Which Lightweight folding e-bike?
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Which Lightweight folding e-bike?
I am a senior woman and want to buy a lightweight folding e-bike. The bike will need to fit into an awkward garage space in my motorhome. I will have to lift it and turn it on its side to fit into the space. I tried a 22kg but too heavy and when folded the wheels flapped about. I'm in UK and would prefer to see/try before buying. I like 20" wheels, will mount a basket on the front, a 'step through' and with suspension.Any suggestions? Thank you for any help - I'm exhausted searching the internet
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I would suggest Brompton, but their bikes are not suspended and probably at your weight limit. You may need to find the lightest bike possible (Tern?) and convert it with something like a Leeds PBJ kit (seven pounds). Since you're in the UK, also ask at pedelecs.co.uk.
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If you know someone planning a trip to the US (or you feel like taking a vacation) I highly recommend the Bike Friday pakiT. It is custom sized and configured. I am 69 years old, female, and also have issues with lifting. I configured mine so I could easily carry it up and down steps to our transit stations - my bike is just at 19lbs right now, including saddle and pedals but not including electric parts. That's with 8 speeds. You can go up or down on weight by adjusting your component selection/component costs and you can also get internal hub gearing if you prefer. But the cost of ordering and shipping to the UK (what's up with Brexit?) may be prohibitive, thus I suggest finding a traveler to pack it in a suitcase (easily done) and bring it as a "used" bike. Their electric bike option is certified for airplane travel, the batteries split into acceptable sizes. It adds about 10 pounds for the electric setup. For myself, I prefer using a friction drive (not much rain here) as it only adds around 5 lbs to the overall weight of the bike. I believe you have Add-e in Austria and Velospeed as wel over there. Hub motors are heavier.
Last edited by linberl; 03-15-19 at 09:39 AM.
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Thank you 2old and linberl
What a quick response! I think you're all far more advanced than me in this bike-world so some of what you suggested was over my head (re covert etc) - I'll try to learn. I'm really looking for something I can 'buy off the shelf' . The bike I tried was Alpine Compact - lovely bike with securing wheel magnets, but too heavy. I also tried Volt compact which was slightly better but very unwieldy to lift and place. I've been looking at 'Wallet' by Cyclocity. Any good? I'll look at Tern and the others you suggest. Sounds like there are better options in USA but don't have anyone to assist - pity.
What a quick response! I think you're all far more advanced than me in this bike-world so some of what you suggested was over my head (re covert etc) - I'll try to learn. I'm really looking for something I can 'buy off the shelf' . The bike I tried was Alpine Compact - lovely bike with securing wheel magnets, but too heavy. I also tried Volt compact which was slightly better but very unwieldy to lift and place. I've been looking at 'Wallet' by Cyclocity. Any good? I'll look at Tern and the others you suggest. Sounds like there are better options in USA but don't have anyone to assist - pity.
#6
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Woosh Gallego 18kg, 16” wheels, no suspension, but the trolley wheels on the rack mean you can wheel it about like a folded Brompton, they’re in Southend, Essex, but deliver anywhere Woosh Gallego | 5 seconds to fold | Electric Bikes with hidden battery from Woosh
GoCycle GS is 16.5kg, 20” wheels, 3-speed IGH, full suspension, enclosed chaincase, and peculiar monofork wheels
https://www.gocycleuk.com/category_s/166.htm
GoCycle GS is 16.5kg, 20” wheels, 3-speed IGH, full suspension, enclosed chaincase, and peculiar monofork wheels
https://www.gocycleuk.com/category_s/166.htm
Last edited by Dewey101; 03-15-19 at 08:31 PM.
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Thanks for suggestions. Have just contacted Woosh but Woosh Gallego is discontinued. Looked at GoCycle but its over my budget. Thanks again
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I'm finding lots of reviews - some good, some bad for Vello+, and a lot of campaign raising but no UK company that have them in stock to buy or see?
#9
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Wisper 806 SE is 21kg https://wisperbikes.com/e-bikes/806-se-folding-bike/
Raleigh stow-e-way is 20kg with a 36v motor/battery https://www.raleigh.co.uk/stower2-st...ite#technology
B’Twin Tilt is 18.6kg with a less powerful 24v motor/battery https://www.decathlon.co.uk/tilt-500...d_8500548.html
Carrera CrossCity is 18kg with 20” wheels and a 36v motor/battery, and can be bought from and returned for service to any Halfords, join Cycling UK and
get a 10% discount. It doesn’t have a latch to keep it together so buy a bungee cord to hold it shut when folded, and buy a more comfortable wider saddle https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...-electric-bike
and https://www.cyclinguk.org/member-benefits/halfords
Raleigh stow-e-way is 20kg with a 36v motor/battery https://www.raleigh.co.uk/stower2-st...ite#technology
B’Twin Tilt is 18.6kg with a less powerful 24v motor/battery https://www.decathlon.co.uk/tilt-500...d_8500548.html
Carrera CrossCity is 18kg with 20” wheels and a 36v motor/battery, and can be bought from and returned for service to any Halfords, join Cycling UK and
get a 10% discount. It doesn’t have a latch to keep it together so buy a bungee cord to hold it shut when folded, and buy a more comfortable wider saddle https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...-electric-bike
and https://www.cyclinguk.org/member-benefits/halfords
Last edited by Dewey101; 03-16-19 at 07:55 AM.
#10
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bespoke builds
Bike Friday does eBikes too .. functionally a Step Thru, too
Diamond 24 is their heavy rider bike , Mid Drive conversions will get you up mountains..
want suspension ? add a mid drive BB mount motor to a Moulton ..
Local bike shop has been fitting motors on MTB for Hunters .. for years..
Bike Friday is represented in UK in Bath.., last I read..
Brompton sells an electric front hub driven Folding Bike,
Made in London UK ..
....
Diamond 24 is their heavy rider bike , Mid Drive conversions will get you up mountains..
want suspension ? add a mid drive BB mount motor to a Moulton ..
Local bike shop has been fitting motors on MTB for Hunters .. for years..
Bike Friday is represented in UK in Bath.., last I read..
Brompton sells an electric front hub driven Folding Bike,
Made in London UK ..
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-23-19 at 11:32 AM.
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https://www.cyclerepublic.com/bikes/...base-pack.html
36 lbs and you can probably drop it a bit by putting on a super light saddle and pedals and handlebar.
36 lbs and you can probably drop it a bit by putting on a super light saddle and pedals and handlebar.
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The GOCycle is beautifully designed and executed if it's within your cost range. I've seen both the expensive and less expensive models and both look excellent.
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Vello is a beautiful bike, but their claims that you can ride w/o ever charging it stretches the truth and I refuse to believe anything else they say.
The wheels pop off the gocycle. If that's worth $20 every time you have to lift it into your motorhome, in two years with one ride per week, it's paid for the higher price My folders (electric) only travel inside a minivan for a few weeks in the winter. They're still quite bulky even though they're under 35 pounds with battery removed.
The wheels pop off the gocycle. If that's worth $20 every time you have to lift it into your motorhome, in two years with one ride per week, it's paid for the higher price My folders (electric) only travel inside a minivan for a few weeks in the winter. They're still quite bulky even though they're under 35 pounds with battery removed.
#14
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Wow there is a huge range out there these days i was getting lost in all the choice myself. I did find this little site though that seems to focus on folding electric bikes. Seems like a cheaper range of brands reviewed. If anything it may help you narrow down the choices,
It did have some reviews that meet your requirements (The 20" wheel size, basket, step through frame, suspension). Not sure if you could test ride one though would need to check if your local bike shop stocks any of them.
It did have some reviews that meet your requirements (The 20" wheel size, basket, step through frame, suspension). Not sure if you could test ride one though would need to check if your local bike shop stocks any of them.
#15
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Sorry Stebo but thats an ad for some cheap Chinese machines.
Bicycles.com has an article with a top ten that actually lists OK bikes.
-SP
Bicycles.com has an article with a top ten that actually lists OK bikes.
-SP
#17
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Heres your link Stebo. It was the second one down using google.
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear...lding-e-bikes/
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear...lding-e-bikes/
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The Carbo folding ebike looks promising at 13 kg. It's an Indiegogo project, so you should probably wait for user reviews before purchasing. It's also less expensive than Vello.
Last edited by Leon S. Kennedy; 05-26-19 at 01:30 AM. Reason: typo
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I've been in the market for a lightweight folding ebike as well. Here are some that caught my eye:
(I tried adding links but I guess I'm too new!)
- Ahooga Folding Bike
- multiple battery size options
- in Europe but not in UK yet (their website says coming to UK soon)
- 15 kgs
- Furo X
- this was a crowdfunded bike on Indiegogo in 2017 but seems to be on the market now
- from London
- 15 kgs
- Carbo (already mentioned)
- GoCycle GX (already mentioned)
- Vello Bike+ (already mentioned)
(I tried adding links but I guess I'm too new!)
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P.S. Schwinnsta , it looks like you may have linked to the wrong thing by accident
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I am a senior woman and want to buy a lightweight folding e-bike. The bike will need to fit into an awkward garage space in my motorhome. I will have to lift it and turn it on its side to fit into the space. I tried a 22kg but too heavy and when folded the wheels flapped about. I'm in UK and would prefer to see/try before buying. I like 20" wheels, will mount a basket on the front, a 'step through' and with suspension.Any suggestions? Thank you for any help - I'm exhausted searching the internet