Folding E-Bikes: Brompton Electric

[tirls]

I recently got myself a Brompton Electric C line.

I blathered on about this in the ,,Shopping for eBikes" thread and @EBuff75 expressed interest in a review. Since I don't know anything about bikes other than knowing how to ride one this is not really a review and more an ongoing impression.
All my bikes so far have been old racers from the 50s to 80s, sometimes in questionable conditions. I don't know how a properly fitted modern bike feels like, so take my conclusions especially concerning comfort and safety with a grain of salt.

My bike is used as a mode of transportation solely. We live in an area where relying on public transport is not an option and I don't own a car. If I need to get somewhere I need to walk or bike, at least to the next bus or trainstation.
This was the main reason of my decision to get a folding bike. I've had more bikes stolen at trainstations than I care to count and a small folding bike can be taken on the bus or train for free. We also recently moved to a place with a lot of slopes and I am slowly getting to the stage where I realise that I'm not 20 anymore. I'm simply not going to bike up a long hill with 10% incline, not gonna happen.
So a folding electric bike it is.

I'm going to update this as I go along.

[tirls]

Of course the moment I acquire an e-bike it rains everyday.
I did manage to get the first 500km on it, so onwards. 
This thing it turning me into a bike person.
I don't like bike persons, I don't even like bikes or cycling. It really has no reason to be this much fun.

I have a commute of 12km one way, 8km to the nearest trainstation, 2.5km to our garden, in addition short errands. The last 3km to our house are a hill with an average incline of 7.5%, but most of it is around 10-20%. This is naturally also the route I need to take to get to anywhere at all.
I´m willing to push the bike for the more extreme sections, but 10 - 15% is fairly common throughout, so it needs to be able to manage up to 15%. I don´t expect to be able to drive without any effort at all, but at least so I can get up. 
The rest is fairly straightforward mostly on roads, some unpaved sections, lots of potholes, short distances on dirt tracks, short distances on cobblestones.
I don´t do any recreational cycling, but I plan on using the bike as my main mode of transport for anything that does not require my partner (and thus our car).

We have very limited storage space and only a very small car boot so I needed something that folds down small and counts as luggage on trains and busses.

Essentially I was looking for

• electric folding bike
• compliance with regulations, classified as regular bike / pedelec
• small footprint when folded
• detachable battery for charging / storage
• preferable hub motor
• option to use manual
• suitable for mid-distance, reach not as important
• powerful enough to handle inclines of at least 15%
• durable and lightweight (<25kg)
• affordable (for an e-bike of good quality): meaning ideally under 2500, but definitely no more than 4000. This is a fixed upper limit, I simply can´t afford more.

I figured I would have to compromise as my requirements are not what folding bikes are usually designed to do.

I settled on the Brompton mostly by method of elimination. 
A big plus point for it apart from fitting most of my requirements is the great resale value.
Due to the bonus from my workplace I can sell it within the first two years without any loss should this not work out.
I´m not going to focus too much about the bike itself apart from the performance relevant aspects, unless someone is interested.

The bike is engineered as a city bike which is very apparent.
It has limited gearing, is extremely small and narrow, has 16" wheels and is very easy to carry and stow.
Which also means it is horrendously out of it´s comfort zone for my purpose and possibly a bad choice.
I am reasonably confident that it should be able to work for my purpose. I´ve found reports of people crossing entire countries on these, so at least the bike component should handle it just fine.
I´m slightly sceptical if the motor is sufficient for our topology and about wear and tear. This goes especially for the small 16" wheels, paired with rim brakes and hilly terrain. I need to keep an eye on this.

On a side note, unlike everything else bicycle trailers here are barely regulated at all. So theoretically I could build a foldable bike camper with photovoltaic on the roof to charge my bike and have a quite nice, low effort vehicle for longer distances.

Rest to follow, I'm a very slow writer.

[Uomo Senza Nome]

Did you keep the original seat?

I noticed that they are quite high. Good for visibility but not so good for me. I have difficulty placing weight on one arm for long periods of time due to a old injury.

[tirls]

Mine has a leather saddle, although I did a test drive on an original and found it quite comfortable.
I'm not sure what you mean with too high though, the saddle height is adjustable. 
The handle bars are fixed in height, you can however choose between 3 options and even more aftermarket components. But if you get to high you might interfere with the fold, so it's best to test drive one before buying.

In terms of bike geometry I find it extremely comfortable, which I did not expect for a small folding bike. It just looks weird in pictures due to the tiny wheels. I'm going to take some photos next week.

[NT2C]

Mine has a leather saddle, although I did a test drive on an original and found it quite comfortable.
I'm not sure what you mean with too high though, the saddle height is adjustable.
The handle bars are fixed in height, you can however choose between 3 options and even more aftermarket components. But if you get to high you might interfere with the fold, so it's best to test drive one before buying.

In terms of bike geometry I find it extremely comfortable, which I did not expect for a small folding bike. It just looks weird in pictures due to the tiny wheels. I'm going to take some photos next week.

If you don't mind I'd like to know how tall you are. At 6'2" and 275lbs (1.88m 124.74kg) I suspect we are not even close in size & mass, so I wonder how well one of these would work for me.

[tirls]

Mine has a leather saddle, although I did a test drive on an original and found it quite comfortable.
I'm not sure what you mean with too high though, the saddle height is adjustable.
The handle bars are fixed in height, you can however choose between 3 options and even more aftermarket components. But if you get to high you might interfere with the fold, so it's best to test drive one before buying.

In terms of bike geometry I find it extremely comfortable, which I did not expect for a small folding bike. It just looks weird in pictures due to the tiny wheels. I'm going to take some photos next week.

If you don't mind I'd like to know how tall you are. At 6'2" and 275lbs (1.88m 124.74kg) I suspect we are not even close in size & mass, so I wonder how well one of these would work for me.

I'm 1,68m and around 75kg, or at least I was 2 years ago. I'm not so sure about the last bit.
The seat is adjustable and there are three options in height for the handlebars. Theoretically you can change out the handlebars but at some point they would interfere with the fold, so you're limited in handlebar height and frame size.

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I have found someone on youtube who's 6'6".

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So it's possible, but the sitting position is less upright.

The manufacturer states that the maximum carry load is 110kg, but it does carry my partner who's around the same as you.
However unless you need a folding bike for easy transportation or stowing I'd choose a regular bike. There are a lot more options and they are generally cheaper.

I think you mentioned needing a trike somewhere. Have you considered retrofitting or a recumbent bike? One of the bike shops here has a recumbent electric trike for sale.

[NT2C]

However unless you need a folding bike for easy transportation or stowing I'd choose a regular bike. There are a lot more options and they are generally cheaper.

That's exactly why I would want a folding bike, one that I can easily put in the back seat of the Jeep or in the rear cargo area without having to deal with the problem of using a trailer hitch bike rack on a vehicle with a liftgate.

I think you mentioned needing a trike somewhere. Have you considered retrofitting or a recumbent bike? One of the bike shops here has a recumbent electric trike for sale.

I have severe arthritis and tendon damage in my left knee/leg/hip and moderate arthritis in my right knee and hip.  The left knee is especially sensitive to jarring impacts.  Running is impossible and I'm not really certain it could take the impact of stopping the bike and putting that foot down for support.  It can support me, but I have to lock the knee to do it.  I cannot get myself up off the ground unaided, the knees simply aren't capable of that.  This is one reason both of our vehicles are raised higher than a typical passenger car, neither my wife, who had both knees replaced not that many years ago, nor I, can easily get in/out of a regular vehicle.  If it's low to the ground it might as well be on another planet for me because I physically cannot make use of it.  That pretty much rules out a recumbent and explains why I'm considering a trike.  I wish someone made a folding electric trike.  Oh, and yes, even with all the damage to my joints I can still pedal a bike fairly well.  At least, I can here at home on our exercise bike.

Thanks for the photos and size dimensions.  I don't think I'd have an issue making the frame fit me (and someone apparently taught you how to properly adjust seat height on a bike because your leg extension is just about perfect and will be perfect in shoes), the only real question would be my weight.  My big belly might void the warranty.

[EBuff75]

@NT2C Actually, Lectric does make a folding trike:  https://lectricebikes.com/products/xp-trike-graphite  The major drawback is the weight:  70 lbs.  Realistically, if you're going to transport something like this, you're best off having some type of rack for it, rather than trying to wrestle a heavy, folded bike/trike into the back of a vehicle.  Maybe if you have a minivan with a very low loading height in the back it's possible, but most SUVs would be too tall for it to work very well.

[tirls]

Stabilizers?
That's actually not that bad of an idea. I googled it, there are versions for adults out there that look alright.

There's a small bike manufacturer near me that makes an electric folding trike, so it might be worth looking into some of the smaller companies. (I just realised it has your name on it.)
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Or as I mentioned before retrofitting. Some companies sell the motor already integrated into different sized wheels, so the only thing left to do is install the wheels and screw on the battery holder. There are also companies that install the motor on a bike of your choice, which would help with possible legal issues regarding liability and guarantee.

Regarding the Brompton I'd suggest test driving one. There should be some sellers near you considering where you live and they might have some alternatives. I remember Tern making a really nice folding bike that has more options for adjustments, but there are a lot more.

Try out some with 20" wheels vs the 16" Brompton. I like the small turning cycle and reactivity of the tiny wheels, but some people hate it. You need to pay more attention to potholes and cobblestones are slightly more exciting than on a full sized bike.

Also be aware of the different laws. Bikes for the European market are usually limited to 25km/h and 250W.

[NT2C]

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And this is going to sound weird as hell but... What's that appliance(?) by your err... bottom?  I can't decide if it's a dishwasher or an old-style stereo with a tuning dial.

And really, no, I wasn't particularly looking umm "there" but the control panel(?) caught my eye.  I like old-fashioned 60s-70s style stereo equipment, especially tube amps and it kinda looks like that, whatever it is.

Imma shutup now before I end up chewing on both feet. 

[mzmc]

Believe it or not, I jokingly recommended that exact model of trike to my dad, when he started talking e-bikes... because his name is Bernd, too. 

I've got nothing productive to add to this thread, just bookmarking it for future reference (there's a chance I'll need something I can take with me on public transport, my bike's a little large for that).

[NT2C]

I also just realized what looks strange about the bike... no side reflectors.  In the US we have to have reflectors attached to the spokes.

[NT2C]

@NT2C Actually, Lectric does make a folding trike:  https://lectricebikes.com/products/xp-trike-graphite  The major drawback is the weight:  70 lbs.  Realistically, if you're going to transport something like this, you're best off having some type of rack for it, rather than trying to wrestle a heavy, folded bike/trike into the back of a vehicle.  Maybe if you have a minivan with a very low loading height in the back it's possible, but most SUVs would be too tall for it to work very well.

The Jeep has folding rear seats and plenty of room in the back.



(from a range trip a few years ago - there's several 48" rifle hard cases in there too)

[mzmc]

I also just realized what looks strange about the bike... no side reflectors.  In the US we have to have reflectors attached to the spokes.

These used to be mandatory in Germany as well, and my bike has them, however, a reflective white stripe in the tires, like you see here, is considered an adequate replacement.

Actually, my e-bike has white stripes in the tires AND reflectors in the spokes, becaus people drive like assholes here. 

[tirls]

@NT2C Actually, Lectric does make a folding trike:  https://lectricebikes.com/products/xp-trike-graphite  The major drawback is the weight:  70 lbs.  Realistically, if you're going to transport something like this, you're best off having some type of rack for it, rather than trying to wrestle a heavy, folded bike/trike into the back of a vehicle.  Maybe if you have a minivan with a very low loading height in the back it's possible, but most SUVs would be too tall for it to work very well.

The Jeep has folding rear seats and plenty of room in the back.



(from a range trip a few years ago - there's several 48" rifle hard cases in there too)

That does not look like plenty of room.

That device near the bottom is a 2022 dishwasher. I have however already disclosed to my mum that once she dies, her stereo is mine. It has those tiny little twitchy pointer hands backlit with orange lights.
We already have two tube amps (we downsized, we had 5 before moving). But those tiny pointers...

@mzmc I have a hi vis west, a reflective helmet and backpack cover. I think at this point I am more of a safety hazard with how bright I light up.

[tirls]

I also just realized what looks strange about the bike... no side reflectors.  In the US we have to have reflectors attached to the spokes.

These used to be mandatory in Germany as well, and my bike has them, however, a reflective white stripe in the tires, like you see here, is considered an adequate replacement.

Actually, my e-bike has white stripes in the tires AND reflectors in the spokes, becaus people drive like assholes here. 

[mzmc]

I *do* have an Abus helmet with a light in it. Some people just really hate cyclists, I suppose. 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I *do* have an Abus helmet with a light in it. Some people just really hate cyclists, I suppose. 

That's one reason why I don't ride a bike out here.

I have no desire to become a road pizza because some inattentive dipstick couldn't take his or her eyes off their phone long enough to see the chimpanzee on a bicycle on the side of the street.

[NT2C]

That device near the bottom is a 2022 dishwasher. I have however already disclosed to my mum that once she dies, her stereo is mine. It has those tiny little twitchy pointer hands backlit with orange lights.
We already have two tube amps (we downsized, we had 5 before moving). But those tiny pointers...

Ah, a fellow enthusiast!  At one time in my life I was a tech in the coin-operated amusements and vending industry.  I love old jukeboxes!  Nothing like the sound of a good tube amp.

[tirls]

That device near the bottom is a 2022 dishwasher. I have however already disclosed to my mum that once she dies, her stereo is mine. It has those tiny little twitchy pointer hands backlit with orange lights.
We already have two tube amps (we downsized, we had 5 before moving). But those tiny pointers...

Ah, a fellow enthusiast!  At one time in my life I was a tech in the coin-operated amusements and vending industry.  I love old jukeboxes!  Nothing like the sound of a good tube amp.

So it's best if I don't tell you we recently threw away an old pioneer? We had it listed for a year and no one wanted it.

I have no idea about amps, my husband is the technology nerd. I can only tell what I prefer sound wise.
And I absolutely adore tiny little twitchy analog displays.