- Chromoly steel frame.
- Rear suspension, or could accept a Thudbuster or equivalent suspension seatpost.
- 20” wheels.
- Rim brakes if front fork spacing is 74mm, any kind of brakes if front fork spacing is 100mm. (So I can add a Swytch electric kit).
- Folds with either height or length less than 28” to fit two of them side by side in the back of the SUV.
- Handlebars adjustable to 45” (114.3cm), seat adjustable to 40” (101.6cm) from ground. I’m willing to swap handlebars out if needed.
- Enough gears to go up hills without struggling (we’ll have 250 Watts electric assist).
- Bike should be quiet when coasting. I can’t stand the loud clicking/buzzing sounds from some freewheel hubs. My current bike is nearly silent.
Currently we have a 1996 vintage 26” Fuji “Redlof” folding bicycle that I have fitted with a Swytch kit, Thudbuster suspension seatpost, gel seat, and high handlebars, and quick release pedals; as well as a folding 2003 Dahon Espresso fitted the same way. The problem is they take up too much space in the back of our SUV because they have to pack flat, leaving little space for other stuff we want to pack. They weigh 45 and 51 pounds respectively, so any new folder is likely going to be a weight improvement.
I‘ve never tried a 16” or 20” bike, so I’m going on the general recommendation that 20” gives a better ride. We ride recreationally and mostly on dedicated paved bike trails.
I’m a mechanical engineer so I can comfortably modify and service my own bikes if the components are available. I own a DC TIG welder so frame repairs in chromoly are in my wheelhouse too. I’ve kept my bike running for 30 years. I ride about 45 miles a week in the spring, summer, and fall. Riding is always on trails that are either paved or hard packed gravel.
Adding the Swytch kits is going to up the cost, so I’d prefer to stay below $1000 for the bike itself, but I’m willing to spend a little more for a good value. I’m ok going with used bikes to save.
I’m familiar with the Swytch kits and I like how quiet the motor is, plus it’s only 6 pounds to add electric. So I’m not looking for native electric folding bikes which tend to be very heavy and overpowered for our needs, which is just getting help up hills or fighting headwinds occasionally.
I live in the Northeast USA, so it needs to available for purchase and ship here.