nomlad

2 years on and still really happy with the bikes, used them a lot for commuting and pleasure - just got around to ordering the new gear sprockets from 50cycles (12 tooth motor, 19 tooth rear hub) for my bike, not fitted yet though. I like the look of the new X24 and X27 which use the rear hub motor - anyone got one of those?

Hi, I'm an expat living in Zurich, Switzerland, and after some research I decided to by a Kalkhoff pedelc bike for my wife. The model I chose was the PRO CONNECT C 8 Nexus step through (a 2011 model I believe). I bought this just over the border in Germany (as with most things the bike was cheaper in Germany and the shop actually had the model I wanted in stock). When I was there buying the bike I saw a PRO CONNECT 8G Alfine standard 'men's' frame (2010 model I think) and bought it as well on impulse. Since buying the bikes I have read up on the panasonic drive (thanks flecc!) and I am really interested in how they work, especially on some of the relatively steep hills I have to negotiate around the Zurich area. I'm already thinking of some modifications to raise the start of the power cutoff and give me a higher gear ratio as I find the 8th gear not really high enough. So far I'm reasonably happy with the purchase - although there is one piont in my commute where I would love to be able to just get full power and not pedal for about 50 m of a particularly steep hill - maybe my riding technique is not correct but it really feels as though the drive is letting me down at that point. I'm really interested in any comments / questions on my bike choice.