There's a trade-off involved with folding ebikes, and the battery position is where that trade-off hurts. Folding frames don't have enough room for large downtubes or racks as full-size bicycles do. Therefore, they're dependent upon small packs that attach directly to the frame.
The LOCKBUS 48V 13Ah folding e-bike battery was made specifically for that type of application and offers 624Wh in a class where capacity is usually scarce. The battery comes complete with a charger, making it a suitable replacement battery for folding frames. While many manufacturers include their chargers in the packaging of their products, many others quietly omit them and expect buyers to purchase additional chargers separately.
As mentioned above, the space available for mounting is much smaller than what is found on larger framed ebikes. As such, the amount of choices for a person looking for a replacement battery for his/her folding ebike is reduced. There are fewer possibilities and consequently fewer opportunities for failure. The entire installation process depends on three factors: the exact measurements of your frame slot, the connector used by your ebike, and the locking system. If you get these correct, the process should take just minutes. However, if you get the dimensions wrong, you'll end up owning a very particular paperweight that doesn't fit anywhere else.
Specs & Build Quality
The calculations for determining the battery's capacity are easy. To determine total Wh in your battery, simply multiply the voltage (in volts) by amp-hours (in Ah). In this case we have 48 volts x 13 Ah = 624 Wh of usable energy, which is near the upper-end of Wh capacity for a folding-style battery and is well-suited for the shorter trips associated with folding bikes, urban commuting, last-mile runs and running errands. The LOCKBUS 48V 13Ah measures 14.1 x 5.31 x 3.54 inches and weighs 7.58 pounds, making it lighter than many 48V packs meant for full-sized frames while offering identical usable capacity.
The weight of a battery is important when dealing with a folding ebike due to the fact that you are responsible for lugging the battery along when the bike is folded. The LOCKBUS battery weighs 7.58 pounds, which is a reasonable number considering its 624Wh capacity and represents no significant increase in burden relative to other comparable products. When installed on your frame, this battery will not make your folded bike look like a luggage-filled suitcase when placed on a train platform.
The casing is constructed from a hard-plastic shell that attaches directly to your frame and is intended to present an integrated appearance rather than resemble a bolt-on container. Because maintaining the profile of your ebike when folded is important, especially when storing it in a car trunk or under a desk, keeping the battery tightly attached to the frame is beneficial to minimize protrusion beyond the confines of the frame.
BMS, Safety & Design Features
The built-in 20-amp battery management system (BMS) incorporates standard protective features including overcharge protection, over-discharge protection, overcurrent protection and short circuit protection. Since 48-volt systems typically operate within a relatively narrow operating envelope, 20A corresponds to approximately 960 watts of operational headroom compared to the maximum 1000 watt limit established by LOCKBUS. This is sufficient for use on nearly every standard folding-motor setup ranging from 250 W to 500 W.
The BMS protects the individual cells within your battery pack from damage caused by improper use or malfunctioning electrical components and provides peace-of-mind regarding potential fire hazards. Additionally, since this product's battery cannot be removed from its housing for inspection purposes, the internal BMS functions as your primary safeguard against cell damage and/or electrical malfunctions.
Incorporating an internal security lock represents another positive feature. Once locked into place via the provided key, this prevents an opportunistic thief from quickly removing the battery for theft. Although not foolproof (nothing on a bicycle is), it converts an easily stolen item into something much harder to steal.
And finally there is the charger. This represents perhaps the single best aspect of this product. Your package includes both the battery, the holder, a 54.6 volt / 2 amp charger, and two keys. Many replacement batteries are shipped without a charger (with the expectation being that you probably have a charger somewhere), leaving you stuck waiting on an additional shipment when your old charger fails. Having one included allows you to begin riding immediately after receipt.
Who Is This Battery For?
This product is ideal for someone who owns a 48-volt folding ebike whose factory-installed battery has either deteriorated or been damaged and wishes to replace it with a reliable alternative. If your folding ebike frame accepts this style of battery and operates at 48V, the LOCKBUS 48V 13Ah is a viable option. Alternatively, if you currently possess a lower-capacity folding battery pack in your ebike, upgrading to this model will provide you with greater travel distance capability during your daily commute.
However, as stated earlier, this product is not for everyone. Clearly indicate whether your ebike has a full-sized frame or if you've got a different type of folding frame. Whether you ride a full-size bicycle with a silverfish or hailong pack, this is the wrong form factor, period. Moreover, even though this may seem silly based on cost alone, if your ebike has a 36 volt system instead of a 48 volt system, forget about purchasing this product regardless of how attractive the pricing appears.
Honestly speaking, I need to mention something about the reviews of this product. At the time I wrote this article about LOCKBUS' folding ebike battery, it had zero customer reviews. Zero. So you're essentially relying solely on the specification information presented in this review article and the company's marketing information. Of course, that isn't automatically a bad sign, but it certainly warrants testing thoroughly prior to returning your money within your return policy timeframe. Test it by charging it, mounting it onto your frame, riding it and verifying it fits properly and holds adequate range before you consider committing to ownership.
For consumers seeking more proven quantities for their ebike battery purchases, please visit our ebike batteries comparison table to evaluate the competition that has garnered consumer feedback and ratings. You may also wish to explore additional articles from our ebike battery reviews section to learn about performance characteristics of competing folding battery models prior to making an informed decision. Check the current price and latest reviews on Amazon before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this LOCKBUS 48V 13Ah folding e-bike battery fit my folding e-bike?
Compare the specifications of your current battery (width and height) to the 14.1 x 5.31 x 3.54 inch footprint listed above for the LOCKBUS 48V 13Ah. Also confirm that your bike utilizes a 48V DC electric motor set-up and that your ebike utilizes the same type of electrical connector as indicated on the Specs page. Due to varying designs among manufacturers, measuring your current ebike battery accurately is critical in ensuring compatibility with LOCKBUS' mounting configuration.
What kinds of electric motors can be utilized with the LOCKBUS 48V 13Ah?
LOCKBUS rates the battery for 48V electric motors ranging from 0 to 1000 watts, which covers the vast majority of factory folding-ebike motors on the market.
Did it really come complete with a charger?
Yes. LOCKBUS packages each unit complete with a charger capable of replenishing the battery from dead to fully charged state at a rate of 2 amps. More importantly, as previously discussed, this greatly reduces stress associated with having to locate an alternate charger once yours becomes non-functional.
How long will the battery last?
You can reasonably expect a minimum of hundreds to thousands of recharge/discharge cycles before you experience noticeable degradation in range, depending on your charging regimen, with standard lithium-based chemistry combined with a robust internal BMS (such as LOCKBUS' version).
Is the battery waterproof?
While LOCKBUS' outer casing is water-resistant (i.e., withstands exposure to light rain), it is not designed to allow submerged operation or direct spray washing from a hose. Use caution and avoid deep puddle driving and similar applications to ensure continued longevity.
What type of warranty is included?
Please refer to LOCKBUS' warranty policy as reflected on Amazon's site (at the time I am posting this article) for complete warranty terms applicable to your purchase. As noted elsewhere in this article, virtually all manufacturers selling through Amazon include both a limited manufacturer warranty in addition to Amazon's standard return window, thus it is crucial to carefully examine warranty terms prior to placing your order.