Help finding an electric (preferably folding) bike for a big bloke.

[LongbowArcher]

Hi All.

Pretty new to electric bikes and the forum this is my second thread...

I am looking for a bike that will carry 120kg plus a bit more if possible (I am 18 and a half to 19 stone (see "too fat") or so and 6 foot tall...

Budget started at £1000 max but would pay more if the bike were something extra special that will stand the test of time...I looked at a Brompton nano as I saw the Bromptons on "how its made" and liked the look of them but they only take 110kg and I am 118kg plus laptop...I would have paid extra for a good folding one like a Brompton too having heard of them being good as normal fold up bikes...

I want it to go to work which is up a steep hill only about quarter to half of a mile a couple of times a day plus I want to do some exploring of towns and places and ride along some seafronts and pleasure rides now and then...

It also needs to go in the back of a car alongside my partners folding Izip so it must either fold (it seems not many folders can carry my weight) or if I cant get a folding one be a fixed frame with easily removable front wheel for putting in the car quickly and easily...

If I have to get a fixed frame as no folding bikes will hold my weight I think I would prefer a rack mounted battery so I can cover it with panniers and I have been told that a rack mount is easier to upgrade or replace when the battery goes...

It must be legal to ride as I cant afford to get prosecuted for no insurance etc...

I dont intend to be this weight forever but I want a bike that will help get me up hills and hopefully I will use the assistance less as I get fitter...

So my Requirements would be:

£500-£1000 budget (Flexible budget but the less the better as always) or more if its something special like a really good folding bike that can fold up AND take my weight (120kg) up hills...

Would really prefer a folding bike so it goes in the car but would like one thats not too low geared (I can only compare to the partners Izip as with that one even in top gear you have to pedal pretty fast)...

Rack mounted battery and quick release front wheel if I have to get a solid non folding frame so rear wheel drive would be a definite with a fixed frame...

Good after sales service and parts...

I really would prefer a folding one if paying higher prices otherwise I might not be able to get both bikes in the car at once but I know there arent many folders if any for us fat blokes...

I like the look of fixed frame ones as they look less like a womans shopping bike but am dubious as to whether I will struggle to get two in a medium size hatchback...

 

[flecc]

Manufacturer's recommendations on weight limits will have a degree of safety factor built in, and will also reflect "worst case" situations, especially from a trusted and reputable manufacturer like Brompton.

Therefore you might consider it worth risking that bike, since with exercise you are likely to lose some of that marginal overweight with pedalling exercise anyway. Obviously if you do that, just avoid the greatest stress situations like kerbing and potholes, especially until some of the excess weight goes.

 

[shemozzle999]

Here is an example Brompton setup for you - my front hub motor drive with the battery mount on the seat post - leaving the front bag and rear rack available for carrying.
It still folds and will fit on the back seat of my little Toyota Aygo (4 door).

 

[sammy06forever]

Hiya my partner weighs 18 1/2 stones and has just had his Dahon Speed bike converted to electric the motor is a bafang with 36v battery and it pulls him with no problem's, but as Flecc says avoid pot holes and curbs, my patners motor is on the front wheel hope this helps.
Regards Sammy

 

[12xu22]

Hi, my Fast4ward Edge bears my 14.5 stone without complaint, and fits your criteria .... no doubt Mark Loveridge can advise us whether it will take the extra 5 stone, I imagine it will .... if you're anywhere near to me you're welcome to come and give it a test ride

 

[Kudoscycles]

I recommend you select a folder with minimum 20" wheels, below that diameter hitting potholes is like hitting a wall. We have supplied our Kudos Cheetah bike to some big guys,I myself am 17 stone and 6ft plus(trying to lose a bit so as not to stand out too much on my next China trip) and happily ride the Cheetah,the Cheetah is rated up to 15 stone,the weakness in all these 20" folders is the rear wheel spokes but Target Wheels of Barton upon Humber have built some heavy duty wheels that overcome this weakness,its a case of being sensible if you bunny jump off kerbs the bike won't last long but ride it like most adults and it will take more than the rated weight-if you search Kudos Cheetah there are several reviews on this site.
Dave
KudosCycles

 

[Tim]

Hello, it is outside your budget, but well worth considering that Kalkhoff offer XXL versions of their Agattu range which are recommended for riders up to 170kg / 27 stone. They come with reinforced wheel rims, suspension seatpost etc. We have a couple of 2011 Kalkhoff Agattu XXL electric bikes in stock with the Panasonic motor and 18Ah battery in the Large 57cm frame size and we've also ordered a selection of Agattu XXL Impulse for the 2012 season, which we expect to see around March/April. This one:



There's also a secret 10% off all orders at the moment with promo code winter10. Not publicised on our website, but there it is. Plus we do finance and cycle to work which helps spread the cost.

 

[eddieo]

If not using for commuting why not just get a proper bike and a decent rack for your car. Far more comfortable and enjoyable to ride....

 

[RoadieRoger]

If you still want a Folder Longbow , look at the Batribike Quartz it is more substantial than most .Just looking at the spec. sheet that you can download , it gives the maximum load as 120 Kg . The frame is oval section alloy .

 

[LongbowArcher]

Thanks for the good advice, they all look good bikes...

So far the Batribike Quartz LCD looks the best bet weight wise as its a folder and carries 130kg officially !! thats me plus I will be able to carry some extra to and from work...

As Flecc says there is probably some degree of safety built in but I would honestly rather buy a bike thats really made for my weight...

Plus it has a locking rack mount battery that might make it easier to replace cheaply in the future...


Thanks for the advice guys...

 

[eddieo]

well if you dont contribute by peddling yourself you will get very bored and not make much progress (these are not electric scooters) compare specs with different bikes and test ride ones your interested in...try a few hills

 

[LongbowArcher]

I just noticed that they have a folding model on the Batribike site called the "Breeze" also which is £150 cheaper and also carries 130kg so I might have a compare of that one also but it doesnt have a rack mounted battery...

I have emailed Batribike for prices on replacement batteries...

Is it definitely a good idea to pay the extra and go for a rack mount battery?

 

[LongbowArcher]

Thanks for that...I sort of mostly I inderstand how they work I just want to buy the right bike, the idea is to get the best value bike for my needs so I can excercise but also be able to travel further without getting tired until I am fitter, the hill to my premises is pretty steep you see even though its only half a mile from home I would end up pushing a normal bike.

Its more about which bike will take my weight and get me up the hill and also which battery will be reasonably priced when it comes to replace it in a couple or more years, I presume my weight will take it out of the battery so I would expect two years from what I have read before it starts losing too much power.

I was under the impression it might be better to get a rack mount battery as I might be able to replace it with something better in a couple of years but I dont know if its worth paying an extra £200 for the Quartz over the price of the Breeze model as thats going for £700 on one site I saw and the Quartz is £900...

I love the idea of being able to fold the bike into a bag and take it into a hotel rather than having to leave the bikes in the car when we go away and you can get bags for them both of the Batrikike 130kg Folders... I didnt realise this until today.

Also the Quartz has something called "Launch assist" which sounds great... I might go for the higher spec bike if I cant find anything better for £900...
Just waiting for battery prices...

I know the Kudos battery prices make thier bikes really tempting but the 2 folders have 24v and my missus has a 24v, I tried it and its really hard to get up the hill with it so I thought 36v would be better for me.

 

[flecc]

A rack mounted battery model isn't really an advantage, since just like in-frame batteries they are bike specific. Buying from a lasting reliable supplier ensures you will get a correct replacement of either when the time comes. However, if a supplier no longer exists and another make of battery has to used, the connections to the rack can be useful then for another rack battery mounting.

Generally though, just buy the bike that's most suitable and appeals to you most.

 

[LongbowArcher]

Thanks Flecc...

Just out of curiosity... with you knowing what you know... what would you buy in my position (if you can imagine being 120kg that is ) as I really cant decide...? if I could be so bold as to as such a personal question that is.. ?

I dont really want to spend more than a grand but think I need a 36w and it has to fold...

The only thing making me shortlist the Batribike is the 130kg weight limit... all the folders look like womens shopping bikes so looks arent really an issue...

Rode my missus Izip downtown which is rated at 110kg and that takes my weigh no problem but struggles on the hill...

I know what I am like though I will waste hours and hours looking at different bikes (I already must have spent about 20 - 30 hours looking) and I should be spending that time running my business... not drooling over different size motors and trying to work out all the pros and cons of each individual bike etc lol...

I cant seem to find a "best folding electric bikes for fat blokes" list so I am just going round and round in circles at the moment...

Its so hard to decide and nothing is jumping out at me and saying "look buy me I am great value and the best you will get for the money long term"

Long term I havent a clue what to go for... the more I look into it the more confused I get... I had decided on a Batribike Quartz LCD or a Breeze because of the 130kg weight capacity but now I am not sure again...

Any recommenddations from experienced electric bikers would help...

 

[flecc]

In your position I'd choose the Quartz model. It's slightly larger capacity will be useful since the current drain with your weight and hill climbing will be quite high. That gives it the edge over the Breeze.

No small wheel folder will really match a good normal size e-bike of course, but if folding is essential, the Batribikes seem a good choice, judging by the happy owners we've had in here.

 

[LongbowArcher]

Thanks for the advice Flecc... I was almost there... just had a last hesitation...
I will contact Batribike tomorrow I think...

Not sure whether to buy direct from thier website but I suppose that would be ok perhaps I will ring first...

To be honest I would like a normal frame or even better a folder that looks like a "proper" bike but I only have a CLC Coupe 2 door and the missus has a Hyundai Coupe 2 door and we need to transport 2 bikes in either car, I like the idea of being able to take them into our hotel or camper in a bag too and we will be able to store them in our tent at events when we camp... the seats fold down on both cars but we will still only get 2 folders in methinks...

 

[banbury frank]

Hi I see on Ebay the a similar bike £559 But they say 100 kilos But they are in the midlands you could Try Befog you BUY

PRO RIDER FOLDING ELECTRIC BIKE 48KM RANGE E BIKE | eBay


Frank

 

[eddieo]

Do you not have any E bike dealers near where you live? I would seriously try before you buy. Thule and others have racks, but you would have to geta towbar fitted. I would up the budget, and buy a decent bike. As you seem manly concerned with hill climbing I would get a crank drive bike.

 

[LongbowArcher]

Hi I think the nearest dealer is an hours drive each way...

We are just off junction 28 of the M1

Thoughts on buying a proper one instead of a folder are:

I cant really up the budget by much over £1000 and I think I really need a folding bike as when we go away like to Scarborough or Whitby or wherever we go for a ride we will be staying in B&B's etc and I am not sure how they would feel about us bringing full size leccy bikes inside etc and they are too theivable to leave outside or on view in the car. We could bring 2 folding ones inside in a bag no problem if they didnt have room or keep one in the boot and take one inside and leave it in the hotel room when not in use.

I would much prefer one that didnt look like a ladys shopping bike but I dont think I would get as much use out of it if I had to install a rack every time I went anywhere, also I have just bought a new car and would be scared of scratching the new paint also as its some kind of special "Nanotech" paint that chipsaway might not be able to cover up scratches in plus its prices getting scratches sprayed in these days... A towbar wouldnt look right on a supercharged 2 door coupe either I dont think... I could consider a rack on the Missus's car I suppose...

She only has a folder herself so I dont need to be going any faster and leaving her behind...

I dont think I would want a £1000 electric bike on a rack getting soaked and ditched and covered in road salt from gritters and just general road mud at high speed either...

What price would I bo looking at for a crank drive bike ?

Probably no such thing as a crank drive folding bike is there ?

Got the prices for the Batribike Quartx and Breeze batteries, not cheap obvioulsy but not as much as some I have seen...