Where is that elusive folding bike?

[Maineiac]

Alright, here I am after a couple months of research, viewing Court’s reviews, numerous test rides and rentals and I find myself back to square one. I’ve looked at and test road folders and non-folders. At least I know one thing…I need a folder. Have manufacturers missed the boat?

All I’m asking for is a good compact folder with these specs:
1) For crying out loud, we can put a man on the moon but can’t find a way for a folder to close so that it doesn’t open up on you. I don’t want to use a rubber band and those magnets don’t amount to much. (Pedego Latch does it right).
2) Gates carbon belt drive.
3) Quality mid-drive motor, ie, Bosch Active Line plus or above, Yamaha, Shimano, etc. with good torque 60Nm and up.
4) Maybe a suspension fork and seatpost, integrated lighting, 2.25 inch puncture resistant tires.

The closest to these above specs that I’ve been able to find is the discontinued 2018 Evelo Quest Max carbon belt with Nuvinci having now been replaced by the Evelo Dash (with 3 speed IGH, really???). Isn’t that taking a step back? Btw, the mid-drive was rated at 95Nm on that Evelo Quest Max.

If I’ve missed the boat, please let me know. I’m happy to be a new member of this forum made up of a great bunch of ebike enthusiasts.

 

[Taylor57]

Folders are overrated. Get yourself a non folder and enjoy.

 

[vincent]

i agree, it is hard to find the right folder...

if you would be happy with bosch thought tern made a belt drive folder, no front suspension i think
think the tires were 2 inch... been a while since i looked and am not sure they make that model anymore

i did not realize the quest max had 95nm... i would have looked harder at it knowing that, seems like i saw one on ebay for sale recently

someone definitely needs to make some good folders

surface604 has a torque sensor hub drive coming out in 2022, not sure if they released any yet
fat tire, step through and 50 lbs

 

[vincent]

maybe i am wrong and there was not one folding tern model with the belt drive- which of course is totally stupid...
so weird they dropped the ball there

 

[Maineiac]

maybe i am wrong and there was not one folding tern model with the belt drive- which of course is totally stupid...
so weird they dropped the ball there

Hi Vincent, Tern makes the HDS + which checks all the boxes for me, but it’s a non-folder. (Carbon belt, Nuvinci 380, suspension fork and seatpost, Bosch Performance Line mid-drive…great specs…now if they could just make one that folds. Although, I’m not sold on the Nuvinci, but I’d buy it if it was a folder.). I prefer the Shimano IGH, either 7, 8, or 11 speed.

 

[sc00ter]

GoCycle, if you really need a folder. But I'm thinking of getting a Tern HSD S8i. The folding down bars and seat would easily fit in my small car.

 

[RunForTheHills]

Can a folder with a mid motor and belt drive fold small enough and be light enough to still have some of the biggest benefits of a folder? It will probably fit in the back of your car or the corner of your apartment. However, can you take it into a restaurant and tuck it under the table? Can you carry it onto the commuter train? Can you bring it into your office with you and stow it under your desk?

 

[rich c]

I suggest you look to European eBikes for your requirements.

 

[Art Deco]

Look at the MONTAGUE subforum and @Court s review ME1 .
Or have the belt drive Montigue folder converted to electric by someone who knows what they're doing.

 

[Maineiac]

GoCycle, if you really need a folder. But I'm thinking of getting a Tern HSD S8i. The folding down bars and seat would easily fit in my small car.

Hi Sc00ter,
I’ve looked at the GoCycle, but I don’t think it would work that great on hard packed trails and I can’t get it from LBS who could service it.

 

[Maineiac]

Can a folder with a mid motor and belt drive fold small enough and be light enough to still have some of the biggest benefits of a folder? It will probably fit in the back of your car or the corner of your apartment. However, can you take it into a restaurant and tuck it under the table? Can you carry it onto the commuter train? Can you bring it into your office with you and stow it under your desk?

Hi RunForTheHills,

All I care about is one that would fit on back seat and one in the trunk. I’m retired so there’s no office for me

 

[Maineiac]

I suggest you look to European eBikes for your requirements.

Hi rich c:

Thanks, looked at European, but a nightmare to buy and service them..

 

[Maineiac]

Look at the MONTAGUE subforum and @Court s review ME1 .
Or have the belt drive Montigue folder converted to electric by someone who knows what they're doing.

Hi Art Deco,

I did look at the Montague and saw Court’s review. Seems like a pretty nice folding ebike, but not quite compact enough with the 700c wheels and no carbon belt/IGH.

 

[Maineiac]

GoCycle, if you really need a folder. But I'm thinking of getting a Tern HSD S8i. The folding down bars and seat would easily fit in my small car.

Scooter, I have a small car too and that also limits me. And with inflated used car prices right now, there is no way I’d ever think of changing my vehicle right now to accommodate an ebike purchase. I’m with you, that Tern HSD S8i looks like a really nice ebike, but it wouldn’t fold small enough for me. I have a small sedan, thus one bike on the back seat and one in the trunk.

 

[Maineiac]

Scooter, interesting how come they don’t have any torque rating on that HSD S8i. Their new Vektron Q9 with the Bosch Active Line Plus only has 50Nm of torque; the Vektron S10 has 65Nm; yet the older Vektron D8 has 80Nm, but with a Bafang M400 mid-drive. Anyone know how good that Bafang is?

 

[Art Deco]

Hi Art Deco,

I did look at the Montague and saw Court’s review. Seems like a pretty nice folding ebike, but not quite compact enough with the 700c wheels and no carbon belt/IGH.

Not a recommendation but may interest you ...

Save Up to 60% Off eBikes LTD QTYS of these 29er eBikes Electric Folding Commute/Adventure/City bikes 2020 Motobecane EF3 Folding eBike with Shimano E5000 / E6010M Electric MidDrive 29er Bladed Fork Mountain eBikes Shimano M6000 Hydraulic Disc Brake

 

[Bubba zanetti]

We love our Tern. Has magnets to hold the axels together. Rides great and fits in back of Toyota Rav. Easily

 

[Maineiac]

Not a recommendation but may interest you ...

Save Up to 60% Off eBikes LTD QTYS of these 29er eBikes Electric Folding Commute/Adventure/City bikes 2020 Motobecane EF3 Folding eBike with Shimano E5000 / E6010M Electric MidDrive 29er Bladed Fork Mountain eBikes Shimano M6000 Hydraulic Disc Brake

Thanks, will check it out!

 

[Maineiac]

We love our Tern. Has magnets to hold the axels together. Rides great and fits in back of Toyota Rav. Easily

Thanks for your input Bubba zanetti. Really appreciate it!! And good to know!

 

[PedalUma]

@Maineiac. What is cool is that you can get exactly the right bike for you even if it is not on the menu. I order off the menu dishes all the time, even at restaurants. I do not take the damsel in distress approach, I get proactive and make stuff happen. Take a 26" Montague and put on a small torque sensor mid-drive. It is not a big bike but does not feel like a toy. Run a Veer Belt to your favorite IGH. Then pick a lightweight and powerful small battery. Done. Your ideal folder. If you were in the SF North Bay I would do it for you. Veer Belts do not need special frames. They work on any bike.