Doc_Wui

Here's our light pedal assisted pair of folders, Nova and the full suspension FS8, just about complete. I shared my plans to try a folder with my wife, and she wanted one too, but with electrics like her beach cruiser, so plans changed to two electric folders.

Both have the same motor, which is a small 350W unit. I bought them from China and spoked them into Sun-Ringle rims. I did the first once twice before getting a pattern that worked. Bikes were $600. Motors cost $250. Electric parts were $150. Rims/spokes $120. I put DNP 11-30 freewheels on both bikes. Two racks $25. $70. Two Rock Bros bells for $10. Ding ding. Batteries are a 52V 6AH mini battery from Lunacycles.com and a 36V 8AH custom battery from batteryblocs.com. These cost $250-300 each. Motor is 4.2 pounds. Batteries are 3 pounds. The Nova is close to 30 pounds, and the FS8 is near 40 pounds. Without power, these will pedal close to like the original. Motors have little drag, but don't spin like a free wheel.

The bigger batteries should support a 2 hour ride with rider peddling at 14 mph. Farther than my wife will go for sure. The battery is in the seat bag on the yellow Nova. The rack was too high on the FS8, so the seat bag is on the rack. I'll be lowering the rack later, and maybe hanging that bag.

Top speed depends on battery. Say 20-22 mph on 52V, and 16-18 mph on 36V on motor alone, We ride pedal assist between 12-14 mph. It's all been fun so far.

invisiblehand

Cool!

Why was the spoking pattern a problem? How big is the flange?

Rick Imby

Maybe I'm losing my sight but did you build up 451s for the back with 406s on the front?

Doc_Wui

Wide lens does funny things, I am sure the wheels are the same size.

I first did alternate in/out spokes with a single cross, but the spokes that came from inside wouldn't bend back to the wheel. They were bowed. I rode one around like that for a a few weeks before I decided it was bad. With all the spoke ends facing out they went straight to the holes.

Not a spoke expert at all, I just copied what someone did with 26" wheels on youtube. Single cross. Alternate in and out endsat first. Flange diameter is 108 mm, and spokes were 146 and 148 mm long. Saphim 13G down to 14G. Being rim brakes, the dishing went OK.

jogya03

great idea, are the cable affecting the folds ? I have front wheel motor, laced on 26" rims now, but I may copy your idea soon

invisiblehand

Yeah ... with a big flange and small wheel, you'll run into issues like that. There was a fellow having issues with his Rohloff wheel breaking spokes at the nipple and its flange is smaller than yours.