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I know someone who carries a lot, lives in London (some dedicated bike lanes, not many), the weather is, uh, random at best, and he does the shopping, commutes

I know someone who carries a lot, lives in London (some dedicated bike lanes, not many), the weather is, uh, random at best, and he does the shopping, commutes from SW London to Farringdon, etc. All using an e-bike with detachable cargo trailer. If I didn't live on the 3rd floor[1], or had bike storage downstairs, I'd get one ASAP. [1] I need an e-bike for the same reason I can't carry 20kg up 4 flights - my right knee is functionally useless.

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throw0101a 3y ago
> If I didn't live on the 3rd floor[1], or had bike storage downstairs, I'd get one ASAP. Folding bicycle? * https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a20048132/best-folding-bikes/ https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a20048132/best-folding-... * https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-folding-bike/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-folding-bike... There are e-bike variants available as well. (General consensus seems to be Brompton is (at) the top tier, but not cheap.)
- giobox 3y ago
  Electric folding bikes are typically pretty heavy, I own a couple - my wife for one would really struggle to carry either of them to the first floor let alone the third. Most electric folding bikes, the fold allows easy moving in cars/elevators or storage, I would not personally recommend them for multi-floor stair commutes unless you are comfortable with what you are getting yourself into. I've also had two former colleagues trade folding e-bikes for folding e-scooters just to avoid the hassle of taking the folding e-bike up two flights of stairs at the office end. The e-scooters are far easier to maneuver/stow on busy commuter trains if that is a factor too - you can get roughly the same range at 50% of the weight and its far smaller folded. As a typical example: * https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radexpand-electric-folding-bike https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radexpand-electric-fo... That's a 64lb/29kg bike, and not uncommon for a folding ebike.
  - zimpenfish 3y ago
    > Electric folding bikes are typically pretty heavy Yeah, that's the problem, unfortunately. > The e-scooters are far easier Alas, they have the same "my knee is made of soap" problem.
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hereonout2 3y ago
Used to cycle 25 miles a day in the city, like somebody else mentioned here its crazy how fast your tolerance and stamina build up, as well as your ability of handle what first looks like insanely scary traffic. Was the fittest I have ever been during my cycling years and I was beating my tube commute time substantially. Been riding a motorcycle in London though for the last 15 years. A bit more effort to get started I guess but worth considering. From a theft point of view there's so many motorbikes about that a 10 year old boring one with a decent chain is quite unlikely to get stolen, probably cost less than an ebike too.

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throw0101a 3y ago

> If I didn't live on the 3rd floor[1], or had bike storage downstairs, I'd get one ASAP. Folding bicycle? * https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a20048132/best-folding-bikes/ https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a20048132/best-folding-... * https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-folding-bike/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-folding-bike... There are e-bike variants available as well. (General consensus seems to be Brompton is (at) the top tier, but not cheap.)

giobox 3y ago
Electric folding bikes are typically pretty heavy, I own a couple - my wife for one would really struggle to carry either of them to the first floor let alone the third. Most electric folding bikes, the fold allows easy moving in cars/elevators or storage, I would not personally recommend them for multi-floor stair commutes unless you are comfortable with what you are getting yourself into. I've also had two former colleagues trade folding e-bikes for folding e-scooters just to avoid the hassle of taking the folding e-bike up two flights of stairs at the office end. The e-scooters are far easier to maneuver/stow on busy commuter trains if that is a factor too - you can get roughly the same range at 50% of the weight and its far smaller folded. As a typical example: * https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radexpand-electric-folding-bike https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radexpand-electric-fo... That's a 64lb/29kg bike, and not uncommon for a folding ebike.
- zimpenfish 3y ago
  > Electric folding bikes are typically pretty heavy Yeah, that's the problem, unfortunately. > The e-scooters are far easier Alas, they have the same "my knee is made of soap" problem.
- deleted 3y ago
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hereonout2 3y ago

Used to cycle 25 miles a day in the city, like somebody else mentioned here its crazy how fast your tolerance and stamina build up, as well as your ability of handle what first looks like insanely scary traffic. Was the fittest I have ever been during my cycling years and I was beating my tube commute time substantially. Been riding a motorcycle in London though for the last 15 years. A bit more effort to get started I guess but worth considering. From a theft point of view there's so many motorbikes about that a 10 year old boring one with a decent chain is quite unlikely to get stolen, probably cost less than an ebike too.