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07-28-09, 03:11 AM
I intend to buy a foldable bike to commute for 15 km each way (30 total), with a sea transit by a small boat for 15 minutes. It's a hilly area, while there are alternative flat routes, I will have some short but steep ramps once or twice, and a 6% hill to climb for an elevation increase of 96 meters over 1600 meters).
I I am 1m70 (5"7) and rather heavy for my height at 91 kgs (200 pounds) however I look forward to loose 20-25 pounds in a couple of months.
I want a folder and possibly an electric throttle or assist to use sometimes only, just for some hills when I am tired, to prevent excessive sweating on hot days, and just for fun.
I want to keep the bike as light and as small as possible, that is when folded.
I want the bike to look just like a bike as much as possible. Electric components not to stand out much.
I considered Brompton, Bike Friday and others. I liked Bike Friday Tikit very much because of speed of fold/unfold, reported ride quality, unfortunately it can't get an electric motor as far as I see.
Brompton Nano seems very cute and of high quality even though its parts are mostly proprietary. Light and small when folded, front motorized wheel can be switched with the standard one and bike reverts back to a normal bike, battery hidden. Front traction said to be better. Since I will fold it once in each trip (and I can do away with foolding in summertime as this is permitted in the boat if I travel on deck, not in the indoor passenger compartment), additional height of battery and motor is not a nuisance for me. I think geting the 3 speed hub version and not 6-speed for simplicity and I do not like double lever gear controls at all.
On the other hand Nano is not like Bionx which is regenerative and which is an assistance system since it is mounted on the rear wheel. However I can not find a bike small enough when folded together with Bionx. Maybe a Birdy but they are expensive and I am not sure they are small when folded.
I can also get a Dahon MuP8 but again it can be even worse than Birdy for folded size and its not very attractive to me. Maybe I should see one in person.
I checked Canadian GoBike which seems a good option (maybe without a motor) however it seems that the company does not produce it.
Is Brompton's motor good? Does it make a difference if I pedal along or the speed is the same when moptor is on whatever I do? And I do not know Nano's continious power to compare to Bionx's 350 watts. Nano is 380 watts but it is the peak power.
So, for my 30 km daily commuting needs in a hilly area, what would you recommend to me?
Thanks for bearing with me.
I I am 1m70 (5"7) and rather heavy for my height at 91 kgs (200 pounds) however I look forward to loose 20-25 pounds in a couple of months.
I want a folder and possibly an electric throttle or assist to use sometimes only, just for some hills when I am tired, to prevent excessive sweating on hot days, and just for fun.
I want to keep the bike as light and as small as possible, that is when folded.
I want the bike to look just like a bike as much as possible. Electric components not to stand out much.
I considered Brompton, Bike Friday and others. I liked Bike Friday Tikit very much because of speed of fold/unfold, reported ride quality, unfortunately it can't get an electric motor as far as I see.
Brompton Nano seems very cute and of high quality even though its parts are mostly proprietary. Light and small when folded, front motorized wheel can be switched with the standard one and bike reverts back to a normal bike, battery hidden. Front traction said to be better. Since I will fold it once in each trip (and I can do away with foolding in summertime as this is permitted in the boat if I travel on deck, not in the indoor passenger compartment), additional height of battery and motor is not a nuisance for me. I think geting the 3 speed hub version and not 6-speed for simplicity and I do not like double lever gear controls at all.
On the other hand Nano is not like Bionx which is regenerative and which is an assistance system since it is mounted on the rear wheel. However I can not find a bike small enough when folded together with Bionx. Maybe a Birdy but they are expensive and I am not sure they are small when folded.
I can also get a Dahon MuP8 but again it can be even worse than Birdy for folded size and its not very attractive to me. Maybe I should see one in person.
I checked Canadian GoBike which seems a good option (maybe without a motor) however it seems that the company does not produce it.
Is Brompton's motor good? Does it make a difference if I pedal along or the speed is the same when moptor is on whatever I do? And I do not know Nano's continious power to compare to Bionx's 350 watts. Nano is 380 watts but it is the peak power.
So, for my 30 km daily commuting needs in a hilly area, what would you recommend to me?
Thanks for bearing with me.