Originally Posted by
plasticmani
Thanks for all the input so far.
I obviously should've clarified that my highest priorities are lightweight and a bike that's suited to day tours (that is, out-of-town partially hilly, single-day tours, where I can carry everything I need in a pack on my back, not on the bike).
The small fold is handy for taking in the car, but as bikes are very restricted or forbidden on public transport in Sweden (even folded), then I'm mostly thinking about how easy the bike can be put into the storage I have in the cellar of the house we live in - just one flight of stairs, but cumbersome with my non-folding bike.
I'm used to the speed of the Brompton fold - which I think is great, and always impresses any interested bystanders - but it's not the most important part. A few seconds each ride doesn't bother me.
Thank you, that helps narrow things quite a lot. Not needing an ultra-compact fold like the Brompton, opens up many more options, both lower cost, and larger wheels for better ride. A 20" wheel bifold frame (too many examples to list) is a great compromise; It should fit in a car trunk, and easier carry down to your basement, but you should verify both; It'll be about (I think) 50% longer and 50% taller in profile versus the Brompton, but that's over 2X the total bulk, so best to make sure. The advantage of 20" wheels is that you can get by with the simpler derailleur gearing (versus the internal gear hub of the Brompton, which is reliable, but more difficult to service at home, and fewer shops in the USA service IGHs, perhaps better in Europe). There are electric drives available in 20" wheels in both rear-hub-motor, and mid-drive at the crank. 20" e-bikes are usually 20"/406 wheels which have a wide selection of tires, skinny to fat. (20"/451 bikes tend to be lightweight performance models, usually skinnier tires, not as commonly available in e-bikes that I have seen, though I'm sure they're out there if you look.)
The Helix looks like a truly lovely and well-engineered bike, but have had very long waits in the past, I don't know about currently. Biggest drawback there is their choice of 24" tires, the selection is very limited.
For hills, I would normally suggest wide gearing, in english terms, minimum 21-85 gear inches, but with electric drive you should be able to get by without gears as low as the 21 gear inches.
For all electrics, I think good local support for repairs will be critical, unless you are capable yourself. So that means both a dealer that is fully qualified to diagnose things, and not just capable of replacing parts en masse, and reliable and ongoing source of parts for them. I know little on that score, others here from Europe and especially your region could tell you more, or ask your local bike seller.
Thus, the fact that you want an electric, and one with known repairability so quality, that adds a lot more to cost, so probably will not be going cheap with a low-cost bifold 20". So the Helix sounds like a good option, if available, and uses a quality e-drive, and you're satisfied with the available tire options.
I'll write more if I think of anything, but I think others here, now knowing your recent post, could add more. I know there are now some nice bikes with both electric and the Pinion transmission, as low as USD $2000, a super deal for both, but not folding.