Derestricting a Woosh Karoo

[Warwick]

I'm thinking of getting a Woosh Karoo. It looks ideal for my commute. I currently have a Woosh Sirocco CDL that I easily derestricted using the King Meter display. On Friday, on my undulating 8.1-mile commute, I averaged 16.7mph. Not bad for such a heavy lump (the bike, not me. Although...)

I'd like to know if I could do the same with the Karoo. However, it has a different display and I'm not familiar with these things. Does anyone know if the same, easy tweak can be done with the Karoo's unit? That would make a very decent, high speed commuter.

 

[trex]

you only have to google up the LCD manual to find out how to go into the settings. If I remember correctly, you hold both + and - buttons down at the same time for 3 seconds, very similar to the King Meter on your Sirocco CDL.

 

[Warwick]

Whilst I'm grateful for the reply, I am, of course, able to search for an answer, but for that I needed to be able to pose a question. I stated that I was unfamiliar with these things and I did not know the type of display, so was unable to find out for myself, hence the question here.

 

[trex]

I can't remember the make of the Karoo's LCD. I rode the test Karoo more than a year ago.

 

[trex]

I just took the new Karoo for a spin.
It rides even better than the test bike I rode last winter.
I pumped the 700C x 28 tyres to 65psi. Without power, It rides just like a quiet normal bike. Bottom bracket backspins perfectly with hardly any friction.
The motor is very quiet. At traffic lights, if you hold the LCD's minus button for about 4 seconds, you activate the 6km starting aid, the bike will move forward. Power delivery is very progressive, power cut off is tapered that reminds me of the woosh Sport TS. The Avid disc brakes are certainly an improvement over the Tektro brakes that are used on the other woosh bikes.

PS: The Karoo's LCD has 6 assist levels. Level 0 is throttle only.
The 6kph starting aid takes 4 to 5 seconds to activate, pretty useless unless you want to use it to walk the bike up stairs. Then again, the bike is so lightweight, I can't see any reason that someone would need it.

 

[Yamdude]

Waiting to see some proper photos of this bike, rather than the stock pictures that are on the Woosh site.
So can it definitely be derestricted then, like the OP asked ?

 

[trex]

I don't know for sure. I am asking them for the LCD manual. The power tapered so smoothly that I hit 45kph without feeling a notch. There was no headwind on the test ride and it's easy to ride fast on the Karoo 700C semi-slick tyres. I can hit that speed on my Trek any way except don't have to pant with the Karoo. The 245 Ounce on the Karoo feels rock solid, you don't waste your energy with a wide GXP BB.
They may post new pictures later today. It's been raining in Southend for the last couple of days.

 

[Yamdude]

It looks a nice bike, from the limited pictures, and something i could be interested in. I like the weight and the clean uncluttered look.
How is this rear hub motor for torque compared to a CD ?..... Also what size is the chain ring ? It doesn't say on Woosh's site, but it looks like a 48T.

 

[trex]

How is this rear hub motor for torque compared to a CD ?..... Also what size is the chain ring ? It doesn't say on Woosh's site, but it looks like a 48T.

I could not go for a long ride because the test Karoo does not have mudguards and the roads were still wet. They'll fit the mudguards later, I'll be back for another go this Saturday. First impression: the torque is about 65%-70% of the Krieger's. That does not bother me much. Didn't pay much attention to the chainring but it feels like a 48T to me too.
EDIT: not 42T, 45T chainring. It did feel ever so relaxed pedalling this morning though. Just to show how much tyres change how you feel.

 

[Yamdude]

I see they now have proper photos up of the Karoo, although i'd like to see photo's of the bike in full as well as just parts of it.
It looks quite nice though, the only things i'm not keen on are the grips, that look like they belong on a Harley Davidson or some other chromed cruiser..... and the chain ring is too small for me, i'd want at least a 48T or preferably a 50T for a road bike.
Its the only thing i've seen so far that's close to what i want and not too expensive...... apart from going down the build route myself, which i may yet decide on.

 

[trex]

I have just been told that the crankset is Prowheel Ounce 245A, 45T chainring.

 

[Warwick]

The LCD display manual is here: http://wooshbikes.co.uk/manuals/Karoo-LCD.pdf

Am I right in thinking that it says you can only choose between 20, 24 and 25KMH maximum speeds? That'll rule out my interest if so.

 

[trex]

that manual is wrong. On the bike I rode, the LCD lets me go up 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 40km/h max.

 

[prokaryote]

that manual is wrong. On the bike I rode, the LCD lets me go up 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 40km/h max.

You can indeed select 40km/h as the maximum but the motor still only spins fast enough to assist to ~16 mph regardless. I think you'd need to over-volt it to get it to go faster, which would be pretty insane.