karl62

you’re probably correct.

There must still be a problem getting hold of those T versions because EBay has several going for well over the manufacturers price.

Its that use of the Brompton name which Is just bad.

Cheers. I really do like that throttle though Could it be supplied for ‘off road’ use

Thats Thats light. what is involved in fitting these kits ? Do you build the motor into the wheel or is it a straight swap out ? will it come with the throttle like the Rambletta?

I’ve come to the same conclusion. The problem here is that the advantage of an e.bike is used for going to the gym. After a couple of bouts of Covid I was in quite a state with my breathing and heart. In the really hot weather we had I was struggling to get to the gym without suffering palpitations and asthmatic attacks- and after lifting weights coming back was a slow nightmare. I could of course just take the car, but modern cars tend to carbon up and the short journeys have a tendency to flat batteries. The electric bike was a boon, but now the problem of theft has really made it useless. For trips away with my wife I hardly use the motor except on the odd hill, or headwind so it’s possible that a conventional Brompton would be the solution, but my preference is to enjoy the benefits of electric. In many ways I’ve discovered the Achilles heel of electric bikes - they are too heavy for true portability and too attractive for thieves. It may well mean getting a basic, cheap, no frills unpowered bike to ride to the gym as it’s still more efficient than walking and buying the Titanium Brompton for car journeys. However, I think without the motor I’d be dis-inclined to continue cycling.

That’s a fake Brompton then ? I wouldn’t buy one as I’ve seen enough fake products to know you aren’t getting the quality of the original, but, pays yer money and all that. There are a plentitude of British Companies palming off cheaper Chinese products as “British Made” and this is in the same mould. Business’s like Whoosh clearly state what they are doing and Fido make no secret of their Origin - time will reveal whether all things are equal in quality. The poster here who owns a 20 year old Brompton is testament to how well the real thing is made.

I politely disagree.

You're assuming that everyone wants more cyclists and fewer cars - I must make an admission that I’m not in that group. I cycle to the gym because it’s more convenient than driving a relatively short distance, which is terrible for modern IC vehicles. In a strange twist, I used to walk, but the number of lunatics riding bikes-scooters/disability scooters-recklessly on the pavements around the town centre has become such a danger that I decided to abandon walking. I think all forms of transport need to live harmoniously together and be respectful of each other and not insist that their particular choice of travel is anymore virtuous than anyone else’s.

He said it would be a problem agreeing to store it somewhere because of liability, but I don’t require that because it’s a big enough gym to park the folded bike near where I lift - it could easily fit in the lifting rack and essentially off the floor completely. He hesitated, but thought that it still wasnt within the rules - although my wife parks her disability scooter at all the machines and that’s a great deal larger than a folded Brompton. If it’s a no, then I might just buy the Brompton bag to put it in and I have my doubts anyone will object - or find a gym that does allow me to store the bike inside.

I asked at the gym, but currently the answer is officially no. I’ve written to JD Gyms to see if they might allow it . I really don’t see why not, but clearly an employee isn’t going to risk saying yes.

I’d happily pay a small fee to have a safe, secure lock up.

I talked to a guy in Evans that highly recommended I didn’t ride anywhere but town roads, but I’ve come across several on the internet that do ride easy trails. The thing is, I’m riding with my wife who barely gets above 8 mph so it’s not as though I’m pushing any limits. Id walk it across cattle grids, or where there is deep gravel/mud as she’s going so slowly at that point I can walk faster. Rutland only had the basic 2 speed electric which wouldn’t be the right thing for me.

Brilliant answers. I’d looked at the D11 before buying the Rambletta, I think I was put off by some issues with wiring, faulty motors and water ingress ? It’s actually the same folded dimensions as the G4-I can see why it would be attractive at that price and weight because it’s essentially a G4 without the clever design features. in terms of trailing it around the gym and putting it in the car there would be no advantage in getting the G4 over the D11 and of course its 3 x the price. The G4 is also a bit too attractive - I really prefer incognito. That leaves the Brompton which clearly does have some advantages in its pack size and as the battery is built removable which means I could stuff that into my rucksack, or into a gym locker leaving only 12Kg to lug around the gym. It would be far easier to put in the car for space. The disadvantage are those 16” wheels and it’s performance on gravel tracks. I need to try a Brompton first and determine if it’s manageable on gravel tracks. Thank you all for the helpful replies so far. It’s also good to know I’m not being paranoid with respect to leaving electric bikes locked outside my local gym. I was thinking just how easy it would be for a thief to glue my lock, watch me leave, then set to work with a grinder before I returned.

I like the electric brompton p line and the Gocycle GR4. Brompton is marginally lighter and more compact, but 16” vs 20” wheels and hydraulic disc brakes. Tough call really. Brompton I think is better warranty. Gocycle a bit less expensive.

I’m going to see if my gym is happy with me keeping it near me in the gym. I can’t see why not, but they have their rules. will have a run out to the Brompton and Gocycle shop with my wife’s trike in the back and see if there are any issues or advantages of one bike over the other.

I bought a Rambletta a few months ago and it’s been brilliant - highly recommended as an everyday bike and occasional boot carry. However, several issues have arisen which are making me contemplate a lighter, more compact folder as a replacement/addition: 1. I usually park my bike outside the gym 4 times a week and have been warned that some of the kids that hang around outside have their eyes on my bike and that they are handy with an angle grinder. I have a fantastic U lock and it’s secured to proper bicycle bars, but the thought that my bike might be stolen is interfering with my training. I started thinking the alternative is to have a light folder that I can trawl around the gym with me. The whoosh is really too big for that. 2. My wife has a trike and we have a decent sized boot on the car, but it’s an art getting both in the car and the struggle is putting me off local trips and driving me crazy for longer holidays. It can take half an hour just to get the bikes in the boot - I don’t want them on display, or external to the car. A smaller, lighter footprint would help a great deal. Fortunately I don’t need to be cost conscious, but I’m also keen not to be taken in by fancy names, bling and promises. I need to be able to take the bike on cycle tracks-nothing extreme, just gravel surfaced dedicated cycle routes less than 15 miles all in. The Brompton P seems to tick all the boxes, but it’s pricey for what it is - I was actually tempted by their titanium model as it only weighs 7Kg, but then it has no motor. There is the Gocycle and Hummingbird ( weird way of folding which might make the folded size difficult. Anyone suggested alternatives, or which is best from that bunch, or how they would go about solving my dilemma without even buying a bike ?