My new 2007 Dahon Folder

[grench]

With my goal of riding every day for the National Bike Challenge...I need a bike for travel. With no access to an ebike shop to test ride electric folders, I thought I would buy a cheap folder and see if I could ride it. 300+lbs on a 25lbs bike is interesting. I made my maiden voyage this am 2miles. Bike seamed to do fine. It also gave me a chance to try a brooks saddle...it came with one.

It folds up and fits in a regular suitcase which will work for airline baggage...pic below.

This might be an interesting application for the grin technologies stackable batteries and small electric hub.

Anyway don't laugh too hard...

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Great start!
Do you intend to use the case to carry it with you when you fly?

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Something worth looking into is the Easygo Volt from BH.
The battery on the new Easygo folder is so stealthy and capable of giving ~10 mile range.
You can just say it's a power bank battery for my laptops/cellphones and no one would think otherwise.

 

[grench]

Great start!
Do you intend to use the case to carry it with you when you fly?

Yes...only thing I don't like is I have to remove both tires to get it in the bag. This is the feature which draws me to the brompton. It folds to overhead baggage size without removing the wheels. I wish I could find one of those to test ride. The same Grin kit would fit the brompton.

 

[grench]

Something worth looking into is the Easygo Volt from BH.
The battery on the new Easygo folder is so stealthy and capable of giving ~10 mile range.
You can just say it's a power bank battery for my laptops/cellphones and no one would think otherwise.

Maximum battery's size is 160 watt hours for cart on. That is what makes the stackable batteries a neat solution. You can carry on 3 160 watt hour batteries.

Has anyone had any experience with Bile Friday folders? They have a folder called a Diamond Lama which is rated for 320lbs. It can be OEM fitted with a Bionix kit. It also folds into regular air travel bag. People who own these Bike Friday's swear by them. Almost cultish.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Yes...only thing I don't like is I have to remove both tires to get it in the bag. This is the feature which draws me to the brompton. It folds to overhead baggage size without removing the wheels. I wish I could find one of those to test ride. The same Grin kit would fit the brompton.

NYCE wheel have this Brompton with 8Ah battery approved for airline travel. I believe it uses two pouches of ~160Whr.
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

The motor could be heavy though. If you replace that heavy motor with a tiny 250W Dapu motor, it would be perfect.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

I have a friend (David - https://www.strava.com/athletes/3965350) and he is one of the most dedicated Brompton guys.
He has two bromptons fitted with Grin kits and commutes 26 mile each way to work and clocks ~10,000 miles every year.

His bikes have Tannus solid tires for ultra-puncture proofing which you may want to consider.

 

[grench]

NYCE wheel have this Brompton with 8Ah battery approved for airline travel. I believe it uses two pouches of ~160Whr.
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

The motor could be heavy though. If you replace that heavy motor with a tiny 250W Dapu motor, it would be perfect.

Yes I have been considering this option...

The problem: for the price of that toy bike I could have another Stromer!

It's a hard sale for me...at the moment...lol

No Bike Friday experience? I was thinking you have ridden them all.

 

[grench]

I have a friend (David - https://www.strava.com/athletes/3965350) and he is one of the most dedicated Brompton guys.
He has two bromptons fitted with Grin kits and commutes 26 mile each way to work and clocks ~10,000 miles every year.

His bikes have Tannus solid tires for ultra-puncture proofing which you may want to consider.

Wow that is a testimonial! How much does he weigh? Do you know any heavies who ride a brompton?

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Wow that is a testimonial! How much does he weigh? Do you know any heavies who ride a brompton?

He is I think 170-180lbs. His dedication to E-Brompton is admirable.
I have seen pictures of heavier riders using Brompton but no personal experience/friends.
I think some of these bikes have 32 holes rims and thin sidewall tires for shaving off the weight.
It's no fun getting a flat when you're on travel.
36 holes, tannus tires, a burley travoy and a good brompton.... Grenchly will be unstoppable

 

[Deleted member 803]

We put the folding A2B Kuo+ out front at our mobile corporate showroom as it attracts a lot of interest. 37lbs, 18mph, range of 15-20 miles. Same frame technology as the Dahon. At $1700, this eBike provides great value and utility. If you ever decide to go the eBike route, you might test ride one.

 

[grench]

We put the folding A2B Kuo+ out front at our mobile corporate showroom as it attracts a lot of interest. 37lbs, 18mph, range of 15-20 miles. Same frame technology as the Dahon. At $1700, this eBike provides great value and utility. If you ever decide to go the eBike route, you might test ride one.

I would love to go electric...the problem with the Kuo like most other e folders is the battery size. The largest unit you can carry on is 160 watt hours. The Kuo battery is over twice that size.

That is what makes the Grin Tech stackables an interesting choice.

 

[Deleted member 803]

I would love to go electric...the problem with the Kuo like most other e folders is the battery size. The largest unit you can carry on is 160 watt hours. The Kuo battery is over twice that size.

That is what makes the Grin Tech stackables an interesting choice.

Oops...did not see the carry-on issue.