Waarom een fiets aan boord een goed idee is

Folding bikes for boats

Folding bikes on board don't take up much space and ensure that you are mobile and flexible everywhere you go. Find out all about the advantages of classic and motorised folding bikes for boats and why no boat should be without them on board.

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What are the advantages of a folding bicycle on board?

Sailors and motorboaters alike often not only want to enjoy time on the water, but also explore the surrounding area in the next harbour. An on-board bike is the perfect solution for this. They provide flexibility and you don't have to rely on local public transport or find out about opening hours of bicycle or car rentals. Grab a bike and you can go ashore when everyone else is still sleeping, or quickly nip to the bakers in the morning.

Folding bike Marin

What makes a good boat bike?

A boat bike should have a low dead weight so that you can easily get it off and on board. Compact size is particularly important for storage on board. For this reason, folding bikes are ideal for boats. They can easily be folded and stored in your boat’s lockers and put away until used next. Today’s folding bikes have an integrated gear system making accelerating easy, ensuring a better ride comfort, especially in the strong winds of the harbour. Despite their size, they have an excellent gear ratio, so there is no need to pedal more often than normal bikes.

Which folding bike is right for me?

Folding bikes for boats are available in electric and non-electric versions. Non-electric folding bikes benefit from being cheaper, more compact and lighter than folding e-bikes. On top of that, you don't have to worry about recharging a battery and you can start riding at any time. Classic folding bikes are ideal for shorter bike rides and running errands.

Folding electric bikes provide motorised support when moving the pedals. With a maximum speed of 25 km/h they do not require a licence or a helmet. These pedelecs are still easy to stow on board because they can be folded, but their weight is slightly higher than that of the non-motorised version. A foldable electric bike on board your boat is a good idea if you are planning to travel longer distances and go on excursions. They also help in very hilly or warm places, so that you don't sweat too much. Many of our customers also choose a folding e-bike for age or health reasons. Battery charging times for electric folding bikes should always be considered, depending on how regularly you intend to use your on-board bike.

Folding Ebike

All advantages at a glance:

Folding bike

  • For short tasks and trips
  • Easy to unfold and collapse
  • Light weight
  • Particularly compact and easy to stow (folded size)
  • Use at any time, not reliant on battery charging times

Folding E-Bike

  • In very windy, mountainous and hot regions
  • For comfort or health reasons
  • For long trips and excursions
  • Easily keep up on group rides
  • Compact and easy to stow despite battery and motor

What should I look for when buying a folding bike for my boat?

Weight, size & stability

In addition to aesthetic criteria, the weight, size and folded size of the bicycle are particularly important features when choosing a suitable folding bike or folding e-bike. Furthermore, a good folding bike should have a height-adjustable seat and handlebar, so that taller people can also ride comfortably. Depending on where the bike is to be used, the folding technique is also important. In most cases, folding has to be done quickly. The mechanism should be as simple and self-explanatory as possible.

Frank K. speaking about our electric on-board bicycle Blizzard:

"At first, I thought that the wheels would be too small, but now I am completely satisfied. I'm 1.92 m tall, weigh 103 kg and because the saddle and handlebars can be adjusted, I can ride these bikes like normal road bikes.“

Models in comparison
SEATEC MARIN SEATEC BLIZZARD SEATEC BLIZZARD PRO
Weight 13,7 kg 19,9 kg with battery
17,9 kg without battery
21,8 kg with battery
19,8 kg without battery
Packing dimensions 80 x 63 x 38 cm 89 x 73 x 34 cm 89 x 73 x 34 cm
Max. load 100 kg 100 kg 100 kg
Folding bicycle

Manufacture & Design

The finish makes the difference! Bicycles, particularly with water sports, are constantly exposed to sea water, rainwater and sunlight and must be made of stainless and robust materials. Design and aerodynamics also play a major role when making your selection.

Models in comparison
SEATEC MARIN SEATEC BLIZZARD SEATEC BLIZZARD PRO
Finish / Material • Extremely robust aluminium frame
• Robust luggage carrier
• Reinforced wheel rims
• Light but robust aluminium frame
• Aluminium handlebars, seat post, rims, brakes, bike rack and electric motor housing
• Stainless mudguards
• Stainless steel spokes
• Adjustable aluminium side bike stand
• Light but robust aluminium frame
• Aluminium handlebars, seat post, rims, brakes, bike rack and electric motor housing
• Stainless mudguards
• Stainless steel spokes
• Adjustable aluminium side bike stand
Colour(s) Blue / white / red / black Mauritius Blue Mauritius Blue / Sun Yellow / White / Racing Red
Folding bicycle gear changer

Gear Change & Ratio

In windy and mountainous regions in particular, a strong and reliable gear shift system is essential for finding the right gear ratio to match your personal performance and environmental variables such as bad roads, gradients and weather conditions. A hub gear also prevents the chain from slipping from one of the sprockets if the bike is stowed in a bag or folded carelessly.

Models in comparison
SEATEC MARIN SEATEC BLIZZARD SEATEC BLIZZARD PRO
Gear change Shimano -3 gear hub gear with back-pedal brake Shimano-NEXUS -3 gear hub gear with back-pedal brake Shimano-NEXUS -3 gear hub gear with back-pedal brake
Folding bicycle

Comfort & Technical Features

Better riding comfort can be achieved through technical features such as wide tyres, a hydraulic front wheel suspension fork and a comfortable saddle. Balloon tyres, such as those used in SEATEC folding pedelecs, should always be ridden with maximum tyre pressure. This ensures the highest level of comfort with the lowest possible roll resistance, thus increasing the battery range.

Models in comparison
SEATEC BLIZZARD SEATEC BLIZZARD PRO
Extras • Adjustable, hydraulic front fork
• Height adjustable saddle with cushioning elements
• Comfort tyres 20x2.125
• Push aid
• On & off switch and charge status indicator on battery
• Intuitive twist-throttle control with LED battery charge status indicator
• Adjustable, hydraulic front fork
• Ergonomically shaped handles
• Height adjustable saddle with cushioning elements
• Comfort tyres 20 x 2.125
• Push aid
• On-board computer (battery charge, trip duration, trip, km/h, error messages, energy consumption, level of support, lighting control)
• 4 intuitive support modes for greater range & flexibility: 1. Eco - efficient - for high range 2. Tour - balanced - for long rides 3. Sport - powerful - for city & mountain rides 4. Race - maximum – more ambitious & sporty rides
Bicycle battery

Battery & Range

Battery life and weight must be considered for folding bicycles with electric motors. Good quality batteries have an average range of 70-80 kilometres. Our SEATEC bicycle batteries are equipped with high-quality Panasonic lithium-ion batteries.

Frank W. speaking about our electric on-board bicycle Blizzard:
"An optimal enrichment for the boat. I have bought 2 pieces and am completely satisfied. Have driven approx. 50 km so far and still have a full battery indicator. Solid 3-speed hub gears in combination with electric E-support completely sufficient. Technically and visually super.

SEATEC BLIZZARD
• 36 V/8.7 Ah Lithium-Ion battery with SANYO/Panasonic cells
• Capacity: 313 Wh
• 250 W / 36 V wheel hub motor
• Integrated Intelligent Battery Management System (BMS)
• Range up to 70 km
• Support up to max. 25 km/h
SEATEC BLIZZARD PRO
• 36V/10.5 Ah Lithium-Ion battery with Panasonic cells
• Battery capacity: 400 Wh (18% more than Seatec Blizzard)
• 250 W / 36 V wheel hub motor
• Charging & energy consumption controllable via bike computer
• Range up to 80 km
• Support up to max. 25 km/h
Bicycle light

Safety

As with any bicycle, a folding bike must adhere to the current standards of road traffic regulations. Our bicycles have the required reflectors or reflective strips, which make them visible to drivers even in the dark. In addition, a back-pedal brake makes stopping even faster. Many folding bikes, such as our SEATEC VENTO and the TERN Link C8, are supplied without a lighting system. These must be retrofitted with battery-powered bicycle lights, which are available from specialist dealers.

Models in comparison
SEATEC BLIZZARD SEATEC BLIZZARD PRO
• Aluminium V-brake front + back pedal brake rear
• Bell
• Detachable LED front headlight
• White front reflector
• Permanently installed LED rear light
• Reflective strip on tyre
• Pedals with yellow reflectors
• Removable battery with anti-theft protection
• Aluminium V-brake front + back-pedal rear brake
• Bell
• White front reflector
• Permanently installed, battery-powered LED headlight (15 lux)
• Permanently installed LED rear light
• Reflective strip on tyre
• Pedals with yellow reflectors
• Removable battery with anti-theft protection
• ABUS frame lock

Motor & battery position on electric bikes

With electric folding bikes, the motor can be integrated into the front wheel (front motor) on the bottom bracket (middle motor) or in the rear wheel (rear motor). All types have their own advantages and disadvantages. For our SEATEC electric folding bikes we have decided on a front motor, which makes all gears and a back-pedal rear brake possible. The motor is relatively unobtrusive and there is little chain wear. A hub motor is also lighter than a middle motor. Batteries on electric bicycles are installed on the bike rack, in the main frame or in the middle of the frame. SEATEC e-bikes have their battery on the bike rack. Here, it can easily be dismantled, making the bike a further 2 kilos lighter. The rack can still be used despite the battery being there. For our SEATEC folding e-bikes we use modern lithium-ion batteries, which are characterised by their environmental compatibility and high performance, combined with low weight. In addition, there is no memory effect with this type of battery and it has a long range and low self-discharge.

How do I get my folding bike on and off board?

There are several ways to get your folding bike on or off the boat. If you have a ramp or gangway, you can easily push the ready to ride bike on or off the boat. A boat crane also offers a good and easy way to move folding bikes. If both are not an option, there is a suitable carrying bag for our electric and normal folding bikes, in which the whole bike can be stowed in folded form. This is also very practical when on the move and for storage. Furthermore, you can remove the battery of our folding e-bikes, making them even lighter.

Which accessories are recommended for my on-board folding bike?

With our handlebar bags and baskets, you can easily transport your shopping to the boat and store food, sun cream and valuables on excursions. All bags, such as the RIXEN & KAUL TOURINO bike bag, which offers even more compartments and storing options, can easily be attached to the bicycle using the KLICKfix system. We recommend our SEATEC carrying bag for storing and transporting your folding bike. While the new SEATEC BLIZZARD PRO electric folding bikes are equipped with a frame lock, our spiral cable lock is recommended for all other models.

Expert tip: Ever thought about a second battery? While you are using your electric folding bike, you can charge the other battery at the same time. Your folding electric bike will then always be ready for use!