I'd love to see a video of you trying to get your bike in that bag. I'm feeling a bit down because we trolls have no friends. I could do with a laugh.

 

Pretty easy at home, less so when at large and in a hurry. You might be the only one even vaguely interested in such a dull video, and I'll never achieve my dream of becoming a billionaire Youtube sensation. It'd be even duller than my usual dull as dishwater videos. Here are the destructions. Mine arrived with a second large orange drawstringed bag with a small slit over the top, presumaby for the seat to poke out through. Probably a shower cap.

 

 

Edited May 26, 20241 yr by guerney

I considered buying one like that, but I needed compact lightweight and crushable, for my rucksack perpetually filled with things - the El Bolso only weighs 700g. The material feels fairly strong but if it rips, I reckon I can patch it.

When I’ve used it in the past I’ve folded it up into a 40l rucksack on my back. It’s light but a bit bulky. As I say, not planning to use it much so I’ll live with it. Of course a much cheaper option is to buy an old mountain bike with low gears I can puttle up the hill with on the way back from the pub. If it gets stolen then not a massive deal….

When I’ve used it in the past I’ve folded it up into a 40l rucksack on my back. It’s light but a bit bulky. As I say, not planning to use it much so I’ll live with it. Of course a much cheaper option is to buy an old mountain bike with low gears I can puttle up the hill with on the way back from the pub. If it gets stolen then not a massive deal….

 

For sub 8 mile round trips, my "bargain" £72 ebay purchase of a 26" wheeled Dahon Espresso folding bike, was supposed to be a bike I wouldn't worry much about if stolen. It's scratched up and looks the part... but after buying and scavenging all the parts to renovate it cheaply, the project is in the doldrums because I really don't want to be huffing and puffing up the hill I live on without electrical assistance. It's been my on bike stand for months, because I can't work up the requisite enthusiasm. Also fits inside the Dahon El Bolso bag, but not with the Helios.

Edited May 26, 20241 yr by guerney

Will have a sleep on it. My honest opinion is that the Rambletta is the one of the best options at its price point and the most suitable for my needs. I have bought from Woosh before (TSDZ2 kit) and they were easy to deal with and quick to sort out a minor issue. I still can't get very excited about the bike though. Not sure I like the step through frame but I think that is just me being silly. I have a general aversion to folders though, not really specific to this bike - but they are practical! Thank you everyone for your help, and in particular thanks to Woosh for lots of info.

Edited May 26, 20241 yr by Bogmonster666

Pretty easy at home, less so when at large and in a hurry. You might be the only one even vaguely interested in such a dull video, and I'll never achieve my dream of becoming a billionaire Youtube sensation. It'd be even duller than my usual dull as dishwater videos. Here are the destructions. Mine arrived with a second large orange drawstringed bag with a small slit over the top, presumaby for the seat to poke out through. Probably a shower cap.

 

 

Where does it say in the instruction to remove all the lights, arms and other things that stick out all over your bike? Is it on page 3?

Where does it say in the instruction to remove all the lights, arms and other things that stick out all over your bike? Is it on page 3?

 

It's written in lemon juice on the other side. But not necessary, because it all folds over/in or swivels etc. It's why I can't have a Zefal Dooback II end-bar mirror on the right hand side, mut be a Zefal Cyclop, because of how my Helios handlebar folds over. The right hand side Dooback's mirror got whacked and deformed by the left hand side pedal. I preferred the Dooback - less adjustment needed, bigger mirror. I might replace the Cyclop with a Dooback despite the risk of folding damage, and be more careful with pedal positioning.

Edited May 27, 20241 yr by guerney

Still thinking about this but I have found a solution for my nights out in town. I have started locking my bike up in the covered porch area directly outside the police station that has CCTV and police at hand. Feels like a thief would be taking an unnecessary risk trying to steal my bike from there

Still thinking about this but I have found a solution for my nights out in town. I have started locking my bike up in the covered porch area directly outside the police station that has CCTV and police at hand. Feels like a thief would be taking an unnecessary risk trying to steal my bike from there

 

I haven't seen a cop on the beat for ages. Don't all cops stay indoors filling out forms these days?

 

 

There's only one folding bike I would be interested in converting next:

 

CENSORED

 

Steel frame, and some have 135mm rear dropouts - earlier models didn't. Seems ideal for a seriously powerful rear hub motor to be dropped into, with no spreading required. Similar geometry to my Helios, therefore "250W" Bafang BBS01B is also an option. Or both, if 500w becomes legal, and the rear hub motor is also rated "250W". Rare as hen's teeth, I've only seen one for sale in 3 years. I was in two minds as to whether to draw attention to this bike, because doing so risks increasing competition if another one ever turns up. Hopefully this post will be forgotten, or I might delete it very soon.

 

Steel framed, so perhaps disc brake mounting points could be welded on? Always wondered how well that works out long term.

Edited June 7, 20241 yr by guerney

haven't seen a cop on the beat for ages. Don't all cops stay indoors filling out forms these days?

And that’s perfect as they are sat in the window looking out at my bike and ready to jump into hot fuzz mode when they hear the angle grinder

 

I am considering a Carrera Intercity 8 speed conversion. Not steel

 

it does have disc brakes though and is cheap and I have blue light card discount as well. Either with another TSDZ2 or a bafang mid-drive. Would need to put a bigger chainring on the TSDZ2 than Woosh will warranty so would probably swap my existing motor that is already out of warranty anyway. 44t may just work as I like to spin the pedals fast and this isn’t supposed to be a speed machine.

 

I would like to encourage mrs BM onto a bike and a very sit up and beg folder may work. I think she would want more assistance than me so a Bafang may make sense…

Edited June 6, 20241 yr by Bogmonster666

And that’s perfect as they are sat in the window looking out at my bike and ready to jump into hot fuzz mode when they hear the angle grinder

 

Form filling IS fuzz mode! They'll need to fill a form to fill in the form to leap into fuzz mode! After they've finished Whotsapping horrible shite about victims or soon to be victims to each other, obviously.

 

 

I would like to encourage mrs BM onto a bike and a very sit up and beg folder may work. I think she would want more assistance than me so a Bafang may make sense…

 

A firmware finangled BBS01B certainly would provide more than enough assistance, on 20" wheels especially, but warranty would be voided if the seller found out after being presented with an apparently dead controller, battery, or whatever. Once dead, a controller can't be interrogated, and because it's a hack, there's no way to prove the firmware has been adjusted, as there is no file version - for all you know, it could have been delivered to you like that guv.

 

Unsure if I'd make the Bafang too powerful with that aluminium Crosscity frame.

Edited June 6, 20241 yr by guerney

I haven't seen a cop on the beat for ages. Don't all cops stay indoors filling out forms these days?

No that's a myth they spread because the truth is more uncomfortable. They now spend most of their time trawling through Twitter an Telegram for far right tweets, like there are only two genders for people or teachers shouldn't be teaching 5 year old about masturbation.

I would like to encourage mrs BM onto a bike and a very sit up and beg folder may work.

 

That steel/unobtanium framed folder I linked above, is more of a sit up an beg riding position, depending on the version. But no disc brakes. And 99.999% unobtanium.

 

 

44t may just work as I like to spin the pedals fast and this isn’t supposed to be a speed machine.

 

For me and my Helios, 44T was too small uphill - hard to balance on a 20" wheeled bike going that slow 44T>32T. 48T was ok, but not fast enough on flat roads. 52T is about right for steep hills and legal speed fast flat traversion.

I’ve no interest in firmware mods - well I do have an interest but will avoid as I want to remain on the correct side of the law. Would be buying a Woosh motor with the manufacturer applied 250w label for the same reason. I know that is somewhat illogical but it is what it is. Would get the Bafang 48v HD variant as can then interchange batteries with my TSDZ2 bike but that’s yet more torque on a cheap aluminium folder frame….

 

I find on my MTB that slower than 6mph and my balance starts to go, imagine worse on a folder. As mentioned on a parallel thread, custom firmware would fix my main complaint with my TSDZ2 which is limited assistance over 80rpm, but I’m not going down that path.

I’ve no interest in firmware mods - well I do have an interest but will avoid as I want to remain on the correct side of the law.

 

It isn't illegal to increase amperage. Even if you simply set "Keep current" to 100%, that would probably make the motor fit for purpose - before making firmware changes, I almost demanded a refund because my BBS01B was set up so badly as bought. If you're not going to adjust firmware, it won't be an effortless cycling experience for Mrs BM, and I fear you will receive grief. They never forget.

Edited June 6, 20241 yr by guerney

No that's a myth they spread because the truth is more uncomfortable. They now spend most of their time trawling through Twitter an Telegram for far right tweets, like there are only two genders for people or teachers shouldn't be teaching 5 year old about masturbation.

 

With all these new genders, how many ways are there to masturbate now? Has the number of ways increased or decreased? I like to keep abreast of developments in new masturbation technologies.

Doesn't meet the OPs requirements but I wondered about this as a donor folding bike for a front hub conversion. Aluminium with steel forks. You'd probably want to upgrade the disc brakes to hydraulic and change the rear sprocket to 11-28 or 11-32.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234688495882?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=8fTrn7UXS8u&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=e7wJGK-DRD6&var=534408561668&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

eta - I had a look at the Grin simulator and if I have put the parameters in correctly an AKM 75 conversion would get you up a 14% hill (which suprised me) with either a 36V or 48V battery - it would be quite a light conversion - 13 kg + 1.5kg for the motor and 1.8kg for a 36V 10Ah bag battery

Edited June 7, 20241 yr by Peter.Bridge

I'm back on the folder hunt again after the death of my TSDZ2 - that should get fixed next week I hope but I need another bike as a spare anyway. A hub motor probably does make more sense and the correct motor in a 20 inch wheel will still provide a lot of hill climbing potential.

 

I like the TSDZ2 but the reliability is a downer and its particularly prone to water ingress - and it's not always possible to plan your life around the UK weather.

 

Moving my TSDZ2 to a folder is still an option and although a small chainring would make for slower progress it's not terrible. My current bike has 26" wheels and a dual 34t, 42t chainrings. A 46t chainring in 20" wheels is exactly the same ratio as the 34t on 20" wheels and that gets me up to ~18+ mph comfortably. On a folder for short rides that's fine. Wouldn't be suitable for main bike as I'm often travelling at well over 20mph (and that's just using legs before anyone asks).

 

I guess if I go down that route, would then be in the market for a replacement main bike, again though, needs to cope with 16% hills. That's certainly at the upper end for many hub motors in normal sized wheels. Not sure if a Gran Camino would cope and that's towards the top of what I want to spend.

 

Tbh, I am tempted to just try and get fitter and get a bike with adequate gear range and use my legs. I have cycled up said hill under my own steam, but it requires careful pacing with my feeble lungs. .

I'm back on the folder hunt again after the death of my TSDZ2 - that should get fixed next week I hope but I need another bike as a spare anyway. A hub motor probably does make more sense and the correct motor in a 20 inch wheel will still provide a lot of hill climbing potential.

 

I like the TSDZ2 but the reliability is a downer and its particularly prone to water ingress - and it's not always possible to plan your life around the UK weather.

 

Moving my TSDZ2 to a folder is still an option and although a small chainring would make for slower progress it's not terrible. My current bike has 26" wheels and a dual 34t, 42t chainrings. A 46t chainring in 20" wheels is exactly the same ratio as the 34t on 20" wheels and that gets me up to ~18+ mph comfortably. On a folder for short rides that's fine. Wouldn't be suitable for main bike as I'm often travelling at well over 20mph (and that's just using legs before anyone asks).

 

I guess if I go down that route, would then be in the market for a replacement main bike, again though, needs to cope with 16% hills. That's certainly at the upper end for many hub motors in normal sized wheels. Not sure if a Gran Camino would cope and that's towards the top of what I want to spend.

 

Tbh, I am tempted to just try and get fitter and get a bike with adequate gear range and use my legs. I have cycled up said hill under my own steam, but it requires careful pacing with my feeble lungs. .

You don't need a folder to go up 16% hills if that is your only reason for getting one. I have an ancient Carrera Vulcan with 26" wheels and road tyres with the very commonplace 48v Bafang G020 rear hub kit. (E.g https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394203165631?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=gcuwhq0ktpi&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=e7wJGK-DRD6&var=662716740592&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY)

 

Max no load speed is around 45km/h and the advertised max unresticted speed is 40km/h (easily achievable). It came with an 18 amp speed based controller but I changed to the Woosh 15 amp power based controller with torque sensor. I am 105 kg and get up here (one of my regular rides)with a bit of peddling effort :

 

https://clevelandwheelers.com/root/climbs/the-climbs/7-carlton-bank/

 

Eta

 

Woosh do a DWG22C 48V 60NM rear hub kit which will be an even better hill climber (heavier motor, lower no load speed)

 

https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?hubkits

Edited June 15, 20241 yr by Peter.Bridge

I wondered about this as a donor folding bike with disc brakes

Aluminium Frame with hi tensile forks :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224168417177?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=8fTrn7UXS8u&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=e7wJGK-DRD6&var=522947994456&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

Not sure about rear hub conversion, others here would better advise, steel front forks would probably be ok for front hub conversion

It does appear there are not many steel framed 20" wheeled folding bikes with disc brakes out there, but here's one. Even if this apparently German shop is real, they might not ship to the UK, and I don't know anything about the "Compass" brand.

 

https://www.compass24.com/compass-folding-bike-20-inch-415358/white

Edited June 15, 20241 yr by guerney

Not a recommendation, but this is a steel framed 20" wheeled folding electric bike with disc brakes, possibly with a ropey battery made of cheapo flammomatic Chinese cells:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fafrees-Electric-Bicycle-Folding-Battery/dp/B0CQJY98MY

 

Edited June 16, 20241 yr by guerney

You don't need a folder to go up 16% hills

 

Woosh do a DWG22C 48V 60NM rear hub kit which will be an even better hill climber (heavier motor, lower no load speed)

 

The reason for the folder is that it folds. I do a mixture of rides, the more utilitarian ones are to medical appointments, yoga classes, walk n beer with mates. All of these are ~12 mile round trip with a big hill on the way back. A folder would be convenient as easier to stash the bike somewhere safe. At the moment I have taken to locking my bike directly outside the police station.

 

Other rides are ~50 miles of generally hilly terrain for fun. I don’t want a folder for these and I want to get some exercise so the TSDZ2 works really well - when it works

 

Also keen to get Mrs BM on a bike and I think she would appreciate the upright folder riding position.

 

I nee 2 bikes also to have a spare in case of breakdown. One might as well be a folder.

 

I almost bought the above Woosh kit a year ago but opted for TSDZ2 instead as I thought it would suit my riding style and the hills better - also at the time the above motor was perpetually OOS. I don’t really have any functional complaints with the TSDZ2. I know there are hubs that will get me up steep hills but from previous experience many hub bikes will struggle. Was offered a woosh Camino very cheaply recently but a woosh confirmed this would have been underpowered. I used to have a Bafang 36v front hub many years ago and that would have struggled up one of my most frequent hills. It could do the 16% with a fair amount of rider input but that wasn’t sustainable over more than a short hill.

 

I’m going to repair the TSDZ2 for now and see if anything turns up

Edited June 16, 20241 yr by Bogmonster666

The reason for the folder is that it folds. I do a mixture of rides, the more utilitarian ones are to medical appointments, yoga classes, walk n beer with mates. All of these are ~12 mile round trip with a big hill on the way back. A folder would be convenient as easier to stash the bike somewhere safe. At the moment I have taken to locking my bike directly outside the police station.

 

 

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/wisper-806-20-inch-2022-electric-folding-bike#172=344&389=18249&414=20825

 

Possibly upgrade to one of the larger batteries ?

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/wisper-806-20-inch-2022-electric-folding-bike#172=344&389=18249&414=20825

 

Possibly upgrade to one of the larger batteries ?

I am coming to the same conclusion, reading reviews this will easily manage 16% hills and ticks all the boxes. Well made, good uk support. Not sure I understood the bit about keeping upright when folded - does this just relate to long term storage or putting in boot of car?

I am coming to the same conclusion, reading reviews this will easily manage 16% hills and ticks all the boxes. Well made, good uk support. Not sure I understood the bit about keeping upright when folded - does this just relate to long term storage or putting in boot of car?

 

The 806 seems expensive for a hub motored bike. Personally, I wouldn't buy one. For this price I could convert at least two old folders, and with 19.2Ah/691Wh batteries. My conversion cost £909, and £809 was for the BBS01B kid-drive kit with 19.2Ah battery - it's a very capable conversion, much more capable of dragging stuff uphill than the 806. BBS01B mid drives don't suffer from rising damp like TSDZ2s.

 

 

 

 

This bike has the same frame as mine:

 

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/high-quality-dahon-trekking-folding-bike-lightweight-quality-folder-complete-with-fitted-extras/1459001240

 

 

 

The only difficult part was removing the BB. Stuck because of galvanic corrosion, I think. You'll also need a programming cable.

Edited June 17, 20241 yr by guerney