Best Folding E Bike

[eddieo]

Looking for an electric folding bike, high spec with comparable ride qualities to it's larger wheeled brothers and sisters...if that is possible.

AVE do a superb semi folder but at nearly 3K silly money....

so weight and comfort main issues, plus decent gearing, which can be a problem with most folders. wife has been happy on non electric Dahon on this holiday but I'm fed up waiting around for her to catch up....a bike that can be stored easily in camper main reason.

 

[BCM]

I'm more than happy with my Wisper 806 Alpino, high spec, very powerful flys up hills probably better than my 905 se sports did, Shimano Alfine 8 hub gears are top, the fold isn't the best in the world but I'm used to a brompton, can't wait for their electric bike to come out but don't think it's for a good while yet and expect it will be very expensive.

 

[Cakey]

Ditto bcm my 806 alpino is very good . Battery is not a monster though .

 

[eddieo]

The alpino has more or less same running gear as my DaaHub I think....what about the 805?

Not a big hub gear fan, much prefer XT set up

 

[Cakey]

Do agree with eddie the shimano Alfine is ok but not a Rohloff. It does slip a bit.
Xt is easy to maintain and faultless.

 

[cwah]

I've been looking a long time for a good electric folding bike... until I realised none of them really answer my needs.

Decide on the (non electric) folding bike that fits you the best, then convert it.

You'll have the best electric bike

 

[eddieo]

maybe.....but i want this one!


MHYBRID

 

[indalo]

MHYBRID

Some nice bikes there Eddie!

Indalo

 

[cwah]

What's so special about the bosch crandrive? Is it that so much more efficient than a hub motor?

 

[funkylyn]

maybe.....but i want this one!


MHYBRID

Errrrr......thought this one was for your WIFE Eddie........

Lynda

 

[flecc]

What's so special about the bosch crandrive? Is it that so much more efficient than a hub motor?

All crank drive units are potentially more efficient than hub motors, simply because they operate though the gears, enabling the rider to keep the motor in its most efficient region. How much more efficient varies according to the following:

Crank drives at their most efficient in hilly areas. In the flattest areas hub motors often more efficient.

The skill of the rider in keeping the gear choice optimal.

Among crank units, the current Panasonic one is the most efficient due to it's chain drive method. The Bosch 36 volt one was the most powerful crank drive, easily beating the 26 volt Panasonic, but the latest 36 volt Panasonic will have marginally overtaken it now.

 

[cwah]

All crank drive units are potentially more efficient than hub motors, simply because they operate though the gears, enabling the rider to keep the motor in its most efficient region. How much more efficient varies according to the following:

Crank drives at their most efficient in hilly areas. In the flattest areas hub motors often more efficient.

The skill of the rider in keeping the gear choice optimal.

Among crank units, the current Panasonic one is the most efficient due to it's chain drive method. The Bosch 36 volt one was the most powerful crank drive, easily beating the 26 volt Panasonic, but the latest 36 volt Panasonic will have marginally overtaken it now.

Thanks for this explaination Flecc.

So for hills and stop&go we have:
- Crank drive > Geared motor > Direct drive motors

And for the opposite, just straight road we have:
- Direct drive > Geared motor > crank drive

Still not completely convinced by crank drive, if there is any issue on the motor, would be difficult to repair.

 

[Cakey]

Wow that ave is a nice looking bike . Never heard of them.
Learn something new every day .
The xh I want one.

 

[eddieo]

Cwah, I already have a very nice fast hub bike so ideally would like to have a crankdrive as well, the AVE I linked to, being a Bosch bike is coincidental, not really worried what drive bike has, as long as light and nice to ride, unlike most folders.

Lynda, the new bike is technically for the wife for holidays, but I will be riding it most of the time....Can get 2 bikes on rack no problem, but I secure them so well its a pain to get one of for local shopping on route etc......So a folder in back of van would make life easier.

if I cant find a decent folder will go for a lightweight Bosch crankdrive...Or Green mover with go swiss drive

 

[eddieo]

Cakey, I posted link to this AVE over a year ago.....was £2900 at that time, dread to think what it is now that Bosch drive more established.


Cwah, with the Bosch unit, it is sealed so nothing can be done except exchange unit....The Bosch unit is half the price of panasonic and as powerful...

 

[Cakey]

Any ideas who sells them in uk ?
Ebco are listed as a dealer but no bikes on site.

 

[eddieo]

Any ideas who sells them in uk ?
Ebco are listed as a dealer but no bikes on site.

I spoke to them last year but conversation was at cross purposes as they were talking about the far heavier ugly hub drive bike...might have more up to date info now.

 

[funkylyn]

Lynda, the new bike is technically for the wife for holidays, but I will be riding it most of the time....Can get 2 bikes on rack no problem, but I secure them so well its a pain to get one of for local shopping on route etc......So a folder in back of van would make life easier.

Any excuse eddie....any excuse.......

Lynda

 

[flecc]

Still not completely convinced by crank drive, if there is any issue on the motor, would be difficult to repair.

As Eddie indicates, it's essential that a crank drive unit is fundamentally very reliable since repairs are not very practical. Panasonic have set a high standard with reliability in these since 2001 and others like Bosch have followed suit, so reliability is not a worry. They are less stressed anyway, operating at high efficiency through the gears.

As for preference, given the very high cost of the Panasonic 36 volt units, the Bosch unit is usually a better choice, though it's battery is small at 8 Ah and terribly expensive. If a second Bosch battery would be needed for long range, the Panasonic 36 volt unit becomes the better choice with it's larger battery.

 

[eddieo]

Cakey, did you spot this? bike frame with Bosch unit and you build up to own spec with own choice of wheels,shocks etc....

XHYBRID

A few have done this over on German pedelec, an expensive way of getting an off road Bosch bike though...