tetleys
Well-Known Member
Any recommendations for folding bikes to keep onboard , electric and manual.
Much appreciated
Cheers
Tetleys
Much appreciated
Cheers
Tetleys
Folding bikes
- Thread starter tetleys
- Start date
Danfarry
Well-Known Member
The Gocycle g3 is an amazing thing but very expensive. It folds small and the range is massive, it also goes fast, up to 21mph I think.
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
We bought these
http://www.asbikes.co.uk/mk3-electro-bike-27-p.asp
Bought 2 about 9 years ago and another 2 to add to them about 5 years ago.
They are arguably the best thing that we have ever bought for the boat.
SWMBO and I can empty a full supermarket trolley into 2 bikes (using panniers and front basket - beer stacks nicely on the back)
There is a drawback though - this applies to all electric bikes.
The ones we bought have a twist grip - like a motorbike - and it is great - we just twist and go.
However the bureaucrats in the EU have banned them - they simply don't understand that these twist grips are actually safer that pedal assist.
It is a case of not understanding the regulations that they are setting.
So, the bikes in the link above have worked round the issue as best the can - read the note at the end of the page.
If I were buying more of these bikes (and I probably will), I would look to fixing them so that they work the same way as our old ones.
And stuff the stupid regs.
Anyway, have a look at these cheap ones.
They aren't as well built as some but ours are still going strong 9 years later (and they get heavy use from us)
http://www.asbikes.co.uk/mk3-electro-bike-27-p.asp
Bought 2 about 9 years ago and another 2 to add to them about 5 years ago.
They are arguably the best thing that we have ever bought for the boat.
SWMBO and I can empty a full supermarket trolley into 2 bikes (using panniers and front basket - beer stacks nicely on the back)
There is a drawback though - this applies to all electric bikes.
The ones we bought have a twist grip - like a motorbike - and it is great - we just twist and go.
However the bureaucrats in the EU have banned them - they simply don't understand that these twist grips are actually safer that pedal assist.
It is a case of not understanding the regulations that they are setting.
So, the bikes in the link above have worked round the issue as best the can - read the note at the end of the page.
If I were buying more of these bikes (and I probably will), I would look to fixing them so that they work the same way as our old ones.
And stuff the stupid regs.
Anyway, have a look at these cheap ones.
They aren't as well built as some but ours are still going strong 9 years later (and they get heavy use from us)
alant
Well-Known Member
There often seem to be a lot for sale on here, so are they really worthwhile?
IDAMAY
Well-Known Member
We have had two Biocycle electric bikes for the last two years. They are Chinese built and probably not the highest quality. They were stock bought just before the stupid EU regs were brought in so have throttles as well as pedal assist. They have approx. 30 miles range depending upon the terrain.
They are probably the second best non boating accessory we have ever purchased and like Hurricane we find them invaluable for shopping expeditions as well as general local trips.
The best accessory so far BTW is a pair of Senna Bluetooth headsets which mean our "domestics" are generally kept to ourselves. Sorry for the slight drift.
They are probably the second best non boating accessory we have ever purchased and like Hurricane we find them invaluable for shopping expeditions as well as general local trips.
The best accessory so far BTW is a pair of Senna Bluetooth headsets which mean our "domestics" are generally kept to ourselves. Sorry for the slight drift.
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
dash300
Well-Known Member
We have two Bromptons. They are the folding cycle of choice for the majority of UK commuters and made in Brentford UK.
Their exports worldwide are a testament to British engineering design and excellence. They have never given a moments trouble to us and are genuinely made of the highest quality materials. Ours are non electric but I believe they do have a battery assist model now. Their folded dimensions are truly compact and yet they cycle as a normal non folder would do. They are not cheap but retain their value exceptionally well. Just have a look on ebay. They have become the icon of folding bikes worldwide.
Their exports worldwide are a testament to British engineering design and excellence. They have never given a moments trouble to us and are genuinely made of the highest quality materials. Ours are non electric but I believe they do have a battery assist model now. Their folded dimensions are truly compact and yet they cycle as a normal non folder would do. They are not cheap but retain their value exceptionally well. Just have a look on ebay. They have become the icon of folding bikes worldwide.
timbad
Well-Known Member
We have a couple of Dahon speed sevens now number of years old but trouble free. For us we found these a better ride than the Bromtons. I can also vouch fr Hurricanes electric bikes have used his a couple of ties over the years and are excellent
oceanfroggie
Well-Known Member
lisilou
Well-Known Member
We've had two of these for about 5 years now and they're fantastic fun. Expensive at around £1300 each but we've never had a problem with them and they're still going strong. Throttle only or ped assist. According to the link info, it has a 'road legal throttle' giving you an 18 mile range throttle only or 25 with red assist.
Fairly heavy and a bit bulky even when folded but we've taken them on the boat loads of times and I wouldn't trade them in for anything. https://www.bikeexchange.co.uk/a/electric-city-bike/lifecycle/hampshire/southampton/traveller/113618
L
Fairly heavy and a bit bulky even when folded but we've taken them on the boat loads of times and I wouldn't trade them in for anything. https://www.bikeexchange.co.uk/a/electric-city-bike/lifecycle/hampshire/southampton/traveller/113618
L
Plum
Well-Known Member
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
Interesting
Momac
Well-Known Member
Bromptons are no doubt top of the league for light weight and compact dimensions when folded.
However we opted for Bickerton Junction folding bikes which are not so light, and don't fold so small. But they have bigger wheels which is more comfortable and seem good quality yet cost less than half that of the Brompton. They fit nicely in my lazarette.
However we opted for Bickerton Junction folding bikes which are not so light, and don't fold so small. But they have bigger wheels which is more comfortable and seem good quality yet cost less than half that of the Brompton. They fit nicely in my lazarette.
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
Decathlon "Btwin" full size bikes win loads of best value awards, so i'd guess their folding bikes are also good and they make a wide range. eg. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/tilt-50...MI0q_NsKu31gIVBsayCh0O-Q6WEAQYASABEgJQ_PD_BwE
These are also interesting as they have full size wheels, but will obviously be bigger to store https://changebike.co.uk/full-size-folding-bike/df-702/
These are also interesting as they have full size wheels, but will obviously be bigger to store https://changebike.co.uk/full-size-folding-bike/df-702/
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
Vote her for Brompton if you're after a commuter. Amazingly small when folded and ride really well. Wouldn't want to do a 100 miler on one though.
Hakuna Matata
New Member
Hi. We got two V'lec bikes this summer and we are very pleased with them. Thought about Bromptons but went for the V'lec ebikes cause they are less then 10 kg and so easy to fold, couldn' t be easier. Goes nicely in a smallstorage back for the winter . After years of having bikes that was around 18-19 kg, I found these being so easy cause of the light weight and still being e-bikes.
. After years of having bikes that was around 18-19 kg, I found these being so easy cause of the light weight and still being e-bikes.
henryf
Well-Known Member
We bought a couple of Tern folding bikes from Evans Cycles. They weren't cheap at around £400 each (non electric) but the materials used are pretty nasty. Rust on some parts, the silver plating on other parts crumbling away, you can feel the joint in the wheels when you brake, the main folding joint is very stiff on the bike which is used less (neither has been used heavily). Magnet bits that hold them closed fell off.
I wouldn't buy another despite the fact they look quite funky. If money is no option then Gocycle electric bikes are lovely, if space is less of an issue then Montague full size folding bikes would be my first choice.
Henry
I wouldn't buy another despite the fact they look quite funky. If money is no option then Gocycle electric bikes are lovely, if space is less of an issue then Montague full size folding bikes would be my first choice.
Henry
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longjohnsilver
Well-Known Member
We bought a couple of Tern folding bikes from Evans Cycles. They weren't cheap at around £400 each (non electric) but the materials used are pretty nasty. Rust on some parts, the silver plating on other parts crumbling away, you can feel the joint in the wheels when you brake, the main folding joint is very stiff on the bike which is used less (neither has been used heavily). Magnet bits that hold them closed fell off.
I wouldn't buy another despite the fact they look quite funky. If money is no option then Gocycle electric bikes are lovely, if space is less of an issue then Montague full size folding bikes would be my first choice.
Henry
I have a Montague Swiss folder, full sized wheels and a unique method of folding that doesn't compromise the strength of the cross bar. It gives a very comfortable riding position and folds easily and doesn't rust. Highly recommended.
Before that I had a small wheel folder that I found dangerous to ride, didn't like it at all. So, whatever you choose, try it for as long as possible before you buy.
Jack Haines
MBY Deputy Editor
We reviewed six electric bikes last year: http://www.mby.com/gear/group-test-electric-folding-bikes-82698
Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih0px3_Frfk
bedouin
Well-Known Member
I ride a Tern which is the same design as the Dahon. A better ride than the Bromptons but significantly larger when folded. I bought mine partly to be able to carry it on my (small) boat but it is really a bit bulky to carry regularly. If space is an issue then the Brompton is a lot more compact when folded at the cost of a less good ride (and a bit more of a fuss to put up).
