Folding bikes

[rafiki_]

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

Henry, I bought a Montague, but returned it as it was really too big and heavy for a proper folder. Great quality bike though, and a good ride.

 

[oceanfroggie]

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.

Nice bikes but they don't fold up very compactly like the Bromptons. Would be very interested in an ultralight e-bike that can folk up as compactly as the Bromptons.

 

[ebbanflo]

I was an 'early adopter' of electric folding bikes with an Urban Mover in 2005. Bought a second bike for the boat last year and after much research chose a Smart Motion e-20 (http://www.smartmotionbikes.co.uk/e-20.html). Designed for the New Zealand Post Office, it is heavier than many competitors but that's due to its construction. I'm sure it will last a lifetime. The handling and riding experience is excellent. We will probably replace the Urban Mover with another e-20 next year.

 

[Hurricane]

I was an 'early adopter' of electric folding bikes with an Urban Mover in 2005. Bought a second bike for the boat last year and after much research chose a Smart Motion e-20 (http://www.smartmotionbikes.co.uk/e-20.html). Designed for the New Zealand Post Office, it is heavier than many competitors but that's due to its construction. I'm sure it will last a lifetime. The handling and riding experience is excellent. We will probably replace the Urban Mover with another e-20 next year.

The spec says that the throttle is "Twist & go – left-hand, half-grip (can be deactivated)"
Does this mean you don't need to pedal.
I know that sounds like I'm lazy but thats how our existing bikes work and not pedalling really works well.

I must admit that I'm tempted to get a stronger electric bike than the "as bikes" that we have.
The "as bikes" have been so good and in Spain, we use them all the time - that I would consider a better build.

Where did you buy your E20 ?

 

[dash300]

BROMPTON ELECTRIC AT A GLANCE
Price
£2,595
Release Date
2,000 early bird models from January to February 2018
Features
25kph top-speed; 250W brushless DC motor; USB port for charging laptops and smartphones; 20 lux headlight
Battery Life & Range
100km range; five-hour charge (three hours from optional fast charger)

 

[tetleys]

Thanks for all the replies, some great detail and information.
Am at the boat show tomorrow, but given the choice I won't be rushing to buy just for the sake of it at the show.

Much appreciated

Cheers
Tetleys

 

[ebbanflo]

The spec says that the throttle is "Twist & go – left-hand, half-grip (can be deactivated)"
Does this mean you don't need to pedal.
I know that sounds like I'm lazy but thats how our existing bikes work and not pedalling really works well.

I must admit that I'm tempted to get a stronger electric bike than the "as bikes" that we have.
The "as bikes" have been so good and in Spain, we use them all the time - that I would consider a better build.

Where did you buy your E20 ?

You don't need to pedal if you don't want to, just use the 'throttle'! The advantage of a big chain wheel and 8 gears is that you can maintain a reasonable speed in the higher gears - no furious pedalling which is a feature of many 16" and 20" wheel bikes. The assist mode, 1 - 5 works very well, and if you use setting 5 you can more or less maintain a speed of 15mph with minimal physical input. We probably rode 100 miles plus on Guernsey this summer.
I bought mine from Take Charge Bikes in Woking GU21 6LE. Ask for Steve Mills the owner.

 

[Hurricane]

You don't need to pedal if you don't want to, just use the 'throttle'! The advantage of a big chain wheel and 8 gears is that you can maintain a reasonable speed in the higher gears - no furious pedalling which is a feature of many 16" and 20" wheel bikes. The assist mode, 1 - 5 works very well, and if you use setting 5 you can more or less maintain a speed of 15mph with minimal physical input. We probably rode 100 miles plus on Guernsey this summer.
I bought mine from Take Charge Bikes in Woking GU21 6LE. Ask for Steve Mills the owner.

Thanks for posting

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Another vote for Brompton. We've tried Blasi and Dahon folding bikes over the years and neither have lasted very well and were quite heavy and bulky when folded. The Brompton is one of the lightest and most compact folding bikes around and the folding mechanism is beautifully designed and executed. They also ride very well despite the small wheels. We took our Bromptons off road recently down gravelly/rocky tracks during a visit to the Porquerolle islands and they survived quite happily. They also can be equipped with various types of panniers which make them suitable for carrying stuff and shopping.

 

[alant]

Another vote for Brompton. We've tried Blasi and Dahon folding bikes over the years and neither have lasted very well and were quite heavy and bulky when folded. The Brompton is one of the lightest and most compact folding bikes around and the folding mechanism is beautifully designed and executed. They also ride very well despite the small wheels. We took our Bromptons off road recently down gravelly/rocky tracks during a visit to the Porquerolle islands and they survived quite happily. They also can be equipped with various types of panniers which make them suitable for carrying stuff and shopping.

As a lad, I remember seeing a film showing a lot of Bridget Bardot based on the Porquerolles, however dissappointed to find she had vacated when I visited though.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

As a lad, I remember seeing a film showing a lot of Bridget Bardot based on the Porquerolles, however dissappointed to find she had vacated when I visited though.

I'm sure you wouldnt want to meet her in the Porquerolles now! That hedonistic lifestyle seems to have taken its toll

 

[MapisM]

I'm sure you wouldnt want to meet her in the Porquerolles now! That hedonistic lifestyle seems to have taken its toll

Yup, but I'd rather have lived like she did for my whole life, and look like she does being now 80+ yo...

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yup, but I'd rather have lived like she did for my whole life, and look like she does being now 80+ yo...

Very true! I'm sure she has much more interesting memories than we will ever have!

 

[richard-Jsy]

If you do not want a bike with small wheels, you can always try a Montague Swissbike.
Not cheap, but easy to fold and made of aluminium, based on a swiss army design.
https://www.montaguefoldingbikes.co.uk

 

[longjohnsilver]

If you do not want a bike with small wheels, you can always try a Montague Swissbike.
Not cheap, but easy to fold and made of aluminium, based on a swiss army design.
https://www.montaguefoldingbikes.co.uk

Agreed, see my post#18