The Long and Short of it

[Alimages]

Firstly, I'm new to the forum so hello to everyone.

I am looking into buying an electric bike for my commute and I have been seriously cramming up on as much info as I can in in the other threads. Unfortunately I'm having problems convincing myself that I am not asking the impossible with my particular requirements. A bit of background. I am currently commuting in to work about once or twice a week and I'm hoping to up this to 3 times a week in the good weather. It's 11 miles each way with 2 moderate hills each of about 1 mile. The bike I'm using is a Ridgeback Momentum (Commuter bike with 700c road wheels) and I'm averaging 13 mph over the journey. The idea is that the electric assistance would help me up the hills and I could still commute on days where I'm meeting clients first thing and don't want to turn up in a Sweaty Mess!

Now for the tricky bit. I ideally would like to be able to get a bike that my partner can use sometimes as well because she likes cycling and commutes very occasionally by bike. Unfortunately I am 6ft 2 and she is 5ft 2! My initial thoughts are that I need to get a folding bike purely because by their nature they are very adjustable for different heights of people. I really like the look of the Fast4Ward Edge and the Izip Folding bikes.

Am I barking up the wrong tree? I don't want to end up hating my 11 mile commute on a folding bike. Or is a 20inch wheel folding bike better for distance than I'm giving it credit. Also I still want to feel like I'm riding a bike and pedalling for a lot of the journey, just cheating on the hills. If the battery goes flat I don't want to be left with a heavy lump of pig iron to pedal home.

The other option I suppose would be to convert my current bike but with it's large skinny wheels and front suspension i'm not sure it's a good starting point and besides it's way too tall for my partner to get any use from.

I've never riden any electric cycles so all advice is welcome. I know decent quality costs so I'm not necessarily trying to do all this on the cheap. Thanks

 

[kitchenman]

Welcome to forum. My initial thoughts are ... Get a bike each and go and try some! ... Having said that I have been riding my recumbent to work this week (a 15 mile commute) and everyone has been having a go on it! ... Its got a quick release sliding seat so the 6' 2" guy and the 5' 2" gal were able to have a try ride ...
... if you are anywhere near Alton, Hampshire then PM me if your interested ...
Good luck,
Alan

 

[Alimages]

Thanks for the invite. I hadn't even considered a recumbent.....

Still like the idea of a 20inch folder. Any tall people on the forum with advice/opinions?

 

[bode]

I have a 20"-wheel folding bike, and I frequently do trips of up to 20 miles (over 2000 since getting it), and I can honestly say that the comfort is no less than a full-size bike. I am 6', by the way.

 

[andyh2]

A Brompton with a telescopic seat post would work. I like my Brompton very much for mixed ride / public transport journeys, but I'm much less keen to do my commute (8 miles each) way on it.

Definitely worth checking out the 20" Dahons to see if you like the ride. I was considering a Dahon Speed TR, but came across a s/h Xootr Swift
www.Folding Bikes : Xootr Swift

With a longer stem and bar ends I can get comfy (6', 34" inside leg) and my wife could ride it (5'3", 28" inside leg). I'm just checking out different kits to see what would fit. It's only 10kg with mudguards and a set of Big Apple 2" tyres smooth out the ride. It's really a candidate for a Cytronex kit, when they come out, as it such a nice bike to ride. It would be a shame to load it up with too heavy a kit.

The fold is nowhere near as good as the Brompton, or the Dahons even. The upside is it is very easy to customize to suit as it uses standard bike parts. They've quite a following in the US and people have set them up every which way from full on tourer to stripped down fixie. Moving up (way up?) the price range the 20" Bike Friday range can be customised for your size. They're more of a packable, rather than foldable bike though.

Most folders seem to be best for 'average' size folk, with big people having to make the most compromise. The stem might well extend to give the reach you want, but the extra length usually results in unwanted flex. The Xootr is nice and stiff.

if you're new to electric bikes it's definitely worth test riding a few to see what you like, especially to establish if hub or crank motor type works best for you. Though your choice of folding crank motored bikes would be much more limited.

 

[banbury frank]

Hi

You have a nice bike to convert I would Buy a second bike partner to fit Her

we can convert the bike in Banbury while you wait with a rear wheel 10 Ah 48 volt kit


£1295 Including 2 new puncture proof tiers

or kit only £1095


The other company in MK is Ezee he will supply a kit or fit it for you

Cyclezee Ltd - Home

Frank

 

[Cyclezee]

I agree with Frank, the Ridgeback Momentum would be good bike to convert and get a second bike for your partner rather than compromise.

The other solution would be to get taller partner, they are available in a range of sizes to fit all bikes

Oops, might just have lost a potential customer there

 

[steveindenmark]

Recumbents arte a very specialised piece of equipment and do not suit everyone.

If you intend to go down this line you need to get out and try them first.

Steve