Name: Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 HS Review
Item: Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 HS
Author: Court Rye

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Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 HS Review

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Electric Bike Review 1

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 250 Watt Impulse 2 0 Motor

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Lithium Ion Battery Pack

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Adjustable Bars Lcd Display Panel

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Adjustable Led Headlight Shimano Dynamo

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Built In Cafe Lock

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Comfort Saddle Seat Post Shock

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Integrated Pump

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Led Tail Light And Fender

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Rear Carry Rack

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Remote Button Pad And Bell

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Shimano Nexus Eight Speed

Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 Step Thru Ebike

A long-range capable comfort electric bike available in wave (step-thru) or diamant (high-step) style and four frame sizes
Efficient mid-drive Impulse 2.0 motor system, center-mounted Lithium-ion battery pack, dynamo powered lights, full length fenders, integrated rack with pannier blockers and mini-pump, suspension fork and seat post
Internally geared hub stays clean and keeps the chain tight, shift detection keeps shifting smooth, excellent two year warranty

Make:

Kalkhoff

Model:

Agattu Impulse 8 HS

Price:

$3,599 USD

Body Position:

Upright, Upright Relaxed

Suggested Use:

Urban, Commuting, Touring

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2015

Total Weight:

58 lbs (26.3 kg)

Battery Weight:

6.5 lbs (2.94 kg)

Motor Weight:

8.4 lbs (3.81 kg)

Frame Material:

Impulse V2 Alloy

Frame Sizes:

18.1 in (45.97 cm)19.7 in (50.03 cm)21.7 in (55.11 cm)23.6 in (59.94 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Small Wave (26" Wheel, 460 mm Seat Tube), Medium Wave (28" Wheel, 500 mm Seat Tube), Large Wave (28" Wheel, 550 mm Seat Tube), XL Wave (28" Wheel, 600 mm Seat Tube), Medium Diamant (28" Wheel, 500 mm Seat Tube), Large Diamant (28" Wheel, 550 mm Seat Tube)

Frame Types:

Step-Thru, High-Step

Frame Colors:

Diamond Black

Frame Fork Details:

Suntour CR-8V Suspension

Attachment Points:

Bottle Cage Bosses, Fender Bosses, Rear Rack Bosses

Gearing Details:

8 Speed 1x8 Shimano Nexus Internally Geared Hub

Shifter Details:

Revo Twist Grip

Cranks:

Kalkhoff Impulse Alloy

Pedals:

Aluminum Alloy Platform with Rubber Tread

Stem:

Concept SL, Adjustable Angle

Handlebar:

City Cruiser

Brake Details:

Magura HS11 Hydraulic Rim Brakes, Magura HS11 Levers

Grips:

Ergon, Rubber Ergonomic

Saddle:

Selle Bassano Feel GT

Seat Post:

Post Moderne Glide, Suspension Shock

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

27.2 mm

Rims:

Rodi Freeway

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Marathon, 700 x 38c

Wheel Sizes:

26 in (66.04cm)28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

Reflective Sidewall Stripe

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve with Presta Valve Adapter

Accessories:

Integrated Cafe Lock (C Lock) on Rear Wheel, Mini Pump, Full Length Plastic Fenders, Tour 3-Leg Rear Carry Rack, Adjustable Length Kickstand, Large Bell on Left Bar, Concept EX Pro 80 Lux LED Headlight with Daytime Running Light, B&M Toplight Flat Plus Backlight with Parking Light

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack

Motor Brand:

Impulse 2.0

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

250 watts

Motor Torque:

70 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Impulse 2.0

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

17 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

612 wh (Optional 396 wh, 522 wh)

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6 hours

Estimated Min Range:

55 miles (89 km)

Estimated Max Range:

125 miles (201 km)

Display Type:

Fixed, Monochrome Compact Backlit LCD with Adjustable Angle by Impulse

Readouts:

Speed, Battery Status, Trip Distance, Odometer, Drive Mode (Eco, Sport, Power), Walk Assist (Hold the + Button)

Display Accessories:

Backlit Independent Button Pad Near Left Grip

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Wheel Speed, Cadence and Pedal Torque)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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The Agattu Impulse 8 HS is a comfortable and very capable urban style electric bike. It delivers excellent range, comfort and utility with integrated fenders, a basic suspension fork, seat post shock, dynamo powered lights and a standard sized carry rack that comes with an integrated mini-pump. This is the most popular model that Kalkhoff sells in Europe it’s not difficult to see why. Given the four step-thru frame sizes, it’s easy to mount and handle for just about anyone. The smallest of these “wave” frames actually comes with smaller 26″ wheels that bring the frame closer to the ground. All other sizes (including two high-step “diamant” frames) come with more standard and efficient 700c wheels (that’s 28″). With shift sensing technology that cuts the motor momentarily as you adjust pedal speed, powerful hydraulic rim brakes and a two year warranty, this is the kind of electric bike that could be a reliable commuter or touring ebike.

The motor driving the Agattu 8 HS is a 250 watt mid-drive Impulse 2.0 offering 70 Newton meters of torque. While there’s no true throttle mode (just a slow walk mode) the bike is fun and responsive in one of three pedal assist settings. I didn’t struggle at all to climb with this bike even in higher gears (I tested it a bit off-road and climbing a large paved hill in the video review above). The motor control system measures rear wheel speed, pedal cadence and pedal torque to activate and power the bike. It’s responsive and smooth though not as instantaneous as the Bosch system. It is perhaps quieter however and the shift sensing technology felt a bit smoother. I especially like the chain guard surrounding the front sprocket and the smaller profile of the Impulse 8 motor which nearly disappears at the bottom bracket. Both rider and motor benefit from he Shimano Nexus eight speed internally geared hub at the rear. It’s clean and elegant, though perhaps heavier than a traditional cassette (this ebike weighs about 58 pounds total depending on the frame size). Because it doesn’t require a traditional derailleur the chain is kept short, tight and secure. The one complaint I do have about this drive system is that neither wheel on this bike offers quick release. The miniature pump could help to extend your range slightly if you got a slow leak but you’d need actual tools to swap tubes.

The battery powering the Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse 8 HS offers an impressive 36 volts of power and 17 amp hours of capacity. That’s enough for over 100 miles of range on the lowest level of assist thanks to the efficient center drive motor. This and other Kalkhoff “Impulse 2.0” battery packs are some of the best I’ve seen in terms of design because ithey out of your way, keep weight low and centered on the frame, are protected by the frame in case of tips, have a sturdy locking core for security, an integrated LED battery level indicator and they can be charged on or off the bike. They basically have everything you could want and use premium Lithium-ion cells that are known for being reliable and light weight. If you used the bike to commute to work you could easily bring the battery inside for safer storage even if you weren’t topping it off. The integrated handle is comfortable and sturdy, helping to reduce the potential for drops which could damage the plastic casing. To maximize the life of the pack, I recommend storing it a cool dry place while keeping the charge level between 20% and 80% at all times. Even though the battery casing itself is rectangular and not fully integrated into the tubing of the frame, I think it blends in more than some of the bottle-shaped batteries on other electric bikes I’ve tried. The dark gray/black paint is a nice touch that blends in with the sparkly black frame. Mounting the battery is very easy thanks to a pivot system that helps to line up pins (it mounts from the side) and the rear fender protects the electronics well from water and mud. There’s no extra controller box and all of the wires are run through the frame tubing. I love that this battery design allows for bottle cages on the seat tube and downtube of the “diamant” high-step frame but wish they would have included them on the “wave” low-step as well.

Activating and adjusting the drive systems on the Agattu Impulse Eight HS is very intuitive, probably one of the simplest I’ve seen while still delivering advanced drive modes. Once the battery is charged and mounted you just press the power button on the input pad which is mounted very close to the left grip. I love that both the LCD display and button pad are backlit… The LCD panel is not removable but it is small, sturdy and adjustable in terms of angle (to help reduce glare). As it powers up, the display says “Hello” and then quickly switches to show your speed, battery level (with 10 increments), drive mode (Eco, Sport, Power) and a trip/odometer. You can easily change between mph and kilometers by holding the select button and you can reset the trip meter by holding the minus button. I found myself riding in Power mode for the tests and noticed that this bike requires a bit more torque to activate the motor which means you get more of a workout than some other ebikes. I imagine that helps to extend range and possibly contributes to the quieter operation of the motor. There is also a walk mode which can be activated by holding the plus button for a few seconds, this can be useful if you’re heading up a hill pushing the bike instead of riding it. If you want to change from miles to kilometers just hold the set button for a few seconds and it should switch.

With a two year warranty and support from one of Europe’s largest conglomerates, Pon Holdings (owner of Derby Cycle, Gazelle and Cervelo), the Agattu 8 HS is a pricy but truly capable machine. I was very impressed with the abundant ergonomic features because my back and neck tend to get sore and stiff on longer rides. With the adjustable stem on this bike I was able to go from a more active upright position to a relaxed almost cruiser style position. There are lighter weight bikes out there but few with this level of utility and full accessory lineup. Even the bell is designed to be easy and intuitive to use. I did notice that while stopped and using the brakes, if I pushed down on the pedals (for stability) the motor would sometimes activate based on its torque sensor. The good news is, the Magura HS11 hydraulic rim brakes are very powerful and easy to use so it’s not a huge issue. The way everything is so tightly integrated on this bike (wires, rear LED light, fenders and kickstand) makes it feel tough and sleek. The bike is balanced, easy to maneuver and professional looking. It would perform well in most urban environments and hold its own out on the open road.

Pros:

The high-step “diamont” version of the Agattu Impulse 8 HS offers two mounting points for adding bottle cages (one on the seat tube and one on the downtube)
The Selle Bassano Feel GT saddle is larger and more plush than other Kalkhoff electric bikes I’ve tested, it still feels good to pedal with and shouldn’t chaff thighs
Premium Ergon ergonomic grips, basic suspension fork and seat post shock make this bike easier to ride for long distances or touring
Excellent battery design… low and center on the frame, locking but key is not required to be left in when riding, convenient charge port with cover, sturdy handle for easier carrying, built in LED power level indicator
Internally geared eight speed Shimano Nexus hub stays cleaner and requires less maintenance than a traditionally derailleur and cassette, it does weigh a bit more but it also keeps the chain shorter which avoids clanking and chips on the chain stay or dropped chains
Great all-weather features including full length fenders (that protect you, the rack and the battery) as well as a chain guard to keep your right pant leg clean
Professionally run cables go through the frame which reduces snags, the bike comes in four sizes and includes an adjustable angle stem for really dialing in fit and going more upright or relaxed upright
Extremely responsive drive system measures rear wheel speed, pedal cadence and pedal torque for quick motor activation and cutoff
Proprietary shift detection system works with cassettes or geared hubs and functioned very well during my ride test, no mashing or banging
Good weight distribution with motor and battery mounted near-center on the frame, the battery stays out of the way for easy stand-over
Light weight charger only weighs 1.5 lbs and runs cool and quiet, will easily fit into a bag for extending trips – charging at the office etc.
Dynamo hub powered LED lights function whether the battery is charged or not and the lights are well mounted and sturdy, reflective tire sidewall stripes and standard plastic reflectors enhance the bike’s visual footprint
Hydraulic rim brakes offer excellent stopping power and are easy to activate smoothly without much effort
LCD display panel is backlit and swivels to reduce glare, it feels solid and is small enough to stay out of the way but the readouts are clear and well executed, rubberized button pad is also backlit and easy to reach without taking left hand off the grip
Rear rack uses standard gauge tubing which will work with the widest range of panniers including many clip-on systems, it connects to the fender for reduced rattling, includes a nice spring latch for small light weight items and includes an integrated mini-pump

Cons:

The step-thru “wave” frame style does not include any bottle cage mounting points but the high-step “diamont” has two, it would be nice if they both had these
The smaller 250 watt motor is capable and efficient but requires more rider input than some other electric bikes with larger motors, I noticed that I got a better workout with this bike
Magura HS11 Brake levers do not offer motor cutoff, I’ve noticed that while stopped it is possible to accidentally activate the motor by pushing the pedals for stability
Neither the front or rear wheel offer quick release, the mini-pump could allow you to deal with slow-leaks but you’ll need tools to do real service while out and about

Resources:

Official Site: http://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en/bikes/2015/e-bike/e-activity/agattu-impulse-8r-hs-8-g.html
More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/3c81Z1Ug96JV2anR8

January 29, 2024 (10 months ago)

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Katherine

8 years ago

I purchased a Kalkhoff Agattu 7 floor women’s size small bike online last year from Propel Bikes in Brooklyn, NY. I found Propel Bikes went out of their way to The reasons I purchased this bike are these:

I am a 67 year old female. 5’5″ tall. I thought I would need a women’s medium bike since that is the size of clothing I wear, but the people at Propel thought the size small would be a better fit for me, and they were right!
I live in a hilly east coast city.
I wanted a pedelec, but I did not care about speed. I just wanted a bike to get around town to the library, the grocery store, the fish market, the art museum and receive an assist on the steepest hills.
I didn’t think I wanted a cruiser bike because the the ones I tried were tough to pedal up hills. Their geometry seemed wrong for me. Although it is considered a cruiser, which makes it comfortable to ride on flat roads, I find the Kalkhoff Agattu does not feel like I’m trying to ride a couch up a hill the way other cruisers did. I don’t know why.
I feel so much safer since now I am able to keep up with the cars instead of dangerously wobbling around on the steepest hills while feeling as if I will have a heart attack from exertion.
I wanted a step through purpose built bike. I have never had a woman’s bike before, but I find the step through is easier to remount at a light when on a steep hill.

I have found the Kalkhoff Agattu to be a wonderful machine. I absolutely love it. I think it is the perfect mode of transportation for people like me: semi-fit, a little overweight, and over 65 years. I can now sail up the hills that required me to push a bike before. The best part is that I no longer have to confine myself to riding on the flattest street in town which has the most traffic together with mobs of absent-minded pedestrians and drivers. I can now stay on the more hilly streets which have a lot less traffic and fewer walkers. Being able to ride on the steeper streets has made my trips around town a lot safer and a great deal more fun. Although I obey all the traffic laws, riding my bike is much faster than riding a car in my town, and I never have to worry about finding a parking spot in the crowded downtown since I can chain it up to any street light or phone pole.

Although it weighs 52 pounds, when I am not using the assist modes, it is easier to ride than my old, non e-bike which was about 4 pounds lighter. The Kalkhoff Agattu is just a nicely designed bike.

One interesting thing is this: When I first received the bike, 5th gear would slip annoyingly. I took the bike into my local bike shop and they adjusted the gears, but the problem continued. When I took the bike into the shop again, the technician thought he might have to take the rear hub apart. I could tell he didn’t want to tackle this complicated part, and his lack of confidence was worrisome to me. He called Shimano before he took it apart. The rep from that company asked how old the bike was, decided to warranty the part, and then shipped him an entire replacement hub. The gears work beautifully now.

I recommend my Kalkhoff Agattu bike and Propel Bikes to everyone I know.

Court Rye

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful testimonial, Katherine! I hope the bike continues to work well for you :)

Ken

4 years ago

I have a Kalkhoff 2017 include i8 Wave with Impulse Evo motor and Derby Cycle battery 360V/250W 603Wh, 16.75 Ah. I have looking for a replacement battery for over a year without success. Can anyone offer any help. Thanks, Ken

Court

Aww, that’s tough Ken! I think that the Pon Group / Derby Cycle has pulled Kalkhoff and Focus out of North America. They still sell Gazelle here, so perhaps you could find a Gazelle dealer to speak with. You might also be able to get some help from a battery repacking company like FTH Power in Southern California. here’s a video interview I did with them a while back.