Folding electric bike

Hi again. I would appreciate any advice on this. I know it's the right place to come.

 

I have sold my regular electric bike. It was a Juicy classic Dutch style bike. It became a bit to heavy for me to steer around corners and I found myself pushing it along rather than riding it.

 

So, I am aware that there are now some lighter bikes on the market. However, I do need a folding one as it needs to go in my Motorhome and it still needs to be a step through/ dutch style. My top budget is £1000.

 

So from my research I have come across the Raleigh Stow e-way and the Decathlon BTwin 500. There didn't seem much of a difference in the ride, other than I found the gear change twisty thing on the handlebar on the Decathlon made my hand a bit sore and of course the Raleigh has more milage in its battery.

 

However, despite the fact that I said that I need the bike for my Motorhome, I would still like to go riding with friends in the summer. All of whom have electric bikes. I don't want to have something too underpowered. So, I am thinking that maybe I should be looking a more expensive folding electric bike with a better (but not heavier battery) that I can use for this purpose too. Is this worth me saving up a bit more money or am I overthinking this?

 

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I fear you may have to up your budget to get a decent folding bike that will compare favourably to your previous Juicy bike. I have a 6 year old step through Juicy Classic and know that they are good bikes which you probably, like me, paid around the 1k mark for. But even these are now nearer 1.5k. Good luck with finding something.

So, I am aware that there are now some lighter bikes on the market. However, I do need a folding one as it needs to go in my Motorhome and it still needs to be a step through/ dutch style. My top budget is £1000.

take a look at the Rambletta: folding, Dutch style, 8-speed rapidfire shifter £1,069.

https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?rambletta

 

 

take a look at the Rambletta: folding, Dutch style, 8-speed rapidfire shifter £1,069.

https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?rambletta

 

 

Thank you for this recommendation. Can I ask, as it's nearly the same price as the Raleigh, why this one is one you would recommend? Many thanks!!

I have a folding Basis Finch from eBikes Direct and this uses a 'universal' battery which can be bought relatively cheaply from eBay and shared with my bigger eBike. It offers good performance, accommodates a +34" inside leg (which the Rambletta disappointingly doesn't) and cost about £749 at the time of purchase.

I take a smaller 10Ah battery on camping trips then use it with a 15Ah (£299) battery at home.

I have a folding Basis Finch from eBikes Direct and this uses a 'universal' battery which can be bought relatively cheaply from eBay and shared with my bigger eBike. It offers good performance, accommodates a +34" inside leg (which the Rambletta disappointingly doesn't) and cost about £749 at the time of purchase.

I take a smaller 10Ah battery on camping trips then use it with a 15Ah (£299) battery at home.

That sounds perfect. Thank you so much for your reply.

Can I ask, do you find it a comfortable ride? I ask, as I have several prolapsed spinal discs. Any bump/pot hole will aggravate it

Thank you for this recommendation. Can I ask, as it's nearly the same price as the Raleigh, why this one is one you would recommend? Many thanks!!

two points:

1. battery: the Stow E-Way has 250WH battery, the Rambletta has 375WH battery. More watt hours equals to bigger range. You can also buy the Rambletta with 432WH (36V 12AH, £70 optional) battery if you want even bigger range.

2. Cassette/freewheel: the Stow E-Way comes with 7-speed 14T-34T cassette/freewheel. The Rambletta comes with 8-speed 11T-34T. The smaller rear cog 11T on the Rambletta lets you cruise at lower cadence, more relaxing ride.

I have a folding Basis Finch from eBikes Direct and this uses a 'universal' battery which can be bought relatively cheaply from eBay and shared with my bigger eBike. It offers good performance, accommodates a +34" inside leg (which the Rambletta disappointingly doesn't) and cost about £749 at the time of purchase.

I take a smaller 10Ah battery on camping trips then use it with a 15Ah (£299) battery at home.

You are wrong on the +34" inside legs. We have two sizes of seat posts for the Rambletta.

If you are taller than 6ft2, we fit longer seat post, 500mm instead of 450mm.

Be careful with your choice since you wish to keep up with riders on full size e-bikes. That is a tall order for a folder since they are mostly low geared, meaning you'll be spinning the pedals like mad on most to keep up with the motor at 15 mph.

 

That's true of the Raleigh Stow Away and the current Basis since both have a top gear 14 tooth rear sprocket. The advantage of the Rambletta that Woosh suggested is it's 11 tooth top gear rear sprocket which means it will be much easier to sustain pedalling at 15 mph.

 

N.B. Crossed with Woosh posts.

.

I have several prolapsed spinal discs. Any bump/pot hole will aggravate it

the Rambletta comes with suspension seat post for your comfort, quite rare among folding bikes.

 

 

Edited March 23, 20233 yr by Woosh

That sounds perfect. Thank you so much for your reply.

Can I ask, do you find it a comfortable ride? I ask, as I have several prolapsed spinal discs. Any bump/pot hole will aggravate it

 

I see that the Finch is now £999.

You are wrong on the +34" inside legs. We have two sizes of seat posts for the Rambletta.

If you are taller than 6ft2, we fit longer seat post, 500mm instead of 450mm.

I emailed at the time and was advised by AH that the long seat post option gave an overall height of 36.5" to the top of the saddle which would be too short - I need 38.5-39" to accommodate ankle flexing. We also talked about adding a chunkier saddle with thick padding and a gel cover over the top to add some additional height. I liked the bike very much, along with the rest of your range, but needed the certainty of knowing it would be comfortable to ride, particularly when purchased without being able to try it for size first.

 

If ever I am in the south-east then I would love to try one for size for a future purchase.

I see that the Finch is now £999.

I find it very comfortable and have a dodgy back myself from an older injury. I replaced the saddle with a wider, sprung saddle and find it very comfortable on 40mile rides. The handlebar height is adjustable too so you can vary your sitting position from leaning forwards to nearly-upright to reduce pressure on your spine.

I emailed at the time and was advised by AH that the long seat post option gave an overall height of 36.5" to the top of the saddle which would be too short - I need 38.5-39" to accommodate ankle flexing. We also talked about adding a chunkier saddle with thick padding and a gel cover over the top to add some additional height. I liked the bike very much, along with the rest of your range, but needed the certainty of knowing it would be comfortable to ride, particularly when purchased without being able to try it for size first.

 

If ever I am in the south-east then I would love to try one for size for a future purchase.

thank you for your clarification. The seat post diameter on the Rambletta is 31.6mm.

You would need the 580mm x 31.6mm post.

two points:

1. battery: the Stow E-Way has 250WH battery, the Rambletta has 375WH battery. More watt hours equals to bigger range. You can also buy the Rambletta with 432WH (36V 12AH, £70 optional) battery if you want even bigger range.

2. Cassette/freewheel: the Stow E-Way comes with 7-speed 14T-34T cassette/freewheel. The Rambletta comes with 8-speed 11T-34T. The smaller rear cog 11T on the Rambletta lets you cruise at lower cadence, more relaxing ride.

Thank you for your answer. That sounds promising. Can I ask, is the bike quite lightweight? I tested both the Raleigh and the Btwin and they seemed much easier to ride that my old Juicy bike. Would it be the same for the Rabletta?

 

two points:

1. battery: the Stow E-Way has 250WH battery, the Rambletta has 375WH battery. More watt hours equals to bigger range. You can also buy the Rambletta with 432WH (36V 12AH, £70 optional) battery if you want even bigger range.

2. Cassette/freewheel: the Stow E-Way comes with 7-speed 14T-34T cassette/freewheel. The Rambletta comes with 8-speed 11T-34T. The smaller rear cog 11T on the Rambletta lets you cruise at lower cadence, more relaxing ride.

Be careful with your choice since you wish to keep up with riders on full size e-bikes. That is a tall order for a folder since they are mostly low geared, meaning you'll be spinning the pedals like mad on most to keep up with the motor at 15 mph.

 

That's true of the Raleigh Stow Away and the current Basis since both have a top gear 14 tooth rear sprocket. The advantage of the Rambletta that Woosh suggested is it's 11 tooth top gear rear sprocket which means it will be much easier to sustain pedalling at 15 mph.

 

N.B. Crossed with Woosh posts.

.

Thank you. I thought that it might be wishful thinking wanting the bike for both purposes. I'm not sure I understand sprockets etc but I take your advice

I find it very comfortable and have a dodgy back myself from an older injury. I replaced the saddle with a wider, sprung saddle and find it very comfortable on 40mile rides. The handlebar height is adjustable too so you can vary your sitting position from leaning forwards to nearly-upright to reduce pressure on your spine.

Thank you! That is really useful to know about the handlebar heigh adjustment.

Can I ask, is the bike quite lightweight? I tested both the Raleigh and the Btwin and they seemed much easier to ride that my old Juicy bike. Would it be the same for the Rmabletta?

The Rambletta weighs 20kgs with battery, 17.5kgs with the battery removed. On this, it's about same compared to the Stow E-way.

The ride is Dutch style, much sit up and beg. Compared to the Stow E-Way, the Raleigh has the battery behind the seat post so the rear wheel is further back, reducing the responsivity.

You also get good front disc brakes with the Rambletta, progressive and excellent braking power. The pads are much longer lasting (around 2,000-3,000 miles for a new set of pads) than V-brake blocks on bikes in this price range (£1,000).

Edited March 23, 20233 yr by Woosh

Thank you. I thought that it might be wishful thinking wanting the bike for both purposes. I'm not sure I understand sprockets etc but I take your advice

 

The larger the rear sprocket (number of teeth) for a given chain ring at the front, the faster you have to spin the pedals.

 

For example, with the 14 tooth rear sprocket on the Stow Away and Basis, for 15 mph you will be spinning the pedals at nearly 80 turns per minute, nearly one and a half times per second, which some find too fast for general riding.

 

With the 11 tooth rear sprocket on the Rambletta, for 15 mph you will be spinning the pedals at about 59 turns per minute, once per second, a comfortable speed.

 

It all depends on how happy you are with spinning the pedal fast in your usual riding

.

I have a folding eBike, a Swytchified Brompton.

 

To me at 18Kg with battery, its pretty much the limit of what can be picked up, put in the back of the car etc. Even without the battery pack (-2Kg) its still a struggle to handle. Maybe its old age.

To me at 18Kg with battery, its pretty much the limit of what can be picked up, put in the back of the car etc. Even without the battery pack (-2Kg) its still a struggle to handle.

True. The Brompton is particularly easy to carry using the saddle as a handle, the weight front/rear distribution is pretty much balanced.

The Rambletta is not too bad on this regard, it has a carrying handle built into the frame:

 

 

You still need two hands to lift it up, one hand holds the handle, the other the saddle or the rack.

Edited March 24, 20233 yr by Woosh

The larger the rear sprocket (number of teeth) for a given chain ring at the front, the faster you have to spin the pedals.

 

For example, with the 14 tooth rear sprocket on the Stow Away and Basis, for 15 mph you will be spinning the pedals at nearly 80 turns per minute, nearly one and a half times per second, which some find too fast for general riding.

 

With the 11 tooth rear sprocket on the Rambletta, for 15 mph you will be spinning the pedals at about 59 turns per minute, once per second, a comfortable speed.

 

It all depends on how happy you are with spinning the pedal fast in your usual riding

.

Thank you for your explanation of this. That helps. I appreciate it

I have a folding eBike, a Swytchified Brompton.

 

To me at 18Kg with battery, its pretty much the limit of what can be picked up, put in the back of the car etc. Even without the battery pack (-2Kg) its still a struggle to handle. Maybe its old age.

Thank you. I thought Brompton were the ideal. It wouldn't have occured to me that they could be heavy. A lightweight bike is key for my search as it needs to go into my Motorhome and of course, there will be times when I need to lift it, in and out of my home

I have a folding Basis Finch from eBikes Direct and this uses a 'universal' battery which can be bought relatively cheaply from eBay and shared with my bigger eBike. It offers good performance, accommodates a +34" inside leg (which the Rambletta disappointingly doesn't) and cost about £749 at the time of purchase.

I take a smaller 10Ah battery on camping trips then use it with a 15Ah (£299) battery at home.

I have to say, that this idea of switching batteries is really appealing to me. However, the Basis Finch is not in stock. I wonder if there are any other bikes that can do this?

Thank you. I thought Brompton were the ideal. It wouldn't have occured to me that they could be heavy. A lightweight bike is key for my search as it needs to go into my Motorhome and of course, there will be times when I need to lift it, in and out of my home

 

A Brompton Electric C-Line is quoted at 17.4kg plus;

 

https://www.brompton.com/electric-c-line

 

So by the time you add the rear rack and some better easy wheels, my Swytchified one is around the same weight. Although with the battery bag removed its around 2 - 3Kg lighter.

 

However, that for all Steel Bromptons.

 

There is also a P Line Electric, Titanium rear frame, 16kg at only £3775.

 

There is a full titanium\carbon non electric Brompton, only 8Kg and a mere £4,400. But its got Carbon forks, so its not suitable for adding a front hub motor, and even if you could, by adding the titanium forks for instance, you would loose the 7 year warranty.

 

18Kg is too much for me, so I have just bought a second hand Brompton, 3 years old, that had a lot of titanium stuff on it. Currently making some changes, and the finished Bromton, as a non-electic should be around the 9Kg mark. I will likley ride it a bit as non-electric to see how I get on, but converted that could be an 'electric' weighing a bit over 12Kg, if the battery is small.