Electric folding bike - for commuting
Discussion
Hi guys
I'm moving so I'm going to have a trek to my station and will be using an electric bike for the quickest, least sweaty way to get about. I'll also be using it in London to go from Marylebone to Mayfair and from Mayfair to Finchley Road, and then back to Marylebone. So, about 9 miles a day of cycling.
Given I'm using the train, I'm really keen on getting the easiest to live with, light and good to fold bike that can still manage about 10 miles of cycling a day.
This is an important purchase for me that will really affect me to day to day, so I'm willing to to afford anything up to the electric Hummingbird (but would rather not!).
Thing is, I really know very little about electric or folding bikes and last used a bicycle a decade ago - when they weren't from the future!
I'm moving so I'm going to have a trek to my station and will be using an electric bike for the quickest, least sweaty way to get about. I'll also be using it in London to go from Marylebone to Mayfair and from Mayfair to Finchley Road, and then back to Marylebone. So, about 9 miles a day of cycling.
Given I'm using the train, I'm really keen on getting the easiest to live with, light and good to fold bike that can still manage about 10 miles of cycling a day.
This is an important purchase for me that will really affect me to day to day, so I'm willing to to afford anything up to the electric Hummingbird (but would rather not!).
Thing is, I really know very little about electric or folding bikes and last used a bicycle a decade ago - when they weren't from the future!
Another couple for your shortlist should be the electric Brompton and Gocycle GX. Both around the same price.
I have had a Gocycle GS for about 18 months - unlike the GX it is not a fast folder - but it is a magnificent bit of kit.
It is very comfortable and the sit up and beg stance is very handy in cities for seeing and being seen. I am sure the GX will ride similarly.
One advantage of the Gocycle is the pit stop wheels which make dealing with the inevitable punctures a lot less of a faff.
On the other hand the Brompton looks like it will be easier to lug around when folded as you carry the battery pack separately.
I don't think there is any substitute for testing them out in the flesh - Fully Charged at London Bridge are very helpful and sell the Gocycle and of course Brompton Junction for the eBrompton.
Whichever you choose I am sure you will be delighted. I have cycled regularly in London since the mid 1990s but have never cycled as much since I bought my Gocycle. The price may appear eye watering but it paid for itself within a year (vs public transport). Ebikes really are the future...
Good luck!
I have had a Gocycle GS for about 18 months - unlike the GX it is not a fast folder - but it is a magnificent bit of kit.
It is very comfortable and the sit up and beg stance is very handy in cities for seeing and being seen. I am sure the GX will ride similarly.
One advantage of the Gocycle is the pit stop wheels which make dealing with the inevitable punctures a lot less of a faff.
On the other hand the Brompton looks like it will be easier to lug around when folded as you carry the battery pack separately.
I don't think there is any substitute for testing them out in the flesh - Fully Charged at London Bridge are very helpful and sell the Gocycle and of course Brompton Junction for the eBrompton.
Whichever you choose I am sure you will be delighted. I have cycled regularly in London since the mid 1990s but have never cycled as much since I bought my Gocycle. The price may appear eye watering but it paid for itself within a year (vs public transport). Ebikes really are the future...
Good luck!
Use a version of cyclescheme if you can. The £1000 ‘cap’ is being lifted to allow the purchase of such bikes. Makes Brompton Electric etc affordable ..
Around £1500 via CycleScheme if you have a scheme with the newly ‘allowed’ higher cap
Around £1500 via CycleScheme if you have a scheme with the newly ‘allowed’ higher cap
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 20th August 09:46
A colleague has a Raleigh e-folder.
I had a brief go on it and it was an absolute riot.
https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/news/raleigh-rev...
I had a brief go on it and it was an absolute riot.
https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/news/raleigh-rev...
Why do you need electric? Can you not shower at your office or become a member of cheap gym nearby?
You need to decide if you want the best folder that is also electric or just a bike that folds thats electric. If its the former then Brompton is the the only way to go IMO.
I have had mine for four years now and it really is superb. Takes an battering and is incredibly well made. Think Mine has now done over 8000 miles. I do about 14 miles a day on mine 5 days a week.
You need to decide if you want the best folder that is also electric or just a bike that folds thats electric. If its the former then Brompton is the the only way to go IMO.
I have had mine for four years now and it really is superb. Takes an battering and is incredibly well made. Think Mine has now done over 8000 miles. I do about 14 miles a day on mine 5 days a week.
Ffffaster said:
Hi guys
I'm moving so I'm going to have a trek to my station and will be using an electric bike for the quickest, least sweaty way to get about. I'll also be using it in London to go from Marylebone to Mayfair and from Mayfair to Finchley Road, and then back to Marylebone. So, about 9 miles a day of cycling.
Given I'm using the train, I'm really keen on getting the easiest to live with, light and good to fold bike that can still manage about 10 miles of cycling a day.
This is an important purchase for me that will really affect me to day to day, so I'm willing to to afford anything up to the electric Hummingbird (but would rather not!).
Thing is, I really know very little about electric or folding bikes and last used a bicycle a decade ago - when they weren't from the future!
I keep my normal bike in the racks at Marylebone every day no problem. Been doing it for years and never had a bike nicked (touch wood) and it’s a nice bike. In the nicest way, get a normal bike and get some exercise.I'm moving so I'm going to have a trek to my station and will be using an electric bike for the quickest, least sweaty way to get about. I'll also be using it in London to go from Marylebone to Mayfair and from Mayfair to Finchley Road, and then back to Marylebone. So, about 9 miles a day of cycling.
Given I'm using the train, I'm really keen on getting the easiest to live with, light and good to fold bike that can still manage about 10 miles of cycling a day.
This is an important purchase for me that will really affect me to day to day, so I'm willing to to afford anything up to the electric Hummingbird (but would rather not!).
Thing is, I really know very little about electric or folding bikes and last used a bicycle a decade ago - when they weren't from the future!
Ffffaster said:
That's a really interesting thought Robby, thank you. I have bike racks at work, so could just get a cheap hybrid and leave it there. Where do you commute from? I'd love some tips from you about what the options are and you're experience of the Chiltern line (if that is what you use)
Wouldn’t that mean that you’d need two bikes, though? One to lock at your own station for the commute between there and home and one for the London journeys.Or does your train company allow bikes on the trains at rush hour?
Ffffaster said:
Correct, but looking at the prices of folding bikes, I could easily get 2 x "normal" bikes for the same figure and without the carrying... Would need a guaranteed rack space at both ends though.
That’s true. I guess that riding a normal bike is more comfortable/better than a folding bike, but I’ve never tried the latter.I recently bought a £400 hybrid as a back up to my e-bike and have been really pleased with what you get for that sort of money.
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