Folding Bikes - international travel and "ready to go" bike - Your opinion

I am a happy owner of a modified Giant Halfway RS (rear suspension available in the eastern world) and my girlfriend currently owns a 2005 Downtube VIII FS. I already travelled internationally with both conventional bikes and Downtubes (both 2005 models) and I am quite good packing/unpacking the bikes efficiently.

I am now considering a new set of folders to take on international trips ( South America and Europe) that will reduce the packing/unpacking procedure to the minimal. Ideally, a bike that fits into a regular luggage (50 pounds, 60" of added dimension to reach ALL airlines) and can be rideable in 5 minutes or less, with 20" wheels or similar (not interested in bikes that you cannot ride more than 10 miles confortable)

Besides the Bromptons, is there anything that is a real bike replacement (not strida or equivalent, but something you could do a century without people considering you crazy) AND can fit a luggage just by folding it instead of removing wheels, braking frame in 1/2, etc?

The budget for this project in up to US$1000.00 / bike

Rafael - based on your criteria Merc or Brompton is pretty much it. You can easily ride 10 miles or more on a Brompton or a Merc. Been there, done that. Just have a good seat. Ride quality is pretty good with the rear suspension and good tire choices.

I remember the effort you went to breaking down your DT to fit in your luggage. The Brompton wheels may not be 20" but they are close. In reality a 20" doesn't leave to much room in a suitcase to put a frame around it.

Wavshrdr,

I only travel once a year internationally and when I do, usually, it involves more than 1 place. When I went to Brasil last december I visited 10 cities. If I have a bike that I can pack in 30 minutes, that's pretty good, but TWO BIKES X 20 (packing and unpacking on every destination, sometimes after just 48 hours) can become really boring.

I am considering a Strida or similar, but since we (my girlfriend and I) really enjoy riding, I believe our experience my be compromised if we don't have at least 20" or similar wheels.

Now does the Merc, once folded, fit in a suitcase without major disassemblying?

Thank you very much for your prompt reply by the way.

Rafael

You may want to check out http://gaerlan.com They have travel experience w/ folders.

Di Blasi has some good models that fold up quite small and are lightweight. I think they have a 20" model too. Check out www.diblasi.it for their models.
-Chris

You may want to check out gaerlan.com. They have travel experience w/ folders.
I was just going to say.. Check out Gaerlan, especially their page about packing the Birdy. I know it has "only" 18" wheels, but according to Gaerlan more or less all you need to do is remove the wheels... And most Birdy owners seem to be very happy with their bikes, also for long distances. (I'm very tall, and when I tested the Birdy I felt like my weight was right over the back wheel and the front wheel seemed very light; this was especially noticeable going up steep hills).

http://www.gaerlan.com/bikes/birdy/birdypk.htm

Merc has Brompton size wheels and goes in my suitcase with NO removal of wheels. Depending on the suitcase I may take the seat off the post or the post out of the frame and that is it.

If you're looking for a bike with excellent ride quality as well, why not chose a Bike Friday? You do have to remove the front wheel when packing in the suitcase but it only takes a few seconds with the quick release to put it back on. They have a production setup for around $700. My wife just got a Crusoe custom sized setup and she loves it.

someone needs to design a bike where the case is the bike... :)

someone needs to design a bike where the case is the bike... :)
Like this? :D

Just a little follow up: If everything goes right I may end up with a "pimped" Merc.

Rafael

Just a little follow up: If everything goes right I may end up with a "pimped" Merc.

Rafael
The Merc or a Brommie would be a great choice.

consider:

sandsmachine.com

http://bilenky.com/hack.html

consider:

sandsmachine.com

http://bilenky.com/hack.html

As someone with 2 S&S coupled bikes, I would be the first to recommend against that if quick disassembly is desired. Those are a good solution if you go to one place for a long time (and need a real performance machine), but it's a real hassle doing it a lot.

A 20" wheel like the Hammerhead from Dahon adapated with S&S or even a "full custom" S&S Coupled bike would be a great option as a replacement for my Giant halfway RS, but not the "upgrade" that I need. What I really need in out of the "legal-size" luggage and ready to roll in 45 seconds or less.

A 20" wheel like the Hammerhead from Dahon adapated with S&S or even a "full custom" S&S Coupled bike would be a great option as a replacement for my Giant halfway RS, but not the

Hammerhead is aluminum - S&S not for that. Anyone seen a little bike with S&S?

http://www.bicyclespecialtiesonline.com/road_bikes1.htm

That's an awesome design, even though it has $600 in coupler parts alone.

You looked into pricing on a frame like that?

That's really a dream bike.

Jasong,

I did not look into pricing since this bike (or a similar one) would contribute to my problem, not the solution I am looking for. But I belive it can't be that hard to design a "Mini", fully functional with 20" wheels and add the S&S couplings.

That's an awesome design, even though it has $600 in coupler parts alone.

You looked into pricing on a frame like that?

That's really a dream bike.

If you are going to go that route why not just look at the Bike Friday. Disassembled and packed in 15 minutes, same with unpacking and assembling. You will not look out of place doing a century on it.
Kenal0