Kalkhoff Endeavour 7.B Pure ebike review – The Bosch powered urban space shuttle

Last year, our sister magazine, E-MOUNTAINBIKE, presented the Kalkhoff Entice 7.B Excite, designed for epic off-road trekking adventures. Now we present to you its urban counterpart, the Endeavour 7.B Pure. Read on to find out what makes this bike so special.

Kalkhoff’s designers must have taken their inspiration from the British Superbike Championship in Silverstone when they came up with the idea for the Kalkhoff Endeavour 7.B Pure. This is the only way to explain the striking resemblance of the Endeavour to the aggressive styling of a naked superbike. Kalkhoff advertise their Endeavour range as trekking ebikes. In our opinion, this segment is better served by the Kalkhoff Entice 7.B Excite, which we’ve already reviewed for you in our sister magazine, E-MOUNTAINBIKE. The € 4,699 Endeavour 7.B Pure presented here is more of a sporty urban runabout with a special touch.

The 7 in the model name represents Kalkhoff’s top of the range bikes. Compared to series 1, 3 and 5, the 7 series places particular emphasis on performance, functionality, design and finishing quality. The € 4,700 price of our test bike also corresponds to the level of exclusivity that Kalkhoff envisioned for the target group of this ebike. If you are on the hunt for a stylish commuter ebike or an urban explorer with that little something extra, you should check out our review.

Green Mean Machine – The Kalkhoff Endeavour in detail

Is this dress blue and black or white and gold? The Kalkhoff Endeavour 7.B Pure is similar to #TheDress, as different people recognise different shapes. The design of the Endeavour looks futuristic to one group and retro to the other. Though our testers are divided on this matter, they can all agree that its design is beautiful either way. Kalkhoff themselves describe the glossy finish as diamond black and tech green glossy. If the sun catches the frame, you can immediately tell that it’s a shade darker than British racing green, similar to what you’ll still find on some Mini Coopers or Jaguars today. The aggressive look of our test bike is owed in large part to the “Pure” build spec. These models favour a more naked design and clean look over everyday practicality. This includes keeping the cables hidden wherever possible and matching all accessories, including the mudguards and luggage rack, to the design of the ebike. Unfortunately, this means that you can’t use the luggage rack without panniers right away, since the mudguard protrudes through the top of it.

Kalkhoff’s so-called One-Surface technology keeps the look sleek and stylish throughout, with components such as the mudguards, luggage rack and rigid fork not fitted off the shelf but painted by Kalkhoff to match the colour of the frame. They’ve gone the extra mile to set themselves apart, which we applaud. The bottom of the motor cover and the covers for the battery and charging port are a slightly different colour, distinguishing them from the rest of the frame and hinting at the ebike technology and battery within – aspects that represent Kalkhoff’s futuristic side. It’s too bad about the black chainring cover. While it’s effective in keeping your trousers clean, it’s reminiscent of less stylish city bikes and offers room for improvement with a matching custom solution.

That said, the developers at Kalkhoff know how to rekindle memories and convey emotions through design. The slightly upward curve in the top tube with its steep, tall and short front end is reminiscent of the design of streetfighter motorcycles with the tank sitting high up. Together with the Pure build spec, there’s an undeniable similarity to the trimmed down motorbikes of a previous era, and the Endeavour cuts an imposing figure just standing there. However, the similarities end with the motor. While the design of streetfighter motorcycles aims to put the engine at its centre, the motor on the Endeavour is neatly integrated into the frame. Especially when it comes to the welds on the motor interface, the aluminium Kalkhoff frame could be mistaken for a carbon construction. The weld seams of the aluminium tubes are sanded down to form smooth joints.
They took a different approach at the head tube and incorporated the weld seams into the lines of the frame. The transition between the fork and head tube is seamless, making the front end look like a one-piece construction. Unfortunately, the weld seams on the down tube look a little rough in comparison.

The top tube splits into two as it meets the seat tube, flowing seamlessly into the seat stays in an almost straight line. The seat clamp is integrated in the seat tube and hidden under a cover, similar to what you’ll find on modern road and gravel bikes.

You’ll find bottle cage bosses under the top tube as well as mounting points for a bike lock behind the seat tube, but we didn’t have the heart to use either and thus ruin the bike’s minimalist look. There are no bottle cage bosses on the down tube since a bottle cage might get in the way when trying to remove the fully integrated battery of the Kalkhoff Endeavour.

As already mentioned, the cables of the Pure build are routed internally where possible, unfortunately, the cockpit of our 2020 test bike wasn’t as clean as we’d expect. The brake, shifter, and electrical cables for the remote and light hang loosely in front of the handlebar before disappearing in the specially designed stem. They reappear briefly where they exit the steerer tube, entering the frame via a special opening in the down tube.

Those who ordered the 2021 model of Endeavour 7.B Pure for € 5,499 are lucky enough to get MAGURA MCi brakes with integrated brake lines and an electronic Shimano Di2 drivetrain. As a result, the cockpit should look a lot cleaner from the rider’s perspective.

The top headset cover is custom made, too. It forms a seamless joint with the head tube but, unfortunately, also makes pre-tensioning the bearings somewhat cumbersome. There is a threaded nut above the cover, which you have to tighten opposite to the cover to pre-tension the headset bearings and eliminate play. The upper nut is secured and unbolted with a very small grub screw requiring a 1.5 Allen key, and must then be held in place with a very thin tool that gets threaded through a small opening. Neither of these tools are commonly found on bicycle multitools. If the headset bearings develop play while you’re out riding, it’s unlikely that you’ll have the right tools to re-tension them. Kalkhoff has informed us that they’ve already developed a new solution for the headset in cooperation with the components specialist Acros which they’re relying on for the next generation Endeavour.

Overall, the Kalkhoff Endeavour 7.B Pure makes a good impression. The solidity of the components instils you with confidence and they don’t rattle while riding. The Kalkhoff Endeavour is certified to a maximum permissible weight of 130 kg and, subtracting the 25 kg weight of the ebike, the upper limit for the rider including all their gear is 105 kg. Heavier riders will have to look out for the XXL or “+” designation in Kalkhoff’s portfolio as these ebikes are built for a maximum permissible weight limit of 170 kg.

The components

Hidden behind the clean silhouette of the Kalkhoff Endeavour 7.B Pure, you’ll find the bike specced with high-performance components and quality accessories. Under the hood of the Endeavour is the 85 Nm Bosch Performance Line CX motor and an integrated 625 Wh battery. This allows the ebike to pull away and reach the 25 km/h limit before you know it, playing a big role in the bike’s sporty character. All the relevant data from the motor can be viewed on the Bosch Kiox display, mounted in front of the stem. Not entirely out of place on this sporty ebike: the Kiox display can also be connected to a heart rate monitor via Bluetooth, allowing you to use the Kalkhoff Endeavour for your training session or combine your daily commute with your regular workout.

The voluminous tires also match the ebike’s fun-loving character. The Endeavour comes with 2.4” Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires fitted on RODI Tryp35 rims with a generous inner width of 35 mm. Though heavy, the wide tires add to the ebike’s solid look and also offer stable handling at high speeds above the 25 km/h limit.

Our 2020 test bike came specced with a Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain and SLX cassette, offering decent shifting performance. From 2021, you’ll get an electronic Shimano XT Di2 11-speed drivetrain, which we found to shift a bit more precisely than its mechanical sister. Moreover, the electronic wiring allows for neater cable routing than a mechanical drivetrain. The powerful MAGURA MT5 four-piston brakes ensure quick deceleration and as of this year, the brake levers have been replaced by integrated MAGURA MCi brake levers. With these, the master pistons and brake lines are integrated into the handlebar, keeping the cockpit super tidy.

The SM10 saddle and GA30 grips are supplied by Ergon and offer good ergonomics. While the rigid carbon fork provides an acceptable amount of flex and damping, the aluminium seat post doesn’t. A carbon seat post would provide additional comfort without subtracting from the Kalkhoff Endeavour’s trimmed down look.

The Kalkhoff Endeavour is ready to take on nighttime commutes thanks to the lighting system supplied by Supernova and Spanninga. Up front you’ve got a Supernova MINI2 PRO, which offers a remotely operated high beam function. The Spanninga PIMENTO taillight is sensibly integrated into the luggage rack and ensures good visibility in city traffic, day and night. Both lights are powered by the main battery and the cables for the rear light are routed internally through the rack. The design of the Rear Low Rider rack is discreet and allows you to attach panniers to the side. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a flat surface on which to put a basket or carry other items of luggage.

The Endeavour 7 series is available in the ascending spec levels, Move, Advanced, and Excite, starting from € 3,799. Above that, the different variants also come in special builds. Models with the “Belt” designation rely on a belt drive instead of a chain, the Endeavour 7 45 is an S-pedelec offering electronic support up to 45 km/h, and the optional “Pure” model as tested is the naked, trimmed down variant. The Endeavour 7.B is available in sizes S to L with a step-through frame and in sizes M to XL with a standard triangle frame, which covers riders from as small as 1.55 m to 1.94 m tall

The geometry

Fast and Furious – The bike’s handling

While an endeavour usually requires effort or exertion, riding the Kalkhoff Endeavour requires nothing like it. The relationship to its namesake, the Endeavour Space Shuttle, is much more akin to its handling. At a moderate pace, the upright riding position and tall cockpit keep you comfortable and your back muscles relaxed on long rides. The steep head tube angle makes the Endeavour agile at slow speeds and easy to control using the handlebars. The bike’s 25 kg heft can be easily manoeuvred through the narrow lanes of subway crossings.

If you rely on the powerful thrust of the Bosch motor to get you to the 25 km/h limit, or if you pedal faster than that on your own, the character of the Endeavour changes significantly. At higher speeds, the agile ebike turns into a mid-engined roadster with excellent straight-line stability. Instead of using the handlebar, the ebike can be steered like a motorcycle by leaning it in to get around tight corners. The round Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires invite you to shift your weight to the inside of the corner and introduce the shoulder tread to the asphalt. Their high volume and mass generate good self-damping and make for a particularly smooth ride. That said, the terrain plays a decisive role in the bike’s long-distance comfort: apart from the tires, the ebike offers zero damping, which is why we recommend sticking to well-paved and maintained surfaces when planning a long ride. It is here that it’s best able to show off its sporty character without wearing down the rider. If the road ahead of you is clear, the bike motivates you to get out of the saddle and sprint. More experienced and courageous riders can also grab the rear brake to show off with a skid in front of the ice-cream parlour. It’s a joy to ride!

The best accessory you can buy for the Endeavour is a train ticket that allows you to take your bike onboard and explore other major cities by ebike.

The handling of the Kalkhoff Endeavour 7.B Pure is very sporty and a lot of fun to ride, whether on a tour or as an everyday commuter. However, if you’re only buying it for the commute to work, we recommend that you occasionally also take it out for a ride when you’re not wearing your suit. You’ll have the most fun on this stylish ebike when you let the wind flutter through your unbuttoned shirt, your movements unrestricted by a backpack or luggage. The best accessory you can buy for the Endeavour is a train ticket that allows you to take your bike onboard to go explore other cities – the bike is perfect for urban adventures. If you’re looking for a bike to go shopping or haul cargo, the Pure build is not the best in Kalkhoff’s portfolio..

Our conclusion on the Kalkhoff Endeavour 7.B Pure

The Kalkhoff Endeavour 7.B Pure doesn’t have the practical accessories and rack options that you would expect from a trekking ebike in this price range, but neither does it aim to. Instead, it shines with its beautiful design and sporty handling. The components are geared toward performance rather than comfort. The ride itself becomes part of the experience, and that is what makes it so special.

For more information, visit kalkhoff-bikes.com

Tops

• sporty handling
• aesthetic design
• powerful Bosch Performance CX motor

Flops

• complicated headset construction
• lack of long-distance comfort

Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Finlay Anderson