The Kalkhoff Pro Connect S10 resembles the S27 in that it uses a Panasonic drive system with E-Performance. Includes an air suspension fork with lockout, fenders, lights, ergonomic grips and efficient 700C sized wheels. It’s a capable city bike, urban commuter or touring bike given the rear rack design and efficient mid-drive system with pedal assist that extends range. The big difference is in the number of gears offered. With the S10 you get a standard Shimano XT 10 speed cassette and with the S27 you get a combined 9 speed cassette and 3 speed geared hub. The other difference I noticed was with the handle bar design, the S10 is a bit more aggressive and flat. The bikes are priced similarly and perform like champs given the low center of gravity.
Note that I was unable to film a test ride on this ebike for the video review due to poor lighting conditions (it was night time) but I did try several other Kalkhoff models and was impressed by their smooth responsive characteristics. This speed-pedelec version uses a larger motor and can achieve speeds in excess of 25 miles per hour which is great for long distance riding. Note that in the image at the top of this review you can see a license plate mounting point hanging off the rear end of the rack. This is required in some states for high speed electric bikes.
The motor system is made by Panasonic. It’s geared and mounted at the bottom bracket which keeps weight low and central to the frame. With 350 watts of power and both torque and cadence sensors at work, this thing is capable, fast and smooth. When it senses your cranks in motion going forward it kicks in and pulls the chain. By doing this, it is able to leverage the same cassette you do as a rider and that’s what helps it climb more efficiently and reach incredible distances on one charge. Note that you’ll have to select your gears thoughtfully in order to truly maximize range but for normal riding this should happen naturally.
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 reduces the overall weight of the bike during 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 for light weight and longevity of charging cycles. It offers 36 volts of power and 14 amp hours of capacity which is on the large side and that’s what helps it to reach 55+ miles per charge.
The control system on this bike is easy to reach and intuitive to use. Mounted on the left handlebar, it has rubberized buttons that allow you to select different pedal assist levels and explore the speed, range and precise battery capacity remaining. It’s pretty basic, using a monochrome screen, but better than a simple LED indicator. I really like the included bell that sort of hangs below the computer console. This, along with the lights adds a bit of safety when riding and the lights can be operated through the display console.
In conclusion, the Pro Connect S10 is a high end commuter style electric bike made in Germany. While it’s somewhat difficult to find in the USA, to me it represents the next generation of efficient and fast electric bikes that are equipped for real life transportation. Given that it was raining during my visit to San Francisco (where I tested these bikes) I appreciated the fenders. It’s nice to have everything working together on a bike like this but for the price, one may consider how much it costs to add their own fenders and lights to an existing bike.
Pros:
- Verso III Magnesium suspension fork smoothes out the bumps and includes lockout to reduce bob on smooth sections
- Front and rear lights are powered by the main battery pack for easy use and less waste with disposable batteries
- Torque and cadence sensing pedal assist improves range by requiring rider input for activation
- light weight Lithium-ion battery pack mounted centrally on bike keeping weight low and centered
- Excellent accessories including front and rear fenders by SKS, integrated LED lights, adjustable stem, ergonomic grips, chain guard, standard gauge rear rack, built in pump and kickstand
- Solid two year warranty, bike is made by Kalkhoff which is part of Derby Cycle Werke, one of the largest German ebike manufacturers with a solid reputation
- Keyed battery pack locks to frame and is removable for improved convenience when charging, built in handle for lifting
- Larger 350 watt motor is a capable climber and provides higher speeds (up to 28mph) due to speed pedelec design
- Includes water bottle cage mounting points on downtube
Cons:
- Offers torque sensing pedal assist mode only, no twist or trigger throttle (does include a walk mode throttle)
- Bolt-on style rack require proper assembly and maintenance to avoid rattling loose over time vs. welded but the Kalkhoff hardware seems very high quality
- Very limited availability in the USA, harder to test ride, service and honor warranty as a result
- This bike has basically everything you need (including the attached mini-pump) but it costs quite a bit
Resources:
- Official Site: http://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en/home.html
- More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/Uf86QGbjqL3Wp4oJA
paul says
I would point out that because of the length you will not find many buses that will take this on the front bike rack.