A big box containing my Kalkhoff Proconnect S arrived earlier in the week but due to work commitments I've not been able to get out on it, however, today was a lovely bright November day so I took the opportunity. I bought the bike from 50Cycles in their end of year sale, its a 2010 model.
I won't go into every detail as the Panasonic and Proconnect has been reviewed many times before, I will though give my impressions of the bike.
First up, build, as expected is first class, the bike feels 'quality' and there are no rattles but I have to get a rant out of the way.....
I've really no complaints about the spec. BUT, and I hope this is really going to be fixed on the 2011 models... for a £2600 bike (original price) the pedals are absolutely shocking. Really, I mean they are the same or similar to the ones as received on my Alien GSII, a bike that cost me £600 delivered. The supplied pedals are too small and my feet slip of them easily especially when wet, the bearings are 'rough' and they ruin the ride. 50Cycles / Kalkoff take note, its not good enough!
Also, I'll get these out of the way as well, the front mudguard has no mud flap on it, meaning all the muck from the front wheel splatters all over the motor and bottom bracket, a small thing but it would cost peanuts to simply use a front guard with a mud flap to save the mess!
Other small points, there’s no water bottle, OK I can live with that and the control unit seems to only record in Kmh with no way (that I can tell) to switch to MPH.
Everything else though is positive.
Assembly was straight forward, far less to do than when the Alien GSII arrived. All I had to do was charge the battery, fit the pedals, adjust the seat and handle bars and it was ready.
On the road the first impression is just how easy the bike is to ride without assistance, a real joy compared to hub powered bikes, the reduction in drag over hub powered bikes is very very noticeable. The frame feels taught and yet there’s a certain amount of 'give' over bumps that cushions the rider. The front forks are excellent; they almost feel like rigid forks the feed back is very good with a firm yet cushioned feel to them over rough roads. Handling is superb IMHO, there's no feeling of vagueness and the bike responds immediately to changes in direction. I'm sure the front forks and frame geometry are the key things here but also the lower all up weight, at just under 21KG, along with the low centre of gravity must also have an effect.
All the controls work with a silky smoothness, the gears change promptly with positive clicks of the gear selector and the hydraulic V brakes are something else! No squealing, with strong and immediate braking that’s very progressive in feel, excellent!
The Panasonic system is superb, I'm a convert, its been a while since I rode one over any distance and I'd forgotten how natural and 'normal bike' like it is to ride. Driving through the gears means I can dictate the speed I want to ride at and not be dictated to by single or triple speed hub powered bikes. The system is very quiet and unobtrusive but a little unforgiving if you get in the wrong gear or power mode when you hit a hill, some forward planning is needed. Backing off the pedal pressure slightly makes the gear changes smoother if you get caught out. You can feel the power pulse of the Panasonic drive as you cycle, its a little off putting but you get used to it quickly.
The control console is very easy to read but the buttons are a little difficult to operate with gloves on. The saddle seems to work well, I need to adjust it slightly back but no soreness today over a 19mile ride.
OK time for some Pics:
Out of the box waiting for assembly.
Ready to ride.
Console: (trip computer, speed, battery charge, instantaneous power usage)
I won't go into every detail as the Panasonic and Proconnect has been reviewed many times before, I will though give my impressions of the bike.
First up, build, as expected is first class, the bike feels 'quality' and there are no rattles but I have to get a rant out of the way.....
I've really no complaints about the spec. BUT, and I hope this is really going to be fixed on the 2011 models... for a £2600 bike (original price) the pedals are absolutely shocking. Really, I mean they are the same or similar to the ones as received on my Alien GSII, a bike that cost me £600 delivered. The supplied pedals are too small and my feet slip of them easily especially when wet, the bearings are 'rough' and they ruin the ride. 50Cycles / Kalkoff take note, its not good enough!
Also, I'll get these out of the way as well, the front mudguard has no mud flap on it, meaning all the muck from the front wheel splatters all over the motor and bottom bracket, a small thing but it would cost peanuts to simply use a front guard with a mud flap to save the mess!
Other small points, there’s no water bottle, OK I can live with that and the control unit seems to only record in Kmh with no way (that I can tell) to switch to MPH.
Everything else though is positive.
Assembly was straight forward, far less to do than when the Alien GSII arrived. All I had to do was charge the battery, fit the pedals, adjust the seat and handle bars and it was ready.
On the road the first impression is just how easy the bike is to ride without assistance, a real joy compared to hub powered bikes, the reduction in drag over hub powered bikes is very very noticeable. The frame feels taught and yet there’s a certain amount of 'give' over bumps that cushions the rider. The front forks are excellent; they almost feel like rigid forks the feed back is very good with a firm yet cushioned feel to them over rough roads. Handling is superb IMHO, there's no feeling of vagueness and the bike responds immediately to changes in direction. I'm sure the front forks and frame geometry are the key things here but also the lower all up weight, at just under 21KG, along with the low centre of gravity must also have an effect.
All the controls work with a silky smoothness, the gears change promptly with positive clicks of the gear selector and the hydraulic V brakes are something else! No squealing, with strong and immediate braking that’s very progressive in feel, excellent!
The Panasonic system is superb, I'm a convert, its been a while since I rode one over any distance and I'd forgotten how natural and 'normal bike' like it is to ride. Driving through the gears means I can dictate the speed I want to ride at and not be dictated to by single or triple speed hub powered bikes. The system is very quiet and unobtrusive but a little unforgiving if you get in the wrong gear or power mode when you hit a hill, some forward planning is needed. Backing off the pedal pressure slightly makes the gear changes smoother if you get caught out. You can feel the power pulse of the Panasonic drive as you cycle, its a little off putting but you get used to it quickly.
The control console is very easy to read but the buttons are a little difficult to operate with gloves on. The saddle seems to work well, I need to adjust it slightly back but no soreness today over a 19mile ride.
OK time for some Pics:
Out of the box waiting for assembly.
Ready to ride.
Console: (trip computer, speed, battery charge, instantaneous power usage)
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