Front Hub?

[Tommy C]

Hello again, everybody.

I've been dissuaded from the folding bike by Tony from Woosh. He says it's not suitable for my weight. That leaves the competition - one of which has a front hub motor. I'm slightly wary of a front drive bike; does anybody have anything to add to the other threads that discuss front drive? Is it a drastically different experience? Are there any inherent disadvantages with regard to stability or capacity on the incline? Maybe it has advantages too?

Again; any opinions are gratefully received. Dying to get going this summer...

 

[thirteen]

You don't want to ride one of those (Vélosolex) pedaling, trust me! It was a low powered moped, the pedals were only there for starting from the lights and really steep hills. The Velosolex is number one on my list of "the worst handling two wheel ride of my life".

That's almost convinced me to find and buy another one!

Diff'rent strokes f'r diffrent folks. Not everyone wants the handling of a MotoGP bike. Mrs 13 loves her rear-hub motored bicycle and thinks that the front hub motored ones I prefer handle like a greased pig on a skateboard.

I guess that's why I find them entertaining . I love the front pull, and the fact that you have to adapt sometimes to what the bike wants to do.

 

[Woosh]

How is Big Bear on tarmac on the hills? I understand about the variable factors such as my weight and the extent that I am able to power it through the pedals, but does the front mounted Big Bear do any better or worse on a hill than your rear mounted FB LS, for example?

the Rio FB LS has better traction, the Big Bear is a bit more comfortable because it has front suspension.
Handling wise, the Big Bear is slightly nimbler on tarmac roads because of its narrower tyres. If you fit 2.3" balloon tyres to the FB, it will be much better for tarmac roads.
We are out of stock of FB a bit earlier than we thought. If I reorder now, by the time the new batch arrives, that would be late in Autumn, that would be the beginning of the slow season. I decided to leave the re-ordering until Christmas, new arrival will be around March.

 

[Nealh]

How is Big Bear on tarmac on the hills? I understand about the variable factors such as my weight and the extent that I am able to power it through the pedals, but does the front mounted Big Bear do any better or worse on a hill than your rear mounted FB LS, for example?

I had no issue with a Big Bear BPM kit on my 700c on road inclines.

 

[Tommy C]

I had no issue with a Big Bear BPM kit on my 700c on road inclines.

Very helpful information. Many thanks.

 

[Chainring]

My bike is front hub, and has done me well for over 12,000 miles. You have more choice over the type of transmission - hub gears, automatic etc.