Best E-Bikes - What make ?

[Tubaman]

What manufacturer is generally regarded as making the best e-bikes ?

 

[baboon]

Depends what you want it for, but A to B magazine rate Kalkhoff as the best make. It's well worth having a look at their website: A to B magazine, folding bikes, electric bicycles, trailers, sister publication to Miniature Railway magazine

Peter

 

[stranger]

Best for what?

I think at the moment that Kalkoff are considered the cream of the crop of e-bikes aren't they.

Some of the less exotic models, or the older, heftier types are ideal for folks like me, who just don't much fancy too much pedalling for short local trips. I simply love my Powabyke, with it's basket and panniers and long range, easy care, SLA battery. It's overall weight doesn't concern me, neither do it's somewhat 'quaint' looks. But I wouldn't want to use it for serious commuting. It is slow and heavy and can be 'awkward' to heave about and I certainly wouldn't want to lug it on and off a train, or up the office block stairs on a regular basis.

The various Wispers are neat and stylish and lightweight and speedy--but they seem to lack serious stamina, and it seems that their 'power range' is somewhat restricted. But you can carry their lightweight charger around with you easily enough, if you have access to a power-point somewhere.

I very much like the LOOKS of the Eco Monark--but I have not met one in the the flesh so can't really say much on it.

 

[flecc]

Much depends on what you want the e-bike for. If we know the various uses you want to put the bike to, range needed etc, we can point more accurately to what will be best.
.

 

[eddieo]

if they had a bigger battery and a throttle I would agree, the Kalkhoff probably the best. BUT they do not..... so its a Wisper for me

 

[Mussels]

if they had a bigger battery and a throttle I would agree, the Kalkhoff probably the best. BUT they do not..... so its a Wisper for me

It would need to work at a decent cadence as well, I almost always pedal over the maximum rate for a Panasonic unit.

 

[Barnowl]

I agree depends on usage. If you're not on a tight budget I'd be looking at the Wisper 905 range, the Kalkoffs, and for less assistance and a more Bikier feel Cytronex.

 

[torrent99]

It would need to work at a decent cadence as well, I almost always pedal over the maximum rate for a Panasonic unit.

Yes that does strike me as a potential slight problem with the fixed Panasonic programming, it doesn't cater for different pedalling styles so well.
And quite why the speed sensor is derived from crank rotation &gear is a mystery, surely a tranditional wheel rotation sensor would be more flexible and allow for differing gear setups?

BTW Mussels, if you are a "spinner" have you considered shorter cranks?

 

[Mussels]

BTW Mussels, if you are a "spinner" have you considered shorter cranks?

My cadence isn't unusually fast, normal cruising at 90rpm going up to 130 on hills. I briefly considered shorter cranks but it's quite comfortable as it is and there's enough maintenance to do and money to spend already!

 

[torrent99]

My cadence isn't unusually fast, normal cruising at 90rpm going up to 130 on hills. I briefly considered shorter cranks but it's quite comfortable as it is and there's enough maintenance to do and money to spend already!

Too true

 

[flecc]

And quite why the speed sensor is derived from crank rotation &gear is a mystery, surely a traditional wheel rotation sensor would be more flexible and allow for differing gear setups?

The speed sensor isn't derived from crank rotation but from the rotation of the motor chain sprocket output shaft. Therefore it is wheel related, though affected by which gear the bike is in.

Self contained is the design objective, everything except the switch integrated into the one unit, including the battery. That has many advantages, including the most perfect waterproofing of any e-bike system.

Compare that with the new Giant models with one type of rear wheel sensor. A to B have already seen the problem and rightly predicted the troubles that will result.
.

 

[Orraman]

Stranger,
And others who are considering the Monark ECO @ £1250.

The Monark has the same Panasonic motor and is very similar to my Gitane that does not appear to be available in the UK now.
Both have the Shimano Nexus 3 speed hub gears with a gear spread of 1.86 to one, whereas the Nexus 7 fitted to the Agattu has a spread of 2.44 to one.

The lowest gear has taken me up all local hills, so that means that the high gear is not for highest of speeds but this means that I have no need of suspension.

I am still delighted with my Gitane after 9 months.

Dave

A to B magazine issue 67

 

[jac]

the Monark does seem to be a good price at £1250 and does not seem likely to go up much in the near future as swedish krona has not gone up to much against pound. The gitane can be bought at d2 leisure for similar price

jim

 

[Bandit]

I very much like the LOOKS of the Eco Monark--but I have not met one in the the flesh so can't really say much on it.

We have one - they're currently a bit cheaper than the Kalkhoff - and the overall feel and build seem pretty similar. The drive system is obviously "identical" although I guess they may have to adjust the controller for the different top gear cadence. The BIG difference is that there are only three gears, and thus a narrower range. This might bother you if and when you run out of juice on the road - you might then miss the extra low gear. Top gear is also not as high - about the same as 6th gear on a 7-speed Nexus (I think), so some will find that they're pedalling too fast to maintain maximum speed. Lazy bikers like me don't go that fast.

Perhaps more to the point, if I follow Flecc's explanation of how the Panasonic works aright, the maximum assist (9.4mph) cadence should be about 47 in top, which translates to 7mph in middle gear and 5mph in bottom. The Kalkhoff equivalents are (I think) 38 in top gear, about 6 mph in middle gear and between 3 and 4 mph in bottom. I suspect that this means that the Monark will not go up hills quite as steep as the Agattu for the same pedal input - and that is indeed our impression after trying both. But there's not a lot in it.

Does anyone know how much it costs to replace a Nexus 3-speed with a 7 speed hub, and how easy it is?

 

[flecc]

Does anyone know how much it costs to replace a Nexus 3-speed with a 7 speed hub, and how easy it is?

About £200 to £250 if a dealer does it for you, covering new gear cost, new rim and spokes and build.

I'd suggest it would be better to spend a little extra and get the much newer and more efficient 8 speed Nexus, rather than the less efficient old design 7 speed.
.

 

[wotwozere]

Hi

If you are on the large size i reccommend the kalkhoff Aguttu XXL.
It is a life saver.

thx

Bob

 

[Fecn]

Does anyone know how much it costs to replace a Nexus 3-speed with a 7 speed hub, and how easy it is?

I didn't like the 7 speed Nexus on my Agattu and replaced it with a Nuvinci CVT instead which I'm much happier with (even though it it somewhat heavier than the Nexus). I got the hub from Horsfall Racing and ordered the rim and spokes from SJS Cycles. I built the wheel myself in the shed. I've done about 300 miles on it so far with no problems. I really like the Nuvinci and don't imagine I'll be changing back to conventional gears any time soon, but I can understand that the extra weight might put others off.

If you're thinking about the Nexus 7 or Alfine 8, it might be worth taking a look at the Nuvinci too.

A thought occurs to me... I now have a spare 700C wheel with a Nexus 7 in it which I'm sure I could be tempted to sell... PM me if you're interested.