20" vs 26"

[Brewerpaul]

I've never ridden a 20" bike of any kind. The geometry looks so different from a standard 26" type bike-- tall handlebar stem,small tires.
How does it feel to ride a 20" vs a 26"? Easy to adapt from the larger wheels? I'm very short (5'2") so the smaller frame is appealing in an ebike.
Plus, a 20" folder would let me load it into my hatchback and take it to some really great road and trail rides.

While I'm at it, any recommendations for an inexpensive 20" folder? Inexpensive meaning under $1k. The Rad Mini looks excellent but if I could
get something decent for less, that would be nice.

 

[Thumper]

Hi Paul,

I can't speak for the 20" vs 26" comparison as I too have never ridden a 20 incher.

However, In regards to the cheap 20" folder - I've seen people talking about the Lectric XP which is under $1k. I can't speak for the quality or reliability of it, however, I've never ridden one.

Here's the link (Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

Cheers

 

[Katysax]

I’ve ridden plenty of 20 inchers and 26 inchers. I am 5’3.5” and I like a small bike. My ebike is a Ride Scoozy veego semifat. It is a 20 inch low step folder.

20 inch tires are a little less stable which is mostly noticeable on fast downhills. They are more sensitive to pot holes and debris. I much prefer small tires have suspension or be some kind of fat tire. That will mitigate some of the problems. Small wheels generate a lot of torque but not speed. The gearing on my bike is a little too low; it could use a bigger chain ring.

For the most part it feels like any other bike. I like that mine is lighter than most ebikes. I suggest you look for a low step folder like the rad mini or veego. I think at 5’2” you may find the Lectric Xp a little higher to step over than is comfortable.

 

[Brewerpaul]

. My ebike is a Ride Scoozy veego semifat. It is a 20 inch low step folder.


For the most part it feels like any other bike. I like that mine is lighter than most ebikes. I suggest you look for a low step folder like the rad mini or veego. I think at 5’2” you may find the Lectric Xp a little higher to step over than is comfortable.

The VeeGo looks terrific, although I wish it had a shock fork. Still, for my 95% paved street riding, a non shock fork would be OK.
I never start riding my analog bike (26", 16" frame) by stepping over. I'm a leg swinger so I'm not really worried about that.
The VeeGo is out of stock, and they don't show a price. What is the current price? Thanks.

BTW-- has anyone tried the various Nakto bikes sold on Amazon? They have a folder that's really reasonably priced and gets good Amazon reviews.

 

[harryS]

We like 20" bikes. We have two folders, a minivello style, and a 20" folder fatbike. All are electric although the first three were home DIY conversions. The fatbike is an Ecotric, similar to the Radmini and Lectic XP, but no suspension and 36V. The 20 x4.0" tires are about 3" taller than a 20 x2" tire, and with a longer frame the fatbike looks huge compared to a regular folder. THe ECotric is 60 pounds, while our other 20" bikes come in 33-40 pounds.

I don't ride on dirt, and knobby tires howl on pavement, so I put smooth tread 20 x3" tires on the fatbike. Lowers the bike a little, The tires roll better and it's less work with pedal assist. Your typical street folder (not talking about fat tire folders) are not suited for trail riding. All the shocks/bumps are not good for the frame and stem hinges. With 20 x 2.2" tires, they work well on packed gravel though,

A 26"/700ccc tire will have a more comfortable ride, but a full suspension folder like my wife's bike is pretty good. Me, I look ahead and stand up on my folder when I see bumps coming. The smaller bikes have a smaller turning circle and feel pretty maneuverable. Standard folders don't get ridden much past 18 mph because the gearing limits how fast you want to spin the pedals. A motor doesn't change that, so the upright position allows a more relaxed ride. There are times when I prefer the smaller folders and times when I take my 26" bike. The 20" bikes are what we take when we travel though, as they pack better either inside a minivan or on a platform rack.

I bought the Ecotric on Amazon for $769, and think it's a well made ebike. Had some rattles to cure. I upgraded the front suspension. In the picture below, it seems small, but it's around 4-6" longer than the other two.

 

[Brewerpaul]

I don't ride on dirt, and knobby tires howl on pavement, so I put smooth tread 20 x3" tires on the fatbike. Lowers the bike a little, The tires roll better and it's less work with pedal assist. Your typical street folder (not talking about fat tire folders) are not suited for trail riding. All the shocks/bumps are not good for the frame and stem hinges. With 20 x 2.2" tires, they work well on packed gravel though,
Are those smooth tread tires a direct replacement to the Ecotric wheels? I'd probably try the knobbies, but switch if I didn't like them.
I wouldn't be doing much trail riding-- more like dirt roads or gravel paths. I did my modest share of trail riding on a conventional mountain bike years ago, but at my age, a fall could be a BIG deal.

A 26"/700ccc tire will have a more comfortable ride, but a full suspension folder like my wife's bike is pretty good. Me, I look ahead and stand up on my folder when I see bumps coming.
I got into standing on the pedals before I had any bike with suspension, so that's not a big deal.
The main appeals of the folder are the low standover and being able to put the bike into my hatchback. There are some great paths suitable for biking around here including the Gettysburg Battlefield, and C&O canal trail. I really don't want to put a hitch on my car. Even with the front wheel off, I think a 26" ebike would be difficult to haul up there,although I currently do that with my analog bike.




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