Electric Bikes - So I got this chinese E folding bike and its...

Its actually pretty cool. The brakes suck as in make a horrible squealing noise but that can be cured with some different pads and an adjustment. The folding aspect of the bike seems very secure. It locks tight and does not seem to be fragile. The seat is crap but easily changed cheap. Overall, I paid $200 for it new in the box and think its worth that. It does have 3 12v 12ah SLA batteries so its not the nice light lithium type but it works. Here are some pics. BTW, the specs are:

180Watt rear hub motor (not sure if its brushless or not)
36V (12V,12AHx3) SLA battery pack with keyed on off and battery life meter
16" wheels
OMG 69lbs with battery installed
Came with battery charger and tool kit
15mph
20 miles assisted pedaling distance (unverified, I have gone about 5 miles unassisted and still had power)
Upgraded the 34tooth 65mm crankset to a 42tooth 70mm crankset I had laying around
Upgraded the folding pedals to aluminum/chromo pedals non folding (might get some better folding pedals later on)


http://imagenes.solostocks.com/z11046820/bicicleta-electrica-plegable-mick-by-koolgachet.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n95/teamontherun/bikefolding1.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n95/teamontherun/bikefolding2.jpg

Now here is something I don't understand. A folder that is now very heavy, expensive, needs to be recharged but doesn't go any faster than a non-motorized one. The motor is so small that it won't really help on hills and won't even make up for its own weight. It will be interesting to hear if you find a use for it six months from now.

Now here is something I don't understand. A folder that is now very heavy, expensive, needs to be recharged but doesn't go any faster than a non-motorized one. The motor is so small that it won't really help on hills and won't even make up for its own weight. It will be interesting to hear if you find a use for it six months from now.

EDIT: You can take the battery out and it makes it a normal folder, just a little heavier due to the motor still being mounted. Im sure I could get a spare 16" rear wheel and it would be a normal folder.

Funny you mention hills. Due to the small wheel size, It makes going up hills very easy. I actually went riding the other day with my brother and my girlfriend both on their hybrids and by the time we got back to the apartment, they were spent. Me, still ready to go riding. As far as folding, This makes it easy to put in a car if im at work and it starts raining or if it breaks down. I also wanted it for its small size even unfolded. On my way to work I take the train and this not only fits easily in the bicycle area, If needed I can place it by my feet.

I have also forgot to mention that I live in an apartment and this fits neatly in the corner.

If all goes well, Im going to replace the batteries with a LifePo battery weighing 12lbs. That will make the bike only weigh 56lbs making it easily carried by anyone with some upper body strength like myself.

Dont be so quick to judge just because you cant see its usefulness.

I think its pretty cool. I've been considering putting a kit on my dahon, but I know there are some complete bikes for less than the kits costs. I'm interested to hear about durability and road report in a month or two.

Have you bicycled with your brother and girlfriend on a non-electric folder? I am just curious if you are in much better shape than they are. I am not quick to judge, I said I will be interested in what you think in 6 months. I have electric bikes and I have a folder. I find them useful in their own way but your electric bike has very little power and is very heavy for that little power. 15 mph is a speed I do most of the time on my folder and that is why I question these things. These are just my guesses and opinions, you will need to report back to us -hopefully comparing this to a regular bike, a non-electric folder, and if possible a larger electric bike. I am sure you will have fun on the bike and when you upgrade to LiFePO batteries, you will have great range.

Have you bicycled with your brother and girlfriend on a non-electric folder? I am just curious if you are in much better shape than they are. I am not quick to judge, I said I will be interested in what you think in 6 months. I have electric bikes and I have a folder. I find them useful in their own way but your electric bike has very little power and is very heavy for that little power. 15 mph is a speed I do most of the time on my folder and that is why I question these things. These are just my guesses and opinions, you will need to report back to us -hopefully comparing this to a regular bike, a non-electric folder, and if possible a larger electric bike. I am sure you will have fun on the bike and when you upgrade to LiFePO batteries, you will have great range.

I have a fuji crosstown 4.0 hybrid and am usually as beat as they are. I guess it seems like its too little power since its 180W I guess because its 36V and not 24V it has a little more juice. My brother lives in an adjacent apartment complex about a mile away and this thing is perfect for that. I will say that when I get the new batteries, it should be night and day as far as weight and range.

The motor is so small that it won't really help on hills and won't even make up for its own weight.

How many watts do you put out? For how long? How much do you weigh?

It might not be right for everybody, but its presumptuous for you to suggest this dude is not going to use it past six months..

Here are a couple more pics... sorry for my camera phone.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n95/teamontherun/bikenew1.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n95/teamontherun/bikenew2.jpg

OK, I've got an 16 pound bike and can make 180 watts for about 5 hours or 100 miles before recharging (resting).

However I did have to go to about 300 watts to chase down a guy on a mountain bike with a 1000 watt front hub that went by me at 24 mph. I caught him after about a mile and then just drafted him for about 5 minutes on 101 just south of Swamis. What a hoot.

15 mph is a speed I do most of the time on my folder and that is why I question these things.

15 mph average on a manual folding bike. Hmmm, what speedo you use?

My average speed on my 18lb road bike is 17mph (my usual daily route of over 32.7 miles) and thats with going over 25-28mph at flat (but going 12mph on steep hills too).

So its probably got 20 miles on it now and I could not be happier (unless it weighed alot less lol). Yesterday I took up some pretty big hills assisting it with pedaling of course. Overall it feels alot sturdier than the non motorized dahon I rode yesterday as well. The biggest problem I have had is the brakes. They are cheap and almost non adjustable. I am upgrading to some better v brakes in the near future.

I will keep everyone posted on its progress. (LifePo4 batteries soon to come)