I think I might have found the bike I'm going to get.
I didn't do a lot of shopping, but when I saw the KTM Macina Chacana LFC, I figure that this will tick all sorts of boxes.
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loginThe key features that stood out to me were
- battery range (100 km on "Tour" mode)
- quick drop seat
- full fenders with integrated lights
- front/rear disc brakes
- luggage racks on the fender
- KTM, of course!
It is tricky to chose "one" bike, considering I need something that can keep up with Dan when he's on his road bike, or keep up with him when he's on his mountain bike, or just keep up if (when!) we do an overnight tour. I really want to ride along some of the
canals in France.Anyway, if I pull the trigger, it'll be this Saturday. I'll report back!
Nice!!! I see a seatpost mounted luggage rack (have 2 of them) with a fold out solar panel to charge the battery as you ride. Just sayin'.
Cool!
Front & rear suspension--nice!
Does the battery recharge when you pedal or coast downhill? That, and if Vulcanbill wasn't joking about the solar panel, would maybe completely eliminate being dependent on finding a charging outlet.
Oh, and based on the pic, it appears that pedals are selected separately. I haven't bought an adult bike in appx. 30 years. Do you know whether this is a universally new thing, just Europe, or just KTM?
Looks like fun!
Front & rear suspension--nice!
For those smooth Swiss roads
Does the battery recharge when you pedal or coast downhill? That, and if Vulcanbill wasn't joking about the solar panel, would maybe completely eliminate being dependent on finding a charging outlet.
No regenerative charging, unfortunately. But still, I think that 100km is probably more than my butt will be able to handle, and then it needs 4 1/2 hour recharge (option to plug directly to the bike, or remove the battery for charging elsewhere)
Oh, and based on the pic, it appears that pedals are selected separately. I haven't bought an adult bike in appx. 30 years. Do you know whether this is a universally new thing, just Europe, or just KTM?
I have no idea! I bought my current commuter bike about 10 years ago and it came with pedals (US). The sales guy today DID mention that the bike came as equipped on the floor, including pedals and side stand. But I have no idea which of your options is correct
Pedals are usually a personal choice nowadays, depending on the cleats you use on your shoes.
Ebikes generally use platform pedals and can be (inexpensively) included.
I've ridden that Bosch motor, and with the newest update, it's VERY powerful and smooth.
Dan may need a new road bike just to keep you in sight...
(Ok, Dan?)
Oh, and based on the pic, it appears that pedals are selected separately. I haven't bought an adult bike in appx. 30 years. Do you know whether this is a universally new thing, just Europe, or just KTM?
Universal. New, as in maybe 25 years ago.
I approve of all things two-wheeled.
I've ridden that Bosch motor, and with the newest update, it's VERY powerful and smooth.
My very short test ride gave me a great impression
Dan may need a new road bike just to keep you in sight...
(Ok, Dan?)
That's pretty much what the dealer said
Oh, and based on the pic, it appears that pedals are selected separately. I haven't bought an adult bike in appx. 30 years. Do you know whether this is a universally new thing, just Europe, or just KTM?
Universal. New, as in maybe 25 years ago.
I'm still annoyed that I had to buy a kickstand separately and add that as a farkel to my bike 30-ish years ago. My teenage Schwinn 10-speed came with a kickstand. I guess it's like luggage and meal fees being added to airline tickets.
That's cool.
You should get it!
I love how bicycles are sorta becoming, well, motorcycles. They are like a modern version of the 1915 Flying Merkel, except a lot quieter and faster.
As far as pedals go, I know I'm a freak, but I
hate those pedals with the clips. After a couple of efforts I went back to old school toe clips.
Also, there was some sort of industrial accident at the KTM factory and the orange paint looks like yellow now!
That's a nice looking bike! Is it a class 3 (28mph)? Class 1 and 2 are 20mph.
I bought a Haibike Urban Plus a couple of years ago (Class 3). As far a keeping up with Dan, well it depends. It's still a bike and you have to pedal! Mine has 4 assist levels and I normally set mine at 2, which is sort of like a normal bike. Of course, the beauty of an ebike is you can click it up to 3 or 4 when you come to a hill.
Shortly after I got mine, I was meandering down the bike trail when a "real" road biker blew passed me. Curious, I set my bike to 4. It took at least a quarter mile to catch up. I was headed to the office which was about 3 miles further. I slowly caught up and pulled away. He was going a steady 20 mph. Even though class 3's are rated at 28 mph, I was working hard to get to 22 mph. After I pulled into the parking lot, he breezed by a few seconds later. Over a long distance, I don't know. I'd be pretty tired.
Regardless, I would definitely buy one. Everyone I know that has one, regardless of the brand, really like them. Have fun!!!
As far as pedals go, I know I'm a freak, but I hate those pedals with the clips. After a couple of efforts I went back to old school toe clips.
*shudder*
Toe clips are absolutely terrifying to me. I'll take my clipless all day long.
As far as pedals go, I know I'm a freak, but I hate those pedals with the clips. After a couple of efforts I went back to old school toe clips.
*shudder*
Toe clips are absolutely terrifying to me. I'll take my clipless all day long.
Agreed. I'm too much of a clutz not to fall down and hurt myself.
As far as pedals go, I know I'm a freak, but I hate those pedals with the clips. After a couple of efforts I went back to old school toe clips.
*shudder*
Toe clips are absolutely terrifying to me. I'll take my clipless all day long.
Agreed. I'm too much of a clutz not to fall down and hurt myself.
Clipless means cleats, not flat pedals, which most casual riders use. And yes, I have fallen over a couple of times when I couldn't get the cleats detached.
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As far as pedals go, I know I'm a freak, but I hate those pedals with the clips. After a couple of efforts I went back to old school toe clips.
*shudder*
Toe clips are absolutely terrifying to me. I'll take my clipless all day long.
Agreed. I'm too much of a clutz not to fall down and hurt myself.
Clipless means cleats, not flat pedals, which most casual riders use. And yes, I have fallen over a couple of times when I couldn't get the cleats detached.
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Oh, you're right, I was thinking clipless meant flat pedals. Now I'm really feeling out of it--geezer time! I guess I need to actually research this stuff now.
Edit: I just looked at bike pedals online--half of these newfangled gizmos wouldn't even register as a bike pedal to me if they weren't actually attached to a bike!
Takes a while to get used to but if you want that 360 degrees of rotation to have any efficiency at all, being attached to the pedals is the way to go. If you are OK with just mashing down on 1/4 of your pedal stroke, flat is all good. Clipping in takes climbing to a whole new level...pun intended. Learning how to TRULY pedal in circles takes work but it's worth it.
Takes a while to get used to but if you want that 360 degrees of rotation to have any efficiency at all, being attached to the pedals is the way to go. If you are OK with just mashing down on 1/4 of your pedal stroke, flat is all good. Clipping in takes climbing to a whole new level...pun intended. Learning how to TRULY pedal in circles takes work but it's worth it.
I understand your point. It's certainly good for competition to be able to use muscle all around the crank. Probably also balances out muscle groups.
It is now in the garage
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Done!
I love how bicycles are sorta becoming, well, motorcycles. They are like a modern version of the 1915 Flying Merkel, except a lot quieter and faster.
I was thinking something like that as well! And legal to take on Swiss forest roads, unlike a motorcycle
Also, there was some sort of industrial accident at the KTM factory and the orange paint looks like yellow now!
Orange would have been cool.
That's a nice looking bike! Is it a class 3 (28mph)? Class 1 and 2 are 20mph.
I have no idea! That is a nomenclature that I haven't heard for ebikes.
I will say that I had it up to about 26 kph today without much effort. (That's 16 Freedom MPH for some of you guys). I can usually pedal my heavy commuter bike around 25 kph if I really want to get home from work
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It is now in the garage
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Cool!
And what an amazingly clean garage!
