uhmwpolyethylene
100 W
i think the problem is that the steel brompton which weighs 30% more than Ti but costs 5x less and is more proven for durability, weighs a good 25 lb already, so 1000w might help. But 500w geared maybe would help on hills
Folding mid drive conversion options?
- Thread starter uhmwpolyethylene
- Start date
i think the problem is that the steel brompton which weighs 30% more than Ti but costs 5x less and is more proven for durability, weighs a good 25 lb already, so 1000w might help. But 500w geared maybe would help on hills
Hi, all i'm currently modelling a CYC Stealth Gen 3 mid drive to see if it fits on a Brompton. Witch could give impressing results if it works, i'm using a 2 speed no fender Brompton with eventually custom carbon wheel to make it pretty light !
Currently its running a DD from Grin Tech and as power goes, its awesome, plenty of torque and a top speed in pedal assist of 48km/h, but its heavy, so i'm hopping the CYC can fit without to much impacting the fold. I estimate the final E-Brompton weight to about 33 pounds + with a mid drive the bike as a better balance when folded VS hub driven Brompton that currently weight about 41 pounds without the battery (as a carry the battery in a separate bag) and sometime fall to the motor side because of uneven weight when folded. I've contacted Grin Tech to see if any Pendix Style mmid drive with their Grin All Axle would come out but they dont have any plan for someting like that
Currently its running a DD from Grin Tech and as power goes, its awesome, plenty of torque and a top speed in pedal assist of 48km/h, but its heavy, so i'm hopping the CYC can fit without to much impacting the fold. I estimate the final E-Brompton weight to about 33 pounds + with a mid drive the bike as a better balance when folded VS hub driven Brompton that currently weight about 41 pounds without the battery (as a carry the battery in a separate bag) and sometime fall to the motor side because of uneven weight when folded. I've contacted Grin Tech to see if any Pendix Style mmid drive with their Grin All Axle would come out but they dont have any plan for someting like that
RunForTheHills
1 kW
I have two electric Bromptons. One is the factory Electric Brompton and the other is the geared front hub motor kit from Grin. The factory bike looks more polished, but the kit has a throttle as well as a torque sensor and a bit more power (the factory bike has to comply with UK laws). The LIGO batteries from Grin can supposedly be brought onto a plane, but I haven't tested that yet. I can throw both bikes in the back of my Subaru wagon with lots of room to spare and take them on vacation.
There is no way I would want to go much faster than 25 mph on a Brompton with its twitchy steering. The motors I have are fine for short hills and getting around town. For me, a mid-drive wouldn't really help with how I use the bikes. I suppose if you had some really long steep hills it might help, but you don't really have that many gears on a Brompton and three of the gears on a six speed are part of an internally geared hub in the rear that is not really designed for a powerful motor. If you need a wide range of gears, you are better off with a different folding bike like a Bike Friday.
There is no way I would want to go much faster than 25 mph on a Brompton with its twitchy steering. The motors I have are fine for short hills and getting around town. For me, a mid-drive wouldn't really help with how I use the bikes. I suppose if you had some really long steep hills it might help, but you don't really have that many gears on a Brompton and three of the gears on a six speed are part of an internally geared hub in the rear that is not really designed for a powerful motor. If you need a wide range of gears, you are better off with a different folding bike like a Bike Friday.
uhmwpolyethylene
100 W
Does anyone have much experience with LEAFBIKE or crystallite motors? Leafbike makes a rear geared 500w hub motor for brompton but people said the stock controller might be no good or something and idk what else would be compatible or if it's Eben worth it
I was also emailing a guy at crystalite who might start making rear hub motors they just make 500w front hub motor currently and partner with Grin. Is their front motor any good.
Could perhaps even AWD it
I was also emailing a guy at crystalite who might start making rear hub motors they just make 500w front hub motor currently and partner with Grin. Is their front motor any good.
Could perhaps even AWD it
Haven’t read entire thread yet but I’ve installed Swytch front hub kits on Bromptons. I’d run, not walk, away from eBromptons with any system.
Don’t get me wrong Brompton is a very nice bike but simple things such as handlebar real estate often require massive changes to $$$ nicely made components.
Best hill climbing efolders I’ve assembled - Bafang 750/1000w BB drives. 20”Swift or Dahon Speed 7 each handled the 68mm BB install just fine.
Dahon folded normally but the Swift was limited by a small amount hitting the drive. Still folds enough to qualify for rush hour transit tho.
Great hill climbing but as Chalo noted much more maintenance for chain, gear selection system. But, chain breaker, links + easier flat tire repairs more than make up for that deficiency imo.
Lately, I put 1000W DD hub in the front wheel of Swift Bafang 02 mid drive. Now that gets up and goes like nothing else. Overkill for urban commuting but longer suburb routes with hills it’s well worth the trouble. It’s also nice to have DD reliability up front if/when the chain drive system acts up.
Don’t get me wrong Brompton is a very nice bike but simple things such as handlebar real estate often require massive changes to $$$ nicely made components.
Best hill climbing efolders I’ve assembled - Bafang 750/1000w BB drives. 20”Swift or Dahon Speed 7 each handled the 68mm BB install just fine.
Dahon folded normally but the Swift was limited by a small amount hitting the drive. Still folds enough to qualify for rush hour transit tho.
Great hill climbing but as Chalo noted much more maintenance for chain, gear selection system. But, chain breaker, links + easier flat tire repairs more than make up for that deficiency imo.
Lately, I put 1000W DD hub in the front wheel of Swift Bafang 02 mid drive. Now that gets up and goes like nothing else. Overkill for urban commuting but longer suburb routes with hills it’s well worth the trouble. It’s also nice to have DD reliability up front if/when the chain drive system acts up.
