I began with wanting an e-bike as backup transportation in case my car breaks down, or to get home from the mechanic.

But since have found both a folding e-bike, and a full size and can't decide which to keep.

They're not top dollar, Wal-Mart grade but solidly made, and good enough for me.

I've kept the receipts and tested them both.

The full size e-bike rides so much better, fits better and is better at transporting if need be (carrier in the back). But the portability of the folding bike makes it much more practical as backup.

 

Would it be crazy to just, get both?

I could just have the full size e-bike as my regular bike.

I'll have to sell a few things......

Correct. You're mad to want two ebikes. I'd get yourself tested or read a few books on lateral thinking to broaden your mind. You should be thinking about a minimum of four. You might not be able to have four because of restrictions on your life (wife, kids, space, etc), but that shouldn't stop you from wanting them.

 

Here's the science on the matter, just to prove what I'm saying:

Nn = No+1

Where Nn is the number of ebikes needed and No is the number you own.

Edited April 30, 2025Apr 30 by saneagle

Yeah - I have two, a proper full sized one and a folder. No way would I part with either of them. Horses for courses as we say here. There are best fit occasions for each type.

Like d8veh I have several electric bikes .

If you have more that one and one needs repairs / servicing / upgrades then you still have one that you can use

Is it mad to want two e-bikes?

 

Yes, if the one bike you have does everything you need. I bought a second bike to convert, because I was vaguely curious about doing a hub conversion of a full sized folding bike... but every time I ride my BBS01B mid-drive converted Dahon Helios P8 20" wheeled folder, I'm reminded at how great it is at everything: climbs hills fast, hauls heavy bike trailers up those hills, can be carried on public transport, marginally looks too silly to be mugged for, requires almost zero effort to pedal, has fast acceleration, rear rack, good range - the only thing it doesn't do is offroad, which is fine because I am a road cyclist. After I took apart the full sized 26" wheeeled Dahon Espresso folder I'd bought to renovate and bought stuff to renovate it with, it's remained in bits ever since and I have failed to work up the requisite enthusiasm to reassemble the thing for well over a year. I think I've forgotten how it all goes back together and may have to start a thread.

 

 

If you have more that one and one needs repairs / servicing / upgrades then you still have one that you can use

 

Yes, there is that.

Edited April 30, 2025Apr 30 by guerney

Correct. You're mad to want two ebikes. I'd get yourself tested or read a few books on lateral thinking to broaden your mind. You should be thinking about a minimum of four. You might not be able to have four because of restrictions on your life (wife, kids, space, etc), but that shouldn't stop you from wanting them.

 

Here's the science on the matter, just to prove what I'm saying:

Nn = No+1

Where Nn is the number of ebikes needed and No is the number you own.

 

Or in your case: Nn = No+9

but every time I ride my BBS01B mid-drive converted Dahon Helios P8 20" wheeled folder, I'm reminded at how great it is

Blissful ignorance!

2 Ebikes plus maybe a regular non E is certainly the way to go.

One to potter about the town, and not to expensive that it might attract thieves

And a better quality, with better spec, maybe more suitable for longer runs or on not so smooth terrain. Something thats never going to be locked and left.

 

And a standard bike to keep the muscles working hard

Perfectly Natural once the utility of an ebike is realised

And a standard bike to keep the muscles working hard

 

I have an unassisted bike but when I compare my average heart rate on an unassisted bike ride to an assisted bike ride they are pretty much identical (although if feels harder unassisted and obvs I don't go as far)

I have an unassisted bike but when I compare my average heart rate on an unassisted bike ride to an assisted bike ride they are pretty much identical (although if feels harder unassisted and obvs I don't go as far)

 

That must be why gyms have electrically power assisted exercise bikes, alongside their standard exercise bikes

 

... oh no wait

 

That must be why gyms have electrically power assisted exercise bikes, alongside their standard exercise bikes

 

... oh no wait

 

Unassisted gravel bike

 

 

 

Assisted folding bike

Before I needed the assistance of a motor to continue cycling, I had a variety of unassisted bikes, each with it's own characteristics and it was a pleasure to have the different bikes to enjoy in different ways so why when going 'e' should it be any different?

 

My first ebike (a TSDZ2 conversion) was a general purpose machine (Dawes Galaxy with rear rack for panniers etc). Then a second TSDZ2 on a lighter ebike with none of the carrying capacity and therefore more sprightly to ride.

 

Then a front hub motor came my way and after knowing that many lauded the KT controller, I converted my carbon framed road bike which had sat collecting dust for years - the motor on that bike is a revelation and allows me to ride really quite briskly whilst fondly remembering the way my cycling used to be.

 

So in answer to the posted question, you need as many ebikes as your budget and bike shed can accommodate.

.....Would it be crazy to just, get both?

I could just have the full size e-bike as my regular bike.

I'll have to sell a few things......

It would be great if both bikes had similar type batteries that are interchangable. This would be great for long runs or allow you to instantly choose either bike when only one battery is charged etc.

Not wrong to want and need 2 ebikes - you have come up with good reasons for needed both, so sleep easy at night.

 

I've got 5 ebikes, I've come up with reasons for justification for each one.

One for haircuts and going into town (Argos cheapie), one for annual car service (cheap halfords folder), one for off road fun (Forme MTB BBS01 conversion), one for touring/commuting (Boardman BBS01 conversion) and another one as back up for commuting (Crossfire-e)

 

I've also got a road bike and non e hybrid. And another bike. And my old original MTB from the 90's.

 

I love bikes

4 here but always room for another.

I always said I was mad.

Currently I have three of them.

 

A 250w BBso1 36v 31ah fitted to a 26" Voodoo Bantu. There if I want a 60 mile ride, only did it once. My Backside took days to get over it.

 

Decathlon est100 250w rear hub motor 13ah. Love it, but very heavy to move about at home.

 

Argos Emove 20" folder. 250w 36v 8.1ah. Just love it. I can see myself using this a lot. Easy to transport and great for leisurely rides and some shopping trips.

 

I have a 20" folder that I salvaged from a scrapyard. Shotblasted and powder coated. Fitted Sturmey AW 3 speed that I salvaged from a 700c town bike. My current favourite. I am tempted to swap the mid drive from the Voodoo over to this one but with a smaller battery.

 

 

I also want to find a 26" folding fatbike to convert for riding along the beach at low tide to pump lugworm.

 

There was one that I nearly picked up at Smithfield Market in Manchester for £120. They always come up on there, mostly ex Deliveroo. Currently looking for somebody With a space in thier garden shed before I commit.

 

Oh and I live in a 1 bed 1st floor flat. 7 bikes in total......so far.

Edited May 1, 2025May 1 by Garry Hallam

It would be great if both bikes had similar type batteries that are interchangable. This would be great for long runs or allow you to instantly choose either bike when only one battery is charged etc.

 

Despite having been manufactured ages ago in April 2006, my Dahon Helios P8 BBS01B 20" wheeled mid-drive attracts too much attention. I think screeching magpie banshees are attracted by the shiny aluminium frame, or it's unusual shape. Usually, it merely makes groups of women burst into laughter simultaneously as I pedal by, I've no idea why. Attracts groups of people when left locked too, weird but true.

 

 

 

 

 

...which is why I bought the folding 26" wheeled Dahon Esperesso replete with undesirable scratches and patina for £76 on ebay, with a view to assemble a seriously cheap ebike I wouldn't worry about being stolen when left locked up somewhere, for short shopping trips...

 

One for haircuts

 

...and haircuts. I could buy a new frame for it from CH White & Son, but that'd somewhat defeat the object of assembling a bike I wouldn't fret about being stolen. Front hub motor for (hopefully) easy peasiness of installation, simplicity of motor wheel build, using the 36V battery from my BBS01B conversion. Saves having to buy another battery. I've been looking at ultra-cheap dead Gumtree ebikes to drag a motor from, and I'm idly considering this motor on the "Bargains" thread:

 

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/bargains.46309/post-743615

Edited May 1, 2025May 1 by guerney

I have a 20" folder that I salvaged from a scrapyard. Shotblasted and powder coated. Fitted Sturmey AW 3 speed that I salvaged from a 700c town bike. My current favourite. I am tempted to swap the mid drive from the Voodoo over to this one but with a smaller battery.

 

It'd be nice to see another 36V BBS01B 20" folding bike on the forum. And it'd be interesting to see how well your Sturmey hub gears fare. Would 720W on your lowest gear conquer all hills? Would your hub gears explode with 720W? The frame is bent by drive side a bit at high torque - I wouldn't have noticed, if it hadn't been because of the central hinge creaking at onset of high torque, because it needed lubricating. Therefore I check regularly for cracks, but my aluminium frame hasn't snapped yet, not even once. A big battery would be better for hills, less voltage sag. I put the battery on the rear rack, but you could try mid mounting like this dude?

 

 

 

 

[mention=3847]saneagle[/mention] also mounted a battery mid-frame on his Dahon Jetfream rear hub conversion, using fibreglass, on a thread somewhere.

Edited May 1, 2025May 1 by guerney

@[mention=42497]Garry Hallam[/mention] my folder is 20" and looks very similar to yours.

Its not an expensive one but has a good solid build. I think its great. I still would like a full size for carrying heavier stuff back from the store, or to go about town.

As far as exercise, I have the self discipline to turn it off and pedal manually. Barely, when it has a throttle lever : P

 

The full size one I'm looking at is a Walmart Concord Commuter. Its also a budget model but I like everything about the feel of riding it. The battery has a 20 mile range.

They also have a Huffy Cadence for about the same price, that has a 40 mile range. However the Cadence to me feels cheap and it just doesn't ride as well.

It sounds weird, but I would rather have a bike I like riding with a 20 mile range, than one that I don't with twice that.

Also I wonder if maybe you could swap the battery out with a better one, and get a longer range? Thats one thing I'd like to find out.

 

 

I have a 20" folder that I salvaged from a scrapyard. Shotblasted and powder coated. Fitted Sturmey AW 3 speed that I salvaged from a 700c town bike. My current favourite. I am tempted to swap the mid drive from the Voodoo over to this one but with a smaller battery.

 

[ATTACH type=full" alt="20250419_193713.jpg]63035[/ATTACH][ATTACH type=full" alt="20250419_193458.jpg]63036[/ATTACH]

 

 

That is a tidy job. May I ask where you got it shotblasted and powder coated?

Also I wonder if maybe you could swap the battery out with a better one, and get a longer range? Thats one thing I'd like to find out.

 

Should be no problem as long as you can fit it somewhere.

That is a tidy job. May I ask where you got it shotblasted and powder coated?

 

My friend works at a Powder Coating company in Ashton Under Lyne. The cost per bike frame is £50.

Here is the battery for the Concord Commuter., the full size e-bike.

I'm interested in how common it looks. I am in the USA.... Illinois.... but its a Wal-Mart bike. Surprisingly, as I said it has a solid build and good welds as far as I can see.

 

I wondered first if this is any kind of a standard size that one can find generic replacements for. And also if you see the plug fitting, if that looks standard...... would it be possible to swap it out with a better grade battery.

 

This bike only has a 20 mile range- however there was a more cheaply built Huffy e-bike in the store that had a 40 mile range.

Thats what started me thinking, why can't I keep the bike with the better build, and just upgrade the battery? Maybe a better battery that would fit the bike, would get me a more comparable range to the Huffy.

 

What does anybody think?

 

 

Edited May 4, 2025May 4 by jeffpas