Helkama TE2800....S Class or Not?

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Cyclezee

Guest
I see that 720cycles have a couple of Helkama Panasonic powered bikes the TE2800 and an E2800 on eBay.
According to the Helkama website, Helkama Velox
These bikes have "Three assistance levels (50%, 100%, 150%)"
Does this mean they are using the high performance version of the Panasonic system making them a heavier, lower spec and cheaper equivalet of the Kalkhoff Pro Connect S etc., or is it a heavier and more expensive equivalent of the Agattu?

J:) hn
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,559
30,848
I feel sure they are the standard units John, not the S model.

My reasons for saying that are:

1) The 2300 model with the Nexus 3 auto is also shown as the same three levels, and the S unit could not be used with that hub, insufficient gear range.

2) The only hub gears normally used with the S unit are the Rohloff, Shimano's Alfine Sport and the SRAM DualDrive, all wide range.

Either Helkama have arranged for their high power level to be 1.5 times instead of 1.3 times on their Panasonic equipped models, or they've made a mistake on their website information. I think the latter is more likely.
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C

Cyclezee

Guest
I think you are probably right Flecc. This would make it a more expensive and heavier equivalent of the Agattu from a supplier with no track record.

J:) hn
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,559
30,848
I think you are probably right Flecc. This would make it a more expensive and heavier equivalent of the Agattu from a supplier with no track record.

J:) hn
I believe Finland is a very expensive place, and current exchange rates would make that worse, so probably not the best place for us to source a Panasonic equipped bike. If they match the superb quality of Sparta and Gazelle it could be worth it, though the difference is relatively small.
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