Ezee Forza V Kalkhoff Pro Connect

[PinkFloyd]

Those of you who have tried both the Ezee Forza and the Kalkhoff Pro Connect, which would you buy if you could only own one? I am enjoying my Forza but it has intermittent problems (battery related I think) and the range isn't exactly confidence expiring, I sure wouldn't want to have to pedal this little tank home should the battery run out of juice.

I love the style of the Forza, the speed is fantastic for a "pushbike" in derestricted mode and I do like the idea of a throttle. The thought of actually having to exert energy with the pro connect is pretty alien to me... I don't like exerting energy.... but I have decided to swap the Forza for the pro connect purely for the range the pro connect is purported to achieve, a lighter bike, more reliable etc. etc. etc.

Am I doing the right thing here or will I regret letting the Ezee Forza go? It's a lovely looking bike, It's fast over short distances but I just don't feel confident it'll keep going and going and going...... I'm not too keen on the handling either, there is no way I'd cycle no handed on this puppy.... even with my hands firmly on the handlebars I get the feeling she's a bit vague and would smash me in to a wall as soon as look at me.... either I've become really crap at handling a bike or the Forza isn't one of the most refined, positive rides out there.

Anyways.... strengths and weaknesses of the two from people who have tried both would be most appreciated. In a nutshell it's an Ezee or Pro Connect? thread.

Thanks for your input.

 

[flecc]

No-one has tried a Pro-Connect of course since they aren't yet made, but I have tried the associated Agattu over several days. I've also tried the Forza and have long experience with the similarly framed eZee Torq.

I am a bit concerned about this swap for you, as I know from previous communications your preferences, and they don't line up with the Panasonic system's working, good though that is for cycling in normal bike fashion. This is from my Kalkhoff review conclusions:

"This is a proper bicycle and if you enjoy cycling, like to share in the effort of cycling, and revel in the resulting fitness, this is ideal. If you view an e-bike as being a form of moped and like to sit back and let the bike do most or all of the work, this is not for you."

Doesn't sound like you I think, and the Kalhoff Panasonic is designed around the 15 mph limit, with assistance fading from about 12 mph, to zero at 15 mph as supplied. The cycling characteristics are better on the Kalkhoffs, and the things you describe on the Forza handing are typical of these sprung forked very rigid framed front hub motor bikes. I wouldn't let go of the Torq's bars either.

Ideally you really should try a Panasonic system bike first as it is so radically different from what you like in the Forza, but from where you live that's very difficult of course.
.

 

[Ian]

I can't really comment on the Kalkhoff as I've no experience of any Panasonic powered bikes but I do have experience of Ezee bikes. Generally they're well built and as you have found they are fast. Many of current crop of batteries seem to be sub-standard but the outlook seems to be much better, apart from the battery problems reliability is normally excellent. My own bikes have earlier NiMh batteries and have been entirely trouble free.

The poor handling is down to The Chinese made tyres, my own bikes were transformed beyond belief by fitting European tyres, which of course the Kalkhoffs have as standard. Cornering and responsiveness are hugely improved, still not brilliant hands off due to the head angle but can be ridden that way for short spells.

Range on the Ezee can be improved a lot by more pedaling and less use of the throttle, it takes discipline but my own Torq usually does 30-40 miles on a charge, not sure if that would be as easy to achieve on the more powerful Forza though, especially in a hilly area.

 

[simonbarnett]

Considered a deristricted Wisper?

 

[jimmyengland1000]

I'd go for a Wisper instead of a Pro-Connect, simply because my faith in Kalkhoff's ability to deliver new models to the UK has been seriously eroded. If you order a Pro-Connect, do you have any idea of how long it will be before you actually receive the bike? Nobody seems to know and Kalkhoff, for all their self-praising video on YouTube, don't answer my e-mails at all about this. Talk of Pro-Connects and diamond frame Agattus has a virtual reality feel to me now. Neither bike has arrived in this country yet and it's already almost April....

 

[simonbarnett]

I was suggesting a deristricted Wisper because Pinkfloyd seems to like speed. Diamond Kalkoffs will be delivered this weekend or so we're told but I wouldn't join a queue for a ProConnect after recent experience.

 

[Ian]

Pink Floyd doesn't have the option of a Wisper as it's 50cycles who have offered the swap. On a positive note any delays will give him longer to decide.

 

[flecc]

Pink Floyd doesn't have the option of a Wisper as it's 50cycles who have offered the swap.

Unless Wisper would like a Forza.
.

 

[simonbarnett]

Your brain and |Ian's are clearly unaffected by chocolate, horlicks or other noxious substances

 

[Mandy]

Those of you who have tried both the Ezee Forza and the Kalkhoff Pro Connect, which would you buy if you could only own one? I am enjoying my Forza but it has intermittent problems (battery related I think) and the range isn't exactly confidence expiring, I sure wouldn't want to have to pedal this little tank home should the battery run out of juice.

I love the style of the Forza, the speed is fantastic for a "pushbike" in derestricted mode and I do like the idea of a throttle. The thought of actually having to exert energy with the pro connect is pretty alien to me... I don't like exerting energy.... but I have decided to swap the Forza for the pro connect purely for the range the pro connect is purported to achieve, a lighter bike, more reliable etc. etc. etc.

Am I doing the right thing here or will I regret letting the Ezee Forza go? It's a lovely looking bike, It's fast over short distances but I just don't feel confident it'll keep going and going and going...... I'm not too keen on the handling either, there is no way I'd cycle no handed on this puppy.... even with my hands firmly on the handlebars I get the feeling she's a bit vague and would smash me in to a wall as soon as look at me.... either I've become really crap at handling a bike or the Forza isn't one of the most refined, positive rides out there.

Anyways.... strengths and weaknesses of the two from people who have tried both would be most appreciated. In a nutshell it's an Ezee or Pro Connect? thread.

Thanks for your input.

Hi PinkFloyd
You seem to like the Forza although your particular one has an intermittent problem the swap probably won't have? I would go for that as you like the throttle etc of which you would not have with the Pro Connect.
I have the SE which I love and has similarity's to the Forza when I was comparing the two and deciding which one to buy
Regards
Mandy

 

[nigel]

Greetings
pink floyd i think it comes down to what you want from your bike if you want the added exercise and fitness plus a nice smooth ride and help up those pesky hills then it could be the pro-connect it would be quite different to your present machine perhaps you could try one first anyway good luck in your choice Nigel.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Swap?

Unless Wisper would like a Forza.
.

Ummmmm no thanks Flecc!

Best regards David

 

[flecc]

Somehow I thought you might say that David.
.

 

[Conal]

Forza range

I have a derestricted Forza which I regularly cycle 20 miles on setting 4/5. Yesterday I set the dial at 5 and rode 20 gently undulating miles in 1 hour 10 minutes and the power indicator light was still on green at the end of my journey. I really enjoy my travels and, apart from kicking the battery key with my heel, I have exprienced no problems.

Conal

 

[flecc]

apart from kicking the battery key with my heel, I have exprienced no problems.

Conal

It's worth cutting off the top half of the key as many of us have done Conal. They easily snap off leaving the inserted part which can be difficult to get out, so leaving the battery switched on and locked in.
.

 

[Conal]

Forza key position

Flecc

I thought of that, and of drilling a hole through the metal stub and inserting a ski pass type elastcated line which I could tie somwhere obvious to make me remember to take the key out. Have you any better ideas? I know that if the key does not stand out, and I leave the battery locked on the bike, one day I will leave the key in.

 

[flecc]

Off hand I haven't an alternative, but your solution is sound. I did once leave my cut down key in and switched on, but the alarm that caused me has meant there's no chance of a repeat, since I double/triple look now.
.

 

[Ian]

I too have had the kicked key problem, breaking it on the first ride. All my remaining keys are now cut down like this and are no longer a problem.