I haven't bought the bike yet! But uprated speed (off road of course) sounds fun, and the S11 version of this bike adds another £800. I did ask Badass a while back, but I don't think they had tested it because it's a quite a new bike. If I buy the bike (maybe order at the NEC show this week) I guess I'll have to take a risk on whether a dongle works or not.
One other question: do you think there is literally NO difference between the S11 and S8 versions of the Integrale other than one is limited (which a dongle will fix) and the other is not? The specs are on this page:
http://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en/bikes/e-bike/e-performance.html
Thanks.
The S11 is a speed pedelec and has Shimano's 11 speed hub gear.
The 8 - there is no 'S' - is an ordinary pedelec and has Shimano's eight speed hub gear.
You will note the S bike also has a mounting for a rear number plate.
You are correct that a dongle will remove the speed limit.
Kalkhoff quote the S bike as having a 350w motor, and the ordinary bike as having a 250w motor.
However, the thinking is they are the same motor.
People who have ridden Kalkhoff's other S pedelecs - also quoted as 350w - say the only difference is the motor doesn't cut out at 15mph.
It may be, as John Cade says, the controller does give a few more amps in the 350w version.
Whatever, the ordinary Evo will be plenty for your needs.
The eight speed hub, curiously, is a benefit, because it appears to be stronger and more reliable than the 11.
John's point about the cut off is also a good one, assuming the Integrale behaves the same way.
The extra 2-3mph might not sound a lot, but it takes a bit of getting on a bicycle, so will make quite a difference compared to a bike that cuts out at 15.5mph dead.