On the one hand, electric bikes are very practical and put much less strain on your body in certain conditions, for example against a headwind. Kalkhoff does not just build pedelecs for elderly people. This sporty and yet relaxing method of cycling is becoming fashionable among young cyclists as well. So that you can see for yourself what riding an e-bike is like, we invite you to Test Kalkhoff pedelecs.

Front and centre motors work in much the same way. More on How it works here. However, cyclists who definitely want a back-pedal brake prefer a front motor. You can only use a back-pedal hub with a front motor. On the other hand, a centre motor is positioned in the middle of the bike and does not affect the bike's handling as much. Moreover, a centre motor responds more precisely.

The motors used in Kalkhoff electric bikes are supplied by one of the leading manufacturers in this sector. The high-performance technology of these brushless motors makes them very responsive, so the time it takes the motor to react at the end of the pedalling movement is minimal, i.e. hardly noticeable. The same applies when you start up.

The range of a pedelec battery is difficult to calculate. With a car we assume the difference between minimum and maximum consumption is a ratio of approx. 1:2. With a pedelec, maximum consumption can be eight times greater than minimum consumption. Expressed in pedelec terms, this means: with a 12 Ah battery and a 250 watt motor, it is quite possible to ride much further than 100 km (approx. 62 miles) under ideal conditions. However, under adverse conditions this type of battery can easily become flat after 25 to 30 km (approx. 15.5 to 18.5 miles). The actual battery range depends on various factors:

1. Handling The crucial factor affecting a pedelec's power consumption is the handling, that is, the power the rider applies to the pedals. If you pedal unevenly, you create energy peaks which cause a considerable drain on the battery.
2. Topography Riding a pedelec in the hills costs more energy than riding on the flat. The same is true of a strong headwind. To maintain your speed, you need to expend more energy and supply more power.
3. Power assist mode Your pedelec has three different power-assist modes. The more you let yourself be assisted, the more power you need and the higher the consumption.
4. Condition of the battery. The battery loses capacity over time. Please see Instructions for use for information on the life of your battery.
5. Outdoor temperature Parking your e-bike in a cold garage can cause the battery capacity to reduce by as much as 20%. It is better to store the battery at indoor temperature. Then even if you are riding your e-bike at minus temperatures, the battery will generate its own heat in order to achieve the optimum temperature for the cells.
6. Technical condition of the bike Make sure the tyre pressure is correct. If the tyre pressure is too low, the rolling resistance can increase dramatically. This applies to smooth surfaces in particular, e. g. tarmac. If the ground is uneven, as on a country path or gravel track, rather low tyre pressure can lead to less rolling resistance. Unfortunately, the risk of a puncture also increases. Please consult your specialist dealer about this. In addition, if the brakes do not disengage completely even when not in use, the range decreases.
7. Total weight of the bike When calculating the range, Kalkhoff assumes the rider weighs 70 kg (11 st.). If the total weight (= bike weight + rider weight + load) increases, the range decreases. 10 kg (1 st. 8 lb) extra weight increases consumption by up to 10 %. Consequently, every 10 kg of extra weight reduces the range by 10%.

(The information below refers to batteries for Panasonic and Impulse systems)

Before the first ride / after a long period of use

Make sure that the battery is fully charged before you ride your bike for the first time or after a long period of use.

New batteries

If the battery is new, you should run it all the way down to empty for the first three charging cycles. This allows the battery to reach its maximum capacity.

Normal operation

If you continuously run the battery to empty during normal operation, this reduces its service life. Accordingly, if you partially recharge the battery frequently during normal operation, this has a favourable effect on its service life. You should therefore partially recharge the battery whenever possible: Try not to run the battery all the way down to empty and recharge it even after a short period of operation.

Ideally you should charge the battery at a temperature of between +10°C and +30°C. It takes longer to charge the battery at low temperatures and the battery will not charge up at temperatures higher than +30°C. It is recommended to charge the battery inside a house or in a warm garage when the outside temperature is low. In this case, you should only fit the battery onto your bike just before using it.

Storage

If you do not need your battery for a while, remove the battery from the Pedelec, store it in a dry room and do not expose it to direct sunlight. Do not expose the battery to too high humidity levels and do not place/use it in direct contact with other metallic objects.

The battery should ideally be stored with a charge of 75% at a constant temperature of +10°C.

You should transfer the battery from sleep mode and recharge it after 6 months at the latest. This will prevent total discharging which can damage the battery.

Transport

If you are transporting your Pedelec by car, take the battery out of its holder and transport it separately.

Kalkhoff bikes are made at our production facilities in Cloppenburg, Lower Saxony. Read about how our bicycles are constructed. For more information about the history of the Kalkhoff company, see History.

Kalkhoff presents the latest models in a catalogue. You can get a copy from your Kalkhoff dealer or download one under Download here.

Kalkhoff is part of the Derby Cycle Werke GmbH, the largest cycle manufacturer in Germany and the third-largest in Europe. The company headquarters and production facilities are in Cloppenburg, Lower Saxony.

The right bike size depends above all on the size of the frame. This in turn depends on the length of the seat tube, as measured from the middle of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube. To work out the right frame height for you, you need to know your inside leg measurement, i.e. the length of your legs from floor to crotch. If you want to avoid the bother of trying to measure yourself at home, you had best let your specialist dealer advise and measure you. This will help you work out your sizes and adjust your bike perfectly.

You can find detailed information about the components of the individual models, geometry data and other versions of the models under View models. Choose "Specifications" under "View models".

The basic difference between derailleur gears and hub gears is in the number of speeds available. Derailleur gears have from 24 to 30 gear ratios. In contrast, hub gears have only three to eleven speeds. An exception is Rohloff hub gears, which have 14 speeds. A decisive advantage of hub gears is that they need minimal maintenance. Derailleur gears take much more looking after. So that we can supply everyone with the perfect bike for them, most Kalkhoff bikes are available with a choice of derailleur gears or hub gears.

The step-through refers to the height of the bicycle (more precisely, of the frame) at the point where you have to swing your leg over the bike to get on. Kalkhoff differentiates between a high, medium and low step-through. On bikes with a high step-through, the rider has to swing his/her leg over the saddle when getting on. The other step-throughs allow you to get on more comfortably through the middle of the frame.
High step-through: bikes with diamond or Y frames; high degree of stiffness and dynamic look, for sporty cyclists
Medium step-through: bikes with ladies' or touring sport frames; combine high stiffness and a lower step-through and are therefore more comfortable to get on.
Low step-through: bikes with connect, comfort or "wave" frames; particularly comfortable to get on and off due to the extremely low height of the frame at the centre. Find more information on the frames Kalkhoff uses here.

Basically, three different types of brakes are used on Kalkhoff bikes. Hydraulic disc brakes, hydraulic rim brakes and so-called V-brakes. Hydraulic brakes are not operated by a brake cable (as with V-brakes), but by oil flowing in a hose from the brake lever to the brake itself. Pulling the brake lever increases the pressure in the hose and actuates the brake. This process enables the brake to respond much more sensitively. Moreover, hydraulic brakes give better stopping power than traditional brakes, and there is less wear (especially with rim brakes). Disc brakes are even more powerful than rim brakes. V-brakes are the cheaper and lower-maintenance alternative. All three brake types will stop you safely every time.

You only talk about to gear ratios and sprocket sizes with derailleur gears. With this gear system the size of chainring at the front and sprocket at the back determines the pedal resistance. The size is always stated as the number of teeth because this determines the circumference of the chainring/rear sprocket. Basically, you should always select a gear that enables you to pedal comfortably; it is best to avoid staying in too high a gear for a long time. It is not possible to lay down hard and fast rules about an exact number of teeth, and anyway this does not apply to Kalkhoff bikes because of their wide gearing range which allows everyone to find "their" gear.

Kalkhoff bikes use seven different frame designs. The following list summarises the meaning of the frame abbreviations and the special features of the frame designs:
HE: Diamond frame; stands for extreme stiffness and timeless elegance.

DT: Ladies' frame; sporty design for women and elderly cyclists who want a solid yet at the same time lightweight bike.

DC: Connect frame; elegant, sporty design with curved top tube for a comfortable step-through

WA: Wave frame; made from a single tube, combining stiffness and comfort.

TI:  Comfort frame; relaxed riding position and extra-low step-through for greater comfort

Y:  Y-frame; exceptionally rigid and strong, especially popular with young cyclists

DA: Touring and sports frame; aluminium frame, traditional look, comfortable to get on

Just type your postcode into our Dealer Search and all the Kalkhoff dealers near you will be displayed just a few moments later.

Kalkhoff bikes are only sold by specialist dealers.  Your local dealer will be able to give you comprehensive advice and valuable tips on your Kalkhoff bike.