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We have for some time now been of the opinion that what the two wheel market needs is a quality folding Electric Bike that can be used without a licence, Road tax or Insurance on the road. Until it was discontinued we stocked the Dahon Roo EL which sold for over £1,200.00. This was a very good machine but suffered from a few niggling problems at times mainly due to connections. The Sram Sparc system employed on the bike, being an internal 5 speed hub gear and motor combined was probably unnecessarily complicated for it’s own good and at only 16V it was not quite as powerful as many other motors now available, it came complete with a small NiMh battery pack which was very light but had limited capacity. The whole bike however was probably the lightest folding electric bike in the world.
On researching the market, and examining what is currently available we have turned away in mild disgust from the majority of folding electric bikes currently on the market, not primarily because of the electric motors or the associated electronic parts, but because they are such extremely poor bicycles with bottom of the range components. Probably a couple of the reasons for this is the type of factories that they are sourced from, and a misguided concern to hit an unecessarily low price point.
Realizing that there must be a balance between being a marvellous showpiece of engineering and prohibitively expensive on the one hand, and on the other, deliberately pitching the price down to a level where the quality suffers seriously. We have arrived at producing what we consider to be some ideal combinations.
This has involved us in choosing appropriate comfortable and respected 20” wheel Dahon models, namely the Ciao P5 which is well suited to the type of rider that invests in an electric bike, it benefits from a very low step-through frame (the design was bike of the year in Holland during 2006) and is suitable for both Ladies and Gents to ride, the Stylish Mu P8 for those of you who also want the lightest option, for the more serious and discerning the Dahon Impulse 24 which is a complete delight to ride, as it employs the Sram hub/derailleur giving you a huge range of gears, and finally the 24” wheel Dahon Glide P8 which rides like a normal upright bike. We have also sourced some quiet running intelligent brushless motors, battery units etc. that when fitted in our workshop are both pleasing to the eye and unobtrusive. When pedalling with the motor switched off you would not realize that you are riding an electric bike, since the front wheel hub motor spins so freely.
The total price is £879.99 including delivery and carrying bag on the Ciao, £929.99 on the Mu P8, £979.99 on the Impulse, and £1099.99 for the Glide P8 including delivery and carrying bag. This also includes on all three models, lights, mudguards, stand, and special carrier that houses and includes the battery pack, but still leaves room for panniers and top bag.
Although there is still much debate over which is the best type of battery to use, (this is evident if you research the information available on the web), with all things considered we still prefer NiMh. The reason for this in ‘laymans speak’ is that the switch-off circuits that have to be present on Li-Ion and Li-Pol batteries in order to protect the cells when the voltage drops below a certain level, can often catch you unawares despite low battery warning lights, and leave you totally without assistance, whereas the NiMH will continue to provide some power at a lower voltage level.
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Specifications of Electrical parts
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- Electric Motor: 24V 180W intelligent brushless motor
- Max Speed: 15MPH UK maximum permitted speed
- Max Distance per charge: Up to 25 Miles Depending on the terrain, wind conditions, the rider's weight and amount of pedal assistance given
- Battery: NiMH, 24V 8.5Ah fused and thermister protected, encased in Aluminium, and locks into the rear aluminium rack for security. Battery life is around 500 recharge cycles.
- Protective value of over current 15A
- Protective value of discharged battery voltage 20V
- Charger: intelligent 24V 1.8A and charges battery in 4 - 6 Hours. Input voltage 190 - 260 V AC
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Specification of Glide P8 with electric conversion
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- COLOUR Midnight Blue
- SPEEDS 8
- GEAR INCHES 30" - 92"
- DISTANCE: SEAT POST TO HANDLEBAR Min: 620mm (24.4") Max: 645 (25.4")
- DISTANCE: SADDLE TO PEDAL Min: 29" Max: 40.2"
- FOLDED SIZE 33 x 72 x 85 cm (16" x 30" x 33.5")
- WEIGHT 25 kg fully equipped
- FOLDING TIME 15 seconds
- SUGGESTED RIDER HEIGHT 5'4" - 6'4"
- MAX RIDER WEIGHT 105 kg. (230 lbs.)
- FRAME L24 Series, 7005 aluminum alloy, custom-drawn Sonus tubing, forged Lattice hinge, EmBed and ViseGrip technology
- FORK Integrated, patented Fusion technology
- HANDLEPOST Radius ProLite, patented Fusion™ technology, forged aluminum, patented InSide™ lock
- HANDLEBAR BioLogic™ Handlebars
- HEADSET Dahon Fusion, Zero stack, cartridge bearings
- GRIPS Bontrager Ergo, reflective end plugs
- SADDLE BioLogic™ AirFlo™, Mojo Groove design
- SEAT POST BioLogic™ post pump
- SEAT CLAMP Dahon Turtleneck clamp
- FRONT BRAKE Kinetix SpeedStop V brakes, stainless flex noodle, stainless link and anchor bolt, "SilentGrip" ceramic brake pads
- BRAKE LEVER BioLogic V, ultra-smooth machined pivots, Kraton insert
- CABLES AND HOUSING Dahon LiveWire, SIS housing, slick cable
- FRONT HUB BioLogic™ Joule dynamo, 6V/2.4W
- REAR HUB Shimano Nexus 8, freewheel
- SPOKES 14G, stainless, brass nipples
- RIMS Kinetix Comp, doublewall, CNC machined sidewalls, wear line indicator rear
- TYRES Schwalbe Big Apple, 24” x 2.0”, RaceGuard puncture protection, 75 psi, Reflex
- SHIFTERS Shimano Nexus
- CRANKSET Kinetix Wing, cold forged 6061 aluminum crank arms, hand-polished
- BOTTOM BRACKET Cartridge, sealed bearings
- CHAIN KMC Z610RB, RustBuster
- PEDALS Suntour folding, non-slip
- CHAINGUARD Full chainguard, 38T
- MUDGUARDS SKS Max 24, stainless hardware
- RACK ArcLite, tubular aluminum, with rack straps
- FRONT LIGHT Cateye EL 520
- REAR LIGHT Hella Premium, light and on-off switch
- KICKSTAND Twin Leg Aluminum, Dacromet bolt
- CLIP SYSTEM Magnetix™ system
- ACCESSORY Reflective trouser clip
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The Dahon Glide P8 is very easy to fold and takes about 15 seconds when you are used to it. As can be partly seen above, the handlebar is first rotated upwards like horns by releasing a quick release lever at the top of the handlebar stem. The handlebar and fork/wheel complete is then rotated 180 degrees and swung down after releasing a lever and clipped into the appropriate bracket on the frame. The main joint is then released and the frame folds in half and is held by the Magnetix system, the seatpost is lowered and the folded bike stands upright without assistance either on it’s main stand or by resting on the seatpost end stop and the two tyres at the other end.
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It is of course possible to ride without pedalling at all, but this will reduce the milage considerably that the battery has to offer. The really great thing about electric bikes for those of you who need some help, is that it takes all the sweat and struggle out of climbing normal hills, and if because of inclines you lack enthusiasm it puts the fun back into cycling. The range of gears on this model make it ideal for any type of ride even in very hilly areas, especially as the motor is there in addition take out all the hard work.
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The motor responds progressively as the speed controller is twisted around up to the maximum permitted speed of 15 miles per hour. Both brake levers as a safety feature have switches to cut the motor immediately you brake regardless of the speed controller position. The big advantage of these systems is that when on the level you can ride the bike unassisted with the switch turned off and there is no drag from the motor, in fact far less than a hub dynamo that the Glide’s were originally fitted with. The best policy is to inflate the Schwalbe puncture protected tyres on all models to at least 60 PSI to keep the rolling resistance to a minimum.
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The Electric motor kits are professionally fitted by ourselves in our workshop. The wires into, and the control box itself, also the aluminium battery case are sealed ourselves with silicon cement to prevent ingress of water. The Battery is locked into the carrier and can be removed for charging, or left in situ. if there is a powerpoint suitably positioned.
An intelligent charger is supplied with the bike which takes 4 - 6 hours to recharge the battery if it’s exhausted.
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We can also supply it with this quality Atera expanding rack pack. This not only expands upwards as it has a double zip system, but the side pockets also flap down forming side panniers as shown. This is a padded bag suitable for cameras and is supplied complete with a shoulder strap.
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The top of the aluminium carrier hinges up once unlocked to release the battery, it also allows the easy fitting of the top bag, which uses the velcro and buckle system typical of this form of rack bag.
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The bikes are sold with the usual warranty of one year on components and 5 years on the frame.
The Battery is excluded from this 1 year parts warranty in common with other manufacturers, and instead has a 3 month warranty as it’s life depends so much on how they are treated. If used correctly the normal expected life of NiMH batteries is around 500 charges.
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Important Customer Information
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For those of you who prefer a more personal service, we are always very happy to discuss the advantages of the various models to help quide you towards a bike that is suitable for your requirements and within your budget. We have a passion for folding bikes and their place in todays society for both the commuter and leisure cyclist alike. Please ring us if you need help or advice on 01666 822330
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All Folding Bikes are thoroughly prepared and checked in the workshop in order to validate the warranties, this involves a thorough setup and adjustment of spokes, bearings, brakes, gears (stops and cable adjustment). The chainset and crank, handlebars and all nuts and bolts are checked for tightness and the pedals fitted. Finally the tyre pressures are set and the folding joints and all quick releases are lubricated and adjusted. After a brief test ride (mainly indoor) they are then carefully packed back into the original boxes using appropriate packaging, this means that the bikes when received and unfolded are ‘ready to ride’ . All 26” wheel Dahon bikes arrive in the UK in boxes with the frame unfolded but the bike partially dismantled. We have taken the decision that in order to properly achieve our highest aim and that of the responsible manufacturers with whom we liase, that we therefore, properly prepare then fold the completed bike with only the handlebar removed, it is therefore necessary for us to repackage the bike accordingly on account of it’s larger size when assembled.
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Clicking on the ‘Buy now’ links is a useful way to check stock position, as out of stock items will normally be indicated. This action in no way commits you to purchasing the item
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ITEMS ARE NORMALLY DESPATCHED THE NEXT DAY, UNLESS AT THE WEEKEND, LARGER OBJECTS THEN TAKE 1 or 2 DAYS FOR DELIVERY IN THE UK. SMALL ITEMS ARE DESPATCHED NORMALLY VIA 1st Class Post
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©2008 CH White & Son. All prices include Vat and this page was updated 07/10/2008. Online payment using secure server. (you will see the sign at far right when you come to pay) Most credit and debit cards are accepted.
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CH White & Son, 51 High Street, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9AG, United Kingdom
Tel/Fax. (01666) 822330 e-mail chwhite@btinternet.com
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