Folding electric bikes....which one ??

funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
3,172
27
South Shields, Tyne & Wear
ps bring dog ! Please
Its dogs plural.........1 black and 1 gold here

and then 1 black and 1 orange/white in spain ...all poms

and then.....2 silver dapple smooth daxies

AND 1 estrella mountain dog

so any dog carrier as you can guess would be a bit crowded :) :) :)

believe me....you would NOT want them all excitedly running around your showroom......but wouldnt it be FUN.........
hahaha

Lynda
 

Morag

Pedelecer
Feb 28, 2010
225
0
Shropshire
I use a cyclamatic folder with a basil rear dog basket and tow a Doggyride mini trailer and I love it, it get's us up the banks really well a bit of a lump but when riding I don't notice, I know a lot don't like them and I'd love the likes of a Whisper but for the money I wanted to spend (not a lot incase I didn't like or use it) this was and is spot on. (I'll see if I can find a pic of her)

Before I got the trailer



and you can see the size trailer in this pic just about!

 
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morphix

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 24, 2010
2,163
119
Worcestershire
www.cyclecharge.org.uk
Hi Lynda,

I've been riding a folding bike for a few months now and love the convenience of folding. Very easy to lift and carry around, hardly takes up any space when folded, so storage no problem, mine is full size 26" mountain bike but still fits in a cupboard. Should have no problem lifting and storing a 20" in boot of your car. I've had no problem with the folding mechanism takes a few seconds and is very secure when locked, just like a normal bike really..I think most bikes work along the same principle so shouldn't have any problem folding and unfolding.

I did a conversion on my bike so I have limited experience of ready-made folding bikes, I'm guessing that is what you're looking at buying and not considering doing a conversion.. if I was going to buy ready-made I would have these on my shopping list definitely:

Decent looking fast bikes: 8Fun (on eBay, formerly Sunlova) or iZip (both around £600-£700) Super Tight Budget: Cyclamatic (£400 + up to 25% discounts possible)

Wheel size: 20" seems to be the standard, no idea what it's like to ride though as my bike is 26", from what I've read 20" is probably a tad slower on the flat but is much better for hill climbing. Shouldn't be a problem though under power.

Only negative thing I can say about folding bike is that they are likely to pick up more knocks, scrapes and scratches than a regular bike, it just comes with the territory.

Regards,

Paul
 

morphix

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 24, 2010
2,163
119
Worcestershire
www.cyclecharge.org.uk
cute award goes to Morag

Morag the little dog in the basket with the enclosure is soooo cute! :D
 

Morag

Pedelecer
Feb 28, 2010
225
0
Shropshire
Thanks guys wee Louie now rides in the trailer and the newest doggie member Bertie rides in the basket!

Love the basket Morag, and the Dog!

Please may I have the supplier detail? (for the Basket! :))

Best regards

David
David I believe if memory serves me right I bought both the basket and space frame from here (they were the cheapest at the time)

Baskets - Page 2 - J E James Cycles - Bike Shop
 

jerrysimon

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 27, 2009
3,292
112
Cambridge, UK
Well I guess I had to post it :p





Just completed 1700 miles in 17 months on my daily commute.

Full details here

Regards

Jerry
 
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BCM

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 24, 2011
24
0
Love the Brompton Jerrysimon, very smart, the ultimate folding bike, I believe Brompton are going to be bringing out their own ebike possibly later this year!
 

funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
3,172
27
South Shields, Tyne & Wear
I use a cyclamatic folder with a basil rear dog basket and tow a Doggyride mini trailer and I love it, it get's us up the banks really well a bit of a lump but when riding I don't notice, I know a lot don't like them and I'd love the likes of a Whisper but for the money I wanted to spend (not a lot incase I didn't like or use it) this was and is spot on. (I'll see if I can find a pic of her)

Before I got the trailer



and you can see the size trailer in this pic just about!

Morag.....love the pics AND your dog.....I was thinking about the basil basket....do you think, based on the size/weight of your dog, that there would be room in it for 2 pomeranians one weighing 2 kilos and the other 3k , to lie down in it on top of a pillow ?
I am impressed that your bike is well capable of carrying a dog basket as well as towing a trailer.....do you use traffic free routes and if so is the trailer a nuisance for going through gates etc or how do you find it generally in use ?

Would be grateful for any feedback, at the moment I leave mine at home or in the van whilst I am out on the bike...they are quite happy to sleep till I get back, I used to take my little 2k dog with me in a carrier but he found it a bit rough......hence the need for a pillow to cushion the bumps :)

Lynda
 

Morag

Pedelecer
Feb 28, 2010
225
0
Shropshire
Morag.....love the pics AND your dog.....I was thinking about the basil basket....do you think, based on the size/weight of your dog, that there would be room in it for 2 pomeranians one weighing 2 kilos and the other 3k , to lie down in it on top of a pillow ?
I am impressed that your bike is well capable of carrying a dog basket as well as towing a trailer.....do you use traffic free routes and if so is the trailer a nuisance for going through gates etc or how do you find it generally in use ?

Would be grateful for any feedback, at the moment I leave mine at home or in the van whilst I am out on the bike...they are quite happy to sleep till I get back, I used to take my little 2k dog with me in a carrier but he found it a bit rough......hence the need for a pillow to cushion the bumps :)

Lynda
Well Louie is 3.5kg, so I'd say you could probably get your 2 littlies in the basket but it might be a bit of a squish, I'll measure it tomorrow and take a pic of Louie or Bertie in it so you can see from above and how much room is left for a second, I would put them in together but Louie doesn't share well (read as grumpy about her personal space!). I've put a thick piece of medium firm covered foam in the bottom to cushion their ride and I line it with a fleece blankie to make sure there's extra comfort (yes I am insane about my dogs comfort *lol*).

I use traffic and non traffic routes but I don't go on rough ground ( Louie has serious back issues so I worry it would be to much), I haven't had any trouble with gates with the trailer on the back, if it's a tight wicket gate I can easily unhitch the trailer and get us all through and rehitched without to much fuss and I can push the bike with trailer attached along the tarmac canal tow path while the dogs are toddling along with me on their leads without any problems to so it's not unwieldly to handle one handed that way either.

I find overall it's a great set up and easy to use and does the job I want it to do, I pop both dogs into the trailer if I have to park the bike as I don't trust it not to tople over if the dog in the basket moved a lot (I'm a worry wart). I'd say the trailer is definately roomy enough for both your dogs to snooze in in comfort with room to spare.
 

funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
3,172
27
South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Thanks for that Morag, would appreciate pics when you get a minute.
I hadnt thought about unhitching the trailer when necessary.....good idea.
Is louie a chinese crested ?
I'm a worry wart too :) Rico my little boy has serious liver problems so I suppose he is far better off being left but on odd occasions I would like to take them with me, but the last time I took him was on a via verde railway trail in southern spain and although he was on a thick pillow when I got him out he was limping so maybe i would have to slow down a bit !!
I think on balance I would prefer to have them in front of me to keep an eye on them....might be safer for them :)

Lynda
 

jerrysimon

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 27, 2009
3,292
112
Cambridge, UK
Love the Brompton Jerrysimon, very smart, the ultimate folding bike, I believe Brompton are going to be bringing out their own ebike possibly later this year!
That's the rumour :p

Regards

Jerry
 

Morag

Pedelecer
Feb 28, 2010
225
0
Shropshire
Lynda yep Louie is a Crestie I have 3 at the mo. I haven't managed to get Louie or Bertie in the basket yet can't seem to juggle the camera and hang onto the bike so when hubby get's his hiney in gear I'll get one but I did take these pics to give you a better idea of the size and space.

With space frame (and added cable ties)


with foam base padding


Showing base of basket it's nice and solid


The interior size is 18 inch long and 9.5 inch wide.
 

funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
3,172
27
South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Thankyou very much Morag looking at it theres plenty of room for my two.
I presume the ties are there to stop them poking their heads out ? I had wondered about that because mine have very little heads....
Once I finally get my new bike I will look into getting a frame on the front of my bike if possible
then fit the basil basket onto that.
I hope it can be put on the front as I think I would prefer it there.....looking at them will remind me to slow down as I seem to forget I have passengers when I have had him behind me :) :)

Lynda
 

Morag

Pedelecer
Feb 28, 2010
225
0
Shropshire
No probs hun, Basil do a front dog basket with space frame to here's a couple of links to see the basket and how it attaches I worried initially about the pups being behind me but I figured they would be safer as I was returning to cycling after a long long time and felt the extra weight at the front might well have me off! hence the purchase of the trailer if I do fall off the bike, the trailer stays upright (have to think of the wee ones safetly when I'm such a cluts *lol*)
Yes you are right the cable ties stop them poking their heads through as the gaps were rather large!!

Basil Wicker Front Dog Basket £64.99 Free Delivery

Basil Wicker Front Dog Basket and Space Frame Set £79.99 Free Delivery
 
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Jim Taverner

Finding my (electric) wheels
Aug 9, 2008
14
0
85
Cardiff
Hello Lynda. I'm into my second year with a Dahon Vitesse modified by Whites of Malmsbury and I've been delighted with it. I've now come to the conclusion that a folder isn't necessary for me which is born out by being folded twice since I bought it. I've since fitted a super tail gate rack from Mont Blanc for under a £100. With the battery removed, I still found it quite a lump to lift, but if buying a folder again I'd be tempted to go for the Brompton Nano because of it's superior fold.
Cheers,
Jim
 

PennyFarthing

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 25, 2011
290
3
I used to take my little 2k dog with me in a carrier but he found it a bit rough......hence the need for a pillow to cushion the bumps :)

Lynda

Lynda - this made me smile. When you said your dog found it a bit rough, I had visions of you asking him how the ride was and him replying "RUFF!" LOL!

I'd love to travel on my bike for some long bike rides/dog walks, with the dogs heads peaking out the top of a rear trailer, with dogs wearing some flying goggles! Not sure if I'd be brave enough to do this in reality though.
 
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