Route 45 passes under Devizes road in a very deep cutting. The trees have now met at their tops which makes it quite dark. And of course, the camera made light of what is actually a very dingey place, nice and cool though. With a slight down-slope on the track-bed down to Mannington, the Panasonic was switched off. Two natural springs running either side add to the permanent dampness of the track-bed here, not a place for semi-slicks. The Sahel was supplied with Schwalbe 26" x 2" Big Apple suspension tyres. From personal experience I knew these would be a bit too slick for the type of riding I do. Trail riding, which shouldn't be confused with more extreme sports, requires a tyre which will be sure-footed on wet compacted soil or chalk, but roll quietly and easily on tarmac. When I first started this kind of riding my preferred tyres were Specialized Crossroads Armadillos. An excellent tyre with a broad hemispherical tread pattern, but giving a harsh clattery ride on Tarmac as many Kevlar belted tyres do. What made me change to a different brand was the inconsistency in the quality of their construction. The Sahel is now fitted with my new preference, 26" x 2" Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour, a very comfortable free-rolling tyre, with a good grippy tread to ensure the shiny-side stays up in slippery conditions. They are also slightly less expensive than the American tyres. The original Presta valved tubes were also changed for Schrader versions. Presta valves are fine for road bikes, but a bit too frail for trail riding.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5011984672_4632d8a833_b.jpg

 

Where an industrial estate was built on the original railway route, R45 plunges down a steep and stony chute ( the camera has flattened it, as usual ).

Braking hard for the sharp bend at the bottom, Sahel sent a few vicious thuds up through the handlebars, time to make myself 'light'.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5011382099_fdce2e2895_b.jpg

 

Down on the flat, Sahel makes good speed on the smooth track, with no other sounds than the tyres padding along the limestone, and a subdued 'swish' 'swish' 'swish' as the Panasonic adds a little power to each pedal stroke. Bionics at work!.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5011985088_730a9c1faa_b.jpg

 

The extended tea-break at Coate meant I was running late, I had to be home by 3pm, but I had time to visit another of my favourite places in Swindon. Previously accessible only on foot or two wheels, a quiet and peaceful place.

 

to be continued.......................

Great read and pictures Blew it.

 

I often ride in similar terrain and find the Panasonic drive to be excellent.

 

I even switch it off occasionally when climbing a hill just to remind myself how good it is.

 

I'm sure your going to love this bike.

Superb ride ! Thanks for sharing. Dan

Part four

 

Unfortunately, this place has now been opened up as a local amenity, with two car parks at the end of a short road off Thamesdown Drive. The erection of a new fence with permanently locked gates means I will have to use a local cut-through, Also known as NCN Route 45. It starts off with smooth Tarmac, courtesy of the civil engineers responsible for Thamesdown Drive, but only as far as the old railway bridge where it turns into a narrow stony track.

 

Good ol' Sustrans. (don't get me started)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5011988052_5890451228_b.jpg

 

This little track joins another Tarmac path at the bottom of this steep slope, yep, the camera flattened it again.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5011386187_b83c107ba1_b.jpg

 

And once again, when braking hard at the bottom, a few violent thumps up through the forks to remind me of the rigid front end. Whilst on the subject of brakes.

 

Serious stopping power. Shimano BR-M575 dual piston hydraulic brakes.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5011987524_fed5a5f63a_b.jpg

 

Be assured, if you really want to suffer the indignity of doing an end-over, the 575's will quite happily provide the wherewithall to do so!.

 

At last we arrive at Mouldon hill, just one of many very pretty lakes in Swindon, and as usual, it's deserted except for yours truly and the resident wildlife.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5011385953_599cfa36c4_b.jpg

 

When I first rode this machine, I experimented a bit with the low assist and found it was enough in many instances. For some strange reason, on this ride I forgot all about it and left it in medium 1:1 assist and promptly dropped into leisure riding mode, although I did switch it off altogether coming down from Old Town. I blame this entirely on the Panasonics 'switch-it-on-and-forget-it' attribute.

 

The lightest press on a pedal is rewarded with instant assistance. Likewise, if the pedal pressure is removed, even half way down the stroke, the assistance stops immediately, the three freewheels disengage and the machine just coasts along without any drag from the drive-train. The Panasonic center-drive is a remarkably efficient system.

 

To be continued.................

Great routes and superb photos Blew it, especially that beautiful lake. Living in a very dry area with no lakes, very few ponds and one tiny river, I'm envious.

 

And yes, the Panasonic system efficiency on the newer units is as good as it gets.

.

I getting a stickybackplastic feeling....I am sure you can still get it in black. Strip it off if you need to and the warranty remains intact.

 

Mmmm...handy for covering up details on 300 watt sport model as well:eek:

Part five

 

About the Alfine 8 speed hub:

 

Some riders have found up-shifts slower than down-shifts. I believe this is more to do with the shifter rather than the hub. When trying a Raleigh Dover, which uses a twist-shifter, I found both up and down shifts required only a brief pause in pedalling. Sahel uses the Rapidfire shifter, which is quite different in use. Up-shifts are by the rear thumb lever, which has quite a long travel before indexing. ( Is this being interpreted as the hub being slow on up-shifts? ). Down-shifts are effected by a quick press with the forefinger on the front lever, the hub's return spring snapping it back smartly. And of course, it's arse-about-face to the SIS thumb-shifter sometimes used with derailleurs. I'll have to confess to a quarter back-turn on the pedals, as I did in my youth riding Sturmey-Archer geared hubs, a pointless exercise on the Panasonic, the chain doesn't move when back-pedalling!.

 

19.4 miles, one light on the handlebars, two on the battery and 20 minutes to get back home and clean up ready for the next task of the day.http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5011385791_010391cbaa_b.jpg

 

With 21.2 miles on the clock when I reached home, still with two lights on the battery, it would have been a good opportunity to do a full conditioning discharge, but due to the extended tea-break at Coate, this will have to be done at a later date.

 

The BMZ 18 ah battery will be fitted as soon as it becomes available. For an ultra-long ride, The 2.4 kg standard battery would be barely noticeable strapped on the rear carrier. With 28 ah onboard, I would probably fall asleep on the saddle before running out of battery power.

 

Day two to follow.......................................

Edited September 28, 201015 yr by Blew it

Day two.

 

Clambering up to Shaw Community Forest raised a few chuckles. (well it's no good crying when things go wrong is it!)

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5011986162_b674eedc33_b.jpg

 

I reckoned Sahel would climb this short slope in 4th gear, high assist, but, as soon as I lifted my backside off the saddle, the wheel spun on the loose surface with each pedal stroke , bringing everything to a halt. Rolling back down to the start, I selected 3rd gear and tried again, this time remaining on the saddle to keep some weight on the back wheel. This time Sahel made it to the top with just a little occasional slippage, it may only be 26 volts , but there's a huge amount of climbing power available at the back wheel when needed.

 

Hub motor v center-drive

 

Hub-motored machines effectively have a single-speed electric motor. Typically, depending on it's internal gearing, useful assistance starts at around 6 mph with the 'sweet-spot' around 13 mph, once beyond this road speed the assistance diminishes quite quickly. The beauty of drive-through-the-chain systems such as Panasonic and others, is the motor has the same number of speeds as the road-gearing through which it provides assistance. In the case of Sahel with it's 8 speed hub, providing the correct ratio is selected, the motor is always, or very close too, the maximum assist available irrespective of road speed. I may have given the impression that a lot of thought is needed when riding Panasonic powered bikes, well there isn't, just switch it on and forget it. It will quite happily carry out it's task leaving you to enjoy the ride. When the 18 ah battery becomes available, you'll be able to leave it in high assist and enjoy a right old lazy ride.

 

There hasn't always been a forest here, the methane vent-pipe will give a clue to it's past usage.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5011382447_3caa193c9d_b.jpg

For many years this was Swindons main land-fill site. It has now been capped with a three metre thick layer of clay and one metre of top-soil. Deep-rooting trees cannot be planted here, if their roots penetrate the cap into the toxic gunge below, their lives will be very short indeed. In front of a fine stand of healthy shallow rooting trees, the regularly mown but never used football pitch, why?, because none of the junior football teams that desperately need pitches can afford the £21,000 up-front payment demanded by the local Council. Such a shame!.

 

Rear end comfort is assured by an SR- Suntour short-link parallelogram seat-post, topped off with the excellent Selle Royal Respiro saddle.

 

Air goes in at the front..................

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5011382559_9a2f4df99e_b.jpg

 

.....and exhausts up between the lobes, good news for one who eats a lot of fruit, if you see what I mean!.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5011382735_c34a121eca_b.jpg

 

To be continued............................................

 

.....and exhausts up between the lobes, good news for one who eats a lot of fruit, if you see what I mean!.

 

To be continued............................................

 

 

Can't wait to hear what comes next LOL

Perhaps it should read. ".........an excellent saddle for tedious fruit-eating wind-bags"

Bob, changing the cog to increase speed, does this make much difference when it come to hill Climbing?

 

2011 bikes higher spec, probably overkill for me, but a hell of a lot more expensive, one of these may make more sense:confused:

 

We ever so umbly, follow in your wind so to speak:D

Not really Edd, the lowest gear I have had to use ( so far ) was 3rd, as you will see at the end of the thread. You may also recall I did not change the motor cog to an 11T, mainly because I didn't want to degrade the hill-climbing ability. To be honest, I was quite happy with the motor assisting to 17 mph, but, the cadence was a little too fast for comfort. It was for that reason that I upped the road gearing by fitting a 16T to the Alfine hub, but there was a downside to doing that.

 

As supplied, the assist had almost completely tapered off at 17 mph. This would be the road speed to aim at for the longest range per charge, as the motor would be pulling but a few amps at that speed. The problem was, I couldn't maintain the high cadence for any length of time. You may think the problem was solved by fitting the 16T to the hub, but it wasn't.

 

The Panasonic now stops assisting at 19mph, but the cadence at that speed is once again too fast, so I still can't pedal fast enough to keep the road-speed at the point of minimum amps draw. And anyway, it wouldn't be appropriate to go hareing along shared routes at that speed, or for that matter, on loose surfaced rural trails. As I mentioned, the cadence is quite comfortable now at 15 mph, but, the motor is still assisting strongly and therefore still pulling quite a few amps. I think I might be able to offset this by using the low assist setting.

 

The last thing I want to do is give anybody the impression the Panasonic is a complicated machine to ride, It isn't, just switch it on and forget it, in fact it requires less thought than a hub-motored machine.

 

Here's how I think you would find the Sahel:

 

If you fitted a 16T to the alfine hub, you would have a machine which performed almost exactly as your original 905se, without pressing any green buttons. Providing you fitted the 18 ah battery when available, the range per charge would also be comparable.

 

The next two parts of the thread are mostly enviro 'fluff', but the final instalment will provide more insight into the abilities of Sahel. Remember, my dear old Mum had to wait 9 months for me..................

 

Regards

Bob

Day two continued

 

The remaining landfill site on the East side of R45 has now been capped ready for planting. It will then be fenced off for three years to allow the trees to establish. Following this, foot and cycle paths will be laid the same as the West side on which I'm standing.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5011985958_fd887a1373_b.jpg

 

So, where do you source 16,500 cubic metres of clay with which to cap an old tip?. How about a small hill.

 

In the beginning, there was a hill, now there's a hole, and another lake already starting to fill.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5011987908_56f48cd1b9_b.jpg

 

We had to share R45 for a few weeks.

 

Dumptrucks to the left, bikes to the right. Once the barriers are down, R45 will be fully reinstated.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5011987390_a43785f00a_b.jpg

 

The bed of the new lake is the top layer of impermeable Oxford blue clay, eighty feet below that, the rock-head. This is also why the landfill site is here. Deep layers of clay effectively prevent the toxic leachate from the tip entering the water table. The constant seepage from the tips is collected in a large under-ground sump. then pumped up to the highest of 14 reed filter-beds.

 

Sahel resting by reed-bed one, by the time the leachate reaches the last bed, it will be clean enough to enter the River Ray at the bottom.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5018889376_26018dacc7_b.jpg

 

Time to mount-up and head for Lydiard Park.

 

To be continued...................

Day two continued.......

 

The Kalkhoff Sahel Pro disc is listed as 'The athletic one' but it's equaly at home on smooth Tarmac.............

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5011383553_1da1068057_b.jpg

 

............Woodland trails.......

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5011383759_b64854d0c1_b.jpg

 

.......or muddy tracks, but with Marathon Plus Tours or similar fitted.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5011986814_8c434fa33b_b.jpg

 

More to follow.........................

Lydiard Park

 

Stump-jumping...............anyone?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5011987248_c083866863_b.jpg

 

Perhaps a bit of down-hill!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5011384191_16a2d0092a_b.jpg

 

The assessment wouldn't be complete without testing the legendary climbing abilities of the Panasonic center-drive. The next day, I headed up to Blunsdon on the North side of Swindon.

 

To be continued...........................

Blunsdon hill. 12% where Sahel stands, 24% at the steepest point. continuing over the horizon at 18%. ( All figures approximate )

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5014810270_bc6acbf756_b.jpg

 

It should also be noted, this not the bottom of the hill. Due to a bend in the path, this was the lowest point where a clear view of the hill could be photographed.

 

Since the bye-pass was constructed, this is now a dead-end ** providing access to a few houses. It was originally a dual carriageway, the South-bound of which is now a segregated cycle path, with the North-bound reverting to two-way traffic. I should explain, it's hills like this that give me a problem, not so much the steepness but the length. I have greatly reduced circulation in my left lower leg which means, even though I can power a bike up a short steep slope the same as anybody else, on longer hills such as this, the lactic acid builds up in my left calf muscle, ultimately finishing up with cramps that bring everything to a stand-still.

 

** Correction: Apparently, the new cycle/bridalway goes underneath the new bypass at the very bottom. I did wonder why so much money had been spent for the benefit of a few houses and horse riders. I'm thinking it may link into an on-road part of the NCN routes.

 

Flicking Sahel into high assist, I started the assault in 6th gear. I had to drop three more gears when reaching the steepest section. Downward shifts are very quick, requiring only a brief pause on the pedals. I finally crested the summit in 6th gear, seriously out of puff, but no complaints from my dodgy leg. Even at the steepest part, the road speed never fell below 9 mph. Had I been riding one of my hub-motored bikes, I would have been off-it and walking long before reaching the summit.

 

I fully realise that some of you younger riders would have pounded up this hill with very little effort, but that doesn't dampen the satisfaction of my own performance, now in my 68th year, it's hardly likely to get any better. After popping into the electric bike shop in the area to scrounge a cup of tea, I returned to the hill to get a photo from the top. Due to the bend in the path, I had to ride about 200 metres down the hill to get a decent photo.

 

Once again, the camera has 'flattened' the hill, but note the angle of the gutter-line of the cottage on the right

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5014202533_e0c0d9da91_b.jpg

 

I am absolutely delighted with the Kalkhoff Sahel Pro Disc. With the Panasonic center-drive providing the assistance, it really is a match made in heaven. ( Germany even )

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5019557267_9d65d75756_b.jpg

 

Many thanks to 50cycles of Loughborough for a quick and easy transaction. SAHEL

 

A question I'm often ask: "Which of your machines is your favourite?". You may be surprised to learn the answer remains unchanged, none of them!. All of the machines fulfil the same basic function, they convey this ageing body to places where my legs or car could not. The bikes are in fact high-speed two-wheeled invalid carriages. It makes no difference if I ride one of my entry-level bikes, a mid-range or high-end machine such as Sahel. They all do it reliably and dependably, but of course differently. All of the machines have their individual quirks and bad habits, it's just a case of remembering the riding technique for whichever machine I choose for a ride. Oh!, one last thing, Sahel has one very bad habit, it constantly entices me to go pootling around the countyside when I should be attending to domestic chores.

 

All the best

Bob

Edited September 30, 201015 yr by Blew it

Great stuff Bob!

 

when I got back on the wisper after trying the swiss flyer I expected to be disappointed, not a bit of it, they are a great bike for the money, the Flyer is 4-5k + so that kinda put it in perspective.

 

Ideally I want a crank and hub drive bike for next year..Trying to convince the wife to give up her step though (she only uses it on holiday more or less anyway:()

Cheers Ed,

 

If you change your coachbuilt for a high-top, have a good look at the Thule tow-bar bike carriers, a bit expensive but brilliantly engineered. I've had a bit of hands-on experience with them, they really are excellent carriers.

Good write up Bob, I enjoyed reading that. Like Eddieo I'm also looking at a crank drive for early next year, leaning towards an E-motion at the moment but I'll sure checkout Sahel.

Cheers Ed,

 

If you change your coachbuilt for a high-top, have a good look at the Thule tow-bar bike carriers, a bit expensive but brilliantly engineered. I've had a bit of hands-on experience with them, they really are excellent carriers.

 

Downsizing to a panel van conversion from a coach built over cab, so no choice then bikes on back:( Although for days and weekends, the bed tilts up and there is a garage there for a few bikes, on holiday this space will be full of stuff.

 

While I like the Thule range I am kinda looking at the Altera racks? they look good as well and they slide before tilting giving half a chance of some access to back of van.....but will look at Thule as well (the cheaper ones dont have the payload)

 

Atera STRADA DL 2 to 3 bike carrier (UK lights) no. AR2602

Good write up Bob, I enjoyed reading that. Like Eddieo I'm also looking at a crank drive for early next year, leaning towards an E-motion at the moment but I'll sure checkout Sahel.

 

Thanks NRG,

 

I'll let you into a secret.

 

After climbing Blunsdon hill, I popped into the E-bike shop for a cuppa. While they were brewing up, I went for quick spin on a £2.5K hub-motored bike, talk about chalk and cheese. After riding Sahel for four days the difference was immediately noticeable. Crude power delivery, harsh ride even though it had front suspension, nowhere near as nice to ride. ( Don't ask, wild horses will not drag the answer from me).

 

The machines from Kalkhoff have an undeniable quality about them, and in the Sahel there is clearly a bit of metallurgical magic at work in the frame, it's amazing how a machine without front suspension can ride so comfortably.

 

All the best

Bob

My thanks to all who have left comments on the thread, very much appreciated.

 

Happy E-biking to all

Bob

Great story and beautiful pictures.

The Sahel looks great and a Panasonic system is perfect.

Love to see the pictures of the area you live in.

My country is unfortunatly to crowded and flat.

Keep up posting your rides

Hi Bob From another Bob, albeit 1 year your junior,

I have enter the world of e bikes on a cheap entry level chinese import,If I get as much fun out of it as you seem to get out of your bikes,I will be well pleased,

 

I have read all your posts with great interest, you seem to have good varied terrain to ride on, and your photos look great, it made a great read,

 

I will be trying something similar myself in a couple of weeks, a ride around the local nature trails and country parks,

but first I have to get the ok from Doctor, After my heart attack in May,

 

anyway as said nice read mate

 

Ride safe

Rob

 

I will be trying something similar myself in a couple of weeks, a ride around the local nature trails and country parks,

but first I have to get the ok from Doctor, After my heart attack in May,

 

 

Glad you enjoyed the thread Bob, looking forward to your contributions to the forum, hopefully with plenty of pics, after all, one picture says a thousand words.

 

When joining this forum, I quickly became aware that my postings were being viewed by a far wider audience than I first realised, which is why I use a hosting site for the photographs. It means that visitors to this site do not have to be registered to enjoy the photo's, there's nothing more annoying than being unable to see other peoples photos on forums where I am not registered.

 

Your decision to return to cycling after a worrying health problem is a well trodden path. There will be days when you simply don't feel up to it, as I sometimes do. Such days are spent pottering in the garden or, if it's raining, polishing the living daylights out of one of the bikes in a nice warm kitchen ( It's closer to the tea-pot ).

 

Have fun with your bike Bob

't'other Bob

Edited October 1, 201015 yr by Blew it