dahon folding electric

[Leonardo]

Did you see this one? It seems to use a kit very similar to the "specialbikes" one sold on eBay (see here). The Specialbikes folder, which was sold till last year, was not bad value for money... but it was less money.

 

[flecc]

It looks sensible Leonardo, and the NiMh is a good choice, but if the motor has it's standard internal gearing it's likely to be slow, around 12mph. Although they say maximum speed 15mph - UK maximum speed, they don't really say if the motor drives to that. I'd want to try one first to see what speed it will run to.

I personally prefer the straight frame Dahon folders, and they could be lighter than the over 22 kilos of this one. I also think it should be cheaper, since more powerful 36 volt Li-ion folders like the Quando are at a lower price.
.

 

[rooel]

The link to C H White of Malmesbury is of great interest to me, as I bought my first electric bike (a Roo El) from them and was very well satisfied with their service. As I dealt by mail order I have never visited their shop but my impression is of an old-established (75 years apparently) cycle shop with a long tradition of providing good service. Therefore, if anyone wants an electric folder it would seem preferable to go there than to some of the short-term operatives importing cheap ready-made electrics from China.

I must also commend C H White's choice of the Dahon folder for conversion, not least because Dahon's have been my own choice for that purpose. All their models are well made, look good, are as light as they can be, and apparently far better equipped than most of the ready-made imports.

My own choice for conversion has been the Speed P8 to which I have fitted Sram Sparc systems (same as that on my Roo El), and that - fitted with 10 amp lithium cells - gives a lighter combination (around 18kgs with front wheel dynamo and lights, mudguards, rack and kickstand) than C H White's conversion of the Ciao P5, but their conversion of that model does look like an excellent short commuter and shopping vehicle.

The Roo El fitted with lithium cells (front wheel dynamo and lights, and Marathon Racer tyres) now weighs just over 17 kgs, is very responsive and feels very fast. However for bombing along on most city streets the Big Apples and steel frame of the P8 are preferable for safety and comfort.

I am also interested in the motor kit which C H White are using as I have one on order for fitting to a Dahon Speed Tr. It will go on the front wheel so that I can retain the 24 speed gearing (3 speed hub/8 speed derailleur combination) on the rear wheel, something I suspect some members of this forum will consider a waste on an electric bike, but what I am hoping to create is a tourer with the additional luxury of electric traction when required. And the three speed hub gear (being changeable when stopped) will at the same time make the bike useful for stop/start city cycling.

 

[rooel]

No, I had to remove (and sell) the rear wheel, gear block, and derailleur: the Sram Sparc system comes with a large rear hub which contains a five speed hub gear, two 100 watt motors, and an electronic circuit board.

As for the Speed Tr conversion I will have to spread the front forks to accept the 100mm motor, but as that has not been delivered yet, I shall postpone further details of the conversion until it is complete and I find out if it has been successful!

 

[rooel]

Yes, the Speed P8 and the Speed Tr appear to use the same type of fork. The important thing is that, like the frame, it is made of steel which bends, whereas aluminium cracks. For that reason it would be interesting to know what C H White do for widened forks on their Ciao P5 conversion as I believe it is all aluminium.

 

[Leonardo]

The Tonxin motor looks very like the one being supplied by Mandarin in Austria via ebay, which in turn looks very like the nano motor being supplied by Simon Mills and Tony Castles in England.

Which is the one supplied by Mandarin in Austria? Do you say this one? I don'y think that this one is the same as the Tongxin-Nano: it seems me a bit bigger and users report a little drag with the motor disingaged while the Nano appears to have a very good freewheel. On the other hand the linked eBay kit is actually very similar - also for the battery-carrier set - to the one used by the Whites' Dahon.

 

[rooel]

And I believe Whites claim no drag when the motor is off.

 

[Leonardo]

It may also be that the Austrian eBay seller changed its motor: my info are more than one year old. Best luck with your conversion Rooel!