Electric Bike Sales also do the Brompton Sparticle conversion using a Suzhou Bafang motor which may be less expensive though not quite as light as the EWC version:
Brompton Sparticle
Brompton Sparticle
Where to purcharse a folding light and fast bike in the UK?
- Thread starter cwah
- Start date
What do you think of this one?
15.5 MPH
14.5 KG (nice!)
180W motor (not good, bad acceleration)
With a portable belt.
That one seem to be one of the closest for its size.
source:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Electric-Folding-Bicycle-Bike-NEW-pick-colour-/320702596650?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4aab5d462a#ht_3160wt_1554
15.5 MPH
14.5 KG (nice!)
180W motor (not good, bad acceleration)
With a portable belt.
That one seem to be one of the closest for its size.
source:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Electric-Folding-Bicycle-Bike-NEW-pick-colour-/320702596650?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4aab5d462a#ht_3160wt_1554
Last edited:
There is this one too:
Source: Micro Bike,Bikes
The weight is fantastic: 9.5 KG. Can fit in a backpack
However, it's really really slow (12 MPH) and can only run on limited distance (12 miles)
too sad.
Source: Micro Bike,Bikes
The weight is fantastic: 9.5 KG. Can fit in a backpack
However, it's really really slow (12 MPH) and can only run on limited distance (12 miles)
too sad.
I think it's a horror, it wouldn't be very nice to ride with those small wheels on our rotten roads and it just doesn't look a serious bike. I couldn't envisage anyone buying anything like that on the Cycle to Work scheme.
If you are to commute daily and not hate every minute, you really need to dismiss all these small wheel oddities and only contemplate something with 16" or 20" wheels which actually looks like a bicycle and rides like one.
Ditto the Batribike you've just posted about, it's just not a serious working bike.
If you are to commute daily and not hate every minute, you really need to dismiss all these small wheel oddities and only contemplate something with 16" or 20" wheels which actually looks like a bicycle and rides like one.
Ditto the Batribike you've just posted about, it's just not a serious working bike.
The batribike is too slow and doesn't last enough. I would be without battery half way.
But I'm seriously considering the Ubike 4.0 (the one from ebay). With this colour it looks more serious:
Some good advantages compare to the Brompton:
- 4 times cheaper: £399 vs £1600
- 25% lighter: 14,5 kg vs 20 kg
- Easily portable.
- If I get stolen, it would still be ok (London is dangerous)
Main Con are:
- The design
- Not as compact
- Doesn't go as far as the Brompton
- Not as good acceleration
But for such as reduced size and price, that's something really worth considering.
Official link:
Folding bike,Folding electric bike - ZHEJIANG BAOGUILAI VEHICLE CO.,LTD
But I'm seriously considering the Ubike 4.0 (the one from ebay). With this colour it looks more serious:
Some good advantages compare to the Brompton:
- 4 times cheaper: £399 vs £1600
- 25% lighter: 14,5 kg vs 20 kg
- Easily portable.
- If I get stolen, it would still be ok (London is dangerous)
Main Con are:
- The design
- Not as compact
- Doesn't go as far as the Brompton
- Not as good acceleration
But for such as reduced size and price, that's something really worth considering.
Official link:
Folding bike,Folding electric bike - ZHEJIANG BAOGUILAI VEHICLE CO.,LTD
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Save your money!
I have to agree that anything under 16" wheel will be unconfortable on anything but very short trips. I would say my Brompton is right on the edge comfort wise. The rear suspension makes it bearable and it's fine for my 5 mile cross town commute, but I would not like to do long commutes on it.
I also have a fully suspended 20" Moulton TSR and the ride is noticably smoother.
Your requirements mean you are going to have to make compromises somewhere probably on weight i.e. heavier motor and battery. Given your need for speed and acceleration, your main requirement to be VERY portable means you will have to compromise on both.
PS note the gross weight is 19.8kg, as it is clearly shown without the battery.
Regards
Jerry
I have to agree that anything under 16" wheel will be unconfortable on anything but very short trips. I would say my Brompton is right on the edge comfort wise. The rear suspension makes it bearable and it's fine for my 5 mile cross town commute, but I would not like to do long commutes on it.
I also have a fully suspended 20" Moulton TSR and the ride is noticably smoother.
Your requirements mean you are going to have to make compromises somewhere probably on weight i.e. heavier motor and battery. Given your need for speed and acceleration, your main requirement to be VERY portable means you will have to compromise on both.
PS note the gross weight is 19.8kg, as it is clearly shown without the battery.
Regards
Jerry
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hello jerrysimon, you are unique on this forum for having built your own Brompton based ebike, which is probably the best small foldable ebike in the world right now. I am very interested to know how you envisage the perfect portable - if such a bike can be built?
Hi cwah
one off our kits on a Dahon folder with 20 inc wheels or Raleigh make similar using Dahon designs under license but Better price £371+ delivery
Weight 11.5 kilos
Raleigh Boardwalk Lite 2010 Folding Bike ONLY £371.50 [ 10RALBRDWALK ] - Discount Cycles Direct - Best Prices, Great Service
Our 1.000 watt 48volt 15 AH 20 inch rear motor kit £1295 + fitting £100
We can restrict for use in the UK to 15 MPH if you remove the restriction for the US 25 MPH the speed rues in the US are different in every State
Weight Bike 11.5 kilos
rear wheel with motor 6.5 kilos
15 ah 48 volt battery 5.5 kilos ( fitted to the rack on slide plate so easy removable )
Total weight 232.5 kilos
total price £ £ 1395 using a Bike you purchase and have delivered to Banbury
We don't supply the kit under the cycle to work scheme but you can buy the bike under the scheme
Frank
one off our kits on a Dahon folder with 20 inc wheels or Raleigh make similar using Dahon designs under license but Better price £371+ delivery
Weight 11.5 kilos
Raleigh Boardwalk Lite 2010 Folding Bike ONLY £371.50 [ 10RALBRDWALK ] - Discount Cycles Direct - Best Prices, Great Service
Our 1.000 watt 48volt 15 AH 20 inch rear motor kit £1295 + fitting £100
We can restrict for use in the UK to 15 MPH if you remove the restriction for the US 25 MPH the speed rues in the US are different in every State
Weight Bike 11.5 kilos
rear wheel with motor 6.5 kilos
15 ah 48 volt battery 5.5 kilos ( fitted to the rack on slide plate so easy removable )
Total weight 232.5 kilos
total price £ £ 1395 using a Bike you purchase and have delivered to Banbury
We don't supply the kit under the cycle to work scheme but you can buy the bike under the scheme
Frank
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Hi Sorry the weight is wrong should be 23.5 with battery
If not at 232.5 kilos look up your local crane hire
Frank
If not at 232.5 kilos look up your local crane hire
Frank
Hello Frank,
Thanks for the proposition.
But the kit is much more expensive than the bike. And if I only use my scheme on a £371 bike, I wouldn't make any saving..
And the bike would be still very heavy: 23 Kg.
So it's faster, but heavier (and much more expensive). Difficult to find the right compromise.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Also Jerry and trex, you are certainly right about wheel size. I found another compromise:
Fast4ward edge
- 19kg
- 20 MPH
- 50 miles distance
- 999£
- 20'' tires
Fast4Ward Edge by Ultra Motor
Maybe the best compromise between speed, price and weight/foldability?
Thanks for the proposition.
But the kit is much more expensive than the bike. And if I only use my scheme on a £371 bike, I wouldn't make any saving..
And the bike would be still very heavy: 23 Kg.
So it's faster, but heavier (and much more expensive). Difficult to find the right compromise.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Also Jerry and trex, you are certainly right about wheel size. I found another compromise:
Fast4ward edge
- 19kg
- 20 MPH
- 50 miles distance
- 999£
- 20'' tires
Fast4Ward Edge by Ultra Motor
Maybe the best compromise between speed, price and weight/foldability?
Last edited:
My wife has a foldable Rayleigh Swift and often complained about how unconfortable the Rayleigh is whenever we happen to ride together.
I think small foldables without power is only for the purists.
The best compromise is 1) weight 2) comfort 3) how unmessy it is to fold
and lastly cost because buying the wrong bike, your money is wasted.
Most folding bikes fold like the Rayleigh Swift, usually into a tangled mess of cables.
And when you want to unfold them, they always seem to wrriggle uncontrollably and the 3 quick releases always seem to jam or will never be tight enough. Urgh...
I think small foldables without power is only for the purists.
The best compromise is 1) weight 2) comfort 3) how unmessy it is to fold
and lastly cost because buying the wrong bike, your money is wasted.
Most folding bikes fold like the Rayleigh Swift, usually into a tangled mess of cables.
And when you want to unfold them, they always seem to wrriggle uncontrollably and the 3 quick releases always seem to jam or will never be tight enough. Urgh...
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Wisper have there new range of 20inch folders out about now I think, much improved on earlier models according to David Miall from wisper.....
I have had, and still have 2 Dahon folders left, but there is noway that these can be described as commuting bikes..... The only one is the 16inch wheel Bromption I'm afraid IMO
I have had, and still have 2 Dahon folders left, but there is noway that these can be described as commuting bikes..... The only one is the 16inch wheel Bromption I'm afraid IMO
Guys, I almost found the right bike.
Not the lightest, but... Good for all other parts:
Foldable
21 KG
27 MPH!!!!
52 Miles MAX
£900
3 years warranty
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/52-Miles-3YearWarranty-Busettii-Electric-Bicycle-E-Bike-/270738913606?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f094bf946#ht_2682wt_1141
I've not seen any bike doing that well for such a price.
Too bad it's in US only and not eligible for cycle to work scheme...
Not the lightest, but... Good for all other parts:
Foldable
21 KG
27 MPH!!!!
52 Miles MAX
£900
3 years warranty
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/52-Miles-3YearWarranty-Busettii-Electric-Bicycle-E-Bike-/270738913606?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f094bf946#ht_2682wt_1141
I've not seen any bike doing that well for such a price.
Too bad it's in US only and not eligible for cycle to work scheme...
Yes but you couldn't fold it and carry it into a coffee shop 
As I said it is always a compromise
Regards
Jerry
As I said it is always a compromise
Regards
Jerry
In the Cycle to work, your employer buys and pays for the bike. You hire the bike from your employer and pay monthly rent. At the end of the hire period, they may (or not) sell it to you at much reduced price.
Will they buy it (a bike that has no EN15194 and VAT) for you on ebay?
Back to square one I guess.
Will they buy it (a bike that has no EN15194 and VAT) for you on ebay?
Back to square one I guess.
cwah: the Busettii Eco advert says that it has a 52V 10AH LiFeMgPO4 battery weighing just 3.5kgs (7lbs).
This is about 30-35% higher in usable energy density than most LiFePO4. The addition of magnesium cannot increase the energy density, it only improves the deep discharge behaviour (to near 100%) by strengthening oxygen retention before killing your battery. To achieve the 52 miles per charge where other LiFePO4 can only manage 40 miles, you would have to run the Busettii to fully discharge state, which in turn would shorten the life of your battery.
I take their 2000 charging cycles claim with a pinch of salt. Presumably, they don't expect you to ride your bike for 156,000 miles within the first 3 years.
This is about 30-35% higher in usable energy density than most LiFePO4. The addition of magnesium cannot increase the energy density, it only improves the deep discharge behaviour (to near 100%) by strengthening oxygen retention before killing your battery. To achieve the 52 miles per charge where other LiFePO4 can only manage 40 miles, you would have to run the Busettii to fully discharge state, which in turn would shorten the life of your battery.
I take their 2000 charging cycles claim with a pinch of salt. Presumably, they don't expect you to ride your bike for 156,000 miles within the first 3 years.
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Hi CWAH, the figures look amazing, I agree with Trex 148W/kg is possible from Li Po, but as far as I am aware not LifePO4, I would also be surprised to see such a capacity in such a small battery case.
Be wary as other figures may be misleading.
There are great folders available from the likes of Juicy and Batribike at about this price that will be fully serviced in the UK. I would love to sell you a Wisper but they may be just outside your budget.
806Alpno £1,499.00
805fe £1,219.00
All the best
David
All the best
David
All the best
David
Be wary as other figures may be misleading.
There are great folders available from the likes of Juicy and Batribike at about this price that will be fully serviced in the UK. I would love to sell you a Wisper but they may be just outside your budget.
806Alpno £1,499.00
805fe £1,219.00
All the best
David
All the best
David
All the best
David
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