Folding e-bike for small airplane

[Art Deco]

Doesn't apply to small planes, only commercial flights.

If you choose to risk it on a small plane where you know about it, that's OK. If it's commercial, where you endanger the clueless dozens or hundreds of others, it's not OK. At all.

 

[Biplaneguy]

If you choose to risk it on a small plane where you know about it, that's OK. If it's commercial, where you endanger the clueless dozens or hundreds of others, it's not OK. At all.

Exactly.

 

[bikeOnPlane]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I've ordered a couple of different models and will see how they turn out.

 

[sc00ter]

bikeOnPlane, please keep us posted on what you tried and finally settled on.

 

[stompandgo]

Velotric Fold2
Urtopia Fold

 

[bikeOnPlane]

bikeOnPlane, please keep us posted on what you tried and finally settled on.

Will do. I bought the Lectric XP4 (70lbs). This is *not* the bike for a plane for one person, but it'll hold a 2nd person at 150 lbs, so if you aspire to carry two people, it might be one you carry.
Everyone's going to have different weight tolerances, but at 70lbs, and only a velcro strap compressing the tires together at a not-healthy looking angle, I was able to get the bike aboard, but it was above my threshold for something I'd like to do, without damaging me or the plane.
I handled a Gocycle 4, and there's a huge difference between it (38.5 lbs, I personally measured on a scale) and the 70 lb range.
@stompandgo I tried the urtopia Fold, and it was an outstanding bike. Really really solid and "tight" (test rode 2 miles), and the gears shifted properly (much better than my electric XP4). the pickup / torque was "fine." I passed on buying because I've convinced myself I need a throttle. @stompandgo do you have one?
Just fyi, I also test rode a Velotric Fold 1. It beats the Lectric XP4 in every way (particularly the control button ergonomics), but daughter liked the color of the XP4. It's roughly the same weight, maybe slightly lighter.
Will let yall know about my next tests. (targetting sub 45lbs)

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Will do. I bought the Lectric XP4 (70lbs). This is *not* the bike for a plane for one person, but it'll hold a 2nd person at 150 lbs, so if you aspire to carry two people, it might be one you carry.
Everyone's going to have different weight tolerances, but at 70lbs, and only a velcro strap compressing the tires together at a not-healthy looking angle, I was able to get the bike aboard, but it was above my threshold for something I'd like to do, without damaging me or the plane.
I handled a Gocycle 4, and there's a huge difference between it (38.5 lbs, I personally measured on a scale) and the 70 lb range.
@stompandgo I tried the urtopia Fold, and it was an outstanding bike. Really really solid and "tight" (test rode 2 miles), and the gears shifted properly (much better than my electric XP4). the pickup / torque was "fine." I passed on buying because I've convinced myself I need a throttle. @stompandgo do you have one?
Just fyi, I also test rode a Velotric Fold 1. It beats the Lectric XP4 in every way (particularly the control button ergonomics), but daughter liked the color of the XP4. It's roughly the same weight, maybe slightly lighter.
Will let yall know about my next tests. (targetting sub 45lbs)

Kudos for testing — as opposed to just reading — your way through this complex purchase. How many of the really decisive observations could you have gleaned from product pages and online reviews? Probably not many.

 

[sc00ter]

Carrying a passenger can complicate the search. I rode my wife on the back of the XP3.0 we had and the ebike did fine but I couldn't pedal with her on the back, as I kicked her in the knees. The XP4 you mention has a much easier to remove battery (saving a few pounds when manhandling). Only other options I can think of are get 2 JackRabbit ebikes? I really like my OG but it rarely gets ridden. Nice power for the size and crazy light weight. I've never rode a Velotric so I have no comments. I know GoCycle was teasing a cargo ebike before getting "acquired" by a new company. So anyways, keep on testing and posting your results! I'll rack my useless brain and see if I can uncover any other potential ebikes we may have overlooked.