How to start?

[anonymous]

I don't even have a regular commuting bike so far.
What I really want is a bike
- that's easy to fold ie: to fit in my car boot
- has a long range (60 miles?)

And I'm not sure you can get that with a regular prebuilt ebike? I also wouldn't know what bike to buy too...

 

[Woosh]

it's not very difficult, but you may have to do the conversion yourself.
Start with a Brompton because it's the best folding bike that can easily go in the boot of most cars.
Fit a Q70 wheel. Find a way to mount an HL battery to the head tube.
That's it.

 

[anonymous]

it's not very difficult, but you may have to do the conversion yourself.
Start with a Brompton because it's the best folding bike that can easily go in the boot of most cars.
Fit a Q70 wheel. Find a way to mount an HL battery to the head tube.
That's it.

Tbh. I'd probably pay someone to do it, if it means I get a decent quality bike at a decent price

 

[Woosh]

if you reduce your range to 40 miles, it will be a lot easier because the battery will be 30cm long instead of 36cm. It makes a big difference to the task of fitting the battery to a small bike.
E-bike batteries are typically built with 18650 cells, as packs of 30 cells, 40 cells and 50 cells.
30 cell packs are a bit weedy, 50 cells a bit bulky, 40 cells about the right choice for the Brompton.
With 3500mAH cells, you get 36V * 14AH, good for 40-50 miles with little pedalling.

 

[anonymous]

it's not very difficult, but you may have to do the conversion yourself.
Start with a Brompton because it's the best folding bike that can easily go in the boot of most cars.
Fit a Q70 wheel. Find a way to mount an HL battery to the head tube.
That's it.

I should buy this?

Brompton Bikes | Brompton Folding Bike | Evans Cycles

www.evanscycles.com

 

[Woosh]

their B75 is excellent value for money. You don't need many gears when you have an electric motor.

 

[anonymous]

their B75 is excellent value for money. You don't need many gears when you have an electric motor.

Thanks. They really are cheap! I guess I'd probably want to go back to a standard bike fairly easily too ie: improve overall fitness too. Is the one I linked to OK?

 

[Woosh]

they all have the same frame, so it won't make any difference to fitting a kit.

 

[vfr400]

60 miles on a folding bike? I think you're going to want to stop at about 20 miles.

 

[anonymous]

60 miles on a folding bike? I think you're going to want to stop at about 20 miles.

Tbh my commute is 30 mile round trip but still

 

[anonymous]

they all have the same frame, so it won't make any difference to fitting a kit.

What kit should I buy? Also I can't see any reference to Q70 tyres on the internet when looking at bikes?

 

[anonymous]

if you reduce your range to 40 miles, it will be a lot easier because the battery will be 30cm long instead of 36cm. It makes a big difference to the task of fitting the battery to a small bike.
E-bike batteries are typically built with 18650 cells, as packs of 30 cells, 40 cells and 50 cells.
30 cell packs are a bit weedy, 50 cells a bit bulky, 40 cells about the right choice for the Brompton.
With 3500mAH cells, you get 36V * 14AH, good for 40-50 miles with little pedalling.

Should I buy this kit? Still not sure about the tyres

Universal eBike Conversion Kit | for Mountain, Hybrid, Road, Ladies, Single speed bikes Swytchbike

www.swytchbike.com

 

[Woosh]

the range is limited by the battery's capacity.
the battery on that kit has 30 cells, eco: 36V * 7.5AH, pro: 36V * 10.5AH.

 

[Brie]

Should I buy this kit? Still not sure about the tyres

Universal eBike Conversion Kit | for Mountain, Hybrid, Road, Ladies, Single speed bikes Swytchbike

www.swytchbike.com

I was going with the Swytch kit, but was put off by their reported less than helpful attitude if there is a problem amongst other things. Nano in Leamington Spa do a similar kit for Bromptons and regular bikes. I’ve settled on the Woosh XF08C kit for mine.

 

[Benjahmin]

It's tempting isn't it, Nice easy conversion? However all that battery weight on the handlebars......I'm not so sure, and you'd definitely want the bigger (heavier) battery.
Also, as mentioned, their customer service has reportedly been ropey at best.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Big wheels = high top speed and stability
Little wheels = more torque for climbing hills and less stability

For commuting 25 km I know what I would choose. If it has to be folding then you have the Tern Joe or the Montague.

 

[anonymous]

I was going with the Swytch kit, but was put off by their reported less than helpful attitude if there is a problem amongst other things. Nano in Leamington Spa do a similar kit for Bromptons and regular bikes. I’ve settled on the Woosh XF08C kit for mine.

This thing?

Woosh CST kit | Chain Drive Electric Bike Kits from Woosh

The Woosh CST kit: rear hub drive electric bike conversion kit for bikes with cassette available from Woosh.

wooshbikes.co.uk

 

[anonymous]

Big wheels = high top speed and stability
Little wheels = more torque for climbing hills and less stability

For commuting 25 km I know what I would choose. If it has to be folding then you have the Tern Joe or the Montague.

Why not the Brompton? Also I'd rather not have a foldable bike but bikes aren't allowed inside the house as per the rental agreement, and I already have a car. I can't really store it anywhere securely otherwise

 

[vfr400]

Get a van and store your bike in the back of it. That's what I do. My Peugeot Partner does 55mpg, which is loads better than the saloon car I had before and it's nicer to drive.

 

[anonymous]

Get a van and store your bike in the back of it. That's what I do. My Peugeot Larger does 55mpg, which is loads better than the saloon car I had before and it's nicer to drive.

I did actually think of buying a cheap as hell van just to store a bike in it, but then I thought about my insurance... I'd also prefer my car now especially as it gives better mpg than that!