Kalkhoff Image L.B Excite

The Kalkhoff Image L.B Excite is a step-through city e-bike for the trips you'd rather not drive: to work, into town, to the shops. It comes from Kalkhoff's Level L light class, with a Gates belt in place of a chain and an Enviolo stepless hub that changes gear while you stand at the lights. Bosch's Performance Line SX motor takes the hill on your route.

The Wave frame lets you step through and put both feet down at a stop. The Wave weighs 23.6 kg (S) to 23.75 kg (L) with the battery fitted. Come and ride it in Ivanhoe.

Kalkhoff Image L.B Excite: instead of the car

• Best for the trip to work or into town that you'd rather not drive: a belt with no oil, a hub that shifts at the lights, and a rear rack for a pannier.
• Best for a route with a hill on it: 60 Nm of Bosch torque.
• Best for stepping through and putting both feet down: the Wave frame has no crossbar to swing a leg over.
• Best for a bike you lift yourself: the Wave weighs 23.6 to 23.75 kg with the battery fitted, by size.
• Best for weekend rides on bike paths and sealed trails, sitting upright.
• Made for bike paths, sealed trails and city streets. For rough, loose off-road riding, ask us about a bike built for it.

Ride to work and into town instead of taking the car, and arrive in the clothes you left in. There's no chain to leave grease on your trousers, the hill is the motor's job, and there's no gear to think about at the lights: the Enviolo Urban hub is stepless, so you change ratio standing still. The MIK rear rack takes a pannier or the shopping.

Belt drive and climbing hills

The Gates Carbon Drive belt replaces the chain, so there's no chain oil to apply and no grease to wipe off. Riders who are tired of cleaning and lubing a chain name this first.

Riders here judge a hill by torque, and the Bosch Performance Line SX gives you 60 Nm. Drop the hub to a low ratio before you stop at the bottom, then pull away seated. Bring your steepest hill to the test ride and try it.

Frame, fit and weight

Step through the frame, put your feet flat at the lights and ride off in whatever you're wearing. The Wave frame has no crossbar to swing a leg over, and you sit upright. A Diamond frame with a crossbar is also offered. On the test ride we set the saddle, bars and stem to you. The Wave comes in Diamondblack glossy or Polarblue matt, and the Diamond in Diamondblack.

Weight is the figure to check before you buy, and it's the one to feel. The maker lists 23.38 kg (size S) to 23.68 kg (size XL) for the Diamond frame, and 23.6 kg (S) to 23.75 kg (L) for the Wave, all with the battery fitted. Pick the bike up in the showroom and feel what you'd be lifting.

Weekend rides and how far it goes

On the weekend, head out along the bike paths and sealed trails and ride further than you expected to. The upright position keeps you comfortable, an SR Suntour NCX32 air suspension fork takes the edge off rough patches, and the 55 mm tyres on 29-inch wheels roll over them. Bosch assistance takes the hills, so keeping up with a partner who rides is easier.

How far will it go on a charge? Bosch estimates about 68 km in Tour mode and about 98 km in Eco, with about 57 km in Sport and about 52 km in Turbo. Those figures assume 100 kg total weight, an average of 18 km/h, a mixed route with some inclines, mostly good asphalt, light breezes and summer weather. Hills, a heavier load and cold weather shorten the distance. Tell us your route on the test ride and we'll talk it through.

It comes with a MIK rear rack, an adjustable rear stand, plastic mudguards with an edge protector, a Herrmans MR5 LED headlight and an LED rear light with a brake light. It is also ready for Kalkhoff's front carrier.

Questions people ask

Why choose this over a cheaper e-bike?

Because of what you stop doing: no chain to oil or clean, gearing that shifts while you stand still, Bosch's system serviced here in Ivanhoe, and a ten-year frame warranty once you register the bike. Ride it beside the others and feel the difference.

Can I ride it on the road here?

Bosch rates the Performance Line SX at 250 W, with assistance to 25 km/h. Road rules are set by each state, so check Victoria's published rules for where you ride.

Is 60 Nm enough for my hills?

For the hills most riders meet, yes, with the hub dropped low at a standstill. For long, loaded climbs every day, ask us about a higher-torque Bosch model.

Is the battery safe to charge at home?

It's a Bosch CompactTube battery of 400 Wh, built into the frame. Charge it with the original Bosch charger and follow Bosch's charging instructions.

What happens if I get a flat tyre?

Ask on the test ride and we'll show you how the rear wheel comes out with the belt and hub.

How much weight will it carry?

Kalkhoff's maximum system weight is 130 kg, and that counts the bike, you and your luggage together. The Wave weighs 23.6 to 23.75 kg with the battery, by size. If you and your luggage would take the total above 130 kg, ask us about models rated higher.

How does the gear change work?

The Enviolo Urban hub is stepless, so there are no set gears to click through, and it shifts even when you're standing still. Try it at the lights on the test ride.

Who is Kalkhoff?

Kalkhoff was founded in Cloppenburg, Germany, in 1919, and built its first serial-production e-bike in 2007. This one runs Bosch's drive system, and we service it here in Ivanhoe.

Full specification

The full specification, in groups.

Motor and battery

• Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX, Smart System, 60 Nm, 36 V, 250 W, assistance to 25 km/h
• Battery: Bosch CompactTube, 400 Wh, 11.1 Ah, integrated
• Display: Bosch Purion 200 colour display, 1.6 in, with walk assist

Drivetrain and brakes

• Drive: Gates Carbon Drive CDC belt
• Gears: Enviolo Urban stepless hub, 256% ratio range
• Brakes: disc brakes, front and rear

Frame, fit and cockpit

• Frame: Wave (step-through) or Diamond (crossbar)
• Sizes: S (450 mm), M (500 mm, riders 160 to 186 cm) and L (550 mm, riders 174 to 191 cm)
• Colours: Diamondblack glossy, Polarblue matt
• Handlebar and grips: Comfort Riser bar, Ergon GC10 grips
• Stem, saddle and seat post: adjustable aluminium stem, Selle Royal saddle, rigid aluminium seat post
• Crankset and pedals: aluminium crankset, comfort pedals
• Sitting position: upright

Wheels and equipment

• Wheels: 29-inch wheels, 55 mm tyres, DT Swiss X432 aluminium rims
• Fork: SR Suntour NCX32 air suspension fork
• Rack and stand: MIK rear rack, adjustable rear stand
• Lights and mudguards: Herrmans MR5 LED headlight, LED rear light with brake light, plastic mudguards with edge protector
• Maximum system weight: 130 kg (bike, rider and luggage together)
• Weight with battery: Diamond 23.38 to 23.68 kg, Wave 23.6 to 23.75 kg, by size
• Manufacturer: Kalkhoff Werke GmbH

Book a test ride at our Ivanhoe showroom, 1075-1087 Heidelberg Road, or call 03 9982 1440. Bring your route and your steepest hill.