Help! Help & Suggestions Please

[witzend]

Hi new to Ebikes and this Forum needing a folding ebike to carry in my camper van came across this and would like Your comments or any suggestions for a similar bike

Buy a Basis Osprey Folding Electric Bike from e-BikesDirect

A Mid range Folding electric bike with a good kick of power!

www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk

 

[cyclebuddy]

As with all bikes, it depends what you want to use it for... quick sprints from the campsite to the shops to get the milk is one thing, anticipating a days ride out over the hills and across the valleys is a different proposition.

I don't see anything inherently bad about the Basis Osprey you're thinking about; at 20kg it isn't excessively heavy, the brakes are rim-type where disk brakes would be better, only 6-speed where 7 or 8 would be a little more useful, and the front suspension forks will likely be a bit springy. IMHO not bad for the price, but stretching to the bigger battery will enable longer rides in the country - if that's what you're intending to do.

You may also want to take a look at the Woosh Rambletta, which while a little more expensive is better spec'd overall and well liked by many members here.

 

[witzend]

As with all bikes, it depends what you want to use it for... quick sprints from the campsite to the shops to get the milk is one thing, anticipating a days ride out over the hills and across the valleys is a different proposition.

Thanks for taking the time to reply
Mainly be used when visiting Europe with our camper van to visit the boulangerie and villages and to ride on some of their greenlanes and canel towpaths mostly surfaced areas woulds guess at 20 mls a day max Wasn't thnking of any days out over the hills and faraway Damaged knee prevents me walking far or putting any pressure on it to pedal a normal bike. Just decided to try one after seeing them used while away last month. Raleigh Stow-e-Way seems to also fit our requirments as well but neither seem to have a throttle option
Just been looking at the Woosh but would like to see it before purchase and the battery arrangment doesn't appeal to me

 

[Nealh]

If in europe one might not want to be caught out with a throttle pedelec.

 

[witzend]

If in europe one might not want to be caught out with a throttle pedelec.

Visiting local shop yesterday and mentioned that a dutch couple we were talking to about their bkes didn't have to pedal to take away and was told that they must have had a throttle an their legal in Europe but not UK

 

[cyclebuddy]

Raleigh Stow-e-Way seems to also fit our requirements

The Raleigh Stow-e-Way seems to be well liked by Motorhome owners (Raleigh always exhibit it at the huge Annual NEC Camping and Caravan Show). The same bike also sells at Halfords as the Raleigh Evo.

It's better built and equipped (and more expensive) for sure, but with your mobility issues requiring you to use the higher levels of assist, the even smaller 6.8Ah battery isn't going to carry you far - optimistically 15 of the 20 miles you're hoping for?

The TranzX motor seems to be robust but isn't the most powerful, replacement/spare TranzX batteries don't come cheap (compared to others of equal capacity), and TranzX systems will require dealer software to fault diagnose if anything should ever go wrong (however unlikely). At least the Basis Osprey is built from generic Chinese components which (if you're so inclined) can mostly be fixed more cheaply at a DIY level, whereas Woosh have a good reputation here for being ever so helpful if any issues should occur.

 

[Nealh]

Throttles certainly not legal in eu for pedelecs, just some forces may be more strict on there implementation.

 

[witzend]

Throttles certainly not legal in eu for pedelecs, just some forces may be more strict on there implementation.

OK thanks Having never ridden any ebike except the dutch one just around the carpark I'm just concerned of the effort to get it going before the motor assist starts theirs was easy just touch the throttle and was away turn pedals if I wanted to. With the legal ones does the drive start when you turn a pedal with out feeling to much resistance right knee is in poor shape.

 

[guerney]

Just been looking at the Woosh but would like to see it before purchase and the battery arrangment doesn't appeal to me

I've got a big heavy rear rack battery, and the balance isn't great when going up very steep hills, but it wasn't possible to have it situated in the middle and retain the bike's folding function. Mid-mounted battery is better imho, if it's large capacity and heavy.

With the legal ones does the drive start when you turn a pedal with out feeling to much resistance right knee is in poor shape.

On my particular bike (Bafang mid-drive bbs01b converted), as long as you start on a very low gear, it's pretty easy on my knees. Seems to kick in within a couple of rear wheel rotations. Hub drives apply power differently I believe.

 

[Nealh]

Were the dutch bikes using a walk assist throttle that is limited to 6km/h, if so they aren't designed to be used when riding just as a walk along method.
There is nothing stoping one having a full operating throttle in the eu but don't be surprised if a heavy fine and bike confiscation were to take place, one would think esp in france if caught. We know how the judiciary over there hate the english.

 

[witzend]

Were the dutch bikes using a walk assist throttle that is limited to 6km/h, if so they aren't designed to be used when riding just as a walk along method.

I didn't take much notice of the bikes so can't confirm they where Dutch but they where owed by a Dutch couple and our interest in ebikes only grew after our meeting with them. But definatly wasn't walking assist as anyone would have to have run to keep up with them when they left us with out any pedaling. So looking like a trip to Holland is on the cards for the spring.
Just looking at the Woosh Rambletta and it appears to have a throttle
The Rambletta has throttle control and pedal assist.

The Rambletta | Powerful Foldable Electric Bikes with 10.4AH semi-hidden battery from Woosh

The Woosh Rambletta is the most recent 20kg folding bike from Woosh, with a large 36V * 10.4AH semi-hidden battery, very easy to stowaway, perfect for camping / caravanning.

wooshbikes.co.uk

When you start pedalling, the motor will kick in right away.
If you don't want to pedal, use the throttle (by simply twisting the throttle lever).

 

[cyclebuddy]

...when they left us with out any pedaling.

Lots of e-bikes - especially Far Eastern imports - have throttles already fitted, or can have one easily added.

It's how it's been implemented that makes it legal or illegal: What you seem to be looking for is a bike with a throttle that can apply full assist/power from a standing start without first pedaling.

My own Fiido D11 folding e-bike has a throttle fitted that can do that, but the implementation is illegal because the law requires that the pedals must be turning first - otherwise in law the bike is a moped requiring a licence, insurance, helmet etc. Using a throttle on an e-bike from a standing start is also very wearing on the battery, prematurely shortening its life (the motor draws very high current when used in this way). Many owners of my own model folding e-bike disconnect the throttle to make the bike legal. The newer models have been corrected so that the throttle now only offers 4mph walk assist unless you deliberately defeat it, again, which some owners do.

The point being made is that what you are looking for is available/do-able, but to do it makes the bike illegal, and that poses a risk if ever you're ever stopped by the Police or involved in an accident (however small that risk may seem).

 

[Nealh]

All my ebikes give instant power within 1/4 pedal turn so have no need or desire for a moped type throttle.

 

[witzend]

All my ebikes give instant power within 1/4 pedal turn so have no need or desire for a moped type throttle.

Thanks
That would be acceptable is that normal for ebikes ? I've got it down to 3 bikes The Woosh Rambellta, the Basis Osprey or the Raleigh Stow E Way does anyone have either of these that could offer some guidance

 

[Nealh]

How the PAS kicks in is down to the operating system, I mainly use KT kuenteng control systems, but have a tsdz2 which is pretty much instant as is my friction drive kit.

 

[sjpt]

Despite being mail order unless you can get to Southend you will get excellent customer service from Woosh on the Rambletta. Service from Halfords is very patchy; seems to depend a lot on luck with your local staff. Comments I've read on this forum for e-bikesdirect are generally positive; I've never used them myself.

 

[Stanebike]

Hi Witzent

My sister has a Raleigh Stoweway and it’s a nice bike to ride. She has the 2018 model and I found it very responsive and willing. The battery is quite small but she gets 15 to 20 miles per charge. It’s also easy to ghost pedal. (When you pedal at a slower speed than the bike is going so no effort needed). That of course uses the battery quicker.

Which magazine gave it a good review with a score of 56% iirc. They have since reviewed a newer model Stoweway/Evo which scored 65% and got more miles from the battery, but less easy to ghost pedal I believe.

The Raleigh is a nice folding ebike but although I’ve not seen a Woosh Rambletta, its good reputation on here and lower price make it the one I’d fine the most tempting.

 

[witzend]

Hi Witzend
The Raleigh is a nice folding ebike but although I’ve not seen a Woosh Rambletta, its good reputation on here and lower price make it the one I’d fine the most tempting.

Thanks thats my thinking as well is this the model Your refering to

Fiido D11 Folding Electric Bike

Fiido D11 Folding Electric Bike

www.fiido.com

Wooshs reviews tend to lean towards their customer service and after sales spares delivery being very good but not many towards their bikes either good or bad. The Basis Osprey comes close just a pity I don't have a chance to see or try either before purchase still I'm no rush so will take a little longer before making a decision

 

[Stanebike]

The model you linked to was the Fido. I was referring to the Woosh

The Rambletta | Powerful Foldable Electric Bikes with 10.4AH semi-hidden battery from Woosh

The Woosh Rambletta is the most recent 20kg folding bike from Woosh, with a large 36V * 10.4AH semi-hidden battery, very easy to stowaway, perfect for camping / caravanning.

wooshbikes.co.uk

I see from the Fido link they have risen in price to the same as the Woosh.

 

[witzend]

The model you linked to was the Fido. I was referring to the Woosh
I see from the Fido link they have risen in price to the same as the Woosh.

Yes sorry my mistake I copied that in cyclebuddys post all this is getting me confused