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. ■
Kurt Oberhaus cruises the Integrale along
one of the bike paths in Los Angeles.
{ KALKHOFF }
www.electricbikeaction.com 27