After I trued my wheels, V-brakes were good. But stopping downhill 174kg (trailer+cargo+me+bike) of total weight causes the brake pads to slip, no matter how much I tighten them. Will probably need a new V-brake set (if I can find them), once these wear away.

 

 

 

 

Stopping the extra weight downhill is also wearing away my rims rather quickly, so I'll need new ones in a couple of months probably... which will mean buying new wheels again, because rims for my bike by themselves are not available for 20" 1.75" tyres. There are many 20" rims on AliExpress which say they're ok for 1.75", but I don't think they are, judging by the measurements quoted.

Edited August 30, 20223 yr by guerney

The good news is that a fully enclosed (as yet unbuilt or designed) bicycle cabin with bicycle weighing 174kg minus my bodyweight, is something which a Bafang 250W bbs01b @15A can power up steep hills.

 

This doesn't mention weight of bike, and isn't fully enclosed:

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002124971637.html

 

Edited August 30, 20223 yr by guerney

A small update regarding my V-brakes, I consulted with my Dahon folding bike experts CH White... after discussing the non-possibility of converting my Helios to disc brakes, they suggested I apply oil to the brake pad securing thread, to facilitate a tighter fit. Kindof obvious Hope it works.

Most customers sail right through the job. A few need clarifications so although it's a bit harder selling kits compared to bikes but on the other hand, picking parts for a kits and pack them up take only a few minutes so overall, it's not a bad business. It's just that we don't have much time and space.

 

Surely now is the moment for big bang expansion, if there's not enough time and space? Pandemic, wars, cost of living crisis... Until the horsemen of the acrapalypse turn up, it should be ever increasing fantastic prospects for ebike makers.

 

I could have got skin in the game last year, but no time nor space here either.