Thanks to all for the support and info. I think I found a solution
I just hope it fits.
http://www.downtube.com/product509.html

Looking for inexpensive bike bag for commuting on train. Any ideas, any one selling such a thing. need it for 20" wheels.

Do a search on Ebay

Strange but true a lot of people swear by the big blue shopping bags you can buy in IKEA. This for Bromptons but they may be big enough for larger 20"ers. Failing that - think about laundry bags maybe?
Dedicated bike-bags are never cheap.

@ Dyno. Not wanting to stir but is that the best you can offer? It's like saying 'google it'. Not the most welcoming thing to say. Perhaps Arste has already persued these avenues, and this is why they're posting in a Folding bike forum - hoping not to get glib answers.

Take the bike to a Goodwill or Salvation Army store and see if it fits a bag or suitcase, just an idea.

Last time I needed a bag for a folder, I went to my local sporting goods store. I found a good, sturdy nylon one for about $50.

Strange but true a lot of people swear by the big blue shopping bags you can buy in IKEA. This for Bromptons but they may be big enough for larger 20"ers. Failing that - think about laundry bags maybe?


I think they cost about 50 pence too ($1).

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/ikea_tote.jpg

What about a gas grill cover? They are light weight material, have tightening cord and come in different sizes and are cheap.

You can also just buy a Dahon slipcover at Sunrise for $20. These are lightweight and strong, but are red. Very impractical, as you'll get grease all over it. Also, it will not fit on a Downtube unless you remove the pedals.

The Birdy slipcover is a bit thicker, but much higher quality. It will fit the smaller 20" bikes, and fits quite loosely over a Birdy. It's black on the inside and silver on the outside, with two different materials. I own one of these as well.

We wanted something that was smaller and would fit easily in our tool bags, so we made smaller rip stop nylon bags. These are 20% smaller than both of the above, and fit the bikes more tightly. They take up about as much room as two multi-tools, and require a 70-80 cu in tool bag. The bag is one of the most important parts of a folding bike as it is what will get you into whereever you are going without a lock.

Here are the links: https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/13816/ This is good if you want something that will fit in a small bag, but is red and won't last long.

http://blackdogbicycles.com/birdyfoldingtravelbike.html (scroll down to cover). This is good if you have a small bike and want something that is better made.

Rip stop nylon in black is available in any fabric store.

Nothing lighter or more inexpensive than some 39 gallon lawn and leaf bags.

Probably no suitable for everyday useage, but should be perfect for a loosely enforced bag policy (only bag it when you're told you have to).

I have a list of ideas on this topic on my own Web site at:

http://www.geocities.com/folder_fanatic/Security3.html (http://www.geocities.com/folder_fanatic/Security3.html)

I hope to finish my "how to" page on constructing a simple drawstring bag for folders soon-when my photos are finished.

I recently bought a large duffel bag on sale at REI for 39.95 and it nicely takes my Dahon Helios. It's more robust than the Dahon Bolso and zips closed (with some massaging) with a helmet and tools inside. I wouldn't try to use it for air travel, though -- TSA and baggage handlers are tough on bendable parts, like the chainring that was bowed badly last time I tried it.

I recently bought a large duffel bag on sale at REI for 39.95 and it nicely takes my Dahon Helios. It's more robust than the Dahon Bolso and zips closed (with some massaging) with a helmet and tools inside. I wouldn't try to use it for air travel, though -- TSA and baggage handlers are tough on bendable parts, like the chainring that was bowed badly last time I tried it.

Ed-
Do you have the link or the name of the bag? I went to REI and tried to do a search, but could only come up with messenger bags or folding bike racks. Thanks

An idea for travelling via airline with your folder, which I saw at the Xootr website, is to find a large, hard suitcase, like a Samsonite. For a bike, it can be a dumpy-looking old one from a garage sale.

When the baggage handlers pick up that bike case and find that it only weighs 35 lbs, they'll be happy and maybe they won't smash it quite as much. :rolleyes: Find something somewhat newer with wheels, and that would be pretty slick. (Wal*Mart caliber maybe?)

I recently bought a large duffel bag on sale at REI for 39.95 and it nicely takes my Dahon Helios. It's more robust than the Dahon Bolso and zips closed (with some massaging) with a helmet and tools inside. I wouldn't try to use it for air travel, though -- TSA and baggage handlers are tough on bendable parts, like the chainring that was bowed badly last time I tried it.

Actually, I quoted too high. The bag was $34.93 (plus tax, of course) at REI. SKU is 737-040-0017. It's called a "Packs for Life" "Carryall Duffle Bag" "Colossal Size" (18x42). It also included a nice "Bonus! travel pouch" that turns out to be a small briefcase-size bag great for a few papers and a bottle. Good luck finding one.

I have a list of ideas on this topic on my own Web site at:

http://www.geocities.com/folder_fanatic/Security3.html (http://www.geocities.com/folder_fanatic/Security3.html)

Have you finished your instructions for the simple bag yet? :o

Have you finished your instructions for the simple bag yet? :o

I can tell you what we did. We made each bag out of 1 yard of lightweight rip stop nylon. For your curve, that's about right. For the 20" bike, you'll need about 1.25 yards. Both of the Dahons stand much taller than my bike, so I won't give you the measurements. Rather, just drape the fabric over the bike, cut to fit, and sew up the two open seams. Viola! This bag will easily fit in an under the seat bag.

Any Pic's of that bag? I'm trying that route also and need to see some examples.

Just curious on such a ripstop bag - you can't go carrying the bike by the bag being not robust, so I suppose you grip the bike thru the fabric...?

Just curious on such a ripstop bag - you can't go carrying the bike by the bag being not robust, so I suppose you grip the bike thru the fabric...?

Yes, the bags have a hole in the top that allows one to reach through the bag. My camera is in the repair shop, but I'll post pics as soon as it comes back. (My cell is Virgin pay as you go, so no camera on it.)

I have photos of the older bags. The silver is the Birdy bag and the red one is the Dahon slip cover:
http://www.pceo.org/Photo47.JPG

Here is a lousy pic of the ones we made I took with the built in camera in my laptop. I'll try to scan in a pattern.
http://www.pceo.org/Photo43.jpg

Again, these are slip covers that fit in the under the seat tool bag. For a full bike bag like the El Bolso or Birdy backpack, you'll need to spend money.

What is the primary purpose of these?

What is the primary purpose of these?

Hi Jur. This is a good idea, and I see what you're getting at. It's not as beefy (or expensive) as a "proper" bike bag. However, it is a lot more packable & light than a proper bike bag. Also, it meets the requirements for having the bike bagged while taking public transit. They are more concerned with you ripping seat material and getting grease on things than having a bag that can actually carry the weight of the bike. This is why others have recommended garbage bags. That sounds ridiculous at first, but for meeting minimum requirements and not having to carry a bulkier bag for the rest of the day can make sense at times.

Also, for storing the bike indoors, say in a closet, this would be adequate. One wouldn't have to worry about one's clothes getting dirty or ripped.

Lastly, unless one is going into a very big building, one usually doesn't need to carry a folding bike that far.

Yes, that's mostly it. But also to get into cafes or buildings. I bag about 1X per day. With the bag, I've gotten into an embassy, many small stores and food places. This also prevents the need for a lock in NYC, which nearly assures the bike will not get stolen.

Ah, I see.

There are uses outside the city as well. The first picture above with both bikes near a bunk bed is in a youth hostel that doesn't allow bikes.