neenach2002

I'm trying to find a 21 speed (ish) folding bike with electric assist that rolls easily when folded. I have quite a steep hill that I will be going up/down on a daily basis, but aside from that my ride is mostly flat. In addition, I'm 6'2. I tried to look at the threads linked in the FAQ, but none of them seem to be working. Does anyone have any recommendations?

rhenning

Get off the computer and go to bike shops and test bikes. We all have bikes we like but that doesn't mean you will. Buy the one you can afford and are most comfortable on. Roger

Doc_Wui

First I thought you might want a 20" folding electric bike, but those are mostly 7 speeds. Are you interested in the 26" folding e-bikes mainly seen on Amaxon for around $600-700?

Nonetheless, there a quite a few 20" folding bikes with electric assist. I would say most are probably 45 pounds and up. I don't know that this is easy to roll, but probably a hefty load to carry. I think you can expect these bikes to have a range of 20-26 miles and a top speed around 18 mph whether you pedal them unassisted or use the motor.

I am an ebike hobbyist the past 4 summers, and discovered folders two years ago. We have a Downtube Nova and 8FS, where I added rear hub motor kits and a small battery. The conversions were $500-600. Half of that is battery,, The bikes were $300 and $400. I could have bought low cost electric folders for less, but I wanted to have starter bikes that were known for quality and this forum appears to think they do. They weigh 35 and 39 pounds. 18 mph and about 25 mile range. We use them for riding around on bike paths. Only folded if they go inside a minivan.

If you want a good fold and have the budget, you probably cannot go wrong with a Brompton. They offer a front drive kit and so does Grin technologies in Vancouver. Lots of money.

fietsbob

Bespoke ordered bike at about $3K+ from Bike Friday,* Hill Climbing? add a Mid drive motor ..

the 7 or 8 by 3, the S-A combination of Internal Gear hub, the 3, and a cassette for the 7 or 8
will make up for motor having just one chainring..

In general, Wheel Hub motors do not have hill climbing torque..

* most folding bikes make a single size product, regardless of the size of the rider .... you just adapt..
only Bike Friday builds to the customer's size..

...
My LBS here, has done conversions of mostly MTB, with mid drive motor kits, to existing bikes ...
the kit, installed , is $1600..








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Doc_Wui

This is the only picture I have of the kinds of hills we encounter. Warning sign indicates 10 degrees. It crosses a 2 lane highway on the Legacy Trail from Sarasota, FL to Venice, FL, Some riders walk. Others cross the two laner. Most people ride. Our bikes have 12:1 gears inside the motors, so they climb better. It's a short hill. I can do it w/o the motor in the bigger rear gears. My wife doesn't know how to shift, so she rode up in top gear.

Pinigis 

An e-assist should minimize the need for so many gear ratios. You can get a wide gear range without the complexity, weight, and redundancy that you get with with a multi-chainring setup. There are folding ebikes that will easily accommodate your height, I had a guy 6'5" fit comfortably on our Origami FireFly.

neenach2002

I will definitely do this, but I was hoping to at least get a good idea of where to start my search.

Potentially interested in the ones on Amazon. I don't have the budget for a Brompton. 45 pounds will be too much, as I'll need to go up/down stairs as well.

I'm not sure what "S-A" means, but they seem to have bikes within my price range. I selected "Electric Assist Available" but I didn't see the option to add that, so not sure how much that costs.
My hill is at a higher grade for sure. It is very steep.

I agree, but one thing that concerns me here is that I may have to stop on the hill as there is a gate.

fietsbob

S-A Sturmey Archer Sturmey-Archer | CS-RF3 Silver

Pinigis 

Stopping on the hill is a non issue. Simply downshift and be on your way.

neenach2002

Are you saying I would be okay with an 8-speed, and that downshifting will allow the electric motor to get me going up the hill if I'm at a dead stop?

fietsbob

NB: with a derailleur, gear down before you stop, with an IGH you can downshift while you are stopped ...

Pinigis 

neenach2002

Yep, I'm aware. I downshift before I hit the hill anyways as it's steep enough that I'd quickly lose speed even if I was going as fast as I can. Plus, it's actually right after a left turn which I can't take at full speed anyways.
Good to know. I have a much better idea what I'm looking for now. I'm fine mostly using a motor to get me up the hill; it beats walking up the hill (which is in and of itself quite an exercise, even without a bike). It's about a 100 foot incline, from start to finish. It's likely between 30º and 45º.

I assume that it won't be easy to add a mid-drive motor to any folding bike, and that there's certain models I'll need to look at that either come with that, or support adding one.

Pinigis 

No, adding a mid-drive would be difficult since we have to build the frame to accommodate the motor. I have seen a couple of add-on mid-drives, but I cannot attest to their efficiency or noise level.

fietsbob

My friends @ LBS, here, do mostly Mid Drive conversions to MTB for hunters .. 68~73 or 100 for fat bikes take 2 different kits





Bike Friday is getting in on the Ebike option , most with Hub motors, only Mid Drive on the Haul-a-Day..






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tds101 

Get a Bafang Mid Drive kit,... All you need is to swap out the bottom bracket, then attach the rest to your bike. With a 20" folder I'd recommend not getting anything over 250 watts.

Bafang Mid Drive Kit

tds101 

Doc_Wui

Wheelie city with the Bafang, but nothing wrong with that. With a higher voltage battery, I get wheelies if I start off on throttle with the rear hub motor on my Nova.

I recall the bracket should be about 68mm wide for the Bafang.

A mid drive is, in my opinion, a lot faster to connect and wire up than a hub motor. Just costs about 200 dollars more.

tds101 

The mid drive is so much more efficient,...I may get 1 by the summer.