Velorution reports: [edited]
Your electric folding bike wish list probably looks something like this:
— Decent riding range.
— Fold small enough to stow under a desk.
— Light enough to carry.
Carbo has put a Bafang motor in the rear wheel hub, paired with a Samsung battery located in the bike's seatpost. The motor has a power rating of 250 watts and a torque output of 45 newton meters. It has a torque and pedal assist sensor that recognises how hard you're pedaling and adapts the level of assistance to match.
The battery provides 20-40 miles riding. The included 2amp charger will charge it from flat in 4 hours.
A display unit on the bike's handlebar displays riding information and provides five riding modes. Assistance off, ECO, Tour, Sport and Turbo. There is a 'walk mode' as well, ideal for wheeling the bike through a train station. A USB charging port under the rear of the saddle is ideal for charging your phone.
Folding takes as little as 30 seconds. Push the bike's seatpost down, fold the handlebar and pull the latch on the mainframe and it's done. Once folded the bike's dimensions are 80cm high, 60cm long and 33cm wide.
The frame is aerospace grade carbon fibre. The Model X (single-speed belt drive) is 13.3kg.
The Carbo will fit riders from 4'10" to 6'5". The bikes' 20" wheels are shod with wide Schwalbe tyres which include puncture protection and reflective outer casings, with disc brakes. There's an integrated front light on each bike, powered by the on-board battery.
Price: from £2,000.