Folding electric cycles
- Thread starter toad a caravan
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- Nov 30, 2022
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We have had a couple for a fair few years now. My only criticism would be that having small 20" wheels the gearing is such that, without electrical assistance you need to pedal more, and don't travel as fast, as you do with say a 26" wheeled bike.
Other than that they are brilliant, they make hills disappear.
Just be aware of their weight, with battery ours weigh in at 25kg each. In addition just be sure you can source replacement batteries, our first ones s lasted about 5 years, tge replacements are still going strong, but they did cost about £175 each
Other than that they are brilliant, they make hills disappear.
Just be aware of their weight, with battery ours weigh in at 25kg each. In addition just be sure you can source replacement batteries, our first ones s lasted about 5 years, tge replacements are still going strong, but they did cost about £175 each
- Feb 13, 2024
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- Mar 14, 2005
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Not usually a problem if you buy from a reputable seller.
- Nov 11, 2009
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Our friends have two Dawes folding bikes which they take away with them in their motorhome. Must have had them about three years, although they tend to use them for local rides from the sites or from the motorhome if out for the day. They have seemed pleased with them as I’ve not heard any negative comments.
- Feb 13, 2024
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Would be informative to know if these issues affect the premier brands of legal ebikes, or the ultra budget often illegal ones?
Ours is a Kalkhoff 2016, but not a folder, I take it in the Discovery with its quick release front wheel out, enabling it to be secured by a fork clamp.
My advice on ebikes generally is don't take your credit card etc to ensure you road test several differing bikes before buying; the first you try will be very seductive and its all too easy to buy without trying or perhaps even knowing how different they can be. Like in the technology used, the quality and as all bikes the ride characteristics their geometry etc offers.
There are effectively those that are "motor bikes" where you only have to "ghost pedal", that is lightly turn the pedals to power along, or those that power assist the effort you put in, add selectable levels of contribution to your effort. Ours' is the latter, as life long cyclist a much more natural feel. Others I know prefer their bikes that they don't have to contribute any physical effort other than just unloaded turn the pedals.
All cycling can IMO be great fun.
- Nov 30, 2022
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Another thing I forgot to mention is to make sure they are REAR wheel drive. The motors produce a lot of torque, and front wheel drive on loose or greasy surfaces (gravel, manhole covers etc) can prove "problematic" as the front wheel skates away from you. Friends wife had a broken shoulder when hers scooted out from under her at about 3mph on a gravel track.
Considering one for holidays,make a change seeing the sites I usually drive past, I'll be around pentewan,outside of St.Austell Cornwall.Quite flat,sited at the side of a small stream
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Great for parking in unrestricted places a mile or so off the "honey pot" with its car parking challenges, often hunting places & probably cost & duration issues.
Saunter there, give the place a good look over, take a coffee and bun, timing no issue, no worries of coming back to a parking ticket.
The little tea shop out of the grasps of the attraction, likely to turn out so much nicer, or the pub here in the UK.
Saunter there, give the place a good look over, take a coffee and bun, timing no issue, no worries of coming back to a parking ticket.
The little tea shop out of the grasps of the attraction, likely to turn out so much nicer, or the pub here in the UK.
In agreement with both of Andy's comments, if you have not ridden a bike with 20" wheels before, believe me it is a very different experience from driving 26" or 28" wheels. Specifically you wobble/wander all over the road. If I take a glance back over my right shoulder to see where my wife is, when I look forward again I usually find I am heading for the opposite kerb. (Answer: buy a handlebar mirror!) A similar thing happens when you stick out your arm to indicate a left or right turn! For that reason we usually ride down a few small/low traffic lanes near home and very much keep off main roads. Luckily we also have quite a few tarmac surfaced shared cycle/walking pathways nearby. Google Sustrans for good ideas.
We have Raleigh Stow-E-way folding bikes. If you are tall - I am 6'1" - the standard saddle shaft only accommodates riders up to about 5' 10". The saddle shaft should be marked with min and max extensions: if you cannot accommodate the max setting with your leg length, longer marked saddle shafts are usually available but DO NOT ride with the saddle shaft extended beyond the highest level or you could damage the saddle shaft or its mount on the bike (not covered by warranty!) Also male saddles these days tend to be akin to razors, so get a wider saddle (usually a woman's) if you want more comfort (often on offer at Aldi or Lidl.)
If the bike you buy has bottom bracket (pedal) drive - such as the excellent Bosch system - you have the advantage that you can have a double clanger on the bottom bracket. (Oh, come on? A Double Clanger is two cogs on the pedals which doubles the number of effective gears you can achieve with the usual Derailleur gears on the back wheel.) However if you have such a system the pedal drive system requires leg pressure on the pedals before it provides assistance. On the other hand if you have rear wheel drive which has only eight gears (give or take,) once you have the pedals turning you usually don't actually have to apply pedal pressure - just keep the pedals moving and the motor will keep the bike moving. (
)
Finally for safety not only should you wear head protection when riding, you also need eye protection, learn to ride with your mouth closed unless you like the taste of flies various, gloves to keep you hands warm (I joke not!) and if you are prone to not wearing bright/light clothing a hi-viz vest or tabard makes you more visible (it is amazing how many drivers just do not see you!) A good bonus is a speedo. However most such devices have wire connection between the display unit and the wheel sensor which is a problem (again if you are tall) if you need to raise the height of the handlebar. Better to get a kit that uses Bluetooth to connect the data flow.
Not advertising, but all of the items mentioned in the above paragraph are easily available from a branch of Decathlon. A simple set that will show your distance travelled, current speed, average/max speed, and cumulative distance can be got for prices in the £15-£30 range and is all you really need.
We have Raleigh Stow-E-way folding bikes. If you are tall - I am 6'1" - the standard saddle shaft only accommodates riders up to about 5' 10". The saddle shaft should be marked with min and max extensions: if you cannot accommodate the max setting with your leg length, longer marked saddle shafts are usually available but DO NOT ride with the saddle shaft extended beyond the highest level or you could damage the saddle shaft or its mount on the bike (not covered by warranty!) Also male saddles these days tend to be akin to razors, so get a wider saddle (usually a woman's) if you want more comfort (often on offer at Aldi or Lidl.)
If the bike you buy has bottom bracket (pedal) drive - such as the excellent Bosch system - you have the advantage that you can have a double clanger on the bottom bracket. (Oh, come on? A Double Clanger is two cogs on the pedals which doubles the number of effective gears you can achieve with the usual Derailleur gears on the back wheel.) However if you have such a system the pedal drive system requires leg pressure on the pedals before it provides assistance. On the other hand if you have rear wheel drive which has only eight gears (give or take,) once you have the pedals turning you usually don't actually have to apply pedal pressure - just keep the pedals moving and the motor will keep the bike moving. (
)Finally for safety not only should you wear head protection when riding, you also need eye protection, learn to ride with your mouth closed unless you like the taste of flies various, gloves to keep you hands warm (I joke not!) and if you are prone to not wearing bright/light clothing a hi-viz vest or tabard makes you more visible (it is amazing how many drivers just do not see you!) A good bonus is a speedo. However most such devices have wire connection between the display unit and the wheel sensor which is a problem (again if you are tall) if you need to raise the height of the handlebar. Better to get a kit that uses Bluetooth to connect the data flow.
Not advertising, but all of the items mentioned in the above paragraph are easily available from a branch of Decathlon. A simple set that will show your distance travelled, current speed, average/max speed, and cumulative distance can be got for prices in the £15-£30 range and is all you really need.
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Thanks for all the advise and suggestions,Woodentop I'm 6'5"",also last two wheeler I rode recently was a Harley,also hail stone not nice when you use an open Face helmet 😄 cheers
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