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My parents (late 60's) are after a ebike for gentle cycle path rides, they seem to be after a folding bike, i think because transporting it may be easier, although i think my mum thinks it will be safer/easier as its smaller...
anyway they have spotted this...
https://www.racers.bike/uk/bikes/electric-bikes/vivi-20-folding-electric-bike-7-speed-shimano-gears-250w-8ah-electric-bike-aluminum-alloy-foldable-bicycle-folding-ebike-for-women-men-adult-youth-1616845/
never heard of the brand before which normally means bad things, anyone out that tried them?
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Aren't all e-bikes for old folks?
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At that price it will be poor I bet. A decent battery costs that much
A cheap folder with a cheap hub motor and a cheap small battery pack
A cheap folding ebike will likely weigh just north of a metric shed load.
That website looks like you'll never see your credit card again.
although i think my mum thinks it will be safer/easier as its smaller.
No, very much no. My mam (mid-70s) had the same thoughts when she thought she wanted a bike. She couldn't get her head round the fact that larger wheels are more stable and couldn't even bring herself to sit on my bike because 'she was scared of the tyres'. Seriously, WTaF. We went through a 26" step-through MTB looking thing, into a 700c hybridy sort of affair and finally ended up at a 20" folding thinger. I was tasked with finding, checking over and eventually punting the ****ing things on when she decided that bikes maybe weren't her thing after all...
She's my mam and I love her but nope, just ****ing nope. Never again. She ended up getting a treadmill which she actually uses and has made her more comfy going out for actual walks as her gammy knee has got stronger from exercising on the treadmill.
We have a Tern Vectron folder bought for my wife for us to carry in the motorhome, it’s not light, it wasn’t cheap but after working on/refusing to work on some shocking, cheap electric bikes - I’ve been very pleased with it in the last 18 months. A Bosch motor, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, fat Schwalbe 20” tyres and a very sturdy rack it rides as well as a large wheeled bike and is well balanced. I’m quite happy to go for a spin on it or do the shopping!
Having said all this, I’ve seen some GoCycle bikes and spoken to their owners that look superb, no personal experience with them though.
A few weeks ago there was an Islabike ejimi on the classifieds which I facilitated being bought for my elderly neighbour.
They are worth a look. 27.5". Very light (27lb). But spendy. He's a proper dyed in the wool roadie (LEJOG in 4 days etc) and seems happy with it. There is a road version in stock I believe, the ejanis. But £2.7k...
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DaveyBoyWonder
Free Member[lights touch paper]
Aren’t all e-bikes for old folks?
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Yep, I’m a 70 year old and I’ve got one (RM Altitude).
And a Liteville 301 and a couple of nice singlespeeds....
I feel a challenge coming on…. How much of a boy wonder is Davey?
My parents are in their mid 60s and my Mum has a bespoke Creo SL Comp Carbon. And they just went out yesterday and ordered my Dad the same. Though my Mum will do 60 mile road rides!
Any chance you can get your parents to go and demo a proper sized ebike to find some confidence and get away from tiny wheels?!
If they are focused on small wheels, and there's nothing wrong with that as long as it's done well, then there are 3 good options.
Polygon Gili Velo
https://www.polygonbikes.com/product/urban/gili-velo/
Orbea Katu
https://www.orbea.com/gb-en/ebikes/urban/katu-e
Brompton electric
https://www.brompton.com/bikes/brompton-electric
Halfords offer long test rides and have various cheap ebikes - most of them are batteries and hub motors stuck on an existing frame but at least you'll have some warranty support if there's problems.
Halfords offer long test rides and have various cheap ebikes – most of them are batteries and hub motors stuck on an existing frame but at least you’ll have some warranty support if there’s problems.
🤭
OP - what is the max you think you might be able to persuade them to spend?
A folding ebike that can't be lifted up by the intended rider is still just an ebike sitting on the floor taking up a bit less pavement than it did 30 seconds ago.
Get them a Rad Rhino step thru.
Nice and stable.
Are they that bad josh? Big chains have always been good on warranty claims for me, it's not worth their time making a fuss over it. Plus anything will be better than an aliexpress bike.
"What are their recommendations for non electric folding bike for use on bike track like strawberry line"
strawberry line = fire-road, cycle track from old railway line
With a top speed of 32kmh (20mph) that bike linked in the OPs post is illegal in the UK. Are your parents happy to risk losing their licence if caught? Would you trust a company that is happy to sell illegal goods to look after you when it goes wrong?
If they absolutely have to have a 20" folding bike then the Carrera Cross city is OK.
The bike is not illegal and no one is selling illegal goods.
The use of the bike as it is, on public roads / land is illegal.
The bike could be downgraded, upgraded or used on private land.
The bike is not illegal and no one is selling illegal goods.
The use of the bike as it is, on public roads / land is illegal.
From their website
Ideal for teens and adults alike for daily commuting and city cruising, with enough power to meet your needs
They are promoting a bike to ride on public roads "city cruising" when it's illegal to ride this bike on city roads. No disclaimers on their site, it's very clear and straightforward.
ok, current update, they are looking at these now....
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/electric-bikes/wisper-806-se-2020-375wh-folding-electric-bike-black__493070
seems reasonable to me, anyone had experience with this brand?
Specialized Turbo Levo ... my old mans bike @82years.
Famous GMBN Croc wearer to save ride :-).... no prize 🙁
me 51 on his old Giant Dirt-E 2.
Always reaching for the eeb now. Make pan flat singletrack downhill 😉 Awesome.
Even the climbs are fun 🙂