The Kalkhoff Agattue Premium Impulse 8 is a top of the line city style electric bike that would be excellent for long commutes thanks to its enormous battery pack and efficient mid-drive design. It leverages the Impulse II drive system that is smoother, quieter and smarter than the original Impulse used on earlier models. While the motor only offers 250 watts of power, it leverages the eight speed geared hub for improved climbing and speed of up to 20mph. It senses pedal torque and cadence and is smart enough to cut power when shifting gears. everything on this bike is top of the line including ergonomic grips, suspension fork and suspension seat post. The fenders look amazing and connect with the rear rack that comes with a mini-pump built right in. While it’s currently difficult to find this bike in the USA and take it for test rides, rumor has it that Kalkhoff is going to be entering the US market in 2015.
The motor on this bike offers 250 watts of power which is the upper limit for European electric bikes. It’s relatively quiet and surprisingly powerful thanks to the mid-drive configuration. It senses pedal cadence and tork and also lets up when you shift gears as shown in the video review. I like that it keeps weight extremely low on the bike and appreciate the amazing efficiency of this system paired with the eight speed Nexus internally geared hub in the rear. There are three levels of assist and if you only use the first one and ride on moderately flat terrain it’s efficient enough to reach 100+ miles!
The battery pack is also mounted low and center and locks directly to the frame for security. It is removable which makes charging easier (especially if you commute to work and top off the charge there) and if you do take it off you’ll also reduce the overall weight of the bike making it easier to transport. This is especially handy if you’re lifting the bike onto a car rack or putting it onto a bus. The pack uses Panasonic cells with Lithium-ion chemistry designed to be light weight and long lasting. The overall capacity is 612 watt hours and it’s a 36 volt system. Rather than running the front and rear light off the battery pack, they rely on a separate capacitor which is powered from the front dynamo hub. It’s a wonderful solution that ensures the bike will be safe to ride at night even if your main battery runs out.
The LCD display panel on this bike shows speed, distance traveled and battery capacity and is mounted right at the center of the handle bars. It’s small and unassuming, staying out of the way, but is not removable. Operating the bike through this console is easy thanks to a rubberized control pad mounted near the left grip. You can reach the plus and minus arrows here to change assist levels when riding without releasing your hand which is great for safety. while the bike does not offer throttle mode (aside from a slow walk mode), the pedal assist feature is smooth and immediate thanks to torque activation. The ergonomic grips are nice, the brake levers are large and easy to use and I like the unique bell that’s also attached at the left side. A grip shifter is located near the right grip and provides access to eight speeds in the internally geared Nexus hub.
The Agattu Premium Impulse 8 follows in the footsteps of other Kalkhoff ebikes, delivering quality and performance. It’s not the most affordable bike out there but it’s built to perform like a car. If you care about safety, efficiency and comfort this is an excellent choice. The wide range of frame sizes are great and I love that they come in low-step as well as diamond configuration for a sort of his and her aesthetic. The only downside with this ebike is a slightly weaker motor and limited availability in the US at the time of this review. I’ve seen these bikes sold in San Francisco at the New Wheel and New York at Long Island Electric Bikes which are both premium shops. Considering the varied terrain and wet conditions of those locations it’s easy to see why they like this electric bike.
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Glenn Grayson
10 years agoAt 5:28 in the video review, you said it is a 350-watt motor. Everywhere else on this page, you say 250-watt.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoYep, made a mistake quoting the specs in the video. It feels relatively powerful given the 250 watt size and this bike has been unlocked to reach 20mph in the US vs. 15 in Europe so I got a little confused. Great catch ;)
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHi Dan, great questions… I think Optibike has done an excellent job with the City and really delivered something comparable to this Kalkhoff. The parts are similar but Kalkhoff probably has the edge with their accessories, especially the display and mid-mounted battery vs. rear. For me 20mph is plenty on an urban bike (especially with a less stiff step-thru frame) and the shift sensing feature is nice because there were times on the Pioneer City when I tried to shift but the force of me pedaling + the motor kept it from happening. I think I’d be happy with either bike and unfortunately have a hard time differentiating between the motor power levels (partially because I’m light at ~135 pounds and partially because my rides are limited to moderate terrain). Kalkhoff will be entering the US more in 2015 and beyond but is still hard to find at shops (just the New Wheel in SF and Long Island Electric Bikes in New York) which makes it similar to Optibike in terms of test rides and support. I like that you can just call Jim Turner and get straight answers from Optibike.
ReplyBike_on
10 years agoCourt,
You recently reviewed a very similiar mid drive, the Optibike City. This bike seems to have a bit higher quality parts and 2x the battery for 800-900 more?
I’m curious if the 500W Opti City gives a noticeable difference in feel than this Kalkoff, in your opinion? Beside the auto shifting, which is easier or more desireable to ride? Is the 20mph limit a drawback vs the City 24mph, or is it fast enough?
Reply