Cheap Folding eBike?

[joshseitz]

My Dad recently told me that he was looking into a cheap mid-drive folding eBike from a random junk catalog he receives called Heartland America for $399. You can see it here: http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?product=iride-electric-folding-bike&pin=145929

He is retired and not in great health (years of smoking = COPD), so he is looking for a way to get outside and get some fresh air. Knowing what I spent on building my electric Cannondale, he sees this $399 contraption as a good deal.

He is very light (barely over 100lbs), and doesn't plan to go very far, but there are some moderate hills in the neighborhood, leading me to think this thing is under-powered.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this thing? Should I talk him out of it and electrify a real 20" folder with a cheap geared motor and 36V 10Ah battery for a few hundred more?

As always, your opinions are appreciated.

 

[amberwolf]

probably brushed motor, lead-acid batteries. "6-8 hour charge gets up to 18 hours runtime". Yeah, sure it does, if you're only pedalling and using the motor for spurts here and there. :lol:

It probably also is just drop-shipped from china like most of these types of places, and has no QC beyond what it got at it's factory (if any). If you want something he can just ride, you'd probably do better to convert one yourself.

 

[dogman dan]

I agree, the quality won't be great. Is he set on a folder? I'd say just get a zip bike from wallmart or whatever. Nothing wrong with the currie motors.

Definitely don't believe the range or battery hype. Love the catalog name, like that junk they sell is american made or something. Oughta have a big Rush Limbaugh endorsement on the cover.

 

[melodious]

I'd steer away from this bike only because that motor placement looks awfully low. One hop on a curb and there it goes!

Depending on how severe his COPD is, should determine what power you want your bike around. If he's dependent on O2 therapy (2-4 liters/minute), I'd say he's better suited for a more powerful setup. My dad has COPD too from years of smoking, if I were to get a bike for him, it would have a low step over frame. Also, I wouldn't coddle him like he's handicapped, and give him his "light to shine" too, probably a reared geared e-hub @ 36V in a 26" wheel should satisfy his inner demon @20mph. Now that I'm thinking about it, my dad probably would be a 48V type of person with a 3 speed throttle switch. But I'd have to upgrade to a better quality bike as well.

 

[d8veh]

I would guess that it would be quite slow because the small wheels give very low gearing with a crank-drive, but it should climb hills\pretty well. I think they made a nistake with the running time!

A lot of the other 250w folding bikes are not so good on the hills. They can manage up to about 10%, but a lot of pedal effort is required to go any steeper. If your dad has hills where he lives, the best bang for buck hub-motor is (IMHO) the Bafang BPM, which you can get ready-built into a 20" wheel plus everything except battery for about $250 including shipping. If it's flat, a 250w motor would probably be OK.
http://www.bmsbattery.com/ebike-kits/347-bafang-350watts500watts-bpm-motor-e-bike-kit.html

 

[The fingers]

I like my girl's cruiser frame (step-through) very much. Larger diameter tires give a smooth ride, don't have many hills though. It's better on the wide open flatlands.

 

[joshseitz]

Thanks for the prompt replies! So the 36V/500W bafang looks like a good deal, but I've heard bad things about them as a dealer. Any thoughts?

I would also need a basic 36V 10ah LifePO4 battery, preferebly with an aluminum case that can be mounted into one of those double-decker rear racks designed for batteries. Does anyone have a good source for these parts on the cheap?

I like folding bikes for this application for a number of reasons. My dad is pretty short (5'6" and shrinking) and the low step-through height will make it easy to mount/dismount. I also think the overall small form factor will make the whole thing a little more manageble and less intimadiating. I also plan to ship the finished product across the country, so a folder would collapse into a smaller package for cheaper transport.I am certainly open to other bicycle types, though.

 

[dogman dan]

Definitely some advantages to a 20" wheel if pedaling is not such an option. Personally, I'd prefer a bmx frame myself. Fairly low top bars on those if full blown step through is not needed. No doubt a folder will be strong enough for your dad's needs though.

You might take a look at emissions free for a decent deal on a small gearmotor kit. Trusted seller in china, english 1st language.

I'd just buy a metal toolbox and put a pingbattery in it myself. The box is not the most important thing in a battery purchase.

 

[dnmun]

you should have everything shipped to his address and build it for him when you go there. buy motor and battery together from someone like sun-thing28, ship it by sea for cheap and buy a craigslist bike when you get there or have him pick it up before you go. shipping will be hundreds. 26" step through would work. avoid the hills.