Brompton ARCC Electric Conversion Review

[@davidpowell5437]

Looks like a nice job! I have a nanobikes conversion - fitted it myself. I reckon it's a little less polished than this, but very practical and significantly cheaper and been around for a while. I also chose the Bosch battery option. With a twist grip it's enough battery to help me with the hills at the lumpy end of Dudley and that's all I wanted of it - I'm quite happy to pedal the rest of the time and as you say, with these hub motors there is very little drag when the power is off. A tip for anyone considering a conversion - Look into the luggage situation carefully. There are offerings around which will leave you riding with a backpack... I completely agree with your main point - Taking the pain out of cycling means that you are likely to cycle more. Win for you, win for the planet!

[@CycleEveryday]

Thanks David. Yeah it’s nice to a bit of assistance in the hills. Enjoyed it while I have been using it. 😀👍

[@raycarlson1342]

Hi Chris. I have a Nanoelectricbikes conversion on my Brompton which uses either Bosch or Oregon tool batteries (4 or 6 amp hours) which fit into the touring bag. The kit is very good, easy to fit and has good customer service. Cost about £800. On my MTB and road bike, I've fitted a Swytch kit, which is shared between them by swapping the front wheel (Swycth kindly gave the powerpack bracket and PAS free). The kit is very easy to fit. The power pack which fits to a bracket on the handle bars holds the controller and batteries. Although I have not fitted it to my Brompton (because the Nanoeletricbikes kit came first) it is available for the Brompton. It has an option for either 5 or 7 amp hours. They don't do a range extender, but I found a supplier (Battery Power Supplied) who provides a way of connecting any Li-on battery of the same voltage to the kit. Both of the above kits work very well. The Swytch kit is sold on a pre-order basis (12 week wait) costs about £500. Ray

[@CycleEveryday]

Thanks Ray. I have heard of the swytch and hear good reviews on them as well. Anything that still lets you use standard Brompton bags is a huge positive as far as I can see. Glad to hear that it works well. Definitely think generic batteries are the way forward in terms of ease of getting hold of them, based on my previous experience with bike specific batteries. 👍

[@TurtleTrader]

This is an excellent review! I love my Brompton just as it is --- but it's a pleasure to see the presentation. :)

[@CycleEveryday]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful and appreciate it! 👍

[@jonathanleach3914]

Very good film. I looked at an ARRC conversion , but I went for a Brompton Electric instead. I use mine to commute 20 km to work. On my non electric Brompton I do the journey in about 65 mins. It’s 50 mins on the electric. Btw I put a rack on mine. Thanks for the film.

[@CycleEveryday]

Thanks Jonathan. Think with the extra weight it needs the rack like you said. Glad to hear you are enjoying the electric Brompton. Nice time saver and good for any hills. Definitely noticed it more now back on my non electric now! 👍

[@jonathanleach3914]

@@CycleEveryday I was previously taking the train to work but cycling home. I can now comfortably do it both ways. I also do home visits to my patients on it. They think it’s great that their mad Dr turns up on a bike, folds it and then sees them. For some of my elderly, lonely patients, it is the highlight of their day.

[@CycleEveryday]

That’s brilliant 😀 a few of my students like that I ride my bike into university. Hopefully encourages a few be more active travelling around. Would love it if our doctor rode their bike for house visits 😀👍

[@andyfairchild2383]

Great review Chris, thanks. I went for a Swytch kit for my Brompton and although I’m happy with it, I’d choose an Arcc knowing what I do now. The ability to use easily available battery packs separate from the controller really is a game changer and in general the Arrc is a more elegant solution. It is double the price of the swytch and that was the main reason for my initial choice. No regrets, but when the batteries wear out, I know what I’ll be replacing them.

[@CycleEveryday]

Thanks Andy. I think if you use it a lot it’s worth the investment. Seems like something will last a long time 👍

[@mw8358]

I really enjoyed your video, I was thinking about buying a Brompton but you might have changed my mind. Keep safe. Markxr

[@petercostello3196]

Is the arcc electric much lighter than the wisper electric as we have one also please great video.

[@ezebra2582]

What front bag options do you have if you have the ARCC conversion on?

[@CycleEveryday]

Any bag as the battery will be placed in the bag instead. It does involve cutting a small hole in the bag for the wire though. 👍

[@keithdeller3127]

I live in Canada…Will I have to ship my Brampton to AACC In UK, or is there a North America approved shop that can install the electric conversion.?. Thank you, Keith

[@CycleEveryday]

Hi Keith, I think they are only based in the UK. It might be worth getting in touch directly with ARCC on the link in the description to ask how you might go about getting it installed outside the UK. 👍

[@mpearson88]

Hi Keith, did you ever figure this out? I have been comparing all options and really like the design of Arcc. I am also considering the Nano as well.

[@CyclingClaire]

I believe you can carry the Bosch batteries in your luggage on a plane unlike other ebikes.

[@vitoadamo9908]

Can the electric front and rear dyna light work with new front hub

[@CycleEveryday]

Not so sure on that one as the motor is on the front wheel. A good question but would be worth asking ARCC if you are interested in looking to get one.

[@bosun4706]

How bulk is the battery charger? I want a charger that can fit in my backpack.

[@CycleEveryday]

Probably not good for transporting in a backpack. Its quite a large charger on this one. Might be possible to get a smaller one though directly from Bosch for these types of batteries but not 100% sure so worth checking 👍

[@darekjaskulski3375]

Brompton with makita battery please:)

[@AmanSingh-si4hc]

Is the conversion waterproof?

[@CycleEveryday]

It is rain proof so yes will be fine in we weather 👍

[@lech2050]

In the original e-Brompton, the battery is tragically bad. The range is only about 20 km.

[@CycleEveryday]

One of the reasons why I wouldn’t get one. For me personally wouldn’t work due to the distance I travel. Plus once you factor in battery life overtime will be a lot less. I am sure they will get better over the next few years though 👍

[@havenht]

Over Price! You can get electric conversion for less than $500 on Aliexpress.

[@CycleEveryday]

It’s true you can get an electric conversion quite cheap. I have found previously though that in some cases they don’t last very long. Not all the time, but if you use the Brompton a lot worth paying a bit more I have found 👍

[@drooner]

@@CycleEveryday this is not 'a bit' more :-)

[@TheLegoBoy528]

NO way I can buy this pack in the U.S

[@CycleEveryday]

Yeah it would be challenging as you have to send it to them and they are in the UK only unfortunately

[@AlexBayes]

Absurd amount of money for the conversion

[@nicholasarthurwood]

BROMPTON ELECTRIC. "THE WORLDS MOST UNRELIABLE BIKE".. Both of my Electric Brompton"s continuously keep braking down. The poor quality bearings & electronics keep failing. Brompton knows about this. But just keeps replacing them with same the parts. Buy yourself several Chines copies for the same price. Or better still a Honda CBR 125cc motorcycle for the same price. Feel less disappointed & save yourself a fortune.

[@bobwilliamson5574]

Maybe you could can the music while you are talking. Most irritating.

[@CycleEveryday]

Hi Bob. The music has been turned down when talking. The talking is pretty clear 👍

[@bobwilliamson5574]

@@CycleEveryday thankyou, the video was very interesting.