Used electric fold up bicycles

[Dustydog]

Anyone use one?
The last two sites were just that bit too far out on unlit lanes for safe walking to the local cafe , restaurant. Our home bikes are a non starter to take away. Thus considering the EV fold up option

 

[Hutch]

My mate has two, carries them in his Towcar easily gets 25 miles a bit like the old Moulton's. Great to get to and from the pub.

 

[Mr Plodd]

We have had a couple for many years now (we have had to buy a couple of rep.acement batteries though)
I would agree with Hutch about mileage. The only comment I woukd make is that because of the smaller wheels/gearing progress is a bit slower than a bike with full sized wheels.
A pannier is a good investment, very handy for shopping!,

 

[Jaydug]

I've had my second fold-up bike for about six years. I've just had to fit a new battery into it. If I'm going in the car, I hang it on the bike rack but if the caravan is hitched, then I fold it and it travels in the back.

 

[trevormonty]

Best not to charge batteries from cheaper bikes unattended or at night while you are sleeping. Been to many fires from cheap ebike abd scooter batteries.

 

[Jaydug]

It would be pushing the boundaries to describe my replacement battery as cheap....

 

[Dustydog]

This one is being sold brand new by an E bike shop in Huddersfield . He has sold 143 so far.250 watt motor, 36 v 40NM Torque,20-25 mile average range, central suspension and folds up to W 86 cm, H 76cm, D 45cm. £399 inc delivery. 12 mos guarantee. Seems to tick all the boxes for my “touring” requirement. Other used types are available but seem no better than this one. I’ll order it later👍

 

[Hutch]

That looks vaguely similar to my mates ones, We took them for a12 mile cycle ride to several local pubs, very nippy, just had to keep pedalling to keep it moving , and light enough to cycle if the battery ran out.

 

[Dustydog]

That looks vaguely similar to my mates ones, We took them for a12 mile cycle ride to several local pubs, very nippy, just had to keep pedalling to keep it moving , and light enough to cycle if the battery ran out.

Ha ha! You know exactly why I bought it😂😂. My full size EB is too big too,take away. This one ticks the boxes and will do fine. I wonder if EBs could become more widespread at Woosiefests🤪

 

[Woodentop]

A word of warning: It is difficult enough to ride a bike again after a multi-decade break, but one with 20inch wheels (against 26" or 28" before) is a nightmare! Look over your shoulder to see where SWMBO has got to and when you look forward again you have ridden across the road!
The bike shown above has the motor in the front wheel which not only makes the steering heavy but shifts the balance of the bike. We have Raleigh Stow-e-ways with rear drive which is otherwise similar - 36V, 230W motor etc etc. It is also a good idea to get yourself a riding computer to show how far you have been, various speeds etc etc BUT you need to get one that uses Bluetooth to connect computer to sensor. Most wired computers only have a ½m of wire so it gets strained or snaps when you fold the bike. Decathlon do them from about £25 upwards.

 

[ProfJohnL]

This one is being sold brand new by an E bike shop in Huddersfield . He has sold 143 so far.250 watt motor, 36 v 40NM Torque,20-25 mile average range, central suspension and folds up to W 86 cm, H 76cm, D 45cm. £399 inc delivery. 12 mos guarantee. Seems to tick all the boxes for my “touring” requirement. Other used types are available but seem no better than this one. I’ll order it later👍

As someone has already said, this has a lot of similarities to the Moulton bikes of the 1960's.

In particular it's rear suspension with its short lever length from the rear forks pivot. I had a Mk1 Moulton, which used used a rubber plug that was basically jammed between the frame and the fork. The lever length of fork to the rear axle gave it about a 6:1 advantage which caused the pivot a great deal of grief.

This bike has is not quite as bad, but I'd suspect the wear on the rear forks pivot will be quite significant on this. I don't know where this bike is made but I'd guess its probably China, and I'd be concerned about the strength of the steel used not being as durable as the original moulton.

Just for information the MK2 Moulton had a redesigned rear suspension, such as the compression member was taken from the rear axle to just below the seat collar, virtually eliminating the highly stressed original system.

 

[Dustydog]

For the miles I’ll be doing I doubt it will get worn out. My old BSA C15 needed the bush bearings changing on the swing arm. Very common in those days.
However my main EB is being treated to a new gear cluster and heavy duty Shimano chain. The originals are showing signs of wear, like jumping cogs when engaged. A little job for later in the week.
If I find out it wasn’t made in PRC I’ll want my money back🤪🤪

 

[Buckman]

For the miles I’ll be doing I doubt it will get worn out. My old BSA C15 needed the bush bearings changing on the swing arm. Very common in those days.
However my main EB is being treated to a new gear cluster and heavy duty Shimano chain. The originals are showing signs of wear, like jumping cogs when engaged. A little job for later in the week.
If I find out it wasn’t made in PRC I’ll want my money back🤪🤪

You will get your money back plus the home insurance money when it burns down.

 

[trevormonty]

View attachment 5610

It would be pushing the boundaries to describe my replacement battery as cheap....

Cheap.

Amazon.co.uk

On plus side I trust my Bosch charger and battery to not burn house down..

 

[otherclive]

Cheap.

Amazon.co.uk

On plus side I trust my Bosch charger and battery to not burn house down..

For that price you would get a decent MTB. 😱

 

[trevormonty]

For that price you would get a decent MTB. 😱

Your've not priced decent MTBs recently. £2000-2500 for entry level bike that will handle lot of hard riding, eg gaint trance 2. €3-4000 for one with high end components. For EMTB add another £1500.

 

[otherclive]

Your've not priced decent MTBs recently. £2000-2500 for entry level bike that will handle lot of hard riding, eg gaint trance 2. €3-4000 for one with high end components. For EMTB add another £1500.

How very interesting. Think you can even get a Giant Trance as well. 😂

 

[Dustydog]

It’s arrived and up and running.Manufactured and assembled in Taiwan.
The rear swing arm is a substantial bearing assembly. Should last years.
3 very clever spring loaded securing clamps hold it all together.
Fits easily into the car taking up,very little room.

QED👏👏

 

[otherclive]

It’s arrived and up and running.Manufactured and assembled in Taiwan.
The rear swing arm is a substantial bearing assembly. Should last years.
3 very clever spring loaded securing clamps hold it all together.
Fits easily into the car taking up,very little room.

QED👏👏

Looks a useful piece of kit. Could you post a picture of it folded up. My Giant Expression 25 inch frame hybrid won’t go into the car even with its front wheel removed. I don’t feel inclined to buy a towbar and bike carrier. A fold up could be useful.

 

[Beachball]

It’s arrived and up and running.Manufactured and assembled in Taiwan.
The rear swing arm is a substantial bearing assembly. Should last years.
3 very clever spring loaded securing clamps hold it all together.
Fits easily into the car taking up,very little room.

QED👏👏

Hi Dusty hope you have many hours of pleasure enjoy

 

[Dustydog]

Looks a useful piece of kit. Could you post a picture of it folded up. My Giant Expression 25 inch frame hybrid won’t go into the car even with its front wheel removed. I don’t feel inclined to buy a towbar and bike carrier. A fold up could be useful.

Width - 86cm Height - 76cm Depth - 45cm ​

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[Buckman]

To view the pictures you need to register or sign into eBay. We no longer have an eBay account.

 

[otherclive]

Width - 86cm Height - 76cm Depth - 45cm ​

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View attachment 5624View attachment 5625View attachment 5623

Thanks. It folds into a compact size that would fit my boot.

 

[Dustydog]

To view the pictures you need to register or sign into eBay. We no longer have an eBay account.

I’ll take my own later on👍

 

[Gafferbill]

.....after many years of taking bikes with the caravan have now decided not to bother.
Getting older on my part, change of towcar and wife deciding to stop riding prompted the decision.
Personal decision not to go down the electric route as extra expense and worry about theft when out and about not for me.
When caravanning.......Shank's pony for us or bus passes or even use the car

Still using a bog standard bike local to home......🚲