Kalkhoff Connect B9

The future has arrived – Electric Bikes, Ebikes, Pedelecs, all the same thing, but get used to hearing about them, cause everyone will be talkin' about them. I spent a year researching the subject and finally went to the shop which had the largest range to test and finally make up my mind. I finally settled on the Kalkhoff Concept B9, but I'll get to that in a bit. I… Read more

went in with a preconceived idea, which wasn't good. You need to find a bike that fits you, that's very important.

I test rode 4 bikes, and almost immediately knew which was making the cut and which weren't, thus allowing me to eliminate others as they were offered to me. The range is vast.

There are many things to consider, mid motor (crank) or rear hub motor, going to take it off road, or simply commute? Does it fit me? Most important!

I finally decided on the crank motor as it give a lower weight distribution. Bosch makes the engines, which fit into over 30 different Ebike brands. The Ebike revolution is coming, better start doing your homework.

I thought I was going to spent about $2500, and briefly considered a second hand option, ($750-$1500) but dismissed this quickly. Within a blink I was testing bikes at $2999, the next level started at $3400, I said to the sales guy, 3k was my ceiling.

Of the four bikes, one in particular stood out, another ride, longer this time, and in busy city traffic, and my mind was set. I had my hand on my wallet about to seal the deal, when I was told it did not come with lights, mudguards or pannier racks, and that will be an additional $250-$350.

Better sleep on it. I decided to research the next level bike up the range, which was the Kalkhoff Concept B9, not an European Step through, and doesn't have a male bar, but a bit of each.

The company started building Ebikes in 1919, hmmm, there's a clue, but I'll let the reader use the provided link above for the back story. German precision.

I searched and googled review after review and could not find a bad word about these bikes, not just the model I was looking at, but any Kalkhoff bikes. Hmmm another clue.

I returned to the bike shop and test rode the Concept B9. WOW, firstly it fit like it was meant to be.

9 gears on the rear hub, 4 power setting available via the on board computer, wow. Lights, mud guards, and rack included. I'm not one for buying a brand and adding after market gear onto the purchase.

Upright sitting position, there goes the cricked neck, fits like a glove.

Took it for a second much longer test ride, about 8 kilometers, wow.

Bought it.

In the three weeks I've had it I've clocked up nearly 300 kilometers, and to be honest, really haven't been out as much as I could.

The Bosch Performance Line motor is fantastic. Turbo mode is unbelievable, on a very long grinding hill I use, I was travelling at 18.6 kilometers by just turning the pedals. Guess what, going up through the gears, in six, I'm doing no work, go to 7, nope better go to 8, just so it looks like I'm putting some effort in. It is the best thing I've ever bought. Puncture resistant tyres, reflector rims on the tyre's, think whitewalls. Built in pump on the frame, just in case. Front and rear disc brakes. Lights, front and rear are like beacons. I could go on and on, really the list is endless. Use the link provided for the complete technical data.

Enough from me, its a beautiful day, I'm going for a ride, just because I can.

As everyone from Marvin Gaye through to Jimmy Barnes, with The Supremes, and Tina Turners in between says, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", that's what I'm singing cruising up the hills.