Folding E Bikes for our trip

[TyBoo]

I bought one of these goofy things when Costco had them for $326. I figured it would be handy for going to the boat during the hectic Buoy 10 fishing season when the parking lot is jammed full in the mornings. I could park the truck there overnight and ride the bike home and back in the morning.

The bike is pretty cool, but I do look goofy riding it. It scoots right along and goes 17 miles on a charge. The handle folds down to make it fairly compact and it will fit in the V-berth or the back seat of the truck.

[JamesTXSD]

We are coming up on 6 years of owning folding e-bikes. I still ride almost every morning. At the time, looking for a fat tire folding e-bike, there was a choice of one: SSR Trail Viper. Now, they are everywhere you search (Google folding e-bikes).

We used reasonably light-weight folding bikes on Wild Blue and found them very handy and comfortable (don't get the smallest folders, get what fits you). Bikes or a dinghy when cruising? The obvious answer is: both; they serve different purposes... just like you need navigation AND communication equipment when cruising.

Our current folding e-bikes wouldn't be the best on a small boat (not what we used on Wild Blue) - the Trail Vipers are at home on trails and bike paths. Folded, we can fit two of them in the back of our small SUV; but they would take up too much room in the cockpit of a C-Dory. Look for a "city folder" to take on a small boat.

I've joked with Pat about this: our style of cruising wasn't about finding places for our dog to poop (we don't have a dog). The boat was a conveyance to take us to interesting places to explore, whether cool cities or quiet natural areas. We spent 6 weeks on the Erie Canal and Hudson River; Pat spent 3 days. Different strokes. The bikes allowed us to get more than walking distance from the boat to see what each small town along the way was all about. We found them invaluable.

There seems to be a misunderstanding about e-bikes... some people think the bike does all the work (I often hear "that's cheating" when riding my e-bike). That's not the way most people use an e-bike. The pedal assist on mine gives me a consistent workout, no matter the wind direction or terrain. I have never used mine as an "electric scooter," although some do. I have used the throttle to move out faster when an unknown dog approaches, barking and snapping. I have used the throttle to get started when on a steep incline. I don't "commute" on mine, although some do. It doesn't replace a motorcycle or a scooter for me.

What we used on the boat...



What we have for e-bikes...



Both folders, but a significant difference in weight and capability.

[ssobol]

Might look at e-scooters instead. There are models that fold up and they are smaller than a bike. The ones like Lime, Jump, and Spin I find easy to use. I rent them in places where they are available, but I have seen them carried and used by boaters.

[fred09]

I met someone in the summer who had a Tern folding e-bike and was very happy with it. I have seen other Tern folding bikes since then and am very impressed.

Here's one from this website:
https://www.bikethesites.com/best-kids-bikes/

It's probably the bike I would buy if I was in the market for one. Unfortunately, it costs about £2000.
Don't forget BTW that folding bikes are often no lighter than normal bikes but are designed to be carried: with a motor and battery they are very heavy indeed[/url]

[daninPA]

I suppose I don't get the need for an E-Bike when the vast majority of roads and trails accessed from a C-Dory will be flat.

I have a folder I used to use commuting (2 miles to the train station, ride Amtrak, 3 miles to the office) that weighs around 30 lbs.

I ride on trails sometimes and see people zipping along without pedaling and wonder "What's the point? You're outside, sure, but you're not getting any exercise..."

[RobMcClain]

For me that’s an easy answer…. When we bought ours my wife had knee problems that obstructed her ability to pedal for long periods. Since I enjoy her company the ebike allowed us the enjoyment of riding together. I like pedaling and did that more of the time, but it was also fun to have the assist. Plus, we found some shopping destinations to be a distance with a hill or two in between and the ebike was nice to have.

[ssobol]

[daninPA]

[thataway]

[daninPA]