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Electronics => Power/Renewable Energy/EV's => Topic started by: cdev on November 06, 2017, 12:22:19 pm

Title: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: cdev on November 06, 2017, 12:22:19 pm
Does anybody make a robust, folding E-bike that works for bigger people? It would be nice to have an e-bike which could be brought onto trains and buses or put into a car trunk so it could be brought into the city without having to ride it there.
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: tszaboo on November 06, 2017, 12:48:31 pm
Not in Antarctica, no.
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: cdev on November 06, 2017, 01:02:28 pm
Antarctica's Dry Valleys are ice-free.
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: ChrisLX200 on November 06, 2017, 01:10:18 pm
I got this one (photo) fairly cheaply (about £750 IIRC) but not sure I could recommend it without mentioning a few caveats. I had to replace the seat (which was uncomfortable), and the pedals (which fell off!), and secure the rear mudguard which tended to flap around and rub against the tyre. Other than that its motor is quite torquey and the gears work well. It is heavy though because it uses big section steel frame (and because it folds it needs the extra strength). I bought it from Amazon more than a year ago so will have to go back and check for further details if interested. You can pay a lot of money for a decent E-bike, I didn't :)


Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: cdev on November 06, 2017, 01:28:03 pm
That looks like exactly the size I am looking for.

Its good to see that its out there.

I have some questions, I hope you don't mind!

How easy is it to fold up and carry?

Also, are the pedals functional, can it be pedaled generally?

(I'd like to get a bike that was able to be used as a pedal bike for most of the time with the power for hills, I don't want a bike where the pedal system is not what it should be. Some gears would be good too)
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: ChrisLX200 on November 06, 2017, 01:46:22 pm
The pedals were functional, but on mine some screws fell out (vibration I guess) and rather than repair budget pedals I just replaced them (with larger ones). Loctite would be your friend - if you were to apply it before they drop out! Yes, it can be ridden as a normal bike (with the caveat that it is heavier than any normal bike, but the gearing is good). The boost is available in stages from modest assist for hills to 100% electronic drive. As for carrying it, again it's the weight that is the issue and I would certainly not like to carry it far. That battery is heavy too and adds to the overall weight, but it folds easily with just one quick-release catch being all that's required. It does fit in the back of my car when folded without havng to remove wheels etc. The new seat was a must-have as far as I was concerned, after the first trial ride with the original I was walking like John Wayne...
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: tszaboo on November 06, 2017, 01:52:58 pm
Antarctica's Dry Valleys are ice-free.
Do you live there? I think it would be difficult to order anything there, right?
Unless the local bicycle business is blooming?
Do penguins ride a bicycle?
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: ChrisLX200 on November 06, 2017, 01:53:54 pm
Just checked and the one I bought is no longer available (hardly surprising, they change designs often). Anyway, details are here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01CSGAE4U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01CSGAE4U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: cdev on November 06, 2017, 02:18:41 pm
Antarctica's Dry Valleys are ice-free.
Do penguins ride a bicycle?


Not right now, as far as I know.
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: CM800 on November 06, 2017, 03:49:39 pm
Antarctica's Dry Valleys are ice-free.
Do penguins ride a bicycle?


Not right now, as far as I know.

Clearly an untapped market... we should look at developing a penguin forcused e-bike. Help save their local environement  :-DD
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: woody on November 06, 2017, 04:21:30 pm
Don't know if you are after 1st hand experiences only (not the case) and if your budget stretches to $3.400, but if I were to buy one now I would certainly look at https://electricbikereview.com/tern/vektron/#/ (https://electricbikereview.com/tern/vektron/#/)
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: cdev on November 07, 2017, 07:43:04 pm
If they could they likely would. They are very very cute.

Antarctica's Dry Valleys are ice-free.
Do penguins ride a bicycle?


Not right now, as far as I know.

Clearly an untapped market... we should look at developing a penguin forcused e-bike. Help save their local environement  :-DD
Title: Re: Folding E-bikes?
Post by: cdev on November 07, 2017, 07:51:19 pm
Its more than I can afford right now but that site is a good source of info and who knows, there is a chance maybe I could find one used.

Don't know if you are after 1st hand experiences only (not the case) and if your budget stretches to $3.400, but if I were to buy one now I would certainly look at https://electricbikereview.com/tern/vektron/#/ (https://electricbikereview.com/tern/vektron/#/)