Best Boat Bikes?

[icedog11]

another maybe for young folks. the solo wheel

https://youtu.be/WOOoFEKiK8A

[MitchM]

we have 2 bike friday folders. made in the USA and really a rolling rolls royce, but you can sometimes find them used on craigslist or on the bike friday website for quite reasonable prices. our bike fridays were an anniversary present to each other and 20 years later re still going strong. BTW -- bike friday makes a clever wheeled trailer that can carry stuff , and will also hold the bikes. (which trailer we don't have..)
i made a waterproof case for them out of Boat top, and they fit into the cockpit locker.

[Marrowstone]

We have two Bromptons that we love. They came with boat, so not sure how old; we've had them 3+ yrs and used them a lot. 3 gears. No rust problems. Easy to fold. Great for getting around in a town...Sturdy, fast. Carry lots of groceries, including ice and water jugs.
We keep them stored below when not using. Use locks when at a dock or shopping around town.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by icedog11

another maybe for young folks. the solo wheel

https://youtu.be/WOOoFEKiK8A

I had a SoloWheel and Loved it.
It was like a mountain goat and could climb the steepest hills. Lots of fun to glide around on. It was a real head turner.

Unfortunately my wife HATED it, so now we have the E-Twow scooters and she Loves them.

[a64pilot]

Yes, if you want a bike, you can't beat a bike Friday.
That trailer you speak of is I believe actually a suitcase meant to pack the bike into and check it as a regular suitcase on an airplane, then of course it becomes your trailer at destination.

[sailorcherry]

Has anyone been using a folding electric bike? If so, what did/do you think?

[SecondBase]

Prodeco Mariner 7 I think they have an 8 now. LOVE THAT BIKE !!!!

Beats a rental car for metro use. Prodeco and maybe a little Uber and you are good !

Get it from West (yes that's what I said). Both Prodeco and West stand behind that product 100% at so many cruising locations. Their factory is in either Lauderdale or Miami if you happen to snowbird and want to buy direct.

The Mariner completely changed my mobility. Fun !! People droll on it in Charleston coffee shops.

Plan for seat post mount and saddlebags. Fun cruiser and strong grocery hauler. You will meet people on this bike.

On days when you don't feel at all like biking you'll start off on electric and be pedaling away 10 minutes later.

I think every restaurant I ever tried enthusiastically let me charge the battery.

I have no financial interest in either company but have had an amazing experience.

Oh and never ever ride in sand. Ask me how I know. [emoji41]

[Raven Odyssey]

Originally Posted by ShaktisBoy

Check out Downtube 9FS. Very nice riding afordable bike that doesnt look like a clown bike when your on it.

The Downtube 8H is super sweet. It has an 8 speed internal hub and belt drive.

Also, the Origami Crane Traveler is pretty sweet. Comes with a storage case that turns into a trailer - just like Bike Friday without the $2500 price tag. No knock again BF. They are as luxe as they come!

[sailorcherry]

Thanks Second Base. You should be their rep, ha!

Any clue it compares to this one? Just $440 new! Maybe an up an coming producer starting out?
http://monterey.craigslist.org/bfs/5956913903.html

[SecondBase]

Size wise looks the same. Can't speak to the quality. I was extremely satisfied with the quality of Prodeco - everything fit together exactly and was engineered as a performance vehicle / full system. Kinda looked more BMX than the Craigslist but CL will save you $$ so depends on your own goals.

Do a test ride on both and then you decide. I am definitely a Mariner fan !! It made places 3-4 miles away "easy" and with free power on the dock ... Heh !! It's the equivalent of having a dog in terms of the adoration you'll receive.

Oh and one bad item: TSA doesn't like the li-on batteries at all and this doesn't qualify for the wheelchair exception.

For eastern seaboard cruising ANY electric bike changes everything - even which marinas you'll use.

FUN AS H3LL !!!!

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Raven Odyssey

The Downtube 8H is super sweet. It has an 8 speed internal hub and belt drive.

Mine's "OK." Mine has a chain instead of a belt, and a belt would be better... less drip from chain lube.

Good that it'll take a serious luggage rack on the stern.

Not so good that many of the parts, mostly at the folder fittings and the cable ends, can and do rust.

-Chris

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by SecondBase

Prodeco Mariner 7 I think they have an 8 now. LOVE THAT BIKE !!!!

Beats a rental car for metro use. Prodeco and maybe a little Uber and you are good !

Get it from West (yes that's what I said). Both Prodeco and West stand behind that product 100% at so many cruising locations. Their factory is in either Lauderdale or Miami if you happen to snowbird and want to buy direct.

The Mariner completely changed my mobility. Fun !! People droll on it in Charleston coffee shops.

Plan for seat post mount and saddlebags. Fun cruiser and strong grocery hauler. You will meet people on this bike.

On days when you don't feel at all like biking you'll start off on electric and be pedaling away 10 minutes later.

I think every restaurant I ever tried enthusiastically let me charge the battery.

I have no financial interest in either company but have had an amazing experience.

Oh and never ever ride in sand. Ask me how I know. [emoji41]

Do you transport this back and forth to shore in your dinghy?? It weighs 48lbs!

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by Raven Odyssey

The Downtube 8H is super sweet. It has an 8 speed internal hub and belt drive.

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Mine's "OK." Mine has a chain instead of a belt, and a belt would be better... less drip from chain lube.

Good that it'll take a serious luggage rack on the stern.

Not so good that many of the parts, mostly at the folder fittings and the cable ends, can and do rust.

-Chris

The belt drive 8H is OK, I thought the older 8H was a little nicer ride as the belt drive model is 2" shorter wheelbase. I had to replace the internal hub on one due to loud 'clicking', now the second bike is starting the same symptoms. It makes me wonder if putting the Gates belt drive on the internal hub has something to due with causing undue stress on the internal hub. Something Gates and Sturmey need to work out.

I don't use the 8H as a boat bike, it's too heavy compared to other bikes, IMO.

[SecondBase]

Originally Posted by DotDun

Do you transport this back and forth to shore in your dinghy?? It weighs 48lbs!

No--as little as dinghy-electric bike as possible. Works best from a slip.

The weight is real but the power-to-weight is off the chart.

If on mooring or the hook for a while I try to find a shoreside location to ideally both lock and charge. I don't recommend daily dinghy transport for this item.

I have 'transported' it aboard during coastal passages (yes PITA) on the salon floor or in the cockpit.

30amp dongle to 110v tri-AC comes in handy.

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[zeehag]

the best bike to take cruising is one you will USE.
so many bring bikes that go frozen in rust.
i find it easiest to buy a bike in a region, sell it and sail to next area.
there are bikes everywhere.
there is not a lot of storage for bikes that go unused.