Help judging bike

[lectureral]

A neighbour asked me about this bike which is on sale at our local supermarket this month

Loisirs : Vélo pliable à assistance électrique Greencity

Anyone know if it would be any good (3-4 mile, fairly hilly, commute each way)?

 

[flecc]

That would have no trouble with that commute, I'd expect a range of 15 miles or more in averagely hilly territory. Small wheel bikes have a physical climb advantage anyway and that Bafang type motor will be quite powerful. Price ok too.

Otherwise this is a typical Chinese made e-folder, meaning the rider gearing will be on the low side with the 20" wheels, good for assisting the motor on hill climbing but quite fast pedal spinning to keep up with the motor on the flat. On this type of bike most just let the motor whisk them along at 15 mph and don't bother with the pedal assist until hill climbing, though only if it allows throttle only. If pedelec it will obviously need pedals turning to keep the motor running.
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[lectureral]

Thanks Flecc - that's about what I thought - I'm pretty sure there will be no throttle - they all seem to be throttleless on this side of the channel.

 

[flecc]

It looks from the photo as if it does have a right hand throttle, but probably only operational while rotating the pedals. The eZee bikes sold into Europe were often like this.
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