Newbie needs folding electric commuter !!!!

[steeevo55]

Hello All:
I have been reading and doing research on what to get as far as a folding electric bike for commuting but I could use a little help, here's what I need.

1 Lightweight 20" or 16" folder capable of rear electric hub

2 Lightest hub possible with best overall performance

3 Battery capable of 20 miles lifepo4 or ???


What I am looking for is the best performance with the lightest weight possible, a bike I can take with me
inside a coffee shop or work that will fit under a table.
This is my first thread here and I love your site, very informative and insightful. Anyfeedback would be greatly appreciated

THANKS

 

[docnjoj]

I know little of folding bikes, however Gaerlan Cycles is expert in these matters. I do know geared hub motors like Bafang are quite light, as are Cyclone type thru the chain drive. Lifepo4 batteries are light and safe, although Lipos are lighter but less safe and more prone to early failure. Others in this group know much more than me and will give their opinions soon. Welcome!
otherDoc

 

[dogman dan]

The lightest ebikes around seem to be folders with lifepo4 and geared motors. For 20 mile range, a 36v 20 ah lifepo4 from Li Ping on ebay is just right, and weighs only 15 lbs.

 

[gmouchawar]

Hi,

I have the EZ-Go from Currie 16" wheels. I also have the EV global mini ebike 20". For distances I recommend the EVG if you can find one.

 

[steeevo55]

Those sound pretty good, but I was thinking maybee a downtube or a dahon 16 or 20 inch with a bmc rear hub and a ping battery. I might even consider doing this with a 16 inch, only thing is that I can't find a 16 inch that does not have an internal rear hub. Does anyone know of someone who's done this ???? Would a 16 inch be to squirrely with a rear bmc ???
With such small wheels could I get any speed going (20 mph)

 

[docnjoj]

Ive used a 16" hub motor (not geared) on my trike with no problem. Geared should work OK. U will need to up the voltage to get 20 mph with those little wheels, and the ride will suffer. Also a short cage derailleur will be necessary. Good tires help! I use Schwalbe Big Apples.
otherDoc

 

[DahonElectric]

How much money are planning to spend on?

If you have a budget of $3000 or money is no object, I would go for either a Dahon Mu SL (lightest production folder) or a Bike Friday Model T (Tikit) coupled with a 36v Bionx Lithium Manganese system. The Dahon with the the 36v system will get you that 20 miles plus a top speed of about 20mph without pedaling. On my Dahon 24v NiMH system, I can go 65km before the display showed 3 bars left with some pedaling and traversing some hills in between. But you're not going to be huffing and puffing like you would with a normal bike. So yes, it can be done.

You plan to take into the coffee shop.. Unless you plan on lifting a 38lbs folded bike for a short period of time , which is heavy, locking it outside with a Kryptonite New York lock would do just fine. The exception would be if you own a Bike Friday Tikit.

Other Dahon models like the P7 or P8 would do well too and be about $500 cheaper.

The beauty of the Bike Friday Tikit is that, it can really be folded and then wheeled using the handle on the front wheel to anywhere you want it to go. There are 2 options for mounting the battery on the Tikit like you do with the Dahon. It's either on the water bottle mount on the top tube or on the rack. Either way, you will need to remove the battery for easy folding. The water bottle option gives you a battery box with a key. For carrying stuff, I would suggest getting yourself a Carradice Nelson Long Flap bag from Peter White Cycles coupled with a SQR block attachment. Backpack is ok for short trips, but a carry bag is more comfortable on longer trips. This Carradice bag attaches to your seatpost and provides about 20 litres of storage, enough to carry your lunch, change of clothes, tools, raincoat and anything you can think of! This is ofcourse a more modular system which you can pick and choose what you want to bring or not and is completely waterproof. I have a similar setup with my Dahon, but I choose the battery box and my carry bag is a Klick Fix system based on a Vaude big bag that attaches on my seatpost. It provides a similar storage space, very modular and extremely discreet.

Hope this helps..