Another decent affordable folding model without a suspension fork is the Blix Vika X. I think it did well enough on your hill climb tests. The Denago Folding 1 also has a rigid fork, as does the Surface 604 Twist. Out of those models, the Twist’s hub motor puts out the most torque (80Nm) for climbing hills, but the Vika is the lightest by a pound or two. However, you’re not saving that much weight as the Portola weighs 59lbs with its smaller battery, so the one with the larger battery probably weighs about the same or slightly less than the 61lb Vika X. At least according to the Freshly Charged guys, the springs in the Portola fork have a higher spring rate than other forks on folding bikes they’ve tried. As a 230lb rider, I agree it feels stouter than other short spring forks. A rigid fork doesn’t require maintenance, but it’s nice to have the dampening ability when it might be useful.
There are bike repair stations located on certain parts of the trail near Clearwater. Tools are even provided The trails in Pinellas County are one of its best features. Advise visit Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Tarpon Springs sponge docks if you are ever there.
@ElectricBikeReport They're working great. During the day I just use them as turn signals, but there's a flashy light setting I use if I have to ride later in the day. I have a Lectric XP Trike and put them on the cargo basket as far apart as possible. So there's the lights on the fenders, a little higher is the turn signals/blinky lights, and then a little higher is the light on the back of the seatpost. Yet another set of lights to increase visibility at night seems like a good thing. I just checked, the set I got is currently $25 but there's a 10% off coupon. But I remember seeing multiple options when I was shopping.
I guess Sena helmets weren't rated as they don't come up searching the Virginia Tech site. Surprising considering how popular they are. The Pinellas Trail is excellent. It loops the entire county and is one bridge finishing up now from complete.
@ElectricBikeReport The tariffs are to stop the flow of fentanyl from China. If China stops it there will be no tariffs. No one cares about the cost of bikes. We are trying to save lives.
I have a question that has perplexed me for quite some time. Why in the world can't we use a light generator(upgraded) that was used on regular bikes way back in the day which powers the head and tail light to recharge an ebike battery as we ride?
The diminimus exemption gor reinstated by the way...cause you know, helpign chinese mega corps os good for Americans but stopping American companies from getting the same cost benefits is bad for us...🤦🏾♂️
Hehe... "$500 ebikes"... Lots of folks love poorly designed and cheaply made... "disposable"... maybe not... ;) LiFePO4 here... 48V10Ah costs me $800 each battery ... [I have three]... "Charge slow.. Swap fast"... "Full recharge" .. about two minutes to swap... signed - riding w/batteries since `90s... days of lead-acid.. [blush]... Hi from urban Canada eh? cheers
I hate to admit it but tariffs mean the resale value of my used e-bike just rose by 25%.
Another decent affordable folding model without a suspension fork is the Blix Vika X. I think it did well enough on your hill climb tests.
The Denago Folding 1 also has a rigid fork, as does the Surface 604 Twist. Out of those models, the Twist’s hub motor puts out the most torque (80Nm) for climbing hills, but the Vika is the lightest by a pound or two.
However, you’re not saving that much weight as the Portola weighs 59lbs with its smaller battery, so the one with the larger battery probably weighs about the same or slightly less than the 61lb Vika X. At least according to the Freshly Charged guys, the springs in the Portola fork have a higher spring rate than other forks on folding bikes they’ve tried. As a 230lb rider, I agree it feels stouter than other short spring forks. A rigid fork doesn’t require maintenance, but it’s nice to have the dampening ability when it might be useful.
There are bike repair stations located on certain parts of the trail near Clearwater. Tools are even provided The trails in Pinellas County are one of its best features. Advise visit Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Tarpon Springs sponge docks if you are ever there.
Thanks for the tips!
I have those turn signals! They were about $15 from Amazon so totally reasonable.
That's super affordable! How do you like them?
@ElectricBikeReport They're working great. During the day I just use them as turn signals, but there's a flashy light setting I use if I have to ride later in the day.
I have a Lectric XP Trike and put them on the cargo basket as far apart as possible. So there's the lights on the fenders, a little higher is the turn signals/blinky lights, and then a little higher is the light on the back of the seatpost. Yet another set of lights to increase visibility at night seems like a good thing.
I just checked, the set I got is currently $25 but there's a 10% off coupon. But I remember seeing multiple options when I was shopping.
I guess Sena helmets weren't rated as they don't come up searching the Virginia Tech site. Surprising considering how popular they are.
The Pinellas Trail is excellent. It loops the entire county and is one bridge finishing up now from complete.
That is a little surprising they haven't been tested yet! And thanks for weighing in on the Pinellas Trail!
And I agree with you guys that these tariffs will be far more harmful than helpful.
Stupid people do so this. At least you leftists admit you love cheap slave labor though.
We really hope some exemptions are considered for the good of the bike industry.
@ElectricBikeReport The tariffs are to stop the flow of fentanyl from China. If China stops it there will be no tariffs.
No one cares about the cost of bikes. We are trying to save lives.
Wow!!!
So THRILLED we bought our Discover 2s back in July!!!!
Nice! How have you been liking them? -Griffin
I have a question that has perplexed me for quite some time. Why in the world can't we use a light generator(upgraded) that was used on regular bikes way back in the day which powers the head and tail light to recharge an ebike battery as we ride?
GOOOOOOOOOD.
Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks! :)
The end of $500 e-bikes?
Happily, Turriffs isn't such a biggie for China/Australia trading.
That's good!
The diminimus exemption gor reinstated by the way...cause you know, helpign chinese mega corps os good for Americans but stopping American companies from getting the same cost benefits is bad for us...🤦🏾♂️
We saw that it was reinstated. That's unfortunate. Things seems to be changing quickly, so we'll hold out hope the loophole is closed again.
We'll likely report on that update in the next episode of the show. At least there's no shortage of news to discuss!
Hehe... "$500 ebikes"... Lots of folks love poorly designed and cheaply made... "disposable"... maybe not... ;) LiFePO4 here... 48V10Ah costs me $800 each battery ... [I have three]... "Charge slow.. Swap fast"... "Full recharge" .. about two minutes to swap... signed - riding w/batteries since `90s... days of lead-acid.. [blush]... Hi from urban Canada eh? cheers
Cheers back to you!