Heinzmann Front Hub Kit

pwylie

Finding my (electric) wheels
Apr 30, 2008
22
0
Picked up the bike with the kit from Ben at Kinetics yesterday.

Not yet ready to post a full review but worth observing the good & bad for anyone considering one.

Hub is quite noisy - though this was not a surprise. I didn't realise how often my speed rose above 15 mph so assitance not always available when I'd like it.

Range is less than I'd like, though battery still to be conditioned & I need to learn how to cycle with economic use of the battery power.

Took me 56 mins to get into work this morning as opposed to my best non assist on the same bike of 62 mins. Key thing to flag is that I can now do this in work clothes & not need a shower - a saving about of 26 mins all told - shower time included.

Was surprised to see I seem to get more help from the hub motor when on lower gears than on high when climbing hills.

Time will tell if it is worth the cost.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,128
30,555
Noise, range and the 15 mph common observations on the Heinzmann.

The maximum torque (pulling power) on your motor combines with maximum power attained in the 8 mph region, so you'll feel the motor helping most at that speed or just above when hill climbing. Any time you want to take it easy climbing a hill, aim for that speed and your contribution will be very leisurely.

It's true on many e-bikes that making a big cycling effort doesn't pay off in every circumstance, the riders effort having the greatest effect when matched to what the motor is set up to do, working in harmony in other words. Experience with your bike will show how best to work together for maximum effect.
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Hub is quite noisy - though this was not a surprise. I didn't realise how often my speed rose above 15 mph so assitance not always available when I'd like it.

Range is less than I'd like, though battery still to be conditioned & I need to learn how to cycle with economic use of the battery power.
Good to see some feedback - would be interested in seeing how you fare over time.

You went for the front 1122 motor with pedelec operation, if I'm not mistaken. This has steel gears for high torque (and therefore a tad noisier than the standard), so presumably you have some fierce hills to contend with. The 33A controller, compared with 25A standard, will drain the battery more quickly but I'd be interested to get some real data on range to compare with the factory claims.

What sort of terrain and gradients are you doing?

Know what you mean about the 15mph - at Presteigne (basically a flat course) I barely rode below this and therefore did most of the rally on pedal power alone - sadly this is a matter for the authorities - faster Heinzmann motors are available but not road legal!

Pete
 

pwylie

Finding my (electric) wheels
Apr 30, 2008
22
0
Back from Glasgow to Kilbarchan tonight. Looks likely that even the big Heinzmann battery I bought wont take me both ways (est between 22 & 24 miles) on a single charge.

Still fresh after the journey & happy now to do both legs of the commute in a single day. I was previously only doing one way by bike & one way by car.

Bought the big motor with steel gears because I am quite lardy at 14st for 5'8". A number of hills on the way into Glasgow from home but nothing major.

Don't want to praise or condemn too much until I have given it a fair crack.