24 lb. (!) 16" folding e-bike

[Gene Keyes]

But did you see my second upload of the same ones? (Where I used the "Upload a File" button instead of simply pasting them in.)

 

[tomjasz]

But did you see my second upload of the same ones? (Where I used the "Upload a File" button instead of simply pasting them in.)

Yes, yes I did! THANKS! That's how a surmised what other options there might be and the actual relative simplicity of battery replacement. I very much like the hidden battery and controller idea!

 

[sucka free]

Hi Mr Keyes

Wondering how this bike is still holding up. Any updates?

 

[Gene Keyes]

Hi Mr Keyes

Wondering how this bike is still holding up. Any updates?

So far, after 10 months, quite well. I've recharged it 20 times; each charge is good for ca. 4 short downtown shopping trips. I've also installed 2 folding baskets. which can handle heavy grocery loads — watermelon, etc. — though attaching them was quite time consuming due to the angle of the luggage carrier sides. I'll write — or do a video — with a more detailed account of that; meanwhile, below is a Q & A from my YouTube review:

Hello mister Keyes. I'm French Canadian from Quebec. I just bought 2 ebikes like yours to use it on our boat. Thank you for your explanations. Would you be kind enough to tell me which bags did you order from Amazon, cause I intend to use it to do my groceries. Thank you. Francine

​

Gene Keyes 1 month ago (edited)

Wald folding baskets from Amazon https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0012DZEBY/ref=pe_386430_126088100_TE_item. (avoid similar looking ones by Bell, which I still use on my manual bike, but all their very weak hinges fell off one by one, so I had to tie the sides together with wire). These are great for groceries, etc., but note one difficulty on this ebike: because of the slanted angle of the top of its luggage carrier, the basket would bump into the brake, at least on the left hand side (facing from rear). I had to jam in some pieces of wood to keep it away from the brake, and these worked for a few weeks before falling out, so now I'll have to do it better with some other kind of clamp instead of stiff twine. I'll try to post some photos or a video as soon as I can.​

Gene Keyes 3 weeks ago (edited)

Below are some photos of how I attached the folding baskets: Baskets folded: http://www.genekeyes.com/ebike/folded.jpg Top view, baskets unfolded. Notice on the left that I used a 1" x 6" piece of wood to keep the basket from bumping into the brake, and attached it and the basket with hose clamps. http://www.genekeyes.com/ebike/top-view.jpg Another view. http://www.genekeyes.com/ebike/another.jpg​

 

[sucka free]

Awesome! Thanks for the update, I really appreciate it. I am very interested in this bike (saw your comments originally from electricbikereview.com for the VeloMini and now am interested in the version you reviewed.

I'd be using it for about 1.5 miles each way, mainly flat (Oakland California) but with a short but steep 300 yards (downhill to start, uphill going home).

Any thoughts on my use?

Ramon

 

[Gene Keyes]

Awesome! Thanks for the update, I really appreciate it. I am very interested in this bike (saw your comments originally from electricbikereview.com for the VeloMini and now am interested in the version you reviewed.

I'd be using it for about 1.5 miles each way, mainly flat (Oakland California) but with a short but steep 300 yards (downhill to start, uphill going home).

Any thoughts on my use?

Ramon

Your use sounds very similar to mine, which is about a mile each way, home to stores, in a mainly flat small town, but with a bothersome grade in between, the same length as yours: not a steep hill, but just enough to challenge my ancient legs: sometimes I had to walk my (old) loaded bike uphill if it was windy or snowy. But the ebike scoots right up the hill, watermelon and all, even against the wind.

 

[sucka free]

I also meant to ask: do you fold it down often to carry with you? Or do you just use your lock? I ask about the folding to see if that adds any wear and tear to the bike.

 

[Gene Keyes]

I just lock, but Berwick is a reasonably safe town. I haven't folded it much, and so far have not had occasion to take it with me that way. Maybe later on a bus trip, because though our local transit buses have front-end racks for bikes, they don't fit 16" models. A very few times I've folded it to take it into a store to get out of the rain, but not as a general rule. In the beginning I thought I should fold it whenever parking, to help prevent theft, but soon thereafter I didn't bother. I doubt folding adds to wear and tear, unless that peculiar little yellow plastic cylindrical clamp-joint becomes overtaxed.