PerpetualMotion

Hi folks, My Kalkhoff Pro-Connect is fitted with magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes. All functioning well, but I need to take off the wheels to switch the tyres to studded winter tyres. With my old bikes and regular mechanical brakes I am used to unclipping the wire to open out the blocks and remove the wheel without having to deflate. How to do this with the HS33 mechanism? I cannot find any documentation outlining simple basic maintenance with these brakes. There is a small metal lever which says "close" and "open" by the brake block housing. That seems to release the block on that side. I am afraid to do too much without guidance otherwise I am liable to end up with a pile of screws, lugs, springs, things, pivots, rivots and probably brake fluid all over the floor... Thanks for any help!

Frame Size of 906 Alpino It was mentioned that those with an inside leg measurement of more than 32 inches may need a longer seat post for this bike. What is the actual frame size? I have done some internet surfing and checking different sites, but I cannot get a definitive frame size measurement. Thanks in advance, Mike

I like to think of myself as a sensible older person Mike

So that A2B featured on the Gadget Show was illegally ridden by Jason? FiveFWD - Episode 4 - Urban Challenge by The Gadget Show's Dionne South Or was his model different? Hmmm!

Ok, here is an "interesting" issue with the law, now that it has been brought up. Have a look at, for example, this A2B bike. It is described as having an "off road" mode, which is obviously illegal for use on UK roads. It is a switch that can be activated and if it is not activated the bike is operating legally. The Pro Connect S does not have an "off road" switch per se, but it does have the option of no power assist. It is light enough to cycle faily easily around without power assist. Being a fairly fit cyclist, and used to cycling around with a 13 kg child on the back seat mounted behind me, I was able to attain my regular cycling speeds of over 20 mph on straights and gentle slopes without any power assist, and get it up to over 30 mph on a couple of nice gentle descents for an extended period. So, my line of thinking continues thus: Why is the Pro Connect S illegal to cycle on a regular road without power assist, while the A2B with its off road facility is not? After all, both contain the potential of generating illegal power assist at higher speeds, but these are activated at the discretion of the cyclist. Surely then, in a "test" case, if a cyclist was hauled over under suspicion of operating the bike illegally, the law could be shown either to be inconsistent, or, if a prosecution for illegal cycling of these bikes in "off road" states where to be successful, it would have to be proven that the cyclist was using that assist at the time of being caught. Since I am unaware of the cycle computers/micro processors carrying any "data recorder" indicating power settings at particular times, it would be a difficult thing to prove. Interesting theoretical musings... Mike

Cycle Computer on Pro Connect S Does anyone know if there are instructions for the cycle computer that is fitted to the Kalkhoff Pro Select S (2010 model)? Is it possible to set the current time, or find out the trip time? Regards, Mike

Thanks for the good wishes and sentiments ... I was only test riding it! I wonder how the Wisper 906 Alpino will compare - after feeling the power and continued assist to higher speeds of the Connect S, will anything else be able to match up to it? Mike

The first e-bike I have ever got my hands on and tried... Weeeeeeeeee! I have read about the 'pedelec' panasonic system needing getting used to by people who are users of other systems. I took to this one immediately: it felt so natural to get the boost as a function of the work I was putting in. And boy, didn't she just take off! And she looks as good "in the flesh" as in the promotional pictures. Quiet, sleek and beautifully engineered. The integral light system with illuminated 'dash'. <drool>. Mike

Golden Motors at Ampedbikes.com When I was doing some research about the different conversion kits available I came across this site which seems to use Golden Motor supplies. The guy running this outfit seems determined to create good quality conversion kits by sourcing parts from different manufacturers in China that meet his specifications and requirements. Mike

I was looking at the possibility of converting my existing bike using the alienocean kit or similar. However, I have read around that you should not mount front wheels with motors if the forks are made of cast aluminium. The way to check if the fork is aluminium is by simply using a magnet - if it does not stick then it's aluminium. My bike "failed" this test - the magnet did not stick. The fork I have is branded as an NRX 6500 and the specification can be found here: http://www.srsuntour-cycling.com/SID=side878fef6e37963a2719bcbf63e422/index.php?screen=sh.detail&tnid=105 I cannot find any information about the composition of the fork so would like to confirm if the fork is compatible with a motor. I would value other's opinions on if this fork would be safe to use with an electric motor. Thanks in advance. Mike