Folding Bicycles and Rear Wheel E-Bike Kit Conversions
If your bicycle commute to work sometimes includes a ride on the metro or subway, then you are in luck. And if you ride a commuter or folding bike with 16″ or 20″ wheels and always wanted to convert your ride into a folding e-bike, you are also in luck – you now have more options thanks to rear-wheel e-bike kits.
Take my commute, for instance. My long-distance commute can either be accomplished entirely by bicycle, or I can cut my commute in half on the days I’m winded – particularly toward the end of the week – by using the metro for part of the commute. In the Washington D.C. metro area, there are metro stops all over that allow bicycles on the metro during off-peak hours. During peak hours, bikes are allowed on the metro as long as they are foldable. This is where folding commuter bikes are an ideal option, and I see them all the time on the metro.
I ride different electric bikes to work, but my collection only includes one folding e-bike. It just so happens to be I do NOT ride this bike EVER. The truth is, it is my wife’s bike, AND IT’S PINK!
Install a 20″ Rear-Wheel E-Bike Kit
If my colleagues ever saw me roll into work on a pink bike, I’d never hear the end of it. Therefore, my only option when I take the metro is to lock my e-bike at the metro and walk the last few blocks after I get off the last metro stop before my office. So for me, a folding e-bike has not become part of my regular commute. However, for many, it’s an option, and many of our customers have completed their folding bike electric conversion by installing our rear-wheel e-bike kit, which is available as an option at checkout on both our 250 Series and our 500 Series kits.
Bicycle commuters have a new-found freedom and have really benefited from our electric bike kits. Take, for example, a recent customer who sent us his folding e-bike conversion photos and feedback:
I absolutely love this little motor. This is amazingly torquey for being a 24 volt motor. Thank you everyone at Leeds for simplifying such a complex e-bike concept and at such an affordable price, without cutting shortcuts on quality. I am attaching some pics of my new e-bike.
Please share with the world.
Thank you,
Sonnet Gomes
20″ Rear Wheel E-Bike Conversion Kit
Why Rear Wheel Kits are Best for Folding E-Bikes
If you have a folding bike, it is likely your front forks do not meet the front fork measurement of 3.9″ between the dropouts. Some folding bikes do. The first photo in this article is a 16″ front wheel conversion, however, most folding bikes do not have the needed gap between the front fork dropouts to accept an electric bike motor hub. Therefore, the best option for completing your folding bike electric conversion is to use a rear-wheel conversion kit, like Mr. Gomes did.
The rear wheel conversion is not complicated, but does require an extra step in the installation process as you need to install a freewheel onto the 8FUN motor hub, whereas a front-wheel electric bike conversion does not require this. Our 8FUN rear wheel conversions work with both disc brake and v-brake systems. This makes your folding e-bike a unique ride that is sure to please.
For any questions regarding a rear-wheel e-bike kit installation, measurements, or compatibility, please call us at (888) 361-41 for immediate customer support M-F 9-4 MST. Enjoy!
