Looking for folding ebike with torque-sensing that works well

[OldGuy]

I have a Specialized Turbo, and I find that the pedal assist works so well that pedaling feels exactly like a pedal bike and makes it feel like it weighs 20 lbs. less.
I'm in the market for a folder with torque-sensing PAS that works as well as the Specialized bikes.

So far, those that I've read about with torque-sensing do not work particularly well: there is a substantial lag before the motor becomes active, and on those with a throttle, apparently the throttle is not functional when in any of the PAS modes. I view this as very poor design.

So far the only one I've found that Almost has these features properly implemented is the Indiegogo SDream UR-X, but it requires one-and-a-half crank rotations before PAS kicks in, and the throttle only works when PAS doesn't.

Can anyone point me to a folder with well-behaved torque-sensing that also has a fully-functional twist-grip throttle? Belt drive and/or suspension would be a major plus for me. Or am I asking for a bike that doesn't exist yet?

 

[Dewey]

Two that have been reviewed on here are:
GoCycle GX https://electricbikereview.com/gocycle/gx/
EBT electric folding bike https://electricbikereview.com/electric-bike-technologies/electric-folding-bike/

 

[OldGuy]

I test-rode a Gocycle S today, and liked it enough that I bought a late-2019 G3 Demo from the Gocycle web site, with "deep scratches on frame and chain cover" for $1750. I assume that someone had a gravel-demo experience, but I don't much care bout the appearance. If it bothers me enough, I'll take it to an auto-body shop and fix the issues.

 

[vincent]

Tern ebikes

 

[vincent]

Sorry I missed that you wanted a throttle, evelo makes a folder with a belt drive and a throttle with the M400 motor, I don’t know anything about that motor but the M600 is smooth

 

[OldGuy]

I was interested in the evelo for its excellent features, but it's a 52lb. bike - tough for me to lift over the tail-gate.

 

[vincent]

I did a lot of research on the folders a little while back and I don’t think you can find them much lighter unless maybe gocycle, I was looking for throttle and I don’t think that came up

Hopefully others have some suggestions

It is crazy those folders are as heavy as full size bikes
Keep us up to date on what you get
I would be interested in a light folder with throttle
Good luck

 

[vincent]

Don’t know how much the battery weighs on the evelo but usually they are 7-8 lbs I think, taking that off my haibikes makes a big difference in lifting them

 

[jono1331]

the fairweather is 35lbs

eProdigy Bikes | Best electric bikes you can find!

The eProdigy Magic Pro is the ebike reinvented, again. This upgraded model of the Magic is where quality meets class.

www.eprodigybikes.com

 

[vincent]

Wow that is a cool bike
Don’t love that battery placement but for all the other options it is really cool and I could live with it
Not cheap
Thanks for linking to that one

 

[Deleted member 4210]

Dahon,who is known for good folding bikes, now is offering ebikes. One model is a mid drive (at the crank), and it does have torque sensing. Much more affordable price points than others with mid drives.

Weight comes in at 40 lbs. Most folding ebikes with narrow tires are clocking in at 52+ lbs. At least most that are below a $2500 price point. Blix is heavy like that,Magnum is even heavier, -enzo is 49.5 lbs. Tern Vektron is over $3000 and it still weighs 48 lbs.

Gocycle cheapest model is $2800, and it weighs in at 37.4 lbs. But it only has a 3 speed internal hub. The motor is rather weak at only 15 nm.


Dahon Should be at dealers in less than 8 to 10 weeks.

 

[Dewey]

Dahon,who is known for good folding bikes, now is offering ebikes...Should be at dealers in less than 8 to 10 weeks.

Hi Mike, is that the Dahon NuWave Electric mid-drive shown at Sea Otter Classic 2019? Micah Toll posted a photo taken at Eurobike 2019 that showed two smaller Dahon 14” & 16” hub motor ebikes also labelled NuWave featuring a seatpost that folds forward rather than telescoping - do you know if those are for the EU market only?

You’re right Dahon make decent folding bikes, I rode a borrowed Dahon 20” pedal bike along the bike path behind Pensacola beach a couple of years ago and I found it sturdy enough to take my 230lb weight and tow a trailer.

 

[OldGuy]

BTW, you can get a demo Gocycle GS for around $1500-1600 with a one-year warranty, directly from GoCycle: https://www.gocycleusa.com/category-s/118.htm