pengyou
11-03-07, 08:23 AM
Most of the folding bikes i have seen - usually wheels no larger than 20" - have a weight limit of 250 pounds. Is there a bike this size out there that will hold more - as much as the weight of 2 people?
Folding Bikes - Heavy weight folding bike?
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pismocycleguy
11-03-07, 03:07 PM
How about a Bike Friday tandem??
PCG
PCG
gazer
11-03-07, 08:50 PM
Any custom Bike Friday. If you give 'em a call and describe yourself truthfully, they'll handle it from there.
I was on the upper limit of the Dahon limit (particularly when carrying a bag), and my frame ultimately cracked. The BF NWT I subsequently bought is holding up fine!
Go ahead and PM me if you have further questions!
I was on the upper limit of the Dahon limit (particularly when carrying a bag), and my frame ultimately cracked. The BF NWT I subsequently bought is holding up fine!
Go ahead and PM me if you have further questions!
photoassign
11-04-07, 11:58 AM
I was on the upper limit of the Dahon limit (particularly when carrying a bag), and my frame ultimately cracked.
hey gazer, how long did it last it before it cracked, and was it at a weld? I'm around 235 and my DT FS is becoming sorta creaky. Cracking a frame on the road is not really high on my to-do list, so I'm a bit concerned. I also ride a Breezer Zag (Dahon Vitesse clone) and its limit is 230, though the LBS folks said that specs-quoted weight limit is almost always BS, so should be no problem. Your experience seems to suggest otherwise.
hey gazer, how long did it last it before it cracked, and was it at a weld? I'm around 235 and my DT FS is becoming sorta creaky. Cracking a frame on the road is not really high on my to-do list, so I'm a bit concerned. I also ride a Breezer Zag (Dahon Vitesse clone) and its limit is 230, though the LBS folks said that specs-quoted weight limit is almost always BS, so should be no problem. Your experience seems to suggest otherwise.
gazer
11-05-07, 12:18 AM
how long did it last it before it cracked, and was it at a weld?
Yes, I should clarify: it was between 3,000 and 4,000 miles. It was definitely a bad weld (right at the folding hinge). I think this was a case of having the misfortune of getting a bad frame, which Dahon replaced after the failure.
The 230 lb limit is mostly BS. The first failure point is likely the wheels. On the Dahon, I started popping spokes until the LBS recommended a rebuild. After that, no issues. The frame should really be able to handle a heavier weight, unless there's a pre-existing problem like a bad weld.
What I like about Bike Friday is that they'll take your weight into account when building the bike. I'm pretty sure my bike uses beefier tubing because it was built for me. In fact, there's a great line in the manual about making sure that the seat collar is properly aligned before tightening the quick release, unless you're on the larger size in which case you won't have a collar... My bike doesn't have a collar. ;)
Only downsides with my BF as compared with the Dahon are the cost and the less convenient fold (with my NWT, the tikit gives a better fold). The upsides are vastly superior build quality, customer service, and a better bike in general. I recently took my New World Tourist to Austria, and went on a couple of rides that I would never have dared with the Dahon.
Finally, creaks are by no means only associated with a frame failure. Seat posts, pedals, saddle rails and any other loose bolts are usually more common culprits - and I've had all of those on all of my bikes!
Yes, I should clarify: it was between 3,000 and 4,000 miles. It was definitely a bad weld (right at the folding hinge). I think this was a case of having the misfortune of getting a bad frame, which Dahon replaced after the failure.
The 230 lb limit is mostly BS. The first failure point is likely the wheels. On the Dahon, I started popping spokes until the LBS recommended a rebuild. After that, no issues. The frame should really be able to handle a heavier weight, unless there's a pre-existing problem like a bad weld.
What I like about Bike Friday is that they'll take your weight into account when building the bike. I'm pretty sure my bike uses beefier tubing because it was built for me. In fact, there's a great line in the manual about making sure that the seat collar is properly aligned before tightening the quick release, unless you're on the larger size in which case you won't have a collar... My bike doesn't have a collar. ;)
Only downsides with my BF as compared with the Dahon are the cost and the less convenient fold (with my NWT, the tikit gives a better fold). The upsides are vastly superior build quality, customer service, and a better bike in general. I recently took my New World Tourist to Austria, and went on a couple of rides that I would never have dared with the Dahon.
Finally, creaks are by no means only associated with a frame failure. Seat posts, pedals, saddle rails and any other loose bolts are usually more common culprits - and I've had all of those on all of my bikes!
Sammyboy
11-05-07, 02:58 AM
Of course, there's always a Raleigh 20........
photoassign
11-05-07, 11:11 AM
Thanks a bunch for the input, gazer, appreciated. Sammyboy, Raleigh Twenty was what first drew me into the world of folders and I love its quality and aesthetics, but unfortunately there's no way I can climb hills with only three gears.