Best non electric folder for conversion

[kevinfox]

Can anyone advise on the best non electric folder for converting? I'm thinking of using the Cyclone Crank Drive System and ideally I'd like the following features.

1)Light and strong bike with 20 Inch Wheels
2)Easy quick folding mechanism to allow access to Public Transport
3)Doesn't fall over when folded
4)Transport wheels so the bike can be pulled along when folded like a suitcase (when taking it into work for security for example)
5)Waterproof storage bag that works with the transport wheels
6)Front suspension
7)Gears - suggestions as to how many
8)Sensible gearing so your not pedalling air at 15MPH
9)Comfortable seat
10)A quality product without easily buckled wheels, rust at the first sign of rain or loose fragile parts

comments please!

 

[flecc]

I don't know anything that exactly meets all your needs, but the Dahon range are a favourite for motorising at a reasonable price.

I don't know if there's the necessary minimum of 82 mm at the rear of the bottom bracket for the Cyclone motor though, a crucially important feature for them. You can see the sort of space needed in this photo.
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[kevinfox]

I don't know anything that exactly meets all your needs, but the Dahon range are a favourite for motorising at a reasonable price.

I don't know if there's the necessary minimum of 82 mm at the rear of the bottom bracket for the Cyclone motor though, a crucially important feature for them. You can see the sort of space needed in this photo.
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Thanks Flecc,
I think the absolute minimum is 62mm according to the second picture along on 1 Chainwheel 360 Watt Kit but I reckon having things that close is asking for trouble from small stones etc.

 

[flecc]

Thanks Flecc,
I think the absolute minimum is 62mm according to the second picture along on 1 Chainwheel 360 Watt Kit but I reckon having things that close is asking for trouble from small stones etc.

Thanks Kevin, they must have made some mounting change since it was 82 mm originally and I quoted from that. As you say the 62 mm is extremely tight and a bit more would be better.

I prefer the look of their new multi-chainwheel kit with the forward motor and much bigger idler wheel, more efficient, but the range of bikes with enough room for that position is very restricted.
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[AndyOfTheSouth]

I'm probably being a bit dim, but who and where is this company? Do they have a phone number? These fairly basic facts don't exactly leap out of their website. Or am I missing something?

 

[kevinfox]

It's run out of Newcastle upon Tyne, and internet only. There is however a real person behind it who I spoke to recently. He answers emails and is very helpful eclipsebikes.com| bikes | electric bike kits | Pedal | Power
Cheers
Kevin

 

[flecc]

I'm probably being a bit dim, but who and where is this company? Do they have a phone number? These fairly basic facts don't exactly leap out of their website. Or am I missing something?

If you mean Cyclone Andy, they are in Taiwan and ordering is direct from their website there:

Cyclone Taiwan

They do have some national webpages as well, including one for the UK, but it contains no ordering method.

They are a long established company but quite small and product qualities have been somewhat variable, though improved of late.

P.S. Just seen Kevin's response. There have been other agents here over time including Electrodrive, but they mostly haven't lasted with the Cyclone product. It's probably worth checking for price differences via agents.
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[kevinfox]

Thanks Kevin, they must have made some mounting change since it was 82 mm originally and I quoted from that. As you say the 62 mm is extremely tight and a bit more would be better.

I prefer the look of their new multi-chainwheel kit with the forward motor and much bigger idler wheel, more efficient, but the range of bikes with enough room for that position is very restricted.
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Yes the 3 chainwheel does look better and one of my ideas is a Swissbike TX with this fitted, however it's a bit big when folded and not exactly light!

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

Hi Kevin

On the subject of folders...

If you really want the best fold, most compact shape and durability, then the answer is the Brompton, but this may be ruled out for various reasons.

As Flecc says, Dahon has a big range. There are also other very interesting folding bikes around, some quite exotic.

Steve Punchard at electricmountainbikes.com puts Heinzmann motors into another Montague bike, the Paratrooper. I can vouch for the power that conversion produces, though I've no idea how it would compare with a Cyclone.

I have a Dahon 26" folder and it is a nice bike, but it folds in the sense of being able to put it into a car boot for a weekend trip, not for public transport. The Montague bikes, Swiss or Paratrooper would be the same.

Good luck

Andy

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

A further thought for Flecc or perhaps Tiberius...

If the critical requirement is hill climbing, why not put a Heinzmann into a Brompton (or another 16")? Wouldn't that produce exceptional torque?

 

[flecc]

A further thought for Flecc or perhaps Tiberius...

If the critical requirement is hill climbing, why not put a Heinzmann into a Brompton (or another 16")? Wouldn't that produce exceptional torque?

Yes, Kinetics do that in fact, but the Heinzmann has two disadvantages. First it's a very heavy motor so not a good choice for any folder, second the kit is extremely expensive, around £1250 now I believe. Adding a good bike could leave the finished product at over £2000, so one might as well buy the superb Swiss made 19 kilo BikeTech Flyer Faltrad folder with the Panasonic system at £2100 with a choice of Nexus 8 speed hub gear or Capreo 9 speed derailleur.

Flyer Faltrad
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[kevinfox]

Thanks for the replies. I've got a much better view of where I'm going and I'll let you know what I get up to.
Cheers
Kevin