Help! Complete Newbie - Advice needed.

[nexus490]

Hi all,

first off, glad to be here; This looks like a fantastic resource.

A bit about my situation, I'm going to be moving house in a few months and the walk to the station, is a bit on the long side, considering an Ebike to help me out but I have no idea what would be best to meet my requirements.

I'd say just for now price is no object.

So I'm not in the best of shape, bit on the heavy side, but not too bad, I'd be looking for something to help me with quite a hilly commute so it needs a bit of grunt to it.

It'd be doing half hour each way to the station, then what I'm looking for is as compact a fold as possible as it would then be on a busy commuter train into London.

So I was thinking something small enough to go into a bag that I could wheel like a luggage case (any recommendations there would be good too) as I have a 10 minute walk on the other side.

As well as this it needs to have somewhere I can put my bag with all the usual work stuff. (Laptop etc)

Now the above doesn't seem to difficult from what I see, but on top of that I'd like something that can also handle a woodland trail at the weekends.

Bonus points for a removable battery.

Thanks guys!

 

[KirstinS]

Welcome.

It's pretty easy requirements..... Until you get to the fokding/busy commuter bit. You have to be careful. It's a been a few years since I commuted that way but it was pretty much a Brompton or nothing to fold small enough for certain train line rules at peak times.

How many actual miles and is it flattish?

 

[KirstinS]

Oh and just noticed you want a trail capable machine too

Tbh that's just too many compromises in one bike

Let's see the actual milage you are going to need commuting wise

But I suspect Im gonna recommend a standard Brompton for commuting and a full sized ebike for weekends and trails

 

[nexus490]

I'll certainty check the train operator's policy.

Its 3 miles and there are only a couple of hills, but they are big ones, not possible for me unaided at my fitness level.

 

[nexus490]

Ok I suspected an all in one solution might not be possible. So let's say forget the weekend stuff. The commute is a must though.

 

[vfr400]

It's a nice idea, but I'm reasonably sure that it's not going to work. Go to a couple of electric bike shop and try folding and carrying some folding bikes. If you still think it's worth it after that, try a rest ride to see if it feels right for the rides you plan.

 

[nexus490]

My Train operator says so long as the bike folds in more than one place like a brompton it's allowed during peak time.

 

[sjpt]

Is there nowhere safe at the station to keep a regular non-folder?

 

[nexus490]

Is there nowhere safe at the station to keep a regular non-folder?

There are bike racks at the station but I've been using this station on and off for over 10 years and as it's a popular commuter station the bike racks fill very quickly. It's not something I could rely on.

 

[KirstinS]

There are bike racks at the station but I've been using this station on and off for over 10 years and as it's a popular commuter station the bike racks fill very quickly. It's not something I could rely on.

OK then so you need electric and a Brompton fold

E Brompton then?

Brompton Folding Electric Bikes

The original folding bike for the city, now with compact electric power. Perfect for US cities. Free delivery.

www.brompton.com

 

[nexus490]

Completely understand that logic. But more out of curiosity than anything else is the "Brompton fold" unique to them or do other manufacturers use the same pattern?

 

[Woosh]

Completely understand that logic. But more out of curiosity than anything else is the "Brompton fold" unique to them or do other manufacturers use the same pattern?

no, it's not unique to them but the Brompton is solidly built and arguably the best design with lots of attention to details.
Conversely, it's more difficult to convert because there is very little gap/space in the folded Brompton.

 

[nexus490]

I'd love to know of any others that do. Just as they'd be an option for comparison. In the meantime I'll start looking at a Brompton. Cheers guys!

 

[Woosh]

I'd love to know of any others that do.
In the meantime I'll start looking at a Brompton.

I have sold the Gallego for a number of years, but it needs to be brought up to date. I think we'll make a kit for the Brompton instead of trying to re-invent the wheel:

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?gallego

 

[KirstinS]

I'd love to know of any others that do. Just as they'd be an option for comparison. In the meantime I'll start looking at a Brompton. Cheers guys!

Nothing I've ever seen folds quite like a brommie tbh
And as mentioned they are difficult though not impossible to covert.

They also hold their value like few other bikes I'm aware of

 

[Jonah]

Gocycle GX?

 

[KirstinS]

Gocycle GX?

Bi fold only i think?