Hi - I'm the tall skinny black guy on one of those bikes for the review. I have to say that prior to riding the bike I was quite sceptical about how it would perform. The experience was pleasantly surprising. I did make some observations though; 1) The suspension on the bike that I was riding was not required - It would have been very comfortable as is with the wider tyres 2) Not all of the bikes had a speedometer on them - I think that all e-bikes would benefit from the rider knowing how fast they are going 3) Gears - I noticed very early on that I wasn't changing gear at all. When I asked John and Lauren it turned out that they too hadn't been changing gears. My view here is that on an e - bike, gears are really not required and for ease of maintenance, a single speed freehub would be more than adequate 4) My understanding is that these bikes had around a 30 mile range. This being the case I think it would have been better to have not had the folding option as with good cycling infrastructure I just can't see commuters bothering to ride to a tram or train station when unless they lived a very long way away from their workplace (greater than the 30 mile battery range) 5) The 'kick' that you get from these bikes really is something else and makes cycling (whether uphill or on the flat) completely effortless. Were it not for the speed limiter I'm pretty certain that even a moderately fit cyclist could compete in and win the Tour de France on one of these things! 6) A few of the bikes had a really nice 'walk - along' feature. This would be particularly useful if for example you had a steep driveway to get your bike up to your home. Basically the way it works is that you step off the bike then press and hold a button on the handlebar. What this then does it powers the bike at a walking pace (around 2 - 3mph) so you're not actually having to push the bike but instead simply guiding it in the direction that you want to go in. As soon as you release the button - the assistance stops. This was really cool. I should finally add that although I said that I was sold on the idea and rode off at the end, they did make me hand it back unfortunately ;-)
Good points but I own a Carrera Crosscity and believe me, having gears makes a huge difference to me because I'm definitely into efficient peddling, I don't like to "spin out and go nowhere" I like resistance! 😃
I like how they do a folding test and not bother showing what the bikes look like and how much room they take up once folded. It seems like someone was eager to get done with the shooting so they can go to their favourite sushi place for lunch.
All these fold reasonably but when folded are like transporting a set of 50lb steel bagpipes with teeth The One absolutely key usability feature that is hardly ever addressed in folding bike reviews is how does it handle folded, Is it easy to get on and off a train, in a Taxi, to trundle around and office and into a lift or change platforms at a station when you are short of time.
Carrera Crosscity is a great e-bike, very reasonable price for the components fitted. I really don't see the point of that XCT suspension fork on that other e-bike, it isn't needed and another component likely to go wrong and need regular maintenance, seals etc after the first year or so. The small e-bike looked very weak, with lots of excessive flexing as it was ridden. It really doesn't look strong or suitable for heavier riders. One thing about the Crosscity is I think the rider weight limit is 85kg but typically other Carrera bikes are 120kg and wondered if the battery being in the frame has weakened it slightly structurally.
still looking in 2020, Hardly folding bikes any worth buying are never in stock and those that are Decent are Road speed bikes priced through the roof.
What a stupid review no testing the range, No mention of battery capacity or charging times but instead you tested them on a BMX course which they obviously aren`t made for who writes these shows? Ridiculous
Foolishly, after watching this review, I bought the Crosscity. The range wasn’t great, unless using the minimal assist all the time. Also, found the back wheel spokes kept breaking and frustratingly it’s a job for for the shop each time; the guy fixing it said it’s a common problem, great! Worst thing was the chain kept jumping off when on the smallest gear, no joke when crossing a busy junction and finding you’ve no pedal power! Give them their due, the lovely guys at Halfords tried their best to fix the gear and chain issue but concluded it was a manufacturing fault, so in the end I opted for a refund.
Thanks very much for mentioning the chain and spokes problem. I saw a review that showed those same two failings but even after seeing them mentioned, I still thought it might be worth a punt so I am super glad you've just highlighted what are obviously inherent manufacturing faults. You have just saved me nine hundred quid! Cheers.
I used this bike for about two years and didn't see either of these issues (spokes or chain). However I did have a different issue: the rear wheel's rim wore out and needed replacing - apparently it's a common problem due to most of the bike's weight being on the rest wheel.
Genuine question. You say anything over 15.5mph and the bike would be liable for road tax (VED). How would the bike be liable for road tax if there are no emissions?
Jus carrera cross city. It’s a nightmare when it’s folded, you can’t wheel it as the wheels are uneven, and you can’t stand it up on it’s own, and also the chain comes off if you stand it on a slightly uneven surface
I favour 20 inch bike than 24 inch size bike but for me I want to have internal gears like Shimano Nexus 7 and carbon belt for almost free maintenance.
I've had the Crosscity E for over 1 year now and commute regularly on it. I rarely set the assistance more than low unless I am in a real rush to get anywhere and I have had a lot more than 15 miles out of mine on a charge. The range depends on how the use the motor, your weight as a rider, any luggage you are carrying and the terrain, so it does vary.
There's only one power setting on my 18kg Carrera Crosscity E and it's HIGH only, on rare occasions when I'm on a shared cycleway with pedestrians I will use the LOW setting for control purposes but the other 99% of the time it's back to HIGH. I just looked at a Strava ride I completed in February and from a single charge I did 24.8 miles with a total elevation gain of well over 1,500 feet (very hilly). Remember this was a winter ride through hilly terrain with the motor on the highest setting - three battery range sapping factors and I reckon I could have gotten another 2 to 3 miles before the motor gave out completely! 😃
@@hasan_z I just ordered a new racing bike, it's made of high end steel and beautiful components and will do 18 mph without bothering 'the motor',and will last eon's longer than the cheap alu used on the heavy teapot equivalent priced e bike. In the States they insist on e bike's doing 28 mph with the motor. Still made of alu mind. Steel e bikes are made of cheap ass steel with poor components at double the price so there was no joy for me there either.
This guy should review nothing. Who buys a thousand quid bike and not read instructions and ask random folks to fold unfold a bike!!! Not a review I am looking for.
"foldable bikes are not worth it.I had one and got rid of it.Too much maintenance and stuff.Instead i bought a non foldable hunting bike for $1.4k + free shipping.It rides like it owns the terrain;pretty good on the pavement as well(better than the foldable bike which cost me $2.1k).
the whole point of a foldable bike is to be able to take it on a train. So you're not worth it comment makes no sense. If you're buying a foldable bike to never have it stored away or put inside a car then yes, get a normal bike, but again, irrelevant to this video.
Watch the latest episodes of the Gadget Show here - bit.ly/35CuX4l
Hi - I'm the tall skinny black guy on one of those bikes for the review. I have to say that prior to riding the bike I was quite sceptical about how it would perform. The experience was pleasantly surprising. I did make some observations though;
1) The suspension on the bike that I was riding was not required - It would have been very comfortable as is with the wider tyres
2) Not all of the bikes had a speedometer on them - I think that all e-bikes would benefit from the rider knowing how fast they are going
3) Gears - I noticed very early on that I wasn't changing gear at all. When I asked John and Lauren it turned out that they too hadn't been changing gears. My view here is that on an e - bike, gears are really not required and for ease of maintenance, a single speed freehub would be more than adequate
4) My understanding is that these bikes had around a 30 mile range. This being the case I think it would have been better to have not had the folding option as with good cycling infrastructure I just can't see commuters bothering to ride to a tram or train station when unless they lived a very long way away from their workplace (greater than the 30 mile battery range)
5) The 'kick' that you get from these bikes really is something else and makes cycling (whether uphill or on the flat) completely effortless. Were it not for the speed limiter I'm pretty certain that even a moderately fit cyclist could compete in and win the Tour de France on one of these things!
6) A few of the bikes had a really nice 'walk - along' feature. This would be particularly useful if for example you had a steep driveway to get your bike up to your home. Basically the way it works is that you step off the bike then press and hold a button on the handlebar. What this then does it powers the bike at a walking pace (around 2 - 3mph) so you're not actually having to push the bike but instead simply guiding it in the direction that you want to go in. As soon as you release the button - the assistance stops. This was really cool.
I should finally add that although I said that I was sold on the idea and rode off at the end, they did make me hand it back unfortunately ;-)
Good points but I own a Carrera Crosscity and believe me, having gears makes a huge difference to me because I'm definitely into efficient peddling, I don't like to "spin out and go nowhere" I like resistance! 😃
really helpful of you to have done this, adding detail they didn't include on the show, thank you
From what I've read, a few Tour de France racers have competed with ebikes. LOL
Thanks for going the extra mile.
What bike was you on?
I like how they do a folding test and not bother showing what the bikes look like and how much room they take up once folded. It seems like someone was eager to get done with the shooting so they can go to their favourite sushi place for lunch.
All these fold reasonably but when folded are like transporting a set of 50lb steel bagpipes with teeth The One absolutely key usability feature that is hardly ever addressed in folding bike reviews is how does it handle folded, Is it easy to get on and off a train, in a Taxi, to trundle around and office and into a lift or change platforms at a station when you are short of time.
Carrera Crosscity is a great e-bike, very reasonable price for the components fitted. I really don't see the point of that XCT suspension fork on that other e-bike, it isn't needed and another component likely to go wrong and need regular maintenance, seals etc after the first year or so. The small e-bike looked very weak, with lots of excessive flexing as it was ridden. It really doesn't look strong or suitable for heavier riders. One thing about the Crosscity is I think the rider weight limit is 85kg but typically other Carrera bikes are 120kg and wondered if the battery being in the frame has weakened it slightly structurally.
still looking in 2020, Hardly folding bikes any worth buying are never in stock and those that are Decent are Road speed bikes priced through the roof.
Nice video! I find that 20” wheel size is the sweet spot for folding bikes in general.
What a stupid review no testing the range, No mention of battery capacity or charging times but instead you tested them on a BMX course which they obviously aren`t made for who writes these shows? Ridiculous
I have Lankeleisi G660. Its so easy to use and friendly
Foolishly, after watching this review, I bought the Crosscity. The range wasn’t great, unless using the minimal assist all the time. Also, found the back wheel spokes kept breaking and frustratingly it’s a job for for the shop each time; the guy fixing it said it’s a common problem, great! Worst thing was the chain kept jumping off when on the smallest gear, no joke when crossing a busy junction and finding you’ve no pedal power! Give them their due, the lovely guys at Halfords tried their best to fix the gear and chain issue but concluded it was a manufacturing fault, so in the end I opted for a refund.
Thanks very much for mentioning the chain and spokes problem. I saw a review that showed those same two failings but even after seeing them mentioned, I still thought it might be worth a punt so I am super glad you've just highlighted what are obviously inherent manufacturing faults. You have just saved me nine hundred quid! Cheers.
IainB no probs 👍🏽
I used this bike for about two years and didn't see either of these issues (spokes or chain). However I did have a different issue: the rear wheel's rim wore out and needed replacing - apparently it's a common problem due to most of the bike's weight being on the rest wheel.
Damn, what bike did you get next?
I had the carrera crosscity folding bike. It was good. But it got nowhere near 30 miles range
*Easy to assemble, well built my **NewBest.Bike** . Love the pedal assist mode. Can still get a good workout or let the motor do all the work.*
Kwikfold's tires were severely under-inflated on BMX parkour, so quite normal that it didn't perform well.
Yeah Gadget Show, how about reviewing some beginner radio control planes? I'd love to help with that. Cheers Dom (Essential RC)
Genuine question. You say anything over 15.5mph and the bike would be liable for road tax (VED). How would the bike be liable for road tax if there are no emissions?
It’s the speed, the government don’t want people riding near car speed level without making money off them
Can you put links to each of these bikes please?
Jus carrera cross city. It’s a nightmare when it’s folded, you can’t wheel it as the wheels are uneven, and you can’t stand it up on it’s own, and also the chain comes off if you stand it on a slightly uneven surface
... its own ...
So, what was the verdict for best overall electric folding bike?
Carrera crosscity
I favour 20 inch bike than 24 inch size bike but for me I want to have internal gears like Shimano Nexus 7 and carbon belt for almost free maintenance.
The main reason I am buying one is to put in a gym locker or locker at the bus/train station. IF IT FITS?
Excellent Power for Uphill
Stuff that , get a fiifo d1 or d2 if you want suspension off aliexoress for less than four hundred quid and away you go , job done
Yeah but what if u get a fault?
I had the carerra and after 6 months it never did 15 miles on one charge.
😯
I've had the Crosscity E for over 1 year now and commute regularly on it. I rarely set the assistance more than low unless I am in a real rush to get anywhere and I have had a lot more than 15 miles out of mine on a charge. The range depends on how the use the motor, your weight as a rider, any luggage you are carrying and the terrain, so it does vary.
There's only one power setting on my 18kg Carrera Crosscity E and it's HIGH only, on rare occasions when I'm on a shared cycleway with pedestrians I will use the LOW setting for control purposes but the other 99% of the time it's back to HIGH.
I just looked at a Strava ride I completed in February and from a single charge I did 24.8 miles with a total elevation gain of well over 1,500 feet (very hilly). Remember this was a winter ride through hilly terrain with the motor on the highest setting - three battery range sapping factors and I reckon I could have gotten another 2 to 3 miles before the motor gave out completely! 😃
Best bike review ever, entertaining video
What's the reliability after 2 years constant use. We'll never know. Chucked in the shed now
Wish had one from the start
Very rarely see one. Could it be the chocolate tea pot 15 mph limit?
That's electric assisted limit. You can pedal faster
@@hasan_z I just ordered a new racing bike, it's made of high end steel and beautiful components and will do 18 mph without bothering 'the motor',and will last eon's longer than the cheap alu used on the heavy teapot equivalent priced e bike. In the States they insist on e bike's doing 28 mph with the motor. Still made of alu mind. Steel e bikes are made of cheap ass steel with poor components at double the price so there was no joy for me there either.
Wish they would have included a brompton
Cost efficient
Nice review Jon Bentley....one thing though. There's no such thing as Road Tax.
Is this chap channeling Clarkson? He's got that strident faux-macho har-har delivery style. 🤦🏼♂️
I like him
This guy should review nothing. Who buys a thousand quid bike and not read instructions and ask random folks to fold unfold a bike!!!
Not a review I am looking for.
"foldable bikes are not worth it.I had one and got rid of it.Too much maintenance and stuff.Instead i bought a non foldable hunting bike for $1.4k + free shipping.It rides like it owns the terrain;pretty good on the pavement as well(better than the foldable bike which cost me $2.1k).
the whole point of a foldable bike is to be able to take it on a train. So you're not worth it comment makes no sense. If you're buying a foldable bike to never have it stored away or put inside a car then yes, get a normal bike, but again, irrelevant to this video.
Love the bmx babez azz
Very annoying voice from the presenter. I had to switch off.