Electric Bike Action

SPECS

MSRP: $5899

Motor: Impulse Evo 350W

Battery: Impulse Evo RS, Li-Ion 36V,

17 Ah

Battery life: 1000 cycles

Charge time: 8 hours

Top Speed: 28 mph

Range: 50 mile

Drive: Shimano Alfine 11-speed,
Gates Carbon Drive Belt
Brakes: Magura MT5 Speed hydrau-
lic disc brakes
Controls: Impulse Evo Smart with
on-board navigation
Fork: RST Pulse Air, Magnesium,
Frame: Impulse Evo RS V1,
Aluminum
Sizes: S ( 48), M ( 50), L ( 55), XL ( 60)
Color: Matte diamond black

www.kalkhoff-bikes.com

a lot of coasting, using about 3 percent of the battery by the time we arrived at the beach. That’s not a typo— 3 percent—which meant there would be a lot more used on the way back.

The S11 features a Shimano Alfine internal 11-speed rear hub that shifts quickly and easily with programmable delays to make shifting speeds customizable too. Power drop at shift is almost unnoticeable, something beginners and experienced riders will appreciate; if they notice it at all, it’s so seamless.

After a great fish taco lunch at
Beach House Tacos, we rode along
the beach a bit, then headed back.

We wanted to make it back in time to see the Pink Moment, a momentary atmospheric effect created when the last vestiges of sunset light hit the top of the Topatopa Bluffs. By the time we were leaving the beach, we had to book it back! We put the bikes into full-assist mode and took off.

In those 18 miles we passed quite a few other riders, averaging close to

18 miles an hour. We arrived with time
to spare—just. We had used just under
half the battery at this point. For a bike
that claims a 50-mile range, we think
under normal riding conditions they’re
generously underestimating it. Without
using the full assist all the time and
always riding uphill, you’d likely do
much better.

We can say the Integrale is absolutely comfortable for an entire day in the saddle, even carrying extra stuff on the rack and wearing a backpack. There’s just enough suspension travel in the fork to take the vibrations and small bumps out of the road. It’s also very comfortable going over 20 mph and very confidence-inspiring.

We also witnessed people riding the Integrale at the Electric Bike Expo, and all who rode it really liked it—from inexperienced to experienced riders.

THE VERDICT

Riding the Integrale exudes quality and fun. It’s a great touring bike, is good for commuting and has a long battery range. It’s comfortable to ride, with easy-to-reach controls and is very simple to ride. It’s not an inexpensive bike, nor does it feel like one, either.

Quality German engineering and nearly 100 years of experience making bicycles shine through and offer an amazing, comfortable ride that will last for a great many years if cared for properly. Heinrich would be proud of this bike. ■