Best bang for buck sub £1000 folding ebike with Throttle!

[trex]

Thanks. Dahon p8 seems a good option. Which kit you are talking that 6 kg one? Can you give a link please?

Just for my information, any of those I have selected, would it be possible to put a front motor on that?

yes if you change the fork, fit a suspension one. Don't go for cheap options if you go for a conversion, that'll be like reinventing the wheel.
Good kits: that depends on the bike.

 

[tapash]

yes if you change the fork, fit a suspension one. Don't go for cheap options if you go for a conversion, that'll be like reinventing the wheel.
Good kits: that depends on the bike.

And the kit you were talking about?6 kg one?

 

[trex]

all the kits with SWXU/K weigh about 6kgs. You can buy the 8-Fun one if you like, the battery is not very good though. Woosh usually stock the hi tech batteries as used on their bikes. The woosh Petite's 15AH battery weighs about the same as the 8-Fun 10AH.

 

[tapash]

Can't find a Dahon p8 used on eBay or gumtree. Do you know anyone who is willing to sell?

 

[tapash]

all the kits with SWXU/K weigh about 6kgs. You can buy the 8-Fun one if you like, the battery is not very good though. Woosh usually stock the hi tech batteries as used on their bikes. The woosh Petite's 15AH battery weighs about the same as the 8-Fun 10AH.

Is that included battery?

 

[tapash]

....and how about fitting a mid drive kit?

 

[trex]

too heavy. The mid drive kits weigh about 4.8kgs + battery + rack = 8kgs

 

[trex]

Is that included battery?

Yes. it's very difficult to build a high spec lightweight bike, especially folders.
If you omit the suspension, you can get down to 10kgs, with suspension, around 12kgs. The Dahon Jetstream P8 is a case in point. That bike is built with quality in mind, and it shows, but it weighs 13.5kgs.

 

[trex]

Can't find a Dahon p8 used on eBay or gumtree. Do you know anyone who is willing to sell?

ask d8veh, he may want to sell his.

 

[Scott clarke]

Im guessing you wife hasn't tried to make such a long journey on a tiny bike if I was you before I went and spent my £600/£1000 I would want to make sure she can actually make the trip. She may hate it and you may be left with a bike that's no use to you.

 

[RobF]

Assuming the wife will be using lots of assistance, particularly to start with, you need to consider battery capacity.

A 24v 9ah battery gives about 200 w/h which will be very tight for 20 miles.

A 36v 10ah battery giving about 360w/h would do the job in almost all conditions.

Even then, if she cops a nasty headwind in both directions there won't be a lot of capacity left.

 

[tapash]

all the kits with SWXU/K weigh about 6kgs. You can buy the 8-Fun one if you like, the battery is not very good though. Woosh usually stock the hi tech batteries as used on their bikes. The woosh Petite's 15AH battery weighs about the same as the 8-Fun 10AH.

Assuming the wife will be using lots of assistance, particularly to start with, you need to consider battery capacity.

A 24v 9ah battery gives about 200 w/h which will be very tight for 20 miles.

A 36v 10ah battery giving about 360w/h would do the job in almost all conditions.

Even then, if she cops a nasty headwind in both directions there won't be a lot of capacity left.

I actually liked what trex suggested of whoosh bike with bigger battery pack. But then I Robf made a good point on adverse weather and that made me think, in winter and rainy day how she would manage cycling all the way!!! If it would be me, I would take a folding bike home to station, fold and then station to work.
Considering that, with a full size bike it would be a problem to take it into train.... Specially within city..

 

[trex]

it's not enough to visit Halfords or Evans and take a look at their bikes. You need to ride at least 5 minutes on each bike that you think may suit. They all have different handling feel, power level, gear change, braking etc. She may like the woosh Gale best.
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?gale
I think you should come visit woosh in Southend with your wife. They have 20 different bikes on demo, some fitted with their CD kits but all have throttles except the Sport TS. Short list the ones she feels happy riding then take it from there.

 

[jonathan75]

I with a full size bike it would be a problem to take it into train.... Specially within city..

My rail Co has very particular policies even on some folding bikes, which occasionally change, so you should check re yours too. It's not clear whether non Brompton bikes are allowed during peak hours and during peak you always have to fold it before going through the barriers. If there is a staircase after the barriers then we're into even trickier issues. Not all folders are designed to be carried - even the best are intended for people with backs of iron - not necessarily the typical ebike customer, and of course an ebike will be at least 6kg heavier.

And as was said not every bike is actually nice to ride. I just took mine on a ten mile round test ride and it was not all that pleasant - cold, bad ride, difficult to pedal , my knees,the traffic...

So I agree with whoever it was who said you both should see if you are really really properly ok with the kind of uses/journey you're talking about (definitely including trying bikes properly) , before investing, as you won't know until then whether it's for you. And it's good to talk to people about this like you're doing here.

You'd then best do a 'wargame', even if just mentally, thinking through every stage/type of use on your journey.

 

[tapash]

all the kits with SWXU/K weigh about 6kgs. You can buy the 8-Fun one if you like, the battery is not very good though. Woosh usually stock the hi tech batteries as used on their bikes. The woosh Petite's 15AH battery weighs about the same as the 8-Fun 10AH.

Trex, do you know how much woosh Petite weights with 15AH battery? I think the website says 23Kg with 10AH battery?

My wife is 5'8", website says its suitable for upto 5'6"!! is that gonna be a problem you think?

Also what is your view on Zephyr CDN?

 

[trex]

Not a problem but there are other models with larger frames, longer wheelbase gives better stability.
The Zephyr CDN would suit her but it's going to be upgraded soon, with bigger battery. It's only a guess, she should really try these bikes for herself.

 

[tapash]

Out of curiosity, how crank drive motor work when throttle only mode? Do rider need to pedal while on throttle mode? It's bit mind boggling

Also, I am considering to have a visit to woosh store at some point, once I find out when the upgraded Zephyr CDN would be available..

 

[trex]

Out of curiosity, how crank drive motor work when throttle only mode? Do rider need to pedal while on throttle mode? It's bit mind boggling
..

The upgraded Zephyr CDN will be here in the Autumn.
The crank drive has a clutch around the bottom bracket. The chain ring is mounted to the outside of the clutch. When you pedal forward, the clutch is engaged, when you pedal backwards, the clutch is disengaged, the chain does not move when you pedal backward.
When the crank motor runs faster than you pedal, the clutch engages, moving the chain ring, assisting you. You can then stop pedalling, the motor works in your place. You don't need to pedal when you use the throttle with a crank motor.
The bigger gearbox of a crank motor adds about 1kg extra to the bike's weight.
You spend too much time wondering. Pop into any e-bike shop, try a few bikes with different technologies and these things will become very straightforward.

 

[tapash]

The upgraded Zephyr CDN will be here in the Autumn.
The crank drive has a clutch around the bottom bracket. The chain ring is mounted to the outside of the clutch. When you pedal forward, the clutch is engaged, when you pedal backwards, the clutch is disengaged, the chain does not move when you pedal backward.
When the crank motor runs faster than you pedal, the clutch engages, moving the chain ring, assisting you. You can then stop pedalling, the motor works in your place. You don't need to pedal when you use the throttle with a crank motor.
The bigger gearbox of a crank motor adds about 1kg extra to the bike's weight.
You spend too much time wondering. Pop into any e-bike shop, try a few bikes with different technologies and these things will become very straightforward.

Thanks trex. Yes you are right, i need to try for myself. I will be visiting woosh soon....