Searching for an e-folder...

[GORDONAL]

Hi all

Brand new user here, wondering if one or two folks might chip in with some advice. I'm presently a car user, but as of September I will be working from home (or occasionally from an office a few miles away). Accordingly I guess it's about time I got rid of the car for environmental reasons, and worked out how to get about in Birmingham centre without four wheels. I've not owned a bike for a couple of years, and even that it was a battered mountain bike that didn't get much TLC - so I know nothing about bikes and nothing about maintenance. I am, however, happy to learn .

I would expect to do around four journeys per week, each being between eight miles round-trip and 15 miles round-trip. I was originally considering a non-powered folder but I reckon in the winter months the benefits of the regular exercise would be outweighed by the rain, the snow and the cold; I have therefore been looking at the electric folder market with interest. I don't have a shed or a garage, so at present I think a folder would suit my purposes better (which is a shame, as I think this white Oxygen looks rather lovely - I'd just not have anywhere to put it).

I was originally considering an Electrobike, which given that it looks like a myriad of other machines in the same £500 price bracket, might perhaps be of the same 'cheap import' design that a number of sources are warning about. And most bikes in this category - to my untutored eye at least - look rather ungainly. But I liked that the website was packed with knowledge, and this particular firm is close to me too.

But looking around, and increasing the price bracket to under £1000, I find the much better looking Wisper 806fe, but I read somewhere (lost the URL now) that the pedal-assist is not variable. At this price bracket (again, beginner alert) I would have thought a twist-grip or something would permit the amount of power to be varied - so that I can periodically get some exercise and increase the mileage between charges! The power/voltage spec is much smaller than the Electrobike, as is the expected range.

In a similar price bracket is the Urban Mover UM26S, which looks much better than the Electrobike, but has reduced voltage like the Wisper, and worse range than both.

After that little list, hopping to £1500 brings into reach the Gocycle (very attractive, and very light, but limited range and apparently noisy); Brompton with Nano kit (these look a bit awkward to me, though I know they're regarded as Rolls Royces of the folder world), or the splendid looking Wisper 806 Alpino. But this doubles my intended budget, which is significantly more than I've ever paid for a car.

So... should I go for a cheapie to start off with, and go from there, maybe? Or is that a false economy? Am happy to buy second-hand, but to what degree would I need after-sales support? Also, what is security like on a folder - will a single lock through both wheels and frame when folded be sufficient, or do owners of expensive folders use two D-locks?

Sorry 'bout length of post; am keen to do the research properly as you can tell! TIA for any input.

Just a thought try OnBike at Kidderminster which isn't far from you they have a number of folders to try and are good guys to deal with btw. a friend of mine bought the Batribike folder from them and is delighted Al.

 

[halfer]

Thanks @gordonal. Only problem there is that they do seem very expensive - they're looking for £1200 for a Wisper that is elsewhere available for £900. However it looks like they got the code wrong (805fe rather than 806fe) and the voltage (36 rather than 26), so perhaps it's another bike...

... might drop them a line to see if they've got some misprints!

 

[GORDONAL]

Thanks @gordonal. Only problem there is that they do seem very expensive - they're looking for £1200 for a Wisper that is elsewhere available for £900. However it looks like they got the code wrong (805fe rather than 806fe) and the voltage (36 rather than 26), so perhaps it's another bike...

... might drop them a line to see if they've got some misprints!

Most folks would suggest a test-drive , i tried 6 different peds. before i settled on mine ,seriously try as many as possible then start to find the best deal - but as you initially said service/back-up has to play a significant part also. Happy hunting /TESTING Al.

 

[tangent]

You might like to read my notes on the Sunlova folder here before you make your purchase: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/5849-sunlova-anyone.html?highlight=sunlova

I could not get on with this bike and it led me to think a bit more about the whole concept of a bike with a front hub motor.

If I could get one I would get a foldable with a panasonic style system. Unfortuneately though there do not seem to be any.

 

[halfer]

@gordonal - yes agreed. I will start compiling a shortlist of bikes I'd like to see.

@tangent - many thanks. I'd read your post before, but now that you bring it to my attention I've read it again, properly this time! I am 6'1" (around 12st) and so wonder if, like you, I would find this bike too small. Out of interest, what is a "Panasonic style system"? They run on Panasonic batteries, according to their website.

I personally wouldn't be put off by a front-wheel drive bike. Like @flecc says on your thread, it allows more gear options on the rear wheel; and, presumably just like cars, front-wheel drive is less slippery than rear-wheel drive. Something for me to bear in mind as winter is approaching!

@all - I don't believe Sunlova have any dealers, and they have emailed to say they're open for viewing for a few lunchtime hours Monday-Friday, and they've not confirmed specifically that a test bike is available. Not all that convenient - I suspect their business is just relying on eBay sales (where to give them their credit, they have 100% excellent feedback). Unfortunately I am unlikely to be able to see this bike soon - I can't visit them in their opening hours until mid-September.

It's a little niggle, but the individual who kindly emailed me signed "sunlovabike" and not with their name. Perhaps it's a minor cultural difference, but personally I'd be inclined to think I'd get better long-term support from someone who is happy to use their real name in private correspondence

I think I'll encourage them to join this forum to take part in the discussions; despite the one or two voices in another recent thread that suggested commercial interests should be prohibited from posting, I rather think an opportunity to grill bike vendors is a good thing!

 

[GORDONAL]

You might like to read my notes on the Sunlova folder here before you make your purchase: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/5849-sunlova-anyone.html?highlight=sunlova

I could not get on with this bike and it led me to think a bit more about the whole concept of a bike with a front hub motor.

If I could get one I would get a foldable with a panasonic style system. Unfortuneately though there do not seem to be any.

Try Emotion folder -just introduced admittedly not cheap (£1600) this has a Panasonic drive system Al.

 

[Bigbee]

We have a FREERIDER central cranked folder arriving in a couple of months, price around £800- £900 .If you PM me your email address I'll send you a photo

 

[halfer]

Sunlova got back to me, and said that they have a demo of their non-folding mountain e-bike. Which isn't much help if I am looking specifically at the folder!

I suggested they join this forum, but they didn't respond to that point. I suspect therefore, as per my last message, they are quite happy with their eBay sales, and regard in-person sales as unnecessarily time-consuming . There have been some good comments about their remote support on this forum though, but at present I think the bike's a risky buy. (Could buy and return, but that seems like a lot of bother).

 

[halfer]

We have a FREERIDER central cranked folder arriving in a couple of months, price around £800- £900 .If you PM me your email address I'll send you a photo

I'll do that, thanks. Tried a web search on "Freerider Central" though and came up with nada - brand new brand?

 

[Bigbee]

I'll do that, thanks. Tried a web search on "Freerider Central" though and came up with nada - brand new brand?

Yep brand new brand with hub or crank motors.Just tweaking now.

 

[Scimitar]

I personally wouldn't be put off by a front-wheel drive bike. Like @flecc says on your thread, it allows more gear options on the rear wheel; and, presumably just like cars, front-wheel drive is less slippery than rear-wheel drive. Something for me to bear in mind as winter is approaching!

A car is a stable platform, but a two-wheeler is inherently unstable. From years of riding powered two-wheelers, I know what tyre I prefer to break away, and it isn't the front.

 

[halfer]

A car is a stable platform, but a two-wheeler is inherently unstable. From years of riding powered two-wheelers, I know what tyre I prefer to break away, and it isn't the front.

Thanks for that - do you have that view because a powered rear wheel feels more stable? Would you say that is still the case in slippery conditions, given that I want to ride in all weather conditions?

 

[halfer]

We have a FREERIDER central cranked folder arriving in a couple of months, price around £800- £900 .If you PM me your email address I'll send you a photo

Ah, I understand now... not a "Freerider Central"; a bike called a "Freerider", which is centrally cranked

All this techie talk is making my head spin

 

[onmebike]

A car is a stable platform, but a two-wheeler is inherently unstable. From years of riding powered two-wheelers, I know what tyre I prefer to break away, and it isn't the front.

Being both a motorcyclist and car driver, I have to agree totally.
Front wheel drive can catch you out on a bicycle.
If the motor kicks in while cornering even slowly on wet, icy, loose gravel or dry dusty surface's the wheel can easily slide from under you, the more powerful the motor the more evident this may become. The main reason for this is probably insufficient weight over front wheel for good traction.
Dave , Oldtimer's been caught out with his front wheel drive once or twice in the dry.
For offroad and adverse weather I'd certainly not choose front wheel drive.

 

[Scimitar]

Thanks for that - do you have that view because a powered rear wheel feels more stable? Would you say that is still the case in slippery conditions, given that I want to ride in all weather conditions?

A front drive is certainly guaranteed to give you some heart-stopping moments at least, in slippery conditions. It's relatively easy to recover from a back wheel stepping out under power, sometimes you just do nothing and it recovers grip, but a front wheel sliding to the side very often end up with the bike and you going down.
I was seriously considering a front wheel conversion, but eventually went for a rear, one of the reasons being the above. There are lots of safe front conversions, of course, but they seem to be ridden mainly in the dry and diesel-free conditions.

 

[flecc]

Fully agree with Scimitar and onmebike, it's rear wheel drive for me every time, for stability, balance, towing and climbing on loose surfaces amongst other things.

There are some very limited circumstance when front motor drive can win, i.e. when two wheel traction helps, cycling's equivalent of the 4 x 4. For me though that's too rare to bother with.
.

 

[halfer]

Righty-ho, there is quite a bit of consensus on that. I am guessing front-wheel bikes are considered better for a sunny jaunt out than daily wet commuting!

Will bear that in mind as I road test some bikes... thanks for your views, they are much appreciated.

 

[halfer]

Here's a cheapy and if you wait for one of their regular discount weekends you can save up to £75.00. Several forum members have them including myself. Aftersales is pretty good and I haven't heard of any major problems.

Cyclamatic Foldaway Electric Bike - The Sports HQ

Thanks for the recommendation. Just tried to phone that firm though, and there are no demo bikes that prospective customers may try before purchasing.

 

[onmebike]

Thanks for the recommendation. Just tried to phone that firm though, and there are no demo bikes that prospective customers may try before purchasing.

Not having any retail outlets locally is an obvious problem, but they do appear to be one of the few company's that offer a full refund if your not 100% happy with the bike.

 

[GeoffM]

A bit of a day out for you but Buxton's Eco Republic shop will demonstrate their range. I'm going to try a 20" folder there myself today (for My Better Half) and take a closer look at their Solar hot water systems - I've always fancied my own solar system...
Maybe see you there. Cheers. Geoff