E bikes. Best folding please for comfort. (1 Viewer)

Apr 1, 2020
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I’m a newbie
Hi all
probably been asked a million times before but is a minefield out there. We are after 2 folders with a price of around £2500 Each. Problem we have is so many are not in stock to try out. We want to get it right due to the cost of them so we are after, in this order, comfort,lightweight,ease of use.
thank You in advance
Karen.
 

Minxy

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Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
I've got to ask why you are wanting to spend so much (£5,000) on 2 bikes? Have you had any e-bikes before?

If not then you might be wise to reconsider as that's a high budget for 'first timers' as some people just don't take to them.
 
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suavecarve

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Have to agree with Minxy Girl that is one hell of a budget for a couple of bikes.

I m afraid i have no knowledge to be able to help you out though

Best of luck

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Apr 22, 2018
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I visited many bike shops looking and testing. Not many beneath £2000 each, and when you look into those that are they are the ones with dated technology, such as hub drive, heavy, and batteries stored above rear wheel extra. In the end my wife went for a £2000 model, and I’ve not yet decided. That’s not folding bikes as we don‘t like them. Even less choice in those, and harder to locate for a test ride.
 
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Belledog
Apr 1, 2020
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I've got to ask why you are wanting to spend so much (£5,000) on 2 bikes? Have you had any e-bikes before?

If not then you might be wise to reconsider as that's a high budget for 'first timers' as some people just don't take to them.
They are all expensive from what I can see. We decided to pay extra to get the right one.
 
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Feb 24, 2013
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not long enough
I would think comfort is mostly down to the saddle 🤔 can be changed as we have on ours for a few £’s each

we have budget folders, Kudos Secrets, had one for three years other first one

they are heavy but seem fairly good , bit clunky in some areas and definitely happier on tarmac but so am I 😁👍

cost about £700 I think 👍

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Lenny HB

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Riese & Muller are among the best but I think their folders start at around 3 grand.
Like you say you really need to ride a bike before buying.

 
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Jul 14, 2019
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We've got two folding "Volt Metro" folding ebikes (about £1.5k/each) and they're great! They've got 20" wheels and Shimano gears and a decent'ish battery..

We've used them in the past to explore the off road disused wagonway cycle paths near us in Northumberland and they're great to pop in the back on the car and head out to explore.

We hadn't used them on the road before, but since Lockdown I've had my bike out exploring the routes around us and have clocked up nearly 800 miles, and it's been fantastic to get out and about on the bike! We've got a lot of very steep hills here but I can easily get a 25 mile ride out of the battery but the bike is probably four years old now, so the battery is not new.

The only thing I'd say is that the Volt Metro ebike has a rear hub motor, and when you run low on power it's really hard to pedal without battery power (like trying to cycle in deep sand!)!

So I'm looking to buy another ebike, but I'm looking to get a hybrid non-folder ebike with a centrally mounted Bosch motor to use on the roads (and hills) from home, and then we'll keep the two Volt Metros for us to take out in the motorhome.
IMG_20200502_154651605_HDR.jpg

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Belledog
Apr 1, 2020
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We've got two folding "Volt Metro" folding ebikes (about £1.5k/each) and they're great! They've got 20" wheels and Shimano gears and a decent'ish battery..

We've used them in the past to explore the off road disused wagonway cycle paths near us in Northumberland and they're great to pop in the back on the car and head out to explore.

We hadn't used them on the road before, but since Lockdown I've had my bike out exploring the routes around us and have clocked up nearly 800 miles, and it's been fantastic to get out and about on the bike! We've got a lot of very steep hills here but I can easily get a 25 mile ride out of the battery but the bike is probably four years old now, so the battery is not new.

The only thing I'd say is that the Volt Metro ebike has a rear hub motor, and when you run low on power it's really hard to pedal without battery power (like trying to cycle in deep sand!)!

So I'm looking to buy another ebike, but I'm looking to get a hybrid non-folder ebike with a centrally mounted Bosch motor to use on the roads (and hills) from home, and then we'll keep the two Volt Metros for us to take out in the motorhome.View attachment 414584
I had been looking at these but I wanted an honest opinion on them. So, thanks so much for the review. I want to avoid choosing one that isn’t right for us. Get it right 1st time.
 
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Lucky

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Decathlon sell a folding electric bike for around £700 which several magazines/websites have recommended.

Yes that's the introductory end of the market but they are well equipped and, coming from Decathlon, there is a store in every major city. After sales service is reportedly excellent too, including warranty claims.

Bear that in mind when 'your' expensive but thinly supported niche brand has a fault and you're away from home, maybe even abroad. At best you'll be referred back to the supplying dealer, at worst the supplying dealer will have closed down.
 
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The Coops

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Avoid the Halfords folders its the old adage * you get what you pay for* We bought two and they fell apart within 3 months got money back from Halfrauds . Have you looked at specialist builders? For the money you are looking at shelling out Yorvick Bikes or Ribble cycles would do you a custom build.
 
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The Coops

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DC has one of the Decathlon bikes bought 6 years ago and still going strong, battery will discharge over two months but when charged is good enough for 30 miles plus, we paid just over £500 for it.

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Nov 24, 2017
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E bikes direct did/do a wonderful e bike folder from Wisper about 1500 gbp with plenty big battery ... excellent we have two. Not light though at 19kg without battery
I treat myself to a Wisper 806 torque. Love it to be honest. Very well built folds down easily enough. I wouldn't say its light but its nippy and fun to ride.
. View attachment 414622
Beat me to the post.... wd have 806 se ( same but not quite same electrics) folding e bikes agree totally...we upgraded battery..goes like stink

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Jul 14, 2019
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I had been looking at these but I wanted an honest opinion on them. So, thanks so much for the review. I want to avoid choosing one that isn’t right for us. Get it right 1st time.

Hi Belledog! Thanks for your reply - forgot to say that the Volt Metros are around 19.5kg. I bought a new "Selle Royale" saddle to replace the "Plush" saddle which I find very comfortable.
 
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Don Quixote

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Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
We bought these 4/5 years ago and they are still running great. Can get 80km on battery. We used them every other day now in the countryside here in Spain due to virus we have loads of time to waste..........


This is the new models:

 
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Ridgeway

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Not really, i ride rough tracks on mine, gravel paths, country roads etc etc, not too many places i wouldn't take it to be honest, amazing little thing. If you want to tackle hills then you do ideally need a 6 speed though.

Never covered more than about 40km in one ride but you can easily do so.

ps: mine is leg powered not battery.
 
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Nov 24, 2017
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Oooooh... not wishing to hijack this thread.. but what type/model of arms do Funsters use to secure their folding bikes to Fiamma bike racks?

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Ridgeway

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As they are folders i suspect many are folded up and in the garage, under-bed etc
 
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Nov 24, 2017
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Ye I realise that bug w
As they are folders i suspect many are folded up and in the garage, under-bed etc
I understand that but we bought bikes when not poss to have a rack so then we stashed in garage but now new moho will have rack so...... what arms for fixing folding bikes to Fiamm bike rack?

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