Upcoming Road Trip w/two eBikes: Specific Advice wanted

What should I do for the 2nd eBike

  • Buy another folding eBike

  • Save the money, and put a full size eBike bike in the back, piling luggage on/under it if needed

  • Put the full size eBike on your strap-on rear rack, removing it each time you need to open the back

  • Take your single speed folding acoustic bike and struggle/walk as needed. You're a strong cyclist!

  • Bring a (non-folding) acoustic bike for the rear strap-on rack, let the wife ride the XP Lite.

  • Other (refer to typed response)

Results are only viewable after voting.
Smaug

Smaug

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  • Wife and I are planning a trip out to Ft. Collins, CO this fall
  • We'll be taking my Honda CR-V, which has no hitch; I only have a light-duty strap-on rack
  • We want to bring two eBikes to get around for four days in FoCo.
  • I have the Lectric XP Lite, which folds nicely to fit in the back, but the Portola got stolen last year
  • I "need" to bring one more eBike, but I don't have any more folders or light/compact ones
  • I don't want to put a hitch on the CR-V, because it will drag at the bottom of my driveway. Also, the hitch + decent rack will cost a bunch of money (at least $1500)
  • The CR-V with back seats folded down, will accommodate a full size eBike, but only on its side, and that consumes the space we need for a couple suitcases and a cooler. Plus, frequent loading/unloading will be a real pain. Might require removal of the front wheel each time as well.
  • I have a folding single speed Dahon Boardwalk acoustic bike. It's geared kind of high and will be a pain when climbing; might have to push it at times.
The options, as I see them, are in the poll.

What are your thoughts?
 
Smaug kiddo, I mean this in the best possible way, but if you can get from now 'til next fall without buying another ebike, I will be mightily surprised. So, why not just go ahead and look at folders. Speaking of which, what do you think of the Magicycle Jaguarundi. It has a switchable torque and cadence sensor and that's intriguing.
Screenshot_20250129-151557_Chrome.jpg
 
Annieolnie said:
Smaug kiddo, I mean this in the best possible way, but if you can get from now 'til next fall without buying another ebike, I will be mightily surprised. So, why not just go ahead and look at folders. Speaking of which, what do you think of the Magicycle Jaguarundi. It has a switchable torque and cadence sensor and that's intriguing.
Click to expand...
I helped my stepdaughter's ex-boyfriend buy a Magicycle Commuter. I'm not impressed with them; wouldn't buy another.

They seem to be another D2C ChiComm company that disavows in case of request of after-sale support. When putting that bike together, the rear tube popped upon initial inflation. It was non-stop flats with that bike. (you can probably find the full drama if you search the forum for 'smaug magicycle')
 
I'm looking at this cheap folder through Costco for $900, as I have an annual balance I may be able to put toward it:
www.jupiterbike.com

Discovery X7 Folding Electric Bike - JupiterBike

The best Fullsize Folding Electric Bike on the planet! Use pedal assist or twist throttle feature to zip up hills with a loaded backpack and cruise over challenging terrain without breaking a sweat. It's small folding, lightweight design folds down in 3 easy steps. Packs away perfectly for...
www.jupiterbike.com www.jupiterbike.com

It's UL Listed, and the company has been around since 2016, so hopefully they won't fold up too soon and hopefully Costco would help in case they get uncooperative. (still digging on that)
 
That's good to know about the Magicycle. I've never heard of the Discovery. I'll have to look at it. I'll bet there will be all manner of new folders between here and mid summer. So, my vote still stands. :giggle:
 
Annieolnie said:
That's good to know about the Magicycle. I've never heard of the Discovery. I'll have to look at it. I'll bet there will be all manner of new folders between here and mid summer. So, my vote still stands. :giggle:
Click to expand...
Note that there's a Discovery X5 model (single speed, 16" wheels) and the Discovery X7 model. (6-speed, 20" wheels, linked above)
 
Costco will take the bike back for pretty much ANY reason. That is what drove Sondors under, actually. Costco makes the manufacturer eat the cost of a returned product.

Rental is the lowest cost option, but as you've already implied, there is no retained value there.

That little bitty Jupiter with the rear shock might have the most usefulness. Workable for your trip, space-friendly, usable as a mini-quickie-bike later on. A use case you don't have in the stable now; fulfilled for later.
 
Smaug said:
  • Wife and I are planning a trip out to Ft. Collins, CO this fall
  • We'll be taking my Honda CR-V, which has no hitch; I only have a light-duty strap-on rack
  • We want to bring two eBikes to get around for four days in FoCo.
  • I have the Lectric XP Lite, which folds nicely to fit in the back, but the Portola got stolen last year
  • I "need" to bring one more eBike, but I don't have any more folders or light/compact ones
  • I don't want to put a hitch on the CR-V, because it will drag at the bottom of my driveway. Also, the hitch + decent rack will cost a bunch of money (at least $1500)
  • The CR-V with back seats folded down, will accommodate a full size eBike, but only on its side, and that consumes the space we need for a couple suitcases and a cooler. Plus, frequent loading/unloading will be a real pain. Might require removal of the front wheel each time as well.
  • I have a folding single speed Dahon Boardwalk acoustic bike. It's geared kind of high and will be a pain when climbing; might have to push it at times.
The options, as I see them, are in the poll.

What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
It's an added expense but MKS makes some really nice removable quick release pedals. Having the pedals off the bike is amazing to slide in and out of a car. Those pesky pedals always seem to catch on irregularities. And if you have the newer hybrid CRV then you have that hump in the rear area. Just my two cents
 
Another option maybe a little Out of the box. This is just an example of a type of rack you might want to consider. I think there are some two and three bike racks like that too.

 
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BiggKidd said:
Another option maybe a little Out of the box. This is just an example of a type of rack you might want to consider. I think there are some two and three bike racks like that too.

Click to expand...
I have the four-bike Allen strap-on rack like that. It's pretty good, but the loose ends always come loose after a couple dozen miles and are whipping around. Plus, the hooks rub on the clearcoat where they hook on and dull it up terribly. (even after I got plastic protectors to go between the hooks and hatch edges.

The heavier the load on the rack, the worse the rubbing.

Thanks for the suggestion though!
 
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MikeDuf said:
It's an added expense but MKS makes some really nice removable quick release pedals. Having the pedals off the bike is amazing to slide in and out of a car. Those pesky pedals always seem to catch on irregularities. And if you have the newer hybrid CRV then you have that hump in the rear area. Just my two cents
Click to expand...
I will keep them in mind.
I guess you're saying that they're nicer than folding pedals?
 
Smaug said:
I will keep them in mind.
I guess you're saying that they're nicer than folding pedals?
Click to expand...
Yes the pedals come completely off and all they leave is a little stub on the crank arm. A lot of people use them with their RV so they can stack multiple bikes on the back and they fit very flat. Then all you would have to do is put a packing blanket in between them so they don't scratch each other. Just a thought, photo attached
 

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I'm going to play devil's advocate for a moment here. I know you like the Lectric1. The handlebars on that fold down and the pedals could be removable. Have you measured the Honda to see if that would slide in to one side? It isn't a budget bike, but you've got some time to save up and it has a lot of unique features. You could also put a quick release on the front tire.
As to the removable pedals, Wellgos are also good. I don't recommend Rockbros though. They don't lock. If your foot accidently hits the button on one, it will fly off into the street. The first time it happens, it's hilarious as you continue to air pedal but by the third time, the moment you make it home, you throw them in the trash.
 
Smaug said:
  • Wife and I are planning a trip out to Ft. Collins, CO this fall
  • We'll be taking my Honda CR-V, which has no hitch; I only have a light-duty strap-on rack
  • We want to bring two eBikes to get around for four days in FoCo.
  • I have the Lectric XP Lite, which folds nicely to fit in the back, but the Portola got stolen last year
  • I "need" to bring one more eBike, but I don't have any more folders or light/compact ones
  • I don't want to put a hitch on the CR-V, because it will drag at the bottom of my driveway. Also, the hitch + decent rack will cost a bunch of money (at least $1500)
  • The CR-V with back seats folded down, will accommodate a full size eBike, but only on its side, and that consumes the space we need for a couple suitcases and a cooler. Plus, frequent loading/unloading will be a real pain. Might require removal of the front wheel each time as well.
  • I have a folding single speed Dahon Boardwalk acoustic bike. It's geared kind of high and will be a pain when climbing; might have to push it at times.
The options, as I see them, are in the poll.

What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
I have had several CRV‘s and put hitches on myself. Takes about 30 minutes at a cost of less than $200. I had the same problem with dragging on the driveway and I put a 4 inch riser on my hitch and that’s solved the problem. The hitch I put on always was 2 inch receiver. Curt hitches are really good with good expert help.
 
Annieolnie said:
I'm going to play devil's advocate for a moment here. I know you like the Lectric1. The handlebars on that fold down and the pedals could be removable. Have you measured the Honda to see if that would slide in to one side? It isn't a budget bike, but you've got some time to save up and it has a lot of unique features. You could also put a quick release on the front tire.
As to the removable pedals, Wellgos are also good. I don't recommend Rockbros though. They don't lock. If your foot accidently hits the button on one, it will fly off into the street. The first time it happens, it's hilarious as you continue to air pedal but by the third time, the moment you make it home, you throw them in the trash.
Click to expand...
This is what I'd REALLY like to do, but the ONE is over two kiloBucks and money's tight right now...

Come to think of it, so is garage space, but I could put a folder in the back room of the garage, replacing the acoustic folder that's there now...
 
Check out etrailer.com for hitches, they have great videos to help with installation. With the hitch and rack you will be all set for the next trip.
 
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