Seeking compact or foldable electric bike recommendations

[seager]

Here are my priorities.

1. Comfort considering the nature of the beast
2. Up hill power
3. Less weight
4. Ease of foldability
5. Space for decent rear rack/panniers

Any recommendations greatly appreciated.

[AUbicycles]

Dahon, tern, brompton and flyer are 4 quality fokdabke bike brands and they all (should) have electric motor versions.

Be wary of cheap and nasty brands as there is a bit of rubbish. You will however find it harder to locate these in Australia as it is niche... but look through the range at ebike shops and share the brand / models here and I can provide feedback on trustworthiness.

[seager]

Thanks for the reply and generous offer of looking at what I'm considering.

I've looked up those brands but there don't seem to be many of them here. I've worked out that a compact bike would fine so it doesn't have to be foldable. What do you think about these three?

https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en/bikes ... 3e23ca3d0a

https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en/bikes ... 2aeaea8bb8

http://ezeebike.com/bikes-and-options/street/

Sandy

[AUbicycles]

The first on is the best. It has a mid-drive motor (at the bottom bracket where the pedals pass through) and the others gave hub motors in the wheels.

I would prefer a bosch motor but the impulse us (out if this selection) is the most reputable brand.

Kalkhoff are a good brand, very reliable and it seens to have a good configuration. You also have a fairly well established distributer who should be able to provide and support, if necessary.

This model has the nexus hub, so all your gears are inside the rear wheel hub and there is no external derailleur, this essentially means less can go wrong because there are fewer external moving bits. This model will however be more expensive but it us a good brand and setup.

My recommendation is to visit a dealer and test it out (folding) and in the best case, a test ride.

[seager]

Thanks again for the replies.

May I ask your opinion about just one more, see following link.

http://www.corratec.com.au/electric-bikes?product_id=69

I think I'll go and try the Kalkhoff Sahel and the Corratec when I'm next in Sydney.

Sandy

[uart]

May I ask your opinion about just one more, see following link. http://www.corratec.com.au/electric-bikes?product_id=69

The One size frame of the corratec Life fits for every person. The special geometry enables you to stay with your feed on the ground while sitting in the saddle.

Hmm, feed on the ground while remaining in the saddle, that's impressive. A bit unhygienic, but impressive none the less.

[AUbicycles]

Corratec are a good brand and the Bosch is also good, also has disc brakes... but overall it feels a bit pokey... the Kalkhof Sahel is far more elegant and a nice all round bike.

Do ride them both and try folding to see which works best.

Disc brakes are nice, but I the magura brakes on the Sahel are very good and it isn’t a high speed bike so it is not specifically give you a major advantage.