Folder - What kit type?

[David Brier]

Me and the missus have a couple Dahon Mariner folders which were going to take with us to motorhome in Europe. The e-bike thing is not something we had thought about until we were wintering in Spain last year and came across loads of travellers using them to explore the locations more thoroughly.

I've been looking at this site for a couple of days trying to catch up with the scene and learnt a lot BUT I'm not sure what conversion will suit us best in terms of useage, cost, maintainability and efficiency.

So do we go front, rear or mid motor route?

BTW I'm a life long cyclist and have been building bikes since a young boy so the build will be no problem. It's just whats the right route I need the help with.

 

[TZC]

I'm no expert but wanted to try to help - I tried to hub kit a folder myself and found I couldn't fold it any more.. I would imagine something like this would be best even if it does restrict the folding slightly, but perhaps someone else can add more experienced advice in time

https://electricbike.com/forum/forum/builds/ebike-building-directions/23775-bbs02-kit-to-dahon-speed-d7-mariner

 

[TZC]

This may not interest you personally, but I was surprised to find it and it's relevant and cheap.

Surprised you could get two folding ebikes for 800 pounds, I bet it isn't the best quality though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/e-glide-E-bike-ELECTRIC-BICYCLE-20-Folding-Bike-BRAND-NEW-/162561204705?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

 

[Nealh]

Two options sell yours and buy ready made e folders or convert existing.
For a folder you will probably need to cobble a kit together though I believe there are at least a couple of kits available.
Panda Bikes were selling Brompton kits so may be of use.
Which motor you fit will depend on the terrain usage and any hills involved.
To keep things light and for ease of fitting a narrow/light hub in the front wheel also controller/wiring and battery could be installed in a handle bar bag so as not to interfere with any folding issues, a lighter 6 or 7ah battery may suffice but really depends on range you require. A BBS (3.5 - 4kg) will add to much weight plus there the issue of the wire run and the folding, a front hub approx 1.2kg or less.
Jerry Simon & d8veh are the kiddies when it come to e folders, d8veh did have a Dahon Jetstream he converted.

 

[Nealh]

This may not interest you personally, but I was surprised to find it and it's relevant and cheap.

Surprised you could get two folding ebikes for 800 pounds, I bet it isn't the best quality though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/e-glide-E-bike-ELECTRIC-BICYCLE-20-Folding-Bike-BRAND-NEW-/162561204705?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

Cheap and cheerful will work ok shame they are only 24v.
Ideal world sell a 36v folder and every few months they are discounted to about £500 they may be worth a punt.

 

[TZC]

Cheap and cheerful will work ok shame they are only 24v.
Ideal world sell a 36v folder and every few months they are discounted to about £500 they may be worth a punt.

Hopefully Mr. Brier won't mind me asking you this in his thread, for the reason of information sharing - Since I never tried a 24v, is the performance that much worse to 36v when considering the type of use eg holiday rides where you're willing and able to assist the bike and the bike is expected to help on the inclines more than straight out take you places at a certain speed?

Just wondering.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You need to check the width between your drop-outs front and back. Dahons often have narrow forks, which prevent the installation of most motors.

I'd go with one of the Ideal World bikes. You get the whole thing with a guarantee for the price of a kit.

 

[Nealh]

Hopefully Mr. Brier won't mind me asking you this in his thread, for the reason of information sharing - Since I never tried a 24v, is the performance that much worse to 36v when considering the type of use eg holiday rides where you're willing and able to assist the bike and the bike is expected to help on the inclines more than straight out take you places at a certain speed?

Just wondering.

36v will have more range, torque and speed.

 

[Nealh]

I'd go with one of the Ideal World bikes. You get the whole thing with a guarantee for the price of a kit.

Totally agree. perfect for a holiday run about.

 

[David Brier]

This may not interest you personally, but I was surprised to find it and it's relevant and cheap.

Surprised you could get two folding ebikes for 800 pounds, I bet it isn't the best quality though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/e-glide-E-bike-ELECTRIC-BICYCLE-20-Folding-Bike-BRAND-NEW-/162561204705?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

Wish I'd known this before buying the Dahon's, they might have been suitable.

 

[David Brier]

Cheap and cheerful will work ok shame they are only 24v.
Ideal world sell a 36v folder and every few months they are discounted to about £500 they may be worth a punt.

Thanks Nealh again I wish i'd realised I might want an e-bike before buying the Dahon's (which I got at a good price)

 

[TZC]

36v will have more range, torque and speed.

Ok so it's just a blanket better, in effect.

Sorry my find came a little late david. Perhaps though you could do a little more research into if 24v would do, sell the dahons and get a couple of those I shared.. and not losing much money in the process. Whatever wish you the best.

 

[David Brier]

You need to check the width between your drop-outs front and back. Dahons often have narrow forks, which prevent the installation of most motors.

I'd go with one of the Ideal World bikes. You get the whole thing with a guarantee for the price of a kit.

Will measure up, thanks for the feedback. I guess i'm going to somehow make the Dahon's work for us.

Are these any good?
http://www.electricbikeconversions.co.uk/electric-bike-conversion-kits/

 

[anotherkiwi]

Hopefully Mr. Brier won't mind me asking you this in his thread, for the reason of information sharing - Since I never tried a 24v, is the performance that much worse to 36v when considering the type of use eg holiday rides where you're willing and able to assist the bike and the bike is expected to help on the inclines more than straight out take you places at a certain speed?

Just wondering.

Yes worse. Not much worse but worse, you will get a workout.

 

[Nealh]

Will measure up, thanks for the feedback. I guess i'm going to somehow make the Dahon's work for us.

Are these any good?
http://www.electricbikeconversions.co.uk/electric-bike-conversion-kits/

Hub motor choice will be limited to the drop out widths on your Dahon. The EBC kits are for 100mm front or 135mm rear widths. No use looking at the those dinner plate black D/D hubs as totally unsuitable.

Narrow width front hub.
https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-kit/595-q85-36v250w-front-driving-v-brake-e-bike-motor-wheel-ebike-kit.html.
Front hub kit with battery.
https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-kit/575-q85-36v250w-front-v-brake-e-bike-whole-kit-ebike-kit.html
Without battery.
https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-kit/367-q85-36v200w-250w-front-driving-v-brake-e-bike-kit-ebike-kit.html.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Will measure up, thanks for the feedback. I guess i'm going to somehow make the Dahon's work for us.

Are these any good?
http://www.electricbikeconversions.co.uk/electric-bike-conversion-kits/

Don't even think about which kit until you've measured your drop-outs. after that, the first thing you need to think about is which type (shape) of battery to get and how you're going to fit it.

 

[David Brier]

Hub motor choice will be limited to the drop out widths on your Dahon. The EBC kits are for 100mm front or 135mm rear widths. No use looking at the those dinner plate black D/D hubs as totally unsuitable.

Narrow width front hub.
https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-kit/595-q85-36v250w-front-driving-v-brake-e-bike-motor-wheel-ebike-kit.html.
Front hub kit with battery.
https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-kit/575-q85-36v250w-front-v-brake-e-bike-whole-kit-ebike-kit.html
Without battery.
https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-kit/367-q85-36v200w-250w-front-driving-v-brake-e-bike-kit-ebike-kit.html.

Thanks for this Nealh. Unfortunately only have 75mm front so probably rules out the front hub option.

 

[David Brier]

Don't even think about which kit until you've measured your drop-outs. after that, the first thing you need to think about is which type (shape) of battery to get and how you're going to fit it.

Have 135mm rear so think a rear hub could work but I may not be able to fold as it folds on the side the cables leave the hub. So best option maybe a mid motor which I don't think will obstruct folding. Regarding battery I have rear rack so anything could be adapted to fit that or alternatively the drink bottle mount on the horizontal folding tube (would it obstruct folding?)

 

[Nealh]

With crank drive ground clearance might be an issue with small wheels and after splashing out on two kits, it will be cheaper to but a pair of bikes like the Ideal world offerings. They have been designed already to allow folding so any problems should have been ironed out.
The Tonxin which Jerry and d8veh have used is 75mm I believe.

 

[David Brier]

With crank drive ground clearance might be an issue with small wheels and after splashing out on two kits, it will be cheaper to but a pair of bikes like the Ideal world offerings. They have been designed already to allow folding so any problems should have been ironed out.
The Tonxin which Jerry and d8veh have used is 75mm I believe.

Thanks for the feedback. Will read up about the Tongxin.