Fat Guy Needs a Folding Conversion on Train Commute!

[tommy2fingers]

Hi

I've looked around for advice on forum but can't find all the answers I need; I'll try and keep to the points!

Me, a shade over 19 stone, need an electric folding bike folding bike to get to train station, catch train, then use bike to work. Total 10 miles. I can charge it at work, then repeat journey home.

I have been horrified at cost of electric folding bikes SO, thought I might buy a regular folding bike from decathlon and buy a conversation kit. A link to a possible bike (£249 / 13.5kg)

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/bfold-7-folding-bike-city-bike-id_8208019.html

I would then need a conversion kit. I have knee problems so would need a kit that has enough kick to take the strain when I need it but am overwhelmed by the choice and knowing if they would be compatible to which bikes.

If anyone has any pearls of wisdom that would be great. Can go up to £900 all in.

Really wanting someone to say, trust me, this is what you want, buy this.... If you think I shouldn't buy a conversion kit, please say, i was just thinking it would keep cost down. I also liked that some kits exceed 15.5mph!!

1) must be light for trains in rush hour
2) must be quick and easy to open and get going
3) must be reliable
4) must be able to move my large self!
5) being able to wheel it would be helpful

Thanks for any guidance
Tommy

 

[mountainsport]

Hi

I've looked around for advice on forum but can't find all the answers I need; I'll try and keep to the points!

Me, a shade over 19 stone, need an electric folding bike folding bike to get to train station, catch train, then use bike to work. Total 10 miles. I can charge it at work, then repeat journey home.

I have been horrified at cost of electric folding bikes SO, thought I might buy a regular folding bike from decathlon and buy a conversation kit. A link to a possible bike (£249 / 13.5kg)

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/bfold-7-folding-bike-city-bike-id_8208019.html

I would then need a conversion kit. I have knee problems so would need a kit that has enough kick to take the strain when I need it but am overwhelmed by the choice and knowing if they would be compatible to which bikes.

If anyone has any pearls of wisdom that would be great. Can go up to £900 all in.

Really wanting someone to say, trust me, this is what you want, buy this.... If you think I shouldn't buy a conversion kit, please say, i was just thinking it would keep cost down. I also liked that some kits exceed 15.5mph!!

1) must be light for trains in rush hour
2) must be quick and easy to open and get going
3) must be reliable
4) must be able to move my large self!
5) being able to wheel it would be helpful

Thanks for any guidance
Tommy

Please stop putting yourself down about your weight. Fat sounds a bit too harsh, your just over weight.

MS.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

There's several threads along the lines of what you've written, but I can't remember any having a happy ending. The problem is that folding bikes are generally too big and heavy to take on the train. The only thing that gets close is a Brompton. You could add a lightweight kit to it, but it won't be powerful, so won't drag you over 15 mph.

 

[pdarnett]

I think the weight of the bike is the main issue, my daughter has a Viking eco stepper and it copes well with the hills in Yorkshire fine. Doesn't fold so stylish but do able, would be better in a bike bag.

Best thing to do is find somewhere that will let you test ride a couple. Where abouts are you based?

There's still some bargains out there to be had, found this one in 2 minutes, even has a spare battery. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hopper-Folding-Electric-Bike-Many-extras-Including-spare-New-Li-Po-Battery-/111443325674?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item19f28a32ea

 

[tommy2fingers]

Thanks

I'm in Ipswich and no electric bikes specialists around. the ebay one looks nice but it's not the quick release/spring into action im after (like a Brompton would).

Expecting to have to make a trip to London to look a couple of shops, found the electric transport company and they sell a Brompton sparticle kit for around £900, but if it only fits on a Brompton, cost spirals towards £2000 which is bank loan territory.

thanks for help, if i find something in London, I'll post it on here..
ta

 

[Artstu]

Also check the weight limit on the folding bike. A lot if not all have a recommended weight limit. My Dahon folder has a 105 kg limit.

http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/130657/

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Thanks

Expecting to have to make a trip to London to look a couple of shops, found the electric transport company and they sell a Brompton sparticle kit for around £900, but if it only fits on a Brompton, cost spirals towards £2000 which is bank loan territory.

thanks for help, if i find something in London, I'll post it on here..
ta

You can make your own easily enough. Buy a used Brompton, a Q100 or Q85 motor, controller and throttle, and 5aH of 36v or 44v lipos. You should be able to do it for about £600 to £700. It'll give a range of about 10 miles, and only add about 4kg to the Brompton. How well it comes out depends on your mechanical and electrical skills. It wouldn't be difficult though.

 

[trex]

or pop into woosh in Milton, Cambridge, and test ride the £699 Zephyr CDN.
It'll cope with 19st rider on flat or slightly hilly roads.

http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?zephyr-cdn

 

[tommy2fingers]

ok, further research points me towards a Brompton and buying a kit..the powerful looking sparticle is only 3.7kg...

going bank loan route now, when I choose build, I can have 1,2,3 or 6 gears, more gears more weight.

given im going electric, will I need any more gears than one?

ta

 

[Alan Quay]

You can get away with single speed if the route is very flat or you are really strong. Most situations require a few gears. 3 is about right, hub is my preference.

 

[tommy2fingers]

Brompton "bike builder" is quiet addictable!

 

[tommy2fingers]

next up the motor, cant seem to find anything negative about the sparticle on forum, so if there is, here's your chance!

 

[Artstu]

I have to say I'd be concerned for the bike.

BROMPTON
Max Rider Weight - 110kgs/242lbs [plus extra 20kgs/44lbs of luggage only; NOT EXTRA RIDER WEIGHT]

 

[tommy2fingers]

im currently eating lettuce for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

im 10kg over the limit, and going down!

weight concerns aside, just want to make sure the saprticle is the one!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

My reckoning is that it costs double what it's worth, but if you have the money, go for it. There's loads of options too for more power and speed, which can bump up the price even further. Make sure you try one, including the folding and carrying before you make your final decision.

 

[Alan Quay]

My reckoning is that it costs double what it's worth....

Do you mean lettuce, or the Sparticle?

 

[tommy2fingers]

you've put the dampners on the sparticle now!

But I don't feel confident with fitting a cheaper Q100, etc or risk messing up an expensive Brompton. Need the assurance of someone competent.

are there any other shops in London /south east that you'd recommend visiting to discuss alternatives & fitting of a lightweight ish conversion?

ta

 

[trex]

your 19st will overwhelm the SWX motor in the Sparticle (and the Brompton). You need a motor of the size of the BPM or a German crank drive which forces you to pedal, so your weight cannot stall the motor. With a dodgy knee, I'd say get a BPM.

sparticle motor: it looks big for the small Brompton but is about two thirds of the BPM.

this is the mtor you need:
http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear-ls

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The SWX motor in a Brompton would have enough torque, but it depends on the speed. A 201 rpm one would only take you to about 10 mph, but would make light work of very steep hills. 250 rpm is more common, which will do about 12 mph. The 328 rpm Q100 will take you to 15 mph, which would be about right. There's something at the back of my mind says that the Sparticle is 300 rpm, but I might be wrong.

All of them should give good torque in a 16" wheel. The BPM motor would be too heavy. Not only is the motor much heavier, but it needs a bigger controller and battery. You don't need a big motor when you have small wheels.

 

[trex]

his 19st may be a problem for the Brompton.
He's also got dodgy knees, so he needs to rely on the throttle, 250W is not going to be enough unless he's happy to go at the same speed as those scooters.