WP02 GZS - Brompton bike YT video

Despite the above, I'm converting my Brompton to electric. Had a test ride yesterday at ARCC near Duxford and left my bike with them. I will report back when I get my Brompton back. The ARCC version seems better than the Brompton option and Brompton won't convert my bike anyway. It uses Bosch 36v batteries, the same as used by Rotak lawnmowers.


RAB
 
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Despite the above, I'm converting my Brompton to electric. Had a test ride yesterday at ARCC near Duxford and left my bike with them. I will report back when I get my Brompton back. The ARCC version seems better than the Brompton option and Brompton won't convert my bike anyway. It uses Bosch 36v batteries, the same as used by Rotak lawnmowers.


RAB
Would love to know the details mainly cost and how you get on with it?
 
The price is on their website. There is/was a Brompton conversion kit on Ebay for about £480; I asked about the state of the battery and was told it was about 15 years old, so decided against. I am sure that you can buy new Brompton batteries but they don't list them on their website. Looking at the ARCC option and viewing videos on Youtube, it seems the best option anyway. I like their use of Bosch batteries which are relatively cheap and available everywhere. It's the same battery as is used on my Rotak lawnmower, so I already have the charger.

RAB
 
496A132C-4048-49A0-AD26-4B53DD2D299E.jpegSimilar style I looked at the Brompton first .. I bought sally for xmas The tern hsd s+ top of their Range electric bike for xmas ..fully automatic gear change using the Enviolo hub ..she loves it ..as she never did get used to changing gears .this is fully auto ..belt drive no oiling .. set your own cadence ..Magura brakes ..cane creek Thudbuster seat post..500 Bosch w battery ....it can accommodate heights from 4ft 11” to .6ft 5” .. and yes price of a new small car ..but keeping your better half happy is most important ?..I’m making a rear basket platform a good mate just going to make her a nice basket out of Willow..great fun bike I tried it myself ..but I would rather have a petrol engine ? ie the old bmw 2 valves .. Could’ve bought another for the same price I paid for Sally’s bike..
 
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If anyone is interested in the Brompton conversion kit on Ebay, the seller is now accepting offers:


A new Brompton battery is around £500 (the one with the above is about 15 years old).

RAB
 
I converted my wife's Brompton with a Swytch kit and it's fantastic. Having been sceptical of e-bikes, I have since converted her old road bike with a Tongsheng kit and have used it extensively for commuting over the spring/summer/autumn.
 
I picked up my Brompton on Tuesday from ARCC. For some reason, they gave me a 10% discount which was unexpected. Wow, what a difference! Before, I spent most of my time in third, now mostly in 4th and 5th, without working up a sweat. When I've ridden it a bit more, I will report back with photos.

RAB
 
Since January, I have used the Brompton quite a bit, including taking it to SW France in May. The ARCC pod is positioned over the front forks, where the bag carrier would be. You can still use a Brompton bag with the ARCC pod by getting the bag fitted with an adaptor that connects with the pod. This adaptor is connected with another adaptor which connects to the 36v Bosch battery; the second adaptor and battery are housed in one of the rear pockets of the bag. If you don't want to use the bag, you can just connect the battery to the pod. The pod is controlled by a bluetooth controller that is mounted in a holder on the handlebars; it can be easily removed from the holder if required. The controller has a micro-USB port for charging and can be charged from the pod from one of three USB C ports on the pod, using the cable provided by ARCC.

There are six different power levels on the controller; you also have the option of switching the power level to zero and riding as an ordinary bike. There is also have the option of using an app (i-phone or android) which gives 12 power levels. This Autumn, ARCC are introducing a new controller with a display for distance travelled etc:


There are two modes of operation, manual and automatic. For the latter, the controller has an inclinomometer which is used to measure the steepness of any incline and increase/decrease power automatically, such that climbing any hill is more like cycling on the flat! Input to the pod is provided by a torque sensor in the bottom bracket - no assistance is provided without pressure on the pedals. There is also the option of launch control; this gives maximum power for 3 secs when you release both brakes (the brake cables have switches incorporated) and press down on the pedals.

For me, this conversion has totally transformed my Brompton. My only limitation now is battery power; batteries are 4ah, 6ah or 9ah but I'm not sure if the latter is available. A 6ah will give you a range of up to 55km, depending on the terrain. You can carry a spare battery in a bracket (see below). The bike will do about 230km/kwh - my ID3 manages about 7!

RAB

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