nano brompton or kalkoff pro connect? pl help me choose...

[cdc99]

Hi forum friends!

I am at the cusp of buying my first bicycle in a long time. My commute to work is about 5 miles one way and am thinking cycling to work. I putting down my thoughts about both bikes and would appreciate comments and advice.

Nano brompton

- people say it is just like a regular bike
- it can be taken to office which means that I dont have to worry about it getting stolen.
- I can take it with me on holidays in the uk.
- My wife who hasn't cycled in a long time can ride it as well

concerns:
-maybe it is not a comfortable ride
- I am spending in excess of 1500 pounds, might as well buy a regular comfortable bicycle and play it safe


Kalkoff Proconnect
- more comfortable ride
- perhaps more reliable and benefits of a longer warrantly
- 18Ah battery sounds good.

concerns
- I will have to park it outside, it will get stolen since it is such an expensive bike
- will have to buy additional gear for the car to be able to take it on holidays.

Many thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

You need to try riding a few bikes before discussing this further!

The two bikes to which you refer are so different from each other that they fulfil different roles. There are plenty of other bikes that may do the job you have in mind. Once you have ridden some bikes - electric and non-electric - you might end up with something entirely different.

For example, a much cheaper electric bike for your five mile commute and a unpowered Brompton to keep in your car. You could put a motor on that at a later date if you wanted.

 

[tillson]

Your list of pros and cons is sensible and reflects the reality of the situation. Really, only you can decide how much weight to attach to each element of your list once you have done that, you will have your answer.

The bikes are more or less at opposite ends of the type of usage spectrum. It's very difficult to offer any advise other than have a go on a few different types and see which suits you the best. Certainly try a crank drive and a hub motor.

 

[eddieo]

very different ...So you need to try them. fot you the Brompton stacks up as maybe a better choice. But once you get an E bike your use might change, and you may use it far more then just commuting/occasional holidays etc...So then a bigger, more comfortable, long range bike kinda makes more sense. you can still take a full size bike or 2 away..but you know this already.

 

[cdc99]

thanks for all your comments.

I am curious to know whether the paranoia about bike getting stolen is me magnifying the problem in my head or other face it too.
Is it common place to insure these expensive bikes?

 

[eddieo]

thanks for all your comments.

I am curious to know whether the paranoia about bike getting stolen is me magnifying the problem in my head or other face it too.
Is it common place to insure these expensive bikes?

Yes insurance essential, try your home insurance first, insured as an extension to existing policy always the cheapest way.....

Bikes get stolen all the time. I use my bike a lot but have good locks, and I am retired so dont leave it in same place everyday (higher risk) But as long as you have something secure to lock it to, and invest in a HEAVY DUTY expensive motorbike lock from the likes of ALMAX for instance, you will probably be OK, but if they want it, I guess they can get it. beauty of the Almax for commuting is you can leave lock permanently at work place and have a lighter lock for other stops.....

any video you will see on you tube showing chains being levered, necessitates the chain trailing along ground, so that the thief can get enough leverage with bolt croppers....keep chain short as possible and off the ground.

remove the battery and seat. An e bike without charger, battery or seat is pretty worthless to a thief unless it has high grade componants...

Have had E bikes 2.5 years and have had no problems, I use an audible alarm (handy if nearby) and two decent locks. you will find that it is better to use two different styles of locks as the thief has to then carry different tools.

 

[flecc]

It's a very real threat and many are stolen. It's essential to double lock with a D lock and good chain lock for example, and preferably take other precautions like not parking in the same place at the same time always.

Many members do insure their e-bikes, possibly the majority.

 

[lemmy]

As you can see from my sig, my 2 bikes have some relevance to your question, although my Brompton is not electric.

I can comment a bit on your concerns. My Brompton is different to ride from my Tasman but not less comfortable. It has excellent rear suspension and the built in flex makes the overall ride superb. It's my bike of choice for bumpy city roads.

People who don't know Bromptons theorize about the effect of small wheels on the handling and comfort but anyone who rides one for more than a few minutes quickly finds they are not an issue.

ll in all, the Brompton is pretty bullet proof, all parts are replaceable even on ones bought 25 years ago and the frame is guaranteed forever.

The Pro Connect, your concerns are not for the bike itself and I agree with both of them.

When I look at your reasoning overall here's my take:

The only question mark over the Brompton is the quality and reliability of the electrics. There are no question marks over the Pro Connect itself, only over secondary considerations.

Looking at both bikes, what will the Pro Connect do that the Brompton would not? I can see only that it has a longer range. But with a five mile each way commute, that doesn't seem a relevant consideration.

What will the Brompton do that the Pro connect would not? You don't have the worry of it being stolen. You can take it on holidays without hassle and your wife can ride it.

Here's my take. If your commute was 10 miles or more each way , it's no contest. The Pro Connect.

As it is, the Brompton holds all the cards provided you can satisfy yourself of the quality of its electrics. Reviewers and other people here (Flecc?) will, I am sure be able to advise on this.

Speaking for myself, If I could not have both my bikes (and I can only have the Brompton because it folds down so small) I would buy an e-Brompton, and a spare front wheel. When I went on holiday, I'd leave the battery behind and slip on the non-motor wheel. Simples! Near standard Brompton in five minutes.

 

[banbury frank]

Hi

Look at the wisper range they have a new folder + 8 other models + local network off dealers


Support Support Support

Wisper Lithium Electric Bikes, Pedelecs, and Electric Bicycles.


Frank

 

[andyh2]

Interesting question as I keep swithering over electrifying one of our Bromptons or getting a Panasonic motored bike (probably a BH Emotion if I finally decide to swing that way).

If I electrify the Brompton then there's a fair chance my wife might actually start riding again which would be great and it would be fine for my 15 mile round trip commute, but the Panasonic motored bike would be better just for me as I like to go off road a bit too.

If there was a kit which was easily available, reliable, used the front back for the battery and had decent service back up I'd probably go for that.

Have you considered an Agattu. Might be able to get one which would fit you and your wife and perhaps a bit less attractive to thieves being step thru. Same problems would apply to taking it in / on a car though.

You might want to add post purchase service back up to your list of considerations as well.

 

[cdc99]

Dear Lemmy,

thanks a lot for your very thoughtful reply. I am swinging on the e-brompton side after reading your post.

 

[cdc99]

thanks andyh2!

 

[cdc99]

Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[cdc99]

thanks for your advice! much appreciated!