(2) Folding bikes that can fit in back of SUV??

[coachrich]

Hi! I am brand new to this forum. We own ebikes but we are looking for a (2) e-bikes that can fit in the back of a model Y - without having to fold down the back seat. (We have a dog that travels along as well.) I am looking at the urtopia fold 2. It appears that they may fit by removing the seat post which houses the battery and then folding. I am not near a dealership so I cannot try this out for myself. Does anyone have any history with this or own this bike? At only 29 pounds it seems ideal. We would just use it while exploring places during our travels. Any advice would be welcomed Their photo on their site seems to sure look like it may fit two bikes !!

 

[indianajo]

Bing cannot find the urtopia fold2 except for this thread.
The fold1 with 18" wheels looks like a good way to bite your tongue off. You never hit potholes? Not even in the rain? Oh, yeah, most posters here never ride in the rain.
If I wanted a folding bike, I would buy an Airnimal Joey with 24" wheels. Then put a hub motor and a battery on it. My conversion of a yuba bodaboda has passed 12000 miles. Yes, parts wear out. The most expensive one was a hub mofor power wheel with controller for $700. I'm using a hub motor now I paid $36 for.

 

[coachrich]

Sorry typo. It is the Fold 1.

 

[harryS]

Utopia is their yellow carbon fold? I don't own that bike, but we own 20" electric folders with 2" tires. We have over 5K miles on them, and brought them with us to the Everglades and to the Black Hills. .



I've put two folded up in a VW Jetta wagon, but that's a short car so the rear seat had to come down.

Folded, they fit easily in the third seat area of a big SUV like the Honda pilot. Also in the space behind the rear seat on a Nissan and a Kia minivan.

I took them last summer in a Kia Sportage SUV, but I can't remember if I had to fold down one half of the rear bench. We had three people in the car though so for sure one side of the bench was up.

These are not our only ebikes. At home we ride the bigger ones now, but for several years we rode folders at home too. I'd rather not ride gravel with them, but they work. Best for smooth pavement though. Would they be good coasting down a mountain at 26+ mph? I dunno. We had our big bikes on that trip.

It's great to have the bikes inside the car when travelling in winter. There's also more security when you stop overnight. On the other hand, good arguments for a hitch and rack, The latter allows bigger bikes. Maybe more bikes. You have more room to pack stuff.

 

[coachrich]

Thanks for reaching out. We do own 2 full size ebikes with a hitch rack. Just wanted something to be able to throw in the back for other trips. Plus with our electric vehicle the range goes waaaaaay down with a hitch rack and two HEAVY ebikes. ( I found out the hard way.) The Urtopia fold is tiny I realize. Was able to test ride a month or so back and it was much smoother than I thought for being so light. But at 29 pounds it is a definite plus, especially to just ride around a place that we stop. I just wondered if anyone had fit two in the cargo area without folding down the seat. The real world dimensions seem very close. Still want to be able to throw our dog and gear in the back seat. Thanks again!!!

 

[harryS]

They do feel quick and twitchy if you're not used to them. I got on my yellow one today after not riding it for a month and with a stiff 15 mph wind, it felt quick for the the first mile or two. Then I got back in the flow,

 

[coachrich]

also....I used to own that exact same driver

 

[harryS]

Rocketbalz ..., that picture is from a trip to see a buddy in The Villages in 2019. Probably lost 40 yards since then. I know it doesn't do any good, but yes., I deserve a new one.

 

[EMGX]

Utopia is their yellow carbon fold? I don't own that bike, but we own 20" electric folders with 2" tires. We have over 5K miles on them, and brought them with us to the Everglades and to the Black Hills. .

View attachment 190813

Off topic.
I'm planning to ride all of the Mickelson trail late May or early June. Can you tell me when was that picture taken and how much of the trail you rode on 20" bikes?

 

[harryS]

Off topic.
I'm planning to ride all of the Mickelson trail late May or early June. Can you tell me when was that picture taken and how much of the trail you rode on 20" bikes?

May 21, 2023. Temperature in the low 60's. Snow had just cleared out 10 days earlier. Gravel not yet groomed and a bit skittery in some places. 2" and 2.125" tires.

We stayed in Deadwood and I could ride to the trail head. I rode it solo from Deadwood to about 4 miles past Dumont, 20 miles one way and turned around. Southbound is a gentle climb with a few short steep sections. Much of the way back north is coasting. Going back, I took the wrong fork around Sugarloaf and crashed bad on a steep downhill washout. Worse fall in years. Was told by locals t took the wrong fork, it was supposed to be closed til they could run a truck thru,.

My wife and I also took it from Rochford past Mystic, also planning on a 40 mile loop, but her eyes can't adjust quickly to the dark and she crashed in the first long tunnel. We were lucky no one died. It's all rock in there.

We had never planned to do the southern section. Plenty of other things besides bikes when you get out there. Main regret, besides the crashes was not getting to Wind Cave early enough for the tour. Crzayhorse is well done and we liked it,

 

[EMGX]

Thanks Harry, maybe early June weather will suit me better but I'll check weather forecasts when the time comes. I don't want to wait until it gets busy and too hot though.