First electric bike - Pro Connect

[Barry Heaven]

I took delivery of my first bike two days ago, the Kalkhoff Pro Connect from 50cycles. Only problem noticed on delivery was a slightly loose reflector on a pedal - a trifling matter that was soon fixed. So far I've taken it out on two battery conditioning runs, i.e. fully charged and then rides at full power with the lights full on for good measure. Both trips covered 24 miles at which point the low battery light was flashing. The routes taken were deliberately tough with a number of killer hills including one that I usually have to get off and walk on my Dawes Galaxy. First impressions are very impressive. I covered the entire distance with no need for a rest and didn't get out of breath or break into a sweat at any point. I can see I will quickly get used to this experience being the norm and it will be interesting to see how the Dawes feels after using the Pro Connect for a while!

The Alfine 8 speed hub gears were a new experience for me and, although they are still a bit notchy at the moment whilst running, in I really appreciated their ease of use and ability to change gear at any time. The range of gears feels right at the moment. The top gear could be a bit higher but I expected this and will get a feel over the next few rides at to whether it is worth swapping the rear sprocket for a 19 tooth one to make it faster at the expense of reduced range.

Now the battery is conditioned I will experiment using the bike using the full range of power assist modes to match the terrain.

When choosing my first bike I was very much torn between the Trek FX+ and Kalkhoff's Tasman or Pro Connect. I was attracted to the regen ability of the Bionx system on the Trek FX+. The choice was almost a toss us between them but I decided that for my needs (assistance getting up hills) the Kalkhoff was the better choice. I was also not convinced the regen was good enough with the current state of technology; maybe for the future!

Looking forward to my next ride with no fear of those hills.

Sorry for the photo cock-up. I have created a link this time, so hope this works:

Picasa Web Albums - Barry - Pro Connect B...

It is fitted out with panniers and rack box as I hope to use this for shopping trips.View attachment 971

 

[HarryB]

Wow that is a mighty big picture - any chance of resizing it or deleting it so I can read the textwithout scrolling across and down please?

 

[Alex728]

may I suggest you check what happened to your picture? its got turned into a huge image with 1980s / early 1990s style resolution/solarisation effects!

I actually saved the image as it was quite "arty" looking (well that sort of thing appeals to me because of my age group ) but you might want to upload it with the correct size and colour depth for the forum. (I tried to find flecc's post on this but unfortunately couldn't get it)

if Russ is reading this any chance of one day putting the auto resize plugin you can get for vbulletin forums? A gallery would be even better but I do appreciate it increases bandwith and admin costs...

 

[flecc]

Yes, it's a 3 megapixel photo, 3264 x 2448 pixels, up to four times what will fit across member's
screens. Best to use the edit button and delete it, then resize it in a photo editor to 800 pixels
wide or less before replacing it.

Here I've resized it for you in case you have no photo editor:

 

[Barry Heaven]

Yes, it's a 3 megapixel photo, 3264 x 2448 pixels, up to four times what will fit across member's
screens. Best to use the edit button and delete it, then resize it in a photo editor to 800 pixels
wide or less before replacing it.

Here I've resized it for you in case you have no photo editor:

View attachment 972

Flecc - Thanks. I thought I had created a small image but somehow managed to create a massive low-resolution picture instead. My post is now amended with a link to a Picasa web album.

 

[JamesC]

Hello Barry - good to have another ProConnect user on the forum.

At 24 miles on your conditioning runs with standard gearing, I am wondering whether you might still have 3 or 4 miles further to go to fully drain the battery. Throughout the last stage, the last light will be flashing slowly, before finally shutting down the feed to the motor, and setting the baseline for the battery management.

My two batteries went to 28 miles on their conditioning runs.

Apologies if I am wrong.

James

 

[Barry Heaven]

Hello Barry - good to have another ProConnect user on the forum.

At 24 miles on your conditioning runs with standard gearing, I am wondering whether you might still have 3 or 4 miles further to go to fully drain the battery. Throughout the last stage, the last light will be flashing slowly, before finally shutting down the feed to the motor, and setting the baseline for the battery management.

My two batteries went to 28 miles on their conditioning runs.

Apologies if I am wrong.

James

Hi James.

At 24 miles the last light was flashing slowly but not the quick flashing that indicates an immediate recharge required, so you are probably right that a few more miles may have been available. Should I have drained the battery completely flat?

 

[flecc]

Should I have drained the battery completely flat?

That isn't necessary for the conditioning, the slow flashing stage is sufficiently low.
.

 

[Schwinnfan]

New Pro connect

On your pic you have large side bags as well as a central one. If you are going out for a spin, try getting rid of the side bags. At speeds above (Flecc will give us the correct figures) 15mph, as much as 75% of your resistance is wind resistance. I have noticed a big difference, especially since changing the gearing and riding at an averagely higher speed.

 

[flecc]

That isn't necessary for the conditioning, the slow flashing stage is sufficiently low.
.

James has since informed me that his experience shows the meter does not reset properly to show full capacity on the capacity check function until the battery is discharged to the fast flashing stage. So although for battery conditioning a fairly empty stage like the slow flash one is sufficient, it's best on the Panasonic design to empty it to the fast flash stage to ensure meter display accuracy as well.
.

 

[Barry Heaven]

James has since informed me that his experience shows the meter does not reset properly to show full capacity on the capacity check function until the battery is discharged to the fast flashing stage. So although for battery conditioning the a fairly empty stage like the slow flash one is sufficient, it's best on the Panasonic design to empty it to the fast flash stage to ensure meter display accuracy as well.
.

Thanks. I take it that it isn't too late to do a full discharge at this point?

 

[flecc]

Thanks. I take it that it isn't too late to do a full discharge at this point?

No, these can be done at any time, and if the meter drifts out over time, repeating the procedure resets it again.
.

 

[Barry Heaven]

No, these can be done at any time, and if the meter drifts out over time, repeating the procedure resets it again.
.

Thanks Flecc. I will do it. Gives me a good excuse for a long bike ride!

 

[Barry Heaven]

Update on Pro Connect battery conditioning

Taking James' and Flecc's advice I took my Pro Connect our for a battery conditioning ride to take the battery down to the fast flashing light stage. I rode on full power for the whole trip. 1st light went out at 11.9 miles, 2nd at 22 miles. The slow flashing light came on at 32 miles. I'm not sure I spotted the change to the fast flashing light as it all seemed to flash slowly to me. I did feel the power give up at just over 40 miles and at 41 miles all of the lights on the control panel went out.

This performance seems much better than I was expecting. I believe the reading on my cycle computer is correct as part of the trip was to do a trial work commuter run which I know is a 28 miles round trip and the bike computer clocked the same figure.

Needless to say I am well pleased with these figures at full power. Battery is now getting a well deserved recharge, and so am I!

 

[JamesC]

The fast flashing is very brief prior to the battery shutting down - easily missed.

The mileage is good, and realistic with the 23 tooth sprocket.

Using the 19T sprocket and the highest assist setting would probably come down to 30/32 miles on a new battery, if it is taken right down to the cut off point.

Today mine started to flash at 21 miles, and would have cut out at about 25 had I continued to use it. With the luxury of 2 batteries, I can changeover to suit the circumstances. (These batteries came into use in June 2008)

James

 

[Barry Heaven]

The fast flashing is very brief prior to the battery shutting down - easily missed.

The mileage is good, and realistic with the 23 tooth sprocket.

Using the 19T sprocket and the highest assist setting would probably come down to 30/32 miles on a new battery, if it is taken right down to the cut off point.

Today mine started to flash at 21 miles, and would have cut out at about 25 had I continued to use it. With the luxury of 2 batteries, I can changeover to suit the circumstances. (These batteries came into use in June 2008)

James

I should have mentioned that when I put the battery on the charger no lights came on initially and then the 1st light did start flashing quickly at the start. I probably missed the fast flash on the bike as I was tired and the sun was pretty bright in the crisp clear day we have had today making it difficult to see.

I've not made my mind up about going for the smaller sprocket yet so will see how it goes on the 23T for the moment.