Where to purcharse a folding light and fast bike in the UK?

cwah

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Jun 3, 2011
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Hello there,

I would like to purchase a folding bike to commute to my work and for my travel. It has to be really light so I would be able to put it in a train easily.

The best would be:
- A folding bike that is light and compact enough to be able to take it with me when I go to a coffee shop or even in a backpack (for bike)
- Speed between 25-30MPH. I know it's restricted to 15MPH in UK, but I won't use it only in the UK.
- Very good acceleration
- And that I can purchase with the Cycle scheme (So I suppose I have to purchase it in the UK)
- Less than £1000 would be better.

Any idea?
 

eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
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I dont thing what you desire thankfully exists...certatinly not that will fit in a backpack. Whats this obsession with doing 30 mph on a push bike? The mind boogles.......

The laws in europe are stricter then here with the exception of an "S" class in Germany where you have to quite rightly have a number plate and insurance for the faster class of e bike

what you desire sounds like a motor scooter to me except for the carrying element:confused:
 
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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The main bike fitting that compact specification is the Brompton which can be bought from EWC with a front hub motor, but it's not remotely that fast and would cost over £1000 even using the base Brompton model.

The small wheels on a compact folder make pedalling a long way above 15 mph mostly impractical since only a huge and unwieldy chainwheel could give high enough ratios, and that would stop it being compact. Therefore the speed you are looking for could only be with motor drive and I don't know of any motors that could give that in a 16" or smaller wheel.

Nearly all compact e-folders are 12 to 15 mph models under power, not because of restriction but due to the gearing problem with small wheels. Only a direct drive motor might give speeds in the higher range, maybe Banbury Frank in this forum has a suggestion for one of these.
 

trex

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May 15, 2011
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something like this?

 

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
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Yes, that would be perfect if that's fast, light and compact enough (when folded).

Or if the bike I'm asking for doesn't exist, is there anything close enough to my requirement?

Something closer like this one:
Dahon Matrix|BionX powered electric folding bike

but I can't buy it because it's from US and it doesn't qualify for the UK Cycle scheme
 

trex

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May 15, 2011
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This bike is not in the same league as the Dahon!
However, it has 250W 15mph 16kgs 36V 8AH Lithium and folds in 1 second.

 

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
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This bike seems nice.

Do you have a link and the price? I should be able to use my Cycle scheme on that.
 

trex

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May 15, 2011
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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The BionX is a Direct Drive motor, but only good for about 20 mph in the USA versions. That Dahon is hardly compact though and couldn't be considered a backpack model.

The Brompton I mentioned rides like a larger bike and in the electric version folds up really small in seconds, a true back packer, but only assists to about 14 mph.

Electric Wheel Company
.
 
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cwah

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Jun 3, 2011
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thanks for that.

I'll definitely consider this bike. the only concern is the speed (15mph max), the color (orange) and design factor (it look like a mini scooter), even though it's secondary.
 

trex

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May 15, 2011
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I'd go for the Brompton too! I have seen it in London recently and it's so beautifully built!
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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That's the same bike and model, but fitted with a direct drive motor which is faster. It's probably about the nearest you can get to your specification. Having the battery in a backpack makes the fold smaller and more convenient and the folded bike is the smallest really practical one there is. Although a few are a bit smaller in one dimension, none are as practical or ride in such "big bike" fashion as the Brompton.
 

jerrysimon

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 27, 2009
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Cambridge, UK
This is my DIY EBrompton,



Would not meet your requirements in terms of speed but is light (motor and battery only add 3kgs), probably the lightest 16" folder you can get and 8-10 miles/charge. Because the battery and electronics are seperated in the bag with a umbilical to connect it all up, it makes it easy to carry.

I easily carry it into shops, office, appointments etc.

DIY thread here

Probably the smallest 16" wheeled folder



If you don't fancy the DIY approach then you can get one from here

As Flecc state you will be struggling to get an EBrompton for under £1000 though. I think EWC may do a deal where you can use CTW to buy the bike and pay the balance for the battery/eletronics.

Regards

Jerry
 
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jerrysimon

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Aug 27, 2009
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Cambridge, UK
I probably could, but I wouldn't put it in a back pack like that no.

My DIY EBrompton cost me £1000 (£700 bike/bag + £300 econversion) but that was 20 months ago before the price of Bromptons went up £100 and of course my DIY conversion brought the cost down too.

The bike itself was actually purchased on the CTW scheme.

Regards

Jerry
 
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eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
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Now that you are starting to think sensibly lol Get a secondhand brompton from ebay/Gumtree and a new kit then you wont be to far of your budget. Its the best small wheel folder around and I would LOVE one as a backup bike but to expensive just for that.....
 

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
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I don't think second hand Brompton from ebay or gumtree would be the best choice for me. I'm eligible to the cycle employer scheme so it's -32% for all bike I purchase. With second hand it wouldn't work (unless they pay VAT)

Jerry, do you know how much would it cost if I ask someone to do the e-conversion from a Brompton for me? I'm really not good with anything that's mechanical.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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Brompton is incredibly expensive. Does that really worth 2 or 3 times the price of any other bike?
It's hand made in London and the quality is in a different league. The design is unique and there really is nothing quite like it.

It's not dearer than the other high end folders, Airnimal, Birdy, Bike Friday and even Dahon high enders are often even higher priced, some at or over £2000.
 

jerrysimon

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 27, 2009
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Cambridge, UK
Jerry, do you know how much would it cost if I ask someone to do the e-conversion from a Brompton for me? I'm really not good with anything that's mechanical.
EWC are the only ones commercially in the UK that do the conversion with a Tongxin motor I think.

They are great bikes, though this conversion is very much to fit a quite specific requirement i.e small, compact fold, light/portable etc.

Regards

Jerry