Technology

What does beixo mean and how do you pronounce it?

The name beixo comes from a contraction of the Portuguese word for drive shaft: 'eixo' and the letter 'b'. You pronounce it as bɛisjo, or beisjo. The 'x' is pronounced 'sj' in Portuguese.

The b has three reasons: first, because at the time beixo was founded Startpage.co.uk was very important to be found. Since Startpagina classified alphabetically, you were therefore ranked nicely high in the results with a b.

Second, the 'b' of Portuguese word 'eixo' in terms of sound makes the word beijo. And that means 'kiss', well sympathetically.

Finally, we suspected - and it turned out to be true - that the 'x' in eixo would be pronounced as 'kz' in Dutch. And then, with beixo, you have the sound of the English word 'bike'.

How do you fold and unfold a beixo compact?

The beixo electric folding bike and moisture

The components of the beixo electrics are splash-proof and can withstand quite a bit of rain. However, store your beixo preferably in a dry covered area. If the electric bicycle is always outside and/or has to endure a lot of water, shield the components as much as possible.

TIP: Use a steering wheel cover or a travelbag.

A display on an E-bike is designed to be unaffected by heavy rain. However, when the handlebars are folded down, the display sits with the underside up. And since this is where the cable goes in, the display at the bottom is not waterproof.

Moisture and/or water damage in the components are excluded from warranty.

How often should I lubricate a propeller shaft?

The rear gears of the cardan shaft should be well greased. If there is too little grease on the rear gears, it announces itself. The transmission becomes less smooth, you feel a vibration instead of the cardan running smoothly. This is the time to take action.

For lubrication, use a grease that lays a nice film over the gears. Beixo recommends Shimano ball bearing grease or a similar product. To lubricate the rear sprocket, remove the grey cover. This can be done by removing the two screws that hold the cover in place. Clean the side of the sprocket with an old cloth and then apply ample new grease. Rotate the pedals for a few seconds to distribute the grease well and refit the dust cap.

The gears at the bottom bracket do not require any maintenance. After all, it is a closed system so no dirt or moisture gets into the bottom bracket.

How do I remove the rear wheel?

With a beixo, you dismantle the rear wheel in no time. (De-)mounting is very simple and much easier than with a chain bike. After all, you don't have to remove and re-tension the chain. Let alone the hassle of a chain case.

How does it work?

Loosen the two screws on the dust cover, unscrew the wheel nuts, release the brake and the wheel can be taken out. As everything only fits in one way, putting it back in is also child's play. What is important is that the parts are replaced in the same way. So pay particular attention to the order of the washers on the right side before removing the wheel from the bike. To maintain a smooth and noiseless drive, these should be reassembled in exactly the same way.

Tip: first tighten the wheel nut on the drive shaft side, this will centre the wheel. Only then tighten the wheel nut on the left side of the bike.

How fast does a battery charge?

Beixo's charger charges up to two amps per hour. This means that an empty 12-amp battery may need up to six hours of charging. However, faster charging means faster battery wear. This is why we chose this type of charger.

The charger works on 220 volts, but can also be used on 12 or 24 volts via an inverter. Handy when travelling in the camper or on the boat. Make sure your inverter has a pure sine wave. Otherwise, there is a risk that the charger will fail.

Don't have an inverter? Then beixo has a special battery charger which runs on 12 volts, via the cigarette lighter of the car or motorhome.

What is the range of a beixo electric folding bike?

Beixo supplies three different capacity batteries: a 9 amp (A) / 324 Watt hours (Wh), a 12A/432Wh and a 14A/504Wh. It is very difficult to give an exact range for these. This is because it depends on a lot of factors:

• The conditions (headwind, hills, frequent acceleration, temperature and cycling with a lot of weight)
• The speed (drive no faster than 21 to 22 km/h)
• Driving behaviour (accelerating in a lower gear and with less assistance instead of full power)

Assuming that you usually cycle in support mode 1 or 2 and that you 100Watt extra you need to cycle around 20 km/h, then with the 9A / 324Wh you will achieve around two to three hours, or 60-70km. And with the 12A/432Wh battery about four to five hours, or 80-90km. The 14A/504Wh battery is good for about six hours of cycling, or 90-120km.
We also hear this from experiences of beixo owners.

The battery of the beixo electra electric folding bike is located on the luggage carrier. The battery is lockable and removable by sliding it backwards. The battery is not in the way and on top of the battery housing you can easily take something small with you, like your jacket. If you want to take more with you, there is the beixo bag carrier.

We supply Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) type batteries. These batteries can deliver a high current due to their low internal resistance. They also have a high power to weight ratio. A Li-Ion cell has no memory, so it does not need to be driven empty all the time.

The battery is the most expensive part of the electric bike. You can extend its normal lifespan using these tips:

• Make sure the battery does not run down completely. Charge it before the motor assistance fails.
• Never -but especially not in winter- put the bike away with a flat battery and use it regularly.
• Store the battery in a cool place if you don't use the bike for a long time.
• Charge the battery regularly, at least every other month.
• Never charge the battery in the freezing cold. Take it indoors and charge at room temperature.
• Store the bike preferably in a place that does not get too cold in winter and not too hot in summer.
• Make sure the battery is fully charged before departure.
• Pump the tyres well hard, this way you reduce resistance and your battery will last longer.
• Choose the right gear so that you maximise your own energy.

(via Consumer Association/ANWB)

What engine is in a beixo?

The beixo electric folding bikes are equipped with a 250-watt front-wheel motor. Front-wheel motors are simple, powerful and robust. A big advantage is that you can ride off in any gear. The motor starts working as soon as you drive off. In addition, the power distribution is nicely divided between the front and rear wheel, making the bike stable to ride.

The electric smart has a mid-motor, coupled to the cardan shaft.