The stylish Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Excite immediately captivates you with its elegant yet sporty look. The good-looking design of the cockpit and carefully considered spec keep your attention. According to the manufacturer, the € 3,699 Entice 5.B Excite is the ideal step-through trekking ebike. Can Kalkhoff deliver on their promise?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best off-road step-through bike of 2020 – 10 models tested head to head

Kalkhoff ENTICE 5.B EXCITE | Bosch Performance Line/625 Wh | 75/0 mm (f/r)
24.8 kg (Size M) | € 3,799 | Manufacturer’s website

The Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Excite is thoughtfully styled from handlebar to dropout – minimalist, clean and consistent. The workmanship is high-quality and from the paintwork to the cable routing, everything fits together. The tidy-looking cockpit with Bosch’s Purion display and internal cable routing through the stem also matches the design perfectly. The smart cable management frees up space on the bars and underscores the step-through ebike’s clean look. Included are high-quality accessories such as mudguards, a rack, side stand and bell. However, the Kalkhoff has to make do without bottle cage bosses. Unfortunately, there is no chain guard either, so you could end up dirtying your trousers. While the Trelock Airflow lighting system illuminates the width of the road or cycle path, it doesn’t reach very far and is too weak to offer full visibility at night. Included in the spec is a 75 mm travel SR Suntour MOBIE25 air fork, Shimano SLX/XT 12-speed drivetrain, 700 mm handlebar as well as powerful and easy to modulate four-piston brakes, all of which suit the Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Excite well. However, due to the 28” wheels, you won’t be able to fit most mountain bike tires as they’re simply not available in that size. The 105 kg maximum payload of the 24.8 kg bike is significantly below the test average of 119 kg.

The Bosch Performance Line motor is powered by a 625 Wh battery and comes with the smart eMTB mode installed as standard. The charging port is in an easy to reach position close to the head tube and furnished with an in-house cover which is better quality than Bosch’s standard option – great! The lock for the battery is positioned lower down, meaning you can’t unlock the battery standing upright. However, the low position of the battery maintains a lower centre of gravity, while you still can remove it from the top of the frame.

Elegant and sporty
The cockpit is tidy, the handlebar is wide and all the buttons and levers are within easy reach.
That’s how we like it
The width of the bars allows you to push the two-finger brake levers inwards far enough to use them with one finger.
A lack of comfort
Schwalbe’s low-volume 1.75″ Smart Sam tires offer little cushioning on asphalt, gravel and forest paths.

Kalkhoff ENTICE 5.B EXCITE

€ 3,799

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line 65 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 625 Wh
Display Bosch Purion
Fork SR Suntour MOBIE25 Air 75 mm
Rear Shock mm
Seatpost Concept EX - mm
Brakes Shimano MT420 180/180 (f/r) mm
Drivetrain Shimano SLX / Deore XT 1x12
Stem Kalkhoff 85 mm
Handlebar Kalkhoff 700 mm
Wheelset 28
Tires Schwalbe Smart Sam Performance 1.75

Technical Data

Size S, M, L, XL
Weight 24.8 kg
Perm. total weight 130 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 105 kg
Trailer approval yes
Kickstand mount yes

Specific Features

Cockpit cable routing


Thumbs up for integration
The cables are routed through the stem and into the frame, keeping the cockpit and the frame looking neat and tidy.
Low and narrow
Although the step-through section is low, it is very narrow. As a result, you have to turn your foot or lift it relatively high to climb aboard the Kalkhoff.
Superfluous
It’s best not to put too much weight on the rear rack. With a heavy load, the handling suffers and speed wobble is an inevitable consequence.
Helmet Oakley DRT5 | Bag Dew Vane Waistbag

It’s precise and agile character means the Kalkhoff is a joy to ride in the urban asphalt jungle

Due to the low yet narrow step-through section, you don’t have to lift your leg very high but you do have to turn your foot to climb aboard the bike. The riding position is pleasantly stretched and the 700 mm bars instil you with confidence. That width also allows you to push the two-finger brake levers inwards far enough to use them with one finger, giving you better modulation of the brakes. Due to the rigid seat post and Schwalbe’s low-volume 1.75″ Smart Sam tires, there isn’t much comfort when you veer off the asphalt. Lacking the necessary tire clearance, you can’t fit tires that are much wider than what the bike comes with either. Kalkhoff plan to improve this on future models.

For long tours on gravel, woodland and forest roads, there are better bikes in the test but the Entice is quick and a lot of fun in the city, despite weighing 24.8 kg. The Entice 5.B Excite is agile and direct making it an ideal bike to nip through the city and navigate winding alleys. It’s also a lot of fun to ride while doing so. Thanks to its precise and intuitive handling, it instils you with confidence at slower speeds. However, once you put weight on the rack, the handling suffers and you’re likely to encounter speed wobble.

Tuning tips: shift brake levers inward

Conclusion

“Off to work with a backpack and style” could be the motto of Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Excite. It’s ideal for fashion-conscious riders looking for an elegant, stylish and fun step-through ebike for their day-to-day routine. If you’re looking for a pack mule or a step-through eMTB for off-road excursions, this isn’t it. The lack of comfort also limits it on long tours.

Tops

  • agile and direct handling
  • chic and stylish design
  • fun in the concrete jungle

Flops

  • handling suffers significantly when loaded up
  • low maximum permissible weight
  • not the most comfortable
  • no chain guard

For more info head to: kalkhoff-bikes.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best off-road step-through bike of 2020 – 10 models tested head to head

All bikes in test: BULLS E-STREAM EVO 1 WAVE 27,5+(Click for review) | CENTURION E-Fire Country F3500 (Click for review) | Corratec Life CX 6X Connect (Click for review) | FANTIC ISSIMO FUN (Click for review) | HNF-NICOLAI UD 3 (Click for review) | INFRONT IF-4 Wave (Click for review) | Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Excite | KETTLER QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP (Click for review) | Moustache Samedi 27 Off 2 Open (Click for review) | Riese & Müller Homage GT (Click for review)


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Words: Photos: Robin Schmitt, Jonas Müssig, Philipp Schwab