Dear cwah
Your constant discovery of bikes of varying degrees of exoticism are a delight and please continue with them. However, I cannot be alone in worrying that you will soon buy one of them and (again?) be disappointed.
If these bikes have anything in common it is that they are all too small, too big, too heavy or come from a supplier who is too distant or too dodgy and usually all of these combined.
Yet it need not be. You have stated your requirements with admirably clarity. You live in a small flat up two flights of stairs. You do not want to leave your bike outside the flat or any shops or offices that you go in. You want something you can carry with you. You don’t ride more than 10 miles.
With these requirements, there is no puzzle and no quest because the problem solves itself. Only one bike has a fold which is compact and rapid enough, a reasonable weight and decent ride. You need a Brompton.
The only real question is which one. The answer to this depends on how hilly is your home terrain and how much you are prepared to spend. However, the guideline must be to buy the lightest you can afford, since this makes a big difference when carrying any distance.
The ideal would be a titanium version, but you can save a lot of weight by having only two gears. Do not be tempted by any additions such as bags. You can put your shopping in a rucksack. The only worthwhile addition (apart from lights, you can have those) is a slip carrier to make the Brompton look like a slightly eccentric small suitcase when you take it into a restaurant.
If you are reasonably fit and the terrain is relatively flat, don’t bother about a motor. You will save weight and money.
If you really are set on an electric version, currently the answer is a Tongxin motor and a small, detachable battery. There are a couple of companies which offer this conversion.
However, since you are keen to do it yourself, why not simply do exactly as Jerry has done? He has just what you need.
I imagine you are now saying ‘But I want a bike that will let me break the sound barrier!’ Or is it to average 30 miles an hour? It doesn’t actually matter which, since both are impossible in a electric bike that you can carry around with you.
Best wishes
Andy
Your constant discovery of bikes of varying degrees of exoticism are a delight and please continue with them. However, I cannot be alone in worrying that you will soon buy one of them and (again?) be disappointed.
If these bikes have anything in common it is that they are all too small, too big, too heavy or come from a supplier who is too distant or too dodgy and usually all of these combined.
Yet it need not be. You have stated your requirements with admirably clarity. You live in a small flat up two flights of stairs. You do not want to leave your bike outside the flat or any shops or offices that you go in. You want something you can carry with you. You don’t ride more than 10 miles.
With these requirements, there is no puzzle and no quest because the problem solves itself. Only one bike has a fold which is compact and rapid enough, a reasonable weight and decent ride. You need a Brompton.
The only real question is which one. The answer to this depends on how hilly is your home terrain and how much you are prepared to spend. However, the guideline must be to buy the lightest you can afford, since this makes a big difference when carrying any distance.
The ideal would be a titanium version, but you can save a lot of weight by having only two gears. Do not be tempted by any additions such as bags. You can put your shopping in a rucksack. The only worthwhile addition (apart from lights, you can have those) is a slip carrier to make the Brompton look like a slightly eccentric small suitcase when you take it into a restaurant.
If you are reasonably fit and the terrain is relatively flat, don’t bother about a motor. You will save weight and money.
If you really are set on an electric version, currently the answer is a Tongxin motor and a small, detachable battery. There are a couple of companies which offer this conversion.
However, since you are keen to do it yourself, why not simply do exactly as Jerry has done? He has just what you need.
I imagine you are now saying ‘But I want a bike that will let me break the sound barrier!’ Or is it to average 30 miles an hour? It doesn’t actually matter which, since both are impossible in a electric bike that you can carry around with you.
Best wishes
Andy
