0:00 Intro 0:14 Why go Electric? 1:16 Torque Sensor + Slope Detector vs Cadence Sensor 1:55 Rides at 19mph 3:01 Launch Mode 3:19 Mileage per charge 4:14 Weight 4:25 Spare Battery Options 4:52 Design 5:49 Airline friendly 5:57 Build Quality 7:15 Controls 9:20 App and start up time 9:48 Control Pad Design 10:44 USB Ports 12:10 "Brake Lights" 12:18 The Fold 12:51 Removing / Adding the Battery 14:04 Charging the Battery 14:26 Wheel Drag Test 14:50 Fork Issues 17:01 "5" Year Warranty 18:13 Bracket Issues 19:08 Motor Volume 19:41 Where to buy or Test 20:13 Electric vs Standard Speed and Effort 23:22 Conclusion ARCC is offering an exclusive 5% off a brompton conversion mention "DRJAMES" on check out.
I thought I may have rushed into purchasing an Arcc upgrade for my 2010 M3L as it's not cheap but after watching your review I feel confident that I have made the right choice. Bike goes off on Friday. Good review by the way. Nice to see just facts and stats instead of the mushy reviews you get these days.
Great review! I'm a recent Brompton convert - but can see myself buying an e-bike in the medium-term, as just having a brompton is getting me to bike more and drive less. The distances are far and hilly where I live in CA, USA - electrifying a Brompton with the kits available in the US may not be a good idea. I'll have to wait for something on ARCC's level to be available here. Your videos have been very educational on electric bromptons, but more broadly on the concepts behind e-bikes as well. Thanks!
I have electrified my wife's Brompton here in NYC and I can tell you, it's fairly easy. As NYC is subway friendly, the greatest testament to her new bike is she no longer has a monthly subway card, only pay-as-you-go for ultra long distances or if we're out at night. The ARCC kit is definitely more sophisticated but that's also a downside for installation.
The Brompton *8.55ah* battery *is* available to buy separately in the UK, priced at £500. This may not of course be true in your geography. It is also worth noting that Brompton have revised the connector latch on the battery, which i believe can be retrofitted. A video is available here to explain the problem and the solution th-cam.com/video/9h47SRrfcjI/w-d-xo.html
does a BAFANG front hub engine with only a PAS spoke sensor and battery+BMS in a Brompton bag doesn't work? I don't like all those complicated bluetooth stuf, and want to have control.....
Do you know if ARCC does smth specific to install the kit on Brompton with Ti forks (superlight/P line)? ARCC does seem to be using rather specific torque washers.
Thanks, interesting. It would be good to see how much of a standard Brompton bag’s capacity is ‘lost’ when the ARCC is installed. Do you have any internal photos of typical bags please?
I know this is an issue with the Brompton Electric because their 8AH battery is big. The 2AH-4AH Bosch Battery can fit in one of the 2 water bottle holders of the official Brompton T Bag. Space occupied is not much bigger than the battery itself.
@@DrJamesT ok thanks. Yes, I already have a BE and the luggage is suboptimal. Thank goodness for the rack! Also Valeria makes bigger bags that fit the BE’s bag frame and provide more practical carrying volume. If I hadn’t a BE already I’d have been tempted to buy a B + ARCC.
@@DrJamesT one other thing that crosses my mind is that the Bosch battery looked somewhat hard to get on and off the bike. If the battery is part of the ARCC modified bag can the bag be unclipped and reclipped easily I wonder, as with the Brompton’s easily attached battery bags? That might be an issue for real life usage 🤔
@@petergilbert72 I've demonstrated battery removal @12:51 The modified bag is really a modified frame that has the same battery clip interface. The Battery itself is not part of the bag. You need to separately clip the battery to a wire that's attached modified frame of the bag. Clearer picture: www.arccbikes.com/collections/accessories-1/products/bag-converstion-kit
Well, I got a Chinese made brompton alike ebike, which costs less than a normal brompton or only 2k AUD. It's the XDS E-Micro, has torque sensor, weighs around 16KGs. The welding and small things are not that great, but I'm quite happy with it.
Yes, it is in the frame. I saw it with a different name (E-Trifold), made in Indonesia. For the price is better than a Brompton (with internal hub with 8 gears and disk brakes). But I never found a way to get one into Europe...
Thank you for going into details in the review. Shame the kit is so costly, but I can understand that there is nothing better out there. One complain though. I find it difficult when you talk about something and add extra text on screen which takes my attention from things you talk. If I pause the video to read I forget of what you said.
I have had an e-Brompton for two years. Under normal city conditions, I can drive only 20 km on it. Should I buy a new battery? There is no other solution? Can you improve it yourself, e.g. by replacing the cells in the battery? Is there an instruction on how to do this somewhere? (I don’t have access to an authorized Brompton service center.)
By default, No because the battery is well over the limit. There is a fine print that allows for asking your airline if they can accomodate it. Owners suggested to ship the battery ahead of time.
I can confirm this is not a paid promotion. If you actually watch this review it is mostly observed facts with measured numbers for comparison. I offered feedback as well.
@@DrJamesT yeah sorry I wasn't suggesting it was, I did actually watch your vid a couple of times and found it useful enough to look at ordering a conversion on their site, but saw that they ask customers specifically if they saw your video, and some others. That's what made me wonder if your video and/or others were promotions.
They could be doing market research to find out where you have heard of ARCC. I'm not the only reviewer of the ARCC kit. Btw I asked them to create a discount link for my viewers. Mention "DRJAMES" when ordering and they will give you 5% off the brompton conversion.
Is it true that in the UK, the law for a 250 watt motor maximizes at 15.5 mph pedal assisted? If you pedal faster than 15.5 mph, the motor cuts out? This is awful. The motor should stay on and if you pedal faster than you go faster. If the motor cuts out at 15.5 mph that's terrible. There's no way to make the bike go 30 mph. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
@@davidhunternyc1 If the highest max speed is what you value then yes. But Gen 1 has a battery pack thats 1.5x the size of Gen 2. I've laid out everything on the table so you determine what you value most from an electric bike, ie what to look for when buying one.
BROMPTON ELECTRIC. "THE WORLDS MOST UNRELIABLE BIKE".. Both of my Electric Brompton"s continuously keep braking down. The poor quality bearings & electronics keep failing. Brompton knows about this. But just keeps replacing them with same the parts. Buy yourself several Chines copies for the same price. Or better still a Honda CBR 125cc motorcycle for the same price. Feel less disappointed & save yourself a fortune.
We purchased this Vivi 27.5” electric bike and a Tentaquil 26” electric bike for our 13 and 14 year olds. th-cam.com/users/postUgkxUiL0GnyDjP32RJdd660sP8mZk4CRLTCJ The Vivi was much easier to put together. With the Vivi, there was a video link to assist with assembly which made the process easier to follow (we did put the handlebars on upside down, but it was a quick and easy fix). With the Tentaquil, the assembly was not as simple to follow, but after we messaged the company for an assembly video, it was easier and they did respond quickly. The other major differences were that the Vivi has a grip throttle on the right handle (like a motorcycle) and the Tentaquil has a push throttle that you use your thumb to activate. The monitors were also different, so if you’re looking for something specific in terms of changing the bikes functions, pay attention to what the monitor offers. We were really impressed with the overall quality and functionality of both bikes, but if you’re looking for more power and an easier assembly, definitely go with the Vivi!
I have an ARCC converted/powered Moulton TSR, so properly 'full suspended bike at both ends, AND without Alex Moultons work on small wheel/high tyre pressure bikes in the very early 1960's, there wouldn't be the Brompton or most other 'small wheelers'?!
ARCC replaced the front carrier block with their pod which then accepts the Bosch battery. But they have very smartly made a bracket to fit over the battery connector which then slots into Brompton Ortlieb O Bag which sends a trailing wire to another bracket to snap on the battery. It looks very nice and the bag is waterproof.
Photo of Brompton fitting in the overhead compartment images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53231184e4b0490250611c21/1422900009245-B5H3Q84T7DTE9I5C5UCQ/bikabout-bike-friendly-airline-brompton.jpg?format=1500w
That’s misleading…that guy in the pix work for the airline and since he is an airline employee they let him carry it on. Either that or it was long time ago. But if you were to try that in 2022. I guarantee you that most airline will ask you to check in your folded Brompton
Get 5% off the ARCC Brompton conversion, mention "DRJAMES" when ordering.
What is the full cost of the ARCC Brompton conversion?
@@lech2050 It's in the first 5s of the video
0:00 Intro
0:14 Why go Electric?
1:16 Torque Sensor + Slope Detector vs Cadence Sensor
1:55 Rides at 19mph
3:01 Launch Mode
3:19 Mileage per charge
4:14 Weight
4:25 Spare Battery Options
4:52 Design
5:49 Airline friendly
5:57 Build Quality
7:15 Controls
9:20 App and start up time
9:48 Control Pad Design
10:44 USB Ports
12:10 "Brake Lights"
12:18 The Fold
12:51 Removing / Adding the Battery
14:04 Charging the Battery
14:26 Wheel Drag Test
14:50 Fork Issues
17:01 "5" Year Warranty
18:13 Bracket Issues
19:08 Motor Volume
19:41 Where to buy or Test
20:13 Electric vs Standard Speed and Effort
23:22 Conclusion
ARCC is offering an exclusive 5% off a brompton conversion mention "DRJAMES" on check out.
amazing review. have never seen anything this detailed and serious and well explained.
I dropped my brompton off at rosemont Gardens today. This review helped me decide to go with ARCC. Very informative. Good review!
Glad I could help!
I thought I may have rushed into purchasing an Arcc upgrade for my 2010 M3L as it's not cheap but after watching your review I feel confident that I have made the right choice. Bike goes off on Friday. Good review by the way. Nice to see just facts and stats instead of the mushy reviews you get these days.
Any updates Justin?
Great review!
I'm a recent Brompton convert - but can see myself buying an e-bike in the medium-term, as just having a brompton is getting me to bike more and drive less. The distances are far and hilly where I live in CA, USA - electrifying a Brompton with the kits available in the US may not be a good idea. I'll have to wait for something on ARCC's level to be available here.
Your videos have been very educational on electric bromptons, but more broadly on the concepts behind e-bikes as well. Thanks!
Check out Canadian Company Grin Tech th-cam.com/video/xxxF241364w/w-d-xo.html
also have you seen the vello bike which uses a zehus motor the plus version has a slope detector: www.vello.bike/en
I have electrified my wife's Brompton here in NYC and I can tell you, it's fairly easy. As NYC is subway friendly, the greatest testament to her new bike is she no longer has a monthly subway card, only pay-as-you-go for ultra long distances or if we're out at night. The ARCC kit is definitely more sophisticated but that's also a downside for installation.
Great cinematography 🎥 👍
I had a great director of photography
Based on the most view sections of this review, the most valuable features are: minimal wheel drag and luggage space
The Brompton *8.55ah* battery *is* available to buy separately in the UK, priced at £500. This may not of course be true in your geography. It is also worth noting that Brompton have revised the connector latch on the battery, which i believe can be retrofitted. A video is available here to explain the problem and the solution th-cam.com/video/9h47SRrfcjI/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for sharing the link.
does a BAFANG front hub engine with only a PAS spoke sensor and battery+BMS in a Brompton bag doesn't work?
I don't like all those complicated bluetooth stuf, and want to have control.....
This is amazing! Loving it.
Do you know if ARCC does smth specific to install the kit on Brompton with Ti forks (superlight/P line)? ARCC does seem to be using rather specific torque washers.
Thanks, interesting. It would be good to see how much of a standard Brompton bag’s capacity is ‘lost’ when the ARCC is installed. Do you have any internal photos of typical bags please?
I know this is an issue with the Brompton Electric because their 8AH battery is big. The 2AH-4AH Bosch Battery can fit in one of the 2 water bottle holders of the official Brompton T Bag. Space occupied is not much bigger than the battery itself.
@@DrJamesT ok thanks. Yes, I already have a BE and the luggage is suboptimal. Thank goodness for the rack! Also Valeria makes bigger bags that fit the BE’s bag frame and provide more practical carrying volume. If I hadn’t a BE already I’d have been tempted to buy a B + ARCC.
@@DrJamesT one other thing that crosses my mind is that the Bosch battery looked somewhat hard to get on and off the bike. If the battery is part of the ARCC modified bag can the bag be unclipped and reclipped easily I wonder, as with the Brompton’s easily attached battery bags? That might be an issue for real life usage 🤔
@@petergilbert72 Great site thanks ! Posting for Brompton ownerrs www.valeriasbikeaccessories.com/en/41-e-brompton
@@petergilbert72 I've demonstrated battery removal @12:51 The modified bag is really a modified frame that has the same battery clip interface. The Battery itself is not part of the bag. You need to separately clip the battery to a wire that's attached modified frame of the bag. Clearer picture: www.arccbikes.com/collections/accessories-1/products/bag-converstion-kit
Well, I got a Chinese made brompton alike ebike, which costs less than a normal brompton or only 2k AUD. It's the XDS E-Micro, has torque sensor, weighs around 16KGs. The welding and small things are not that great, but I'm quite happy with it.
where is the battery? In the frame?www.xdsbicycles.com.au/products/21-e-micro
Yes, it is in the frame. I saw it with a different name (E-Trifold), made in Indonesia. For the price is better than a Brompton (with internal hub with 8 gears and disk brakes). But I never found a way to get one into Europe...
It’s not a Brompton. Just a folding bike
@G D W Lawrence So glad the patent ran out so us peasants can afford one too.
I see there are support brackets for the front forks. If using a super light Brompton the front fork is titanium. Would this bend/break?
It's been confirmed to work with titanium forks.
@@DrJamesT wow! That will be amazing! The only thing is I don't live near Cambridge so I hope more people can service them in the future.
Thank you for going into details in the review. Shame the kit is so costly, but I can understand that there is nothing better out there.
One complain though. I find it difficult when you talk about something and add extra text on screen which takes my attention from things you talk. If I pause the video to read I forget of what you said.
At first I just wanted a Brompton, now I need a Brompton superlight with arc conversion.
😁😁
The Brompton battery is indeed sold separately.
Thanks for clearing that up. Battery cost £500 brilliantbikes.co.uk/253-brompton-electric-spares?p=2
Arcc’s pricing is exorbitant
I have had an e-Brompton for two years. Under normal city conditions, I can drive only 20 km on it. Should I buy a new battery? There is no other solution? Can you improve it yourself, e.g. by replacing the cells in the battery? Is there an instruction on how to do this somewhere?
(I don’t have access to an authorized Brompton service center.)
You can buy a whole new battery pack from them.
So, the regular Brompton ebike battery cannot be handcarried on a plane?
By default, No because the battery is well over the limit. There is a fine print that allows for asking your airline if they can accomodate it. Owners suggested to ship the battery ahead of time.
Can you confirm if this is a paid promotion?
I can confirm this is not a paid promotion. If you actually watch this review it is mostly observed facts with measured numbers for comparison. I offered feedback as well.
@@DrJamesT yeah sorry I wasn't suggesting it was, I did actually watch your vid a couple of times and found it useful enough to look at ordering a conversion on their site, but saw that they ask customers specifically if they saw your video, and some others. That's what made me wonder if your video and/or others were promotions.
They could be doing market research to find out where you have heard of ARCC. I'm not the only reviewer of the ARCC kit. Btw I asked them to create a discount link for my viewers. Mention "DRJAMES" when ordering and they will give you 5% off the brompton conversion.
Is it true that in the UK, the law for a 250 watt motor maximizes at 15.5 mph pedal assisted? If you pedal faster than 15.5 mph, the motor cuts out? This is awful. The motor should stay on and if you pedal faster than you go faster. If the motor cuts out at 15.5 mph that's terrible. There's no way to make the bike go 30 mph. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
This is specific to Swytch (Gen2) and Brompton electric. Swytch Gen 1 doesn't cut off.
@@DrJamesT So are you saying that the Gen 1 is better to use on a Brompton?
@@davidhunternyc1 If the highest max speed is what you value then yes. But Gen 1 has a battery pack thats 1.5x the size of Gen 2. I've laid out everything on the table so you determine what you value most from an electric bike, ie what to look for when buying one.
@@DrJamesT Thank you.
Exacting, exactly what one wants in an review thanks
How many pounds does ARCC kit add to the bike?
The answer is in the video
The Halfords Carrera mountain Ebike is much safer for older riders as its a lot more stable down hill and can deal with potholes easily.
BROMPTON ELECTRIC. "THE WORLDS MOST UNRELIABLE BIKE".. Both of my Electric Brompton"s continuously keep braking down. The poor quality bearings & electronics keep failing. Brompton knows about this. But just keeps replacing them with same the parts. Buy yourself several Chines copies for the same price. Or better still a Honda CBR 125cc motorcycle for the same price. Feel less disappointed & save yourself a fortune.
You seem to be a hater
I hear it is dearer than the dedicated electric Brompton, so I would expect it to be better.
Indeed it is
We purchased this Vivi 27.5” electric bike and a Tentaquil 26” electric bike for our 13 and 14 year olds. th-cam.com/users/postUgkxUiL0GnyDjP32RJdd660sP8mZk4CRLTCJ The Vivi was much easier to put together. With the Vivi, there was a video link to assist with assembly which made the process easier to follow (we did put the handlebars on upside down, but it was a quick and easy fix). With the Tentaquil, the assembly was not as simple to follow, but after we messaged the company for an assembly video, it was easier and they did respond quickly. The other major differences were that the Vivi has a grip throttle on the right handle (like a motorcycle) and the Tentaquil has a push throttle that you use your thumb to activate. The monitors were also different, so if you’re looking for something specific in terms of changing the bikes functions, pay attention to what the monitor offers. We were really impressed with the overall quality and functionality of both bikes, but if you’re looking for more power and an easier assembly, definitely go with the Vivi!
Brompton batteries are kinda available. I think £500 -£600 ( in 2024)
I have an ARCC converted/powered Moulton TSR, so properly 'full suspended bike at both ends, AND without Alex Moultons work on small wheel/high tyre pressure bikes in the very early 1960's, there wouldn't be the Brompton or most other 'small wheelers'?!
Sales pitch.
I needed something as I bought a used ARCC Brompton and this is my rapid learning curve.
Arcc so expensive
swytch cost less
The ARCC is NOT better than Brompton or Swytch as it blocks the Front Carrier Block - No Luggage!
ARCC replaced the front carrier block with their pod which then accepts the Bosch battery. But they have very smartly made a bracket to fit over the battery connector which then slots into Brompton Ortlieb O Bag which sends a trailing wire to another bracket to snap on the battery. It looks very nice and the bag is waterproof.
ARCC sells a luggage frame with battery circuitry so you can connect your battery to the luggage bag. There's a picture of it in the review.
What a mess of a video
Photo of Brompton fitting in the overhead compartment images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53231184e4b0490250611c21/1422900009245-B5H3Q84T7DTE9I5C5UCQ/bikabout-bike-friendly-airline-brompton.jpg?format=1500w
That’s misleading…that guy in the pix work for the airline and since he is an airline employee they let him carry it on. Either that or it was long time ago. But if you were to try that in 2022. I guarantee you that most airline will ask you to check in your folded Brompton