Hi - second time posting here, my first was 10 years ago then my plans has to suddenly change ...
I need a folding e-bike. My budget is around £1,000, maximum £1,500.
I am a 'former' fairly-serious cyclist until I suddenly developed a form of increasing sight loss - miraculously repaired by a superb surgeonlast year, during 'the long summer of Covid' - so of course now I want to cycle again, and am cleared to do so by my surgeon and optometrist.
However, electric bikes do not seem to come in many 'sizes', and this is my dilemma, as I am very small - barely 4ft 11"/149cm and will only shrink further as time goes on as I'm in my mid seventies.
I used to ride an Isla bike (sadly sold when there seemed no solution for my sight loss), with an XS frame (13" or 14" I think) with shorter cranks, slightly narrower bars and an adjustable stem, which fitted me well and was supremely comfortable for day and longer touring.
I've just emailed several e-bike suppliers to ask if their 'off the shelf' e-folders can be modified in the stem, seatpost and/or cranks to 'fit' smaller people, and am awaiting replies. As other short-*rses will know, it's not just the distance from saddle to pedal that is the issue, but the crank length, the reach/stretch to the bars, their width and a whole host of other issues involving both comfort and safety.
If an adaptation of an off-the-shelf bike isn't possible, I'm wondering how close to 'plug and play' are the conversion kits widely advertised? Some appear to be available with a pre-built wheel, hub motor already mounted, ready to 'slot' into place, almost, with what seems to amount to not much more than some threading up and connection of cables, in addition, and secure fixing of the battery holder (drilled holes, screws, nuts etc?).
I am no engineer or mechanic, and don't have a workshop of any sort but I happily fettle knitting and sewing machines and am not afraid of a spot of drilling or soldering. If I can't get alterations done on an off-the-shelf e-folder, I had an idea that I could buy a decent 2nd hand folder (Tern or Dahon 20" or 24" wheel I was thinking), make it fit me - or pay to get it made to fit me - with new cranks, stem etc - then add the e-kit thus avoiding any bike shop involvement or rather non-involvement with the 'e' bit of it.
Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? I think I'd actually prefer to go the 'off the shelf' route, but I know of nowhere within a day's travel where I could try one out to see and feel just HOW much adaptation it might need.
I need a folding e-bike. My budget is around £1,000, maximum £1,500.
I am a 'former' fairly-serious cyclist until I suddenly developed a form of increasing sight loss - miraculously repaired by a superb surgeonlast year, during 'the long summer of Covid' - so of course now I want to cycle again, and am cleared to do so by my surgeon and optometrist.
However, electric bikes do not seem to come in many 'sizes', and this is my dilemma, as I am very small - barely 4ft 11"/149cm and will only shrink further as time goes on as I'm in my mid seventies.
I used to ride an Isla bike (sadly sold when there seemed no solution for my sight loss), with an XS frame (13" or 14" I think) with shorter cranks, slightly narrower bars and an adjustable stem, which fitted me well and was supremely comfortable for day and longer touring.
I've just emailed several e-bike suppliers to ask if their 'off the shelf' e-folders can be modified in the stem, seatpost and/or cranks to 'fit' smaller people, and am awaiting replies. As other short-*rses will know, it's not just the distance from saddle to pedal that is the issue, but the crank length, the reach/stretch to the bars, their width and a whole host of other issues involving both comfort and safety.
If an adaptation of an off-the-shelf bike isn't possible, I'm wondering how close to 'plug and play' are the conversion kits widely advertised? Some appear to be available with a pre-built wheel, hub motor already mounted, ready to 'slot' into place, almost, with what seems to amount to not much more than some threading up and connection of cables, in addition, and secure fixing of the battery holder (drilled holes, screws, nuts etc?).
I am no engineer or mechanic, and don't have a workshop of any sort but I happily fettle knitting and sewing machines and am not afraid of a spot of drilling or soldering. If I can't get alterations done on an off-the-shelf e-folder, I had an idea that I could buy a decent 2nd hand folder (Tern or Dahon 20" or 24" wheel I was thinking), make it fit me - or pay to get it made to fit me - with new cranks, stem etc - then add the e-kit thus avoiding any bike shop involvement or rather non-involvement with the 'e' bit of it.
Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? I think I'd actually prefer to go the 'off the shelf' route, but I know of nowhere within a day's travel where I could try one out to see and feel just HOW much adaptation it might need.
