Koga Miyata Tesla

[redalpha3]

Took delivery today of a new "Dutch Tourer" style Koga. It is very early days and I'm sure that I'll learn all about its quirks over the next few weeks but early impressions are very good. Last two bikes were a Heinzmann and a Sprint 7 so the Koga is a very different beast. A pure pedelec, similar to the Sparta Ion, I'm told. Definitely feels less powerful than both of those. Going into the city today I found myself perspiring more than is usual. Electro assistance seems much less obvious. However, the cycle itself is a pure joy. Very well designed and high quality components. A little disappointed but not surprised by the low power. Looking forward to breaking it in. I'll write a review when I have a bit more experience with it. Only done 19k so far. All very enjoyable.

One good thing....I didn't have to wait for it to be delivered. Virtually next day.

 

[flecc]

Congratulations Pete.

Bikes like the Sparta and Koga with that direct drive motor have very endearing qualities, running smoothly and silently like Rolls Royces. As you say, not much power as they are meant for the low countries, but it will do much more for your fitness than any hub-motor bike will. I'll look forward to your further experiences and a review.
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[simonbarnett]

Me too as it was on my original shortlist, especially for quality and hidden batteries- but expensive and the killer was the need to bring it indoors to charge if cold.

 

[redalpha3]

the killer was the need to bring it indoors to charge if cold.

According to the blurb it would have to be below minus 10 C before that was necessary. I have found what I consider a major flaw however, in that you need to return it to a dealer to have a rear tyre fitted as recalibration of the control unit is required after rear wheel removal.
Also (discovered somewhat alarmingly during testing) the front brake lever is on the left! Haven't seen that in a while.

 

[flecc]

Can you swap the brakes over though Pete.

I knew of the various circumstances in which dealers are needed to reset the electronics, but is it possible for the dealer to inform you of how to do that, or does it need special equipment?
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[redalpha3]

A straightforward lever swap looks unrealistic as the lever housings have gear indicator switches that would be difficult to read upside down (though it might be worth a try). The levers themselves are very well designed.
As far as recalibration goes, I have a suspicion that I should be able to do it, if talked through it. Kinetics suggested it was possible. I assume that no specialist gear is required but that is an assumption.

I got the impression that the steering geometry was a little different to the norm too. It reminded me of the old Hercules I rode as a kid. In my case, the 'sit up and beg' aspect is a positive advantage as I ceased folding in the middle some years ago.

I was very pleased with the dampening effects of the front forks. Not sure which company makes them but they certainly helped in the pothole wars!

 

[flecc]

I got the impression that the steering geometry was a little different to the norm too. It reminded me of the old Hercules I rode as a kid.

It's good to see this, too many of today's bikes and e-bikes have very steep head angles and don't want to self-steer in straight lines. One of mine has a front wheel that learnt what to do from a supermarket trolley wheel.
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[redalpha3]

I was going to ask about the charging method. It is advised that when not in use the bike should be connected to the mains. Does this have a detrimental effect over a long term? I can see the advantage of a constantly topped up battery.

 

[flecc]

It's an unusual instruction for NiMh batteries Pete, and normally I'd advise against it since trickle charging can damage the cells even at quite low levels.

However, the Sparta setup, also on the Miyata, is one of the most sophisticated e-bike electronic managements, if not the most, so I'm happy to go along with that since as you say, a full battery is best for performance and range.

In fact it may not completely fill the battery to 100%, being so sophisticated. As Jeremy has described, the Toyata Prius hybrid car also uses NiMh cells, and they are only charged to around 85% I think he said, and not entirely discharged either. That allows the battery to be guaranteed for 8 years. It's quite likely that your system goes part way towards that ideal since the battery is quite a large one and the system very protective.
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[redalpha3]

Thanks flecc. I really don't understand all the ins and outs of battery maintenance. The NiMh batteries were one of the plus points for me. I was a little disillusioned with the Li-Ions after my experiences with the Sprint.

 

[flecc]

Yes, NiMh are certainly a safe bet. Ironically the management on your bike is so good that it would ideally suit getting the best from Li-ions, though they probably wouldn't last as long.
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