A good foldable ebike to commute to work

[Sherden]

Hi all,

I live in London and I'm about to move to zone 5.

I was thinking about buying a foldable ebike to commute to work.

The office is ~15miles from home. The route would be mostly flat, just a bit hilly on the way back home.

I'm not sure I'd like riding the whole way to the office, but getting on the tube or bus once tired.

Any particular model I should take in consideration? Being a first time buyer, I wouldn't spend more than 1k.
Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[5threeone]

Some guidance here in the link below. In my fifth month of use now and nearly 2000 kms of faultless riding. Qwic smart E Urban. Lovely quality machine.
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/news/tour-world-70s-electric-bike/

 

[gray198]

Hi sherden, selling this.May be worth a look

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/juicy-folder.22665/reply?quote=283339

Regards gray

 

[trex]

30 miles a day is pretty hard core in London because of the murderous traffic. Plus you have to watch out for the thieves where you leave your bike. Cwah does this kind of commute for a long time, perhaps he'll be on here later to share his experience with you. If I had to do this, I'd put comfort and speed at the top of my list of criteria. Folders are not very comfortable to ride this distance because most have 20" wheels.

 

[Kudoscycles]

The problem you will have is that a commuter bike to lift onto a bus or train and fold quick at the terminus and carry up steps has to be light.
Light means under 15kgs and preferably nearer 12kgs.
But all the folders that are down at that weight are not in my opinion suitable to reliably and comfortably journey 15 miles x 2 every day.
My Kudos Secret is one of the lightest around at 18kgs but is usually bought by motor home owners who use the fold for storage or the light weight to lift it onto the rack but I cannot imagine cycling 30 miles per day,every day, on a 20" wheeled bike.
You could find a small light folder that would allow a few miles to the train station,use the train,then a few miles to work.
If you want to ride comfortably 30 miles per day I would do it on a 28" wheeled e-bike and miss out the train bit or figure out if I could take such a bike on the train.
Some of my employees travel 11 miles per day into work,they use either a top notch sports bike or Kudos Tornado or Rapide e-bike,they are very fit guys,I don't think they would use a Secret for that daily trip
KudosDave

 

[cwah]

Yes if I were you I'd give priority on comfort and speed rather than anything else.

I've only had 12 miles commute max (each way) and never had 15 miles. But 12 miles is quite tough and it takes time to get used to it.

Forget about using your bike on the bus, they'll never let you in. You may be able to take it on tube after peak time.


My advice, get a comfy nice bike allowing you to travel without pedaling (when u are tired). Your body is going to say thank you

 

[Sherden]

Hi guys,

I changed my mind about the length of the ride. I'll be probably riding up to 5 miles then getting on the tube.

That's why I was thinking about a folding ebike, light and not too bulky when closed. Electric because there is a long uphill to ride on my way back home.

Dahon jifo or brompton are the models I was thinking. Any insight?

 

[Lancslass]

Hi guys,

I changed my mind about the length of the ride. I'll be probably riding up to 5 miles then getting on the tube.

That's why I was thinking about a folding ebike, light and not too bulky when closed. Electric because there is a long uphill to ride on my way back home.

Dahon jifo or brompton are the models I was thinking. Any insight?

Hi Sheridan. I think you'll probably find the answers already given will still apply to your change of mind. I don't live in London (thank god!!) but electric bikes are heavy by virtue of their battery and motor weight. They are bulkier as well for the same reasons. We are talking here nearly twice the weight of a non electric folding bike.

Imagine, if you will, lugging a 20kg bike through/over the tube barriers, down the escalator with all the crowds trying to push by, along endless corridors (maybe you could ride that bit!), then onto a busy train - oh and the reverse procedure for exiting the system. Do you carry a briefcase or another sort of bag with you when commuting? If so, add that into the equation as well (and your cycling gear such as a helmet and lock, gloves in winter). That will add to your carrying weight and to the number of hands you have free to cart your bike, open doors/turnstiles etc. It may all become a bit of a logistical nightmare and instead of arriving at work care free and full of joie de vivre you will probably be sweaty, frustrated and dreading the journey home.

As the other guys on here have said, getting a full size, comfortable electric bike will be a better option.

 

[RobF]

A Brompton Nano will be your best bet.

I had one - it's a well-engineered conversion of an already excellent bike.

Weight may still be a problem, the motor and battery adds a few kilos.

On the plus side, the battery is in a Brommie bag on the front, so you can split the load.

Another plus is Nano now offer the 4ah Bosch power tool batteries.

They are compact, relatively light, and should do what I assume is a 10-mile round trip, although you may have to go easy on the assistance on the way in to get the hill on the way home.

http://www.nanoelectricbikes.co.uk/the-nano-2

 

[oldtom]

Hi guys,

I changed my mind about the length of the ride. I'll be probably riding up to 5 miles then getting on the tube.

That's why I was thinking about a folding ebike, light and not too bulky when closed. Electric because there is a long uphill to ride on my way back home.

Dahon jifo or brompton are the models I was thinking. Any insight?

As someone who lived in London for 32 years, (fabulous place to live!), I agree with most of the comments already proffered. A 30 mile round trip is a big ask through city traffic and as others have said, is not something I'd want to undertake on a small-wheeled folder.

Even your reduced bicycle commute would be painful, I'd suggest, as carrying a folder through stations is just aggravation. My own choice would be to continue using public transport for the commute and cycle for fitness and/or leisure on a full-sized bicycle at other times. London bicycle commuting is a real hair-shirt existence and not for the faint-hearted. Have you considered a light motorcycle or scooter, possibly the electric variety?

Tom

 

[Pabs]

Suggest you get a second hand Brompton and have it converted or see if you can get a converted Brompton...your budget is limited. The distance of 15 miles is possible.
Maybe get yourself a Brompton without any electric assist and try use the Bus part of your journey.

Pabs

 

[Sherden]

The commute is too long, hilly and unsafe to do riding the whole way. There might be also some off-road, so I think the Gocycle might be a good option.
Very expensive though, so I've found a Gocycle G1 on eBay and I'm trying to get it. It weights 16.2kg and has 20" mag wheels. Let's see if I get it. Otherwise I'll reconsider Brompton or similar.

 

[trex]

the GoCycle is a lovely bike, very nice to ride. But where are you going to keep it when you are at work? it won't stay long if parked in the street,

 

[JuicyBike]

Yes if I were you I'd give priority on comfort and speed rather than anything else.

I've only had 12 miles commute max (each way) and never had 15 miles. But 12 miles is quite tough and it takes time to get used to it.

Forget about using your bike on the bus, they'll never let you in. You may be able to take it on tube after peak time.


My advice, get a comfy nice bike allowing you to travel without pedaling (when u are tired). Your body is going to say thank you

Cwah is spot on with this analysis and is an experienced London cyclist.

You need to ask yourself if you are going to do the whole commute by bike or not. Any e-folder is not practical for London public transport options, even the much hyped Go-Cycle.

If your confidence is up to riding in London then do the 15 miles on a larger wheeled, more comfortable bike. Do look at route options along canals and the new bike super highways. And take care!

 

[trex]

the GoCycle is a very well engineered and fast bike. It is extremely comfortable to ride. I don't think 15 miles a day is too much for it from the point of view of comfort and speed. The only thing wrong with it is its high price tag.

 

[JuicyBike]

But can you take it on a bus? That's my doubt. To ride, it's great. Not sure about maintenance and parts but a beautiful design.

 

[trex]

yes, I've seen them in buses in Cambridge. I suppose people would not stare if you fold just the stem.

 

[oldtom]

Unless they have improved considerably since I rode one at Redbridge, they are amongst the noisiest EAPCs I have ever heard.

They do go well but I'm afraid I was completely put off by the 'milk float' sound. Curiously, very few 'Pedelecs' contributors seem to own this brand but that may be down to pricing as they do ask a lot of money for something that can be done equally, (give or take), as well for a lot less.

Great technology and very good engineering but such a limited market - strange business!

Tom

 

[Lancslass]

According to London transport, it is at the behest of the driver in London as to whether they allow the bike on their bus or not. So I'm guessing maybe in the rush hour you'll get refused but they'll allow the bike on outside peak times.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Bus = 2€, no bikes even folders except in bike bag i.e. invisible
Train = 3.70€, bikes allowed but very few trains at interesting hours

Which explains my choice to ride the whole 14 km to civilisation (a.k.a Spanish Basque Country) when I want/need to. On the other side Buses take up to two bicycles depending on the hour of day and the train up to two per wagon (I have seen eight or nine). Oh and the ticket costs 1.64€...