mark pahnier
Sep 3, 2018 · 3 min read

Getting started with a folding electric bike…

Earlier this year, I decided that I really had to have: a folding “electric bike”. “Electric” ... so I could commute to work easily when I wanted to, and “folding” … so I could quickly put the bike in my small trunk, without installing any bike rack, and I could even take the bike in the train.

Well, this has a been a long journey and here is my experience.

First, the research. I looked at a lot of options. The more you search, the more you find… I wished I had a local store that carried folding ebikes but this was not an option.

It started with a comparison table between the following models: Voltbike Urban, Citizenbike Frisco, Revelo Flex, e-joe, Easy Motion EasyGo Volt, Enzo ebike, Dahon Ikon, Magnum Classic Review, Genesis Metro XT, Tern Vektron, Blix Vika+. The main goal for this research was to help narrow down what I wanted. I ended up with limiting my options to 20" wheel diameter bikes(for easier pedaling), with a weight less than 50 pounds (so I could take it into a plane if I really had to… which I may never do) and a cost less than $1,200 (it is kind of arbitrary but there were enough options under that threshold).

And I chose the Voltbike. Why ? Technically, the suspension fork (for comfort) and the disc brakes (for safety) made the difference for me; the #1 contender, the Citizenbike Frisco did have a nice option for an anti-puncture tire. Also important in my decision, the video from electricbikereview was very helpful along with their reassuring endorsement for an unknown brand.

Second, the ordering and set-up ... Well, this is where things did not go as smoothly with the sales support.

After ordering in March, I received the bike 3–4 weeks later. There were scratches on the bike, the rear light was turned on, and there was a broken back fender which implies some possible sloppy Quality & Assurance. But most importantly, the bike only worked for about 3 miles… And then it stopped. At first, technical support (from George) was very quick to respond, (he promised to send me the broken back fender right away) but then the troubleshooting of the electrical problem slowed down our communications considerably. It took over a month for their team to figure out what part was not functioning and send me a replacement part for the controller. And this happened after I got really tired of the ordeal and asked to send it back to the factory. All in all, I finally got the bike to work in late May, two months after ordering and paying…

To fix the bike, I got pointed to a self-help video. This repair required the purchase and use of additional tools, such as a “crank puller”. None of my friends who are avid bikers had used or even heard of this term. So I had to purchase these items from our local bike store. The repair was neither too complicated nor too expensive but I struggle with the business practice to require your customers to purchase one-time tools and spend time when your initial delivery (supposedly under warranty) is inadequate.

Third, the use. Since the repair, the bike has been fulfilling its purpose well, besides a battery indicator that is not really accurate and can’t really be relied on. More on this experience in a future blog…

Would I buy it again ? At this time, not likely. I was discouraged by the hassle of the initial experience, and I have concerns about having future technical issues that may not get fixed at all. I do need a second bike, I will see how my experience progresses but I will most likely switch to another brand, possibly Citizenbike.

And I am still waiting for that back fender replacement despite a few emails …