as a road legal bike can be.

There really is no contest with the biggest battery, longest range and software that can be programmed into the bike to tailor make it for your own type of riding profile.

I live near the peak district and I never thought that I would be able to conquer some of the hills close by but I can get up them nearly as quick as the pro's.

I bought mine just after the cycle show with a much smaller discount than is on offer now but I feel the bike is worth a lot more to me than I paid for it. I cannot express enough what a life changing product my Kalkhoff Agattu is.

I have seen the compact but not rode it and I can confirm it is a solid looking bike and if it performs like my Agattu it should be a winner

Kind regards

Philip

I'll second this having used a 250W / 36v Impulse on some long steep hills (in places > 1:7.5) the hill-climbing ability is very good. It's plenty nippy enough if you get the gear selection appropriate. I also tried a Panasonic (250W) but the performance didn't feel nearly as good. I have a 15Ah / 540Wh battery so range isn't really a problem for me - my first charge to full discharge battery cycle gave nearly 60miles with most of that on full power mode, bar around 15 on Eco/Sport - far more than I thought I'd get.

Next test was trying to run the battery down fast on the second full cycle (to complete conditioning) with lots of stop-starts and plenty of hills by using full power and staying around the 13-15mph mark rather than accelerating above assistance speeds. This gave well over 50 miles before battery conked out. The range would easily stretch to 70 miles+ on longer rides with a more typical use of Eco/Sport modes and some periods of cruise at 16-17mph+.

There's not actually that much about the Impulse on forums as it's a Kalkhoff-specific thing. A Firmware upgrade fixed the initial teething "issues" which were reported. New bikes come with the up-to-date Firmware and I can only say positive things about my experiences with the system.

So as others have said I would go try out any you fancy and judge for yourself what feel you like when riding the bike. It's not all about power statistics and everyone has different priorities. All that said, if I could have waited for, afforded and properly legalized a 350W bike with a decent battery and range I may have plumped for this Bosch one :

Kalkhoff : Models 2013

 

[Jonah]

I managed to have a quick test ride on the Sahel Compact yesterday. In the dark and with no hills anywhere near Hampton Wick it is difficult to give any proper evaluation. It was solid, fun and willing (on the flat) and was a comfortable ride. The cut off at 15mph is very abrupt, I assume a bit of strategically placed tape would resolve this?!

 

[eddieo]

I am in Streatham about 25 minutes from there...you would be welcome to try my AVE MH7. Earlier versions of Bosch drive had an abrupt cut of also, but it is now seamless, I ride way beyond it most of the time on the flat

big hills right outside my door

 

[Jonah]

Thanks for the offer Eddie. I was up in Alton visiting my mum so just popped up the M3 for this quick test. I live down in Devon so it's not so easy to try these exotic machines normally. I saw the AVE MH7 at the Blenheim Palace cycle event in August but my focus was on Bromptons at that point - wish I'd had a try out now.

 

[barrycoll]

I saw the AVE XH3 at the Blenheim Brompton day too Jonah, but was also too 'into' Bromptons to pay a lot of attention to the AVE stand...there was an opportunity to cycle the whole 7 miles around the Palace, with plenty of hills to cope with, plus LOTS of Bromptons to pass, and I just pedaled around the grassy area...2 weeks later, I decide that it was a great bike, and I need a better trial....too late

just noticed on the AVE website, that the 2013 XH3s have the motor upside down within the frame, a la XH5 and other more serious kit....
the MH7 may also have mods for the new year, so worth checking this out

the Nano kit with the Specialised sounds pretty good too!!

cheers barrycoll

 

[eddieo]

links Barry links...

 

[barrycoll]

E Bike Company - Mainz! Pedelecs, Speed ​​Pedelecs and E Motorbikes (ebikes)!

got the flu Eddie.....

this is the best I can do

cheers barrycoll

 

[Jonah]

I saw the AVE XH3 at the Blenheim Brompton day too Jonah, but was also too 'into' Bromptons to pay a lot of attention to the AVE stand...there was an opportunity to cycle the whole 7 miles around the Palace, with plenty of hills to cope with, plus LOTS of Bromptons to pass, and I just pedaled around the grassy area...2 weeks later, I decide that it was a great bike, and I need a better trial....too late

just noticed on the AVE website, that the 2013 XH3s have the motor upside down within the frame, a la XH5 and other more serious kit....
the MH7 may also have mods for the new year, so worth checking this out

the Nano kit with the Specialised sounds pretty good too!!

cheers barrycoll

The Nano kit on the Specialised hybrid is a great bike for cyclists who want a bit of help. It's for sale if anyone is interested - in classified section and on eBay. Got to be worth £500 but might go for less - grab yourself a bargain!

 

[Jonah]

Well, I bought the Sahel Compact Nexus. In fact I bought 9 and am in the process of setting up an electric bike adventure business in Devon / Cornwall. I will post more details in due course but thought you might like to see a picture I took today at St Ives. The bike gets admiring looks wherever we go and is powerful, smooth and near silent to ride. Also attached is our logo for the new business. What do people think?

 

[Tim]

Well, I bought the Sahel Compact Nexus. In fact I bought 9 and am in the process of setting up an electric bike adventure business in Devon / Cornwall. I will post more details in due course but thought you might like to see a picture I took today at St Ives. The bike gets admiring looks wherever we go and is powerful, smooth and near silent to ride. Also attached is our logo for the new business. What do people think?

View attachment 4534View attachment 4535

Very nice - can we use it on our web site?
Special quality of light in St Ives isn't there? I was looking at some holiday photos there, taken up on the Tate's rooftop restaurant last year, only last night.

Let us know when we can put a pin on our map for you too! Might be able to put the logo on - still getting hang of new site and its features.

 

[tillson]

Well, I bought the Sahel Compact Nexus. In fact I bought 9 and am in the process of setting up an electric bike adventure business in Devon / Cornwall. I will post more details in due course but thought you might like to see a picture I took today at St Ives. The bike gets admiring looks wherever we go and is powerful, smooth and near silent to ride. Also attached is our logo for the new business. What do people think?

View attachment 4534View attachment 4535

Good luck with the business and I hope that you receive plenty of business.

That looks like Porthgwidden Beach to me. If it is, I was sat on those rocks in March and October this year. March was glorious, the warmest week I've had in the UK. My dog likes that beach too, he keeps it seagull free all week.

 

[Jonah]

It was actually Porthmeor Beach Tillson, just round the corner. Beautiful morning yesterday and a lovely ride (very hilly on the road between Penzance and St Ives). Typically it didn't last and we got soaked on the ride back in the afternoon.