Help! Converting folder bike to cassette
- Thread starter Peter.Bridge
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There's quite a few disc 9s around but they are a weird rim size and much narrower fork gap - can only fit narrow tyres
So been out on a test ride seems good. Tried the suggested rotor spacer seems to work ok clearance wise.
As suggested bolted a L shaped bracket to front mounting point through the battery bag and battery sits on that. Plenty of room in the bag for 36v 15ah Samsung 21700 celled battery , KT 15 a max controller + cables and I put some foam padding in for impact resistance
Shimano Altus 8 gears , 12 tooth smallest cog - max pedalling speed around 23 mph (downhill !)
Shimano MT200 hydraulic brakes seem very effective on the small wheels, need to be careful not to lock wheels up, but quite progressive braking.
Carrera Intercity disc 8 was 12.7kg including kickstand. I think a Akm-75 hub motor + 36v 10ah bag battery + controller + display + pedal sensor comes to nearly 4 kg. I went for the 15ah battery which adds an extra 0.4 kg and the marathon 365 GT 20*2.15 tyres (all season, all surface, puncture resistant) added 0.8 kg over the standard tyres. So all in all just a fraction under 18kg. (Although I think I spent the extra weight wisely)
It's quite direct but doesn't feel twitchy. I have a Dahon clone that does feel a bit more twitchy (this bike if for my son and his girlfriend)
Another good conversion, well done mate.
It's very handy that theses bikes come with two threaded holes in the head tube isn't it?
I'm amazed you got 2.15 tyres to fit in that frame, they are bigger than the tyres on my 26" mountain bike (2.10). What tyre pressures are you running?
My theory is having the battery weight over the front wheel helps traction.
Yeah the 2.15 tyres fit fine, not sure if those mudguards are really wide enough though - we'll see ! The disc 9 is different rims size and much narrower forks so you can't go nearly as wide tyres. I have set tyre pressure to 40 psi
The tyres are definitely wide enough section to give a bit of cushioning.
I'm wondering how wide and tall those tyres get, and if they'd fit my Dahon - is there any chance you could measure their width and thickness at 40 psi?
So tyres and wheels diameter 20.5 inch / 52 cm - think would struggle with conventional mudguards
Width, I think 2.15 inch is about correct.
Looks narrower in the photo but I think that is an illusion
Gap between inside of forks = 6.5 cm / 2.5 inches
Thanks @Peter.Bridge, that's fantastically useful info. The new sprung seatpost with pneumatic air saddle has increased cushioning a lot, hardly feel bumps via the seat anymore. I suppose I could try filing away bracket material to accommodate a wider rear tyre if necessary.
Like the rear, the front tyre has two adjustable horizontal struts for mudguard positioning, but not vertical-ish ones - if in addition, a vertical(ish) struts either side could be attached, I guess the plastic front mudguard could be bent at the front too, to make room for a wider tyre, aswell as being raised via the front mudguard bracket (if I move power cables for lights away). More cushioning on the front would be bloody welcome, because of course cursed potholes are freaking everywhere.
Like the rear, the front tyre has two adjustable horizontal struts for mudguard positioning, but not vertical-ish ones - if in addition, a vertical(ish) struts either side could be attached, I guess the plastic front mudguard could be bent at the front too, to make room for a wider tyre, aswell as being raised via the front mudguard bracket (if I move power cables for lights away). More cushioning on the front would be bloody welcome, because of course cursed potholes are freaking everywhere.
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Why not just ride a proper bike with sensible size wheels, then you have fewer potholes and bumps to worry about. If you insist on a compromised folding bike (only reason I can see is having to take it upstairs and in flats) they are also available with 26 inch wheels.
I do have 2 other full size non foldable e-bikes, one for road/trails and one mountain bike but I think the 20" wheeled folding e-bikes are fine for road / light trails and surprisingly capable. I can do many of the same routes and they will happily do 25-30 mile rides and still be comfortable, even if they are not ultimately quite as good as a full size bike.
Other advantages :
Different size people can use the same bike
Can take on trains without pre booking
Pop in car boot without folding back seats - can drive somewhere, ride around and put back in the boot.
Can fold up and take with you when you get to destination, don't need to worry if it will be there when you get back to bike rack
Trolling road cyclists
Someone's experience of a non electric folder :
Other advantages :
Different size people can use the same bike
Can take on trains without pre booking
Pop in car boot without folding back seats - can drive somewhere, ride around and put back in the boot.
Can fold up and take with you when you get to destination, don't need to worry if it will be there when you get back to bike rack
Trolling road cyclists
Someone's experience of a non electric folder :
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