Throttle on a Kalkhoff - any chance?

[allen-uk]

Might make you experts fall about, but I wondered whether it was possible to get a throttle on a Kalkhoff. I know the drive system is different, retaining the rider's control over the gears+assistance, but can't see why a throttle would be out of the question.

Reason for the question: I'm on the edge of choosing either a Wisper or a Kalkhoff, and while I know the intrinsic difference in build quality between China and Germany (!), that absent throttle is bothering me.


Allen.

 

[HarryB]

On some Kalkoffs/Swiss flyers etc you can fit a throttle that will take you up to about 6kph (walking pace). However apart from that they are not designed to be throttle controlled bikes and you would find you lost some benefits anyway like the good range (the 10Ah 26v battery would flatten pretty quickly if full use was made of a throttle). You are probably best to look at the Wisper range of bikes - something like the Alpino does most of the things the Kalkoffs does and with throttle.

 

[allen-uk]

Thanks, HarryB, that is useful.

Just found the link on 50cycles:
50cycles electric bikes - Panasonic Electric Bike Throttle Kit - Turn your Kalkhoff into an ebike

which is just as you said. Thumb-operated throttle (none of your Manly twist-grips) which rolls it from rest to a fast walking pace, which suits my personal circumstances.

Opens up the options again, now giving me the choice between Wisper and a Kalkhoff+throttle. (Not for Agattu F range for some reason).


Allen.

 

[flecc]

which is just as you said. Thumb-operated throttle (none of your Manly twist-grips) which rolls it from rest to a fast walking pace, which suits my personal circumstances.

Opens up the options again, now giving me the choice between Wisper and a Kalkhoff+throttle. (Not for Agattu F range for some reason).


Allen.

The Agattu F is a front wheel hub motor bike using very different and simpler electronics for which the throttle is unsuitable.

Be aware that the walk alongside throttle is very low powered, it only assists the walk and on steeper slopes or with loads on the bike, some have complained it's not powerful enough for them.

The reason for the low power is that the pedalling force input that controls the power level is not in use when walking alongside.
.

 

[allen-uk]

Thanks flecc, hadn't realised that.

As you might have gathered by now, my need for the throttle (if any) is to assist me to get from zero to moving on an incline, after which I let my legs take over. (I tried a Wisper during the week, so I now know the sort of help I COULD get from that one).

Allen.

 

[flecc]

Thanks flecc, hadn't realised that.

As you might have gathered by now, my need for the throttle (if any) is to assist me to get from zero to moving on an incline, after which I let my legs take over. (I tried a Wisper during the week, so I now know the sort of help I COULD get from that one).

Allen.

The Panasonic system definitely doesn't need a throttle for that. Give a thrust on a pedal at a standstill and you get a surge of maximum power shooting you off the mark. Some have even said it could be dangerous, such is the initial take-off, including uphill.

However, I can understand you wanting a throttle to continue the power for a full pedal rotation back to the same leg, and the walk alongside throttle wouldn't help with that.

As ever, try both types, Panasonic powered and independent throttle hub motor before deciding, but I suspect the independent throttle type could be best for you.
.

 

[lemmy]

The Panasonic system definitely doesn't need a throttle for that. Give a thrust on a pedal at a standstill and you get a surge of maximum power shooting you off the mark.

I'll second that. I start in 3rd or 4th gear of my Shimano 8 speed hub gear. If you start in 1st or 2nd on the flay the bike darts forward a little too snappily for my taste.

On the other hand, on a steep - and I mean steep- hill, starting in first gets you going with seemingly zero effort. In the first half rotation/ push of the crank the bike pick up enough momentum for the other pedal to rise up ready for its power stroke quite seamlessly.

As Flecc says, full power is there at 3 or 4 mph. You can't balance much below that.

As I said, starting in 3rd, I find the first surge of power takes me 3 or 4 metres ahead of any car at the lights which I find a good safety aid.

 

[Old Timer]

Allen

I`ve only ever ridden hub bikes and after reading about the Kalkoff and alike I can see the attraction for sure and people who have them seem to swear by them.

As you know I have got two hub motors on my powertrek at present( both have there own throttles with just the pedelec working on the original powertrek hub) after my attack and all I can say (apart from the fact I`m not on full power myself at present) I couldn`t see a time when a decent throttle wouldn`t make my cycling more enjoyable. Obviously as the lads say the best is to thoroughly try both systems but the trouble with me is that I need more than a run around the block to make my mind up. There are a couple of dodgy junctions around where I live that can be awkward in a decent car let alone a bike and IMHO that is where a decent throttleful of power is very satisfying. So much so that I`m deciding at present whether to keep the powertrek as is with two hubs and fitting another kit to the Evans and have the best of both worlds.

My Powertrek has 20amp of 36V available for distance, two 36V hubs for hill climbing and of course both batteries available to the pedelec (via patch lead) for gentle flat riding. I ride mainly way out in the sticks on more or less empty roads but it might be more of a problem around a city where eagle eyes are around.
With both throttles open I see around 20mph on the flat( mainly down to the Alien hub which has always given me a few more MPH) with a few more mph when pedalling and not much drop off when the hills come along

 

[allen-uk]

I'm having a go on a Kalkhoff on Sunday, and hopefully there'll be a nice sharp slope in the vicinity to try the technique on pedalec only.


A