Folding Bikes - Best 16" folder for touring

Can we start a discussion on the best if any 16" folder for touring? I would think at a minimum it would fold easily without major disassembly into an airline legal hard case, have low gears, fenders and rear & front rack included or easily added. Also accept toe clips. Maybe I've missed something ?

http://bp0.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/R2lHAdtQHrI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/XR5eHPje2LU/s400/tikit+front+rack.JPG

The Tikit (http://www.bikefriday.com/tikit) is one possibility:

- 349 wheels w/ fenders
- good fold and will fit into a suitcase with some disassembly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m29V31VgfI)
- can be had with a SRAM dual drive (http://www.bikefriday.com/node/6108?styleId=0) for wide gearing range
- BF is making me a 2 pannier front rack so anyone can get one if you call them up
- I assume a Tikit specific rear rack is in the works. Here is a pic of one with a rack (http://viktikit.blogspot.com/2007/12/tikit-rear-rack.html), but I'm not sure which rack this is. I'm sure you could also adapt an Old Man Mountain rear rack (http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RearRacks.html) to work without too much trouble - the guys at OMM are very helpful for custom applications.
- the stock Tikit pedals won't take toe clips, but you could use some MKS EZY pedals (http://viktikit.blogspot.com/2007/12/mks-ezy-pedals.html) that would do so.

Can we start a discussion on the best if any 16" folder for touring? I would think at a minimum it would fold easily without major disassembly into an airline legal hard case, have low gears, fenders and rear & front rack included or easily added. Also accept toe clips. Maybe I've missed something ?

The tikit is an obvious answer. The Birdy ... technically with 18" (ERT0 355 instead of ERTO 349 like the tikit) ... also qualifies since you can get the SRAM DD, front and rear racks, fenders are available, and packs into a flight legal suitcase.

I have read about people touring with a Brompton and DT Mini as well.

The tikit is an obvious answer. The Birdy ... technically with 18" (ERT0 355 instead of ERTO 349 like the tikit) ... also qualifies since you can get the SRAM DD, front and rear racks, fenders are available, and packs into a flight legal suitcase.

I have read about people touring with a Brompton and DT Mini as well.


http://bp3.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/R0HZS6k9syI/AAAAAAAADjQ/oZphEU6VABU/s400/P10103971.JPG

+1 - I can't say how this bike rides, but it sure looks cool (http://thelazyrandonneur.blogspot.com/2007/11/fully-loaded-folder.html)....;)

I think the birdy is out as I don't want 18" wheels. How much disassembly is needed to fit he tikit in a 29" suitcase? I know Bike Friday sells the 31" but I don't want to worry if I will get dinged for oversize every time I fly. The 29" is largest legal airline size (62" girth max)

I too have been wanting to do some touring, and have been considering what bike I'd want... and frankly I don't think it's my Downtube Mini.

Why not the mini? Basically, what's great about the Mini is its an agile and fun bike with a compact fold, and it makes an excellent commuter since I have to take the train for most of my commute.

No doubt I could customize it to make it better for touring, but in almost every case a contemplated customization would not do enough to make the bike a good tourer, and would interfere with the fold. For example, I could change the handlebar configuration to improve aerodynamics, but the result would be a marginal improvement with a significant increase in folded size. I can (I have!) put a rear rack on it, but panniers are not an option on account of heel strike issues. A seatpost mounted rack solves that problem, but you can't put a lot of weight on it, and it causes more fold problems. No doubt a front rack, mounting to the brake studs and center hole, would work; but it wouldn't be good for very much weight. And so on.

Conclusion: If I were going to tour with the Mini, I think I'd get a trailer with a quick-release seatpost hitch. But why tour with a mini anyway? If I were on an extended tour, I wouldn't be commuting, so I wouldn't need the compact fold, so I'd probably pick a different bike.

I think the birdy is out as I don't want 18" wheels. How much disassembly is needed to fit he tikit in a 29" suitcase? I know Bike Friday sells the 31" but I don't want to worry if I will get dinged for oversize every time I fly. The 29" is largest legal airline size (62" girth max)

See the hyper link in my post above on the word disassembly it will take you to a video of how to pack your Tikit. I've never been through that process so I can't comment further than that.

I think the birdy is out as I don't want 18" wheels. How much disassembly is needed to fit he tikit in a 29" suitcase? I know Bike Friday sells the 31" but I don't want to worry if I will get dinged for oversize every time I fly. The 29" is largest legal airline size (62" girth max)

The Birdy doesn't really have 18" wheels. Its rim size at 355mm is 6mm (1/4") larger than the 349mm rim size used on the Tikit.

The Birdy is lighter than the Tikit and packs smaller. It also fits in a 29" case.

David

The Birdy doesn't really have 18" wheels. Its rim size at 355mm is 6mm (1/4") larger than the 349mm rim size used on the Tikit.

The Birdy is lighter than the Tikit and packs smaller. It also fits in a 29" case.

David

How much does the Birdy weigh?

How much does the Birdy weigh?

Weight depends upon configuration and accessories.

A basic 8 speed Birdy weighs about 23 lb.

With light weight components and tires I understand that they can be as light as about 18 lb. The Japanese titanium models may be lighter.

With hub gears, front and rear racks, fenders, 36 spoke wheels, heavy tires and lights you would be up over 25 lb.

This may also be of interest.

Birdy in 29" Case (http://www.gaerlan.com/bikes/birdy/birdypk.htm)

David

I think the birdy is out as I don't want 18" wheels. How much disassembly is needed to fit he tikit in a 29" suitcase? I know Bike Friday sells the 31" but I don't want to worry if I will get dinged for oversize every time I fly. The 29" is largest legal airline size (62" girth max)

Ignore the nominal wheel size. The Tikit and Birdy effectively have the same wheel size, the rim diameter is only 6mm (1/4") different.

The Tikit won't fit into a 29" Oyster suitcase because it is too wide when folded. The 31" suitcase is needed for it's thickness, not for it's height or width. My Tikit has been on 4 flights since August with no problems, but I agree with your concerns.

Can the Birdy be fit with drop bars and still fold properly? The tikit allows this, but many other small wheel folding bikes don't. I can't happily ride more than about 25 miles without them.

I really like my tikit, but prefer the luggage system designed for the Brompton. I built my own front rack for the tikit which will hold enough for me to do 2-3 night camping tours, but there isn't a stock system available from Bike Friday that is really set up for this. If vik's 2 pannier rack is made as a stock item then it could be used for touring with plenty of capacity (two front panniers and a rear saddlebag is enough for indefinate touring for my needs).

http://bp3.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/R0HZS6k9syI/AAAAAAAADjQ/oZphEU6VABU/s400/P10103971.JPG

+1 - I can't say how this bike rides, but it sure looks cool (http://thelazyrandonneur.blogspot.com/2007/11/fully-loaded-folder.html)....;) With the exception of Birdy's crazy looking fork, that's a sweet ride!

I was asking about folding, not packing. Also, can you adjust the stem reach with the Birdy? Is there some way to adjust the angle at the hinge?

Also, can you adjust the stem reach with the Birdy? Is there some way to adjust the angle at the hinge?

You can get a different stem post that allows an AHEAD type stem to be used.

Excluding the aforementioned post -- it is a kit that can be acquired though Black Dog -- I believe that there are two different stem posts with different angles. The more upright one is height adjustable.

I believe that there are two different stem posts with different angles. The more upright one is height adjustable.

I believe that the 25 deg stem which gives the longer reach comes in fixed length and height adjustable versions. The nice grey Birdy in the photos above appears to have the height adjustable version.

David

Can we start a discussion on the best if any 16" folder for touring? I would think at a minimum it would fold easily without major disassembly into an airline legal hard case, have low gears, fenders and rear & front rack included or easily added. Also accept toe clips. Maybe I've missed something ?

Why are you restricting yourself to a 16' inch wheel folder? Bike Friday has made a business selling touring bikes that use 20' inch wheels. In fact, I've never heard a Bike Friday owner who said they could not board an airplane because the package was too big.

http://bp3.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/R0HZS6k9syI/AAAAAAAADjQ/oZphEU6VABU/s400/P10103971.JPG

+1 - I can't say how this bike rides, but it sure looks cool (http://thelazyrandonneur.blogspot.com/2007/11/fully-loaded-folder.html)....;)

Nothing beats the Birdy for touring. It has a load capacity of at least 80 pounds (35Kg) on the racks alone. They used to make them with drop bars, now you have to add them. http://www.stkildacycles.com.au/images/bikes/products_bikes_clip_image007.jpg I run bullhorns on mine. This makes the folded package slightly larger. Also, you have to watch that the hub does not dig into your bar tape when you carry it, or it will put a small tear in the tape. The fold time is fast and the package is small. The ride is superlative. However, folding can go awry (dropped chain, caught part).

One reason to stick with 16" wheels (the Birdy's is really 16") is that it is they are the only bikes that really fit in an airline legal suitcase. Don't know about the Mezzo or other 16" folders, but the Birdy fits without major disassembly. I would say it takes me 10" to pack. You can also pull the suitcase behind the bike on a trailer if your departure point differs from your destination.

BF with 20" wheels is a great option, but it doesn't really fold well and you need a bigger suitcase unless you want to take the bike apart and rebuild it.

I know I keep pimping the Birdy, but this is the only one that has worked for me. I'll shut up now. I'm procrastinating from grant writing, which keeps me on Bike Forums.

The downsides are folding hassles, cost.

You can get a different stem post that allows an AHEAD type stem to be used.

Excluding the aforementioned post -- it is a kit that can be acquired though Black Dog -- I believe that there are two different stem posts with different angles. The more upright one is height adjustable.

Both the comfort and all-round Birdy stems are now height-adjustable.

Maybe it's just the person in this video clip but it looks like a 16" folder requires a rather "uncomfortable for prolonged sitting" ride position, especilly compared to a full sized mnt. bike?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=e_6nMrCVqDk&feature=related

What is it that looks more uncomfortable in his riding position on the dahon? The angle of his back and arms look the same to me when I place to windows side by side ...

I may be looking at it with my professional physiotherapists eye, but it seems like he's having to support / stiffen his upper body much more, almost as if the handlebars are acting as a constriction. His movement is much more lower body intensive without seemingly as much propulsion.

Whilst I agree that using your upper body isn't what bike riding is about, it seems like the 16" limits any kind of motion, which in turn causes a contraction / more effort to "be there". There may also (most likely) be an issue of the seat postion (pelvis relative to legs relative to arms) or seat size? Issues especially for taller people riding long distances?

IOW - he doesn't look to be 'sitting neutral' compared to the bigger bike. Watch it in motion and tell me what you think? Something is clearly different...


BTW - never ridden one, so can't comment if that that actually what happens IRL.

BF with 20" wheels is a great option, but it doesn't really fold well and you need a bigger suitcase unless you want to take the bike apart and rebuild it.

This is not true. I used to travel with a Bike Friday NWT and it fit easily into a Samsonite Oyster 29" suitcase. The packing time was about 20-25 minutes. The Tikit packs faster, but into a larger suitcase (due to height requirements).

The Birdy looks like a great bike, but let's avoid misinformation.

I believe that the 25 deg stem which gives the longer reach comes in fixed length and height adjustable versions. The nice grey Birdy in the photos above appears to have the height adjustable version.

David

Interesting. What is the difference between the two stems in degrees?

I may be looking at it with my professional physiotherapists eye, but it seems like he's having to support / stiffen his upper body much more, almost as if the handlebars are acting as a constriction. His movement is much more lower body intensive without seemingly as much propulsion.

Whilst I agree that using your upper body isn't what bike riding is about, it seems like the 16" limits any kind of motion, which in turn causes a contraction / more effort to "be there". There may also (most likely) be an issue of the seat postion (pelvis relative to legs relative to arms) or seat size? Issues especially for taller people riding long distances?

IOW - he doesn't look to be 'sitting neutral' compared to the bigger bike. Watch it in motion and tell me what you think? Something is clearly different...


BTW - never ridden one, so can't comment if that that actually what happens IRL.

You need to select a folding bike of any wheel size carefully considering the cockpit dimensions. The Tikit comes in three different sizes and you can use standard stems/bars with it so there is no reason you can't duplicate the riding position of a 26"/700c bike. The cockpit on my Dahon D7 is on the small side and not adjustable.

That's interesting. I didn't know that. Thank you.

You need to select a folding bike of any wheel size carefully considering the cockpit dimensions. The Tikit comes in three different sizes and you can use standard stems/bars with it so there is no reason you can't duplicate the riding position of a 26"/700c bike. The cockpit on my Dahon D7 is on the small side and not adjustable.

Good point; cockpit size would be my main complaint about all the folding bikes I've tried, and the availability of the Tikit in larger sizes is a big attraction.

It's a major problem that the internally geared hubs best suited to 16" wheels, namely the Nexus and Sturmey Archer 8 speeds, don't have a shifter option that fits road bars. I wonder if that's the reason the Tikit doesn't come with a geared hub.

... It's a major problem that the internally geared hubs best suited to 16" wheels, namely the Nexus and Sturmey Archer 8 speeds, don't have a shifter option that fits road bars. I wonder if that's the reason the Tikit doesn't come with a geared hub.

I did write Bike Friday to ask about an IG option as well as some other things, and though it had been discussed, nothing was imminent, nothing was planned for the near future. I think most of the IG hubs have a twist-grip shifter option, so that on its own would not keep them from offering one. Not everyone likes twist grips but that is what the basic Tikit uses now so no real change there. I suspect it is simply an issue of rear dropout design.

BF does offer the Tikit with the Sram Dual-Drive option (8 speed cassette / 3 speed IG hub). Does anyone have one that they could talk about? That set-up could be the best from a gear range standpoint but it could also be the worst in that it weighs more, and has both the IG hub and a derailleur to go wrong or need adjustment. I have read mixed reviews of the DD, but not many (good or bad) that have been recent.

Bob

...who has always been a Birdy fan as well

Good point; cockpit size would be my main complaint about all the folding bikes I've tried, and the availability of the Tikit in larger sizes is a big attraction.

Just for a tidbit of info the large size Tikit has an effective TT of 58cm - which is the same as my 700c road and touring bikes.


It's a major problem that the internally geared hubs best suited to 16" wheels, namely the Nexus and Sturmey Archer 8 speeds, don't have a shifter option that fits road bars. I wonder if that's the reason the Tikit doesn't come with a geared hub.

Well the Tikit only comes stock with mtn bike bars so IGH shifters would slide right on.

I thought that the tikit to order came in many different sizes.

I thought that the tikit to order came in many different sizes.

Tikit frames are only made in small, medium and large - so I guess it depends if you consider that many sizes. If you get a built to order Tikit you could request drop bars, but I haven't seen any of the stock Tikits come with those.

The frame is made in three top tube lengths (small, medium and large as vik said). The stem riser and seatmast are also made in three different lengths each. The stock bikes just come in small, medium, and large and all three of those pieces are one of those sizes. The built to order models can mix and match among these components to get more specific sizing. For instance someone with short legs but a long torso might fit better with a large top tube but a short seat mast.

As far as I know I have the only IG tikit in the world.

alex

This is not true. I used to travel with a Bike Friday NWT and it fit easily into a Samsonite Oyster 29" suitcase. The packing time was about 20-25 minutes. The Tikit packs faster, but into a larger suitcase (due to height requirements).

The Birdy looks like a great bike, but let's avoid misinformation.

Yes, I can disassemble my bike in 20-25 minutes as well.;)

Now, if I spent 20" packing my bike at every point on my current tour, I would have only spent 2 hours and 20 minutes packing. As it is, I will have spent roughly an hour when all is said and done. (Not including time spent tweaking the fine adjustments along the way...a twisted brake pad, the spring not going on flush, the derailleur a bit twisted.)

But on the serious side, the chances of getting caught with a F'Lite suitcase and having to pay a fee are pretty small. And if you do get caught, it's not too terribly expensive. I've only ridden one 20" BF, and really liked it. Also, many of my adjustment woes would be solved by the F'lite, and it would be easier to fit the suitcase trailer in with the bike.

Also, if you are especially tall or especially short, you have to get creative with your cockpit on either the Birdy or the Tikit. To my weight weenie dismay, both the upright stems and the sport stems are height adjustable. There is a 30 degree difference between them. They are both very stiff. The old style stem on the $800 Birdy is a little less stiff, but still much better than most folders.

With bullhorns and the sport stem, I'm stretched all the way forward with my elbows locked and I'm 5'11". My 5 foot tall partner is comfy with the upright stem and mountain bars, but would like Ergon grips with stubbies to round out the feel.

Fine tuning requires adding the extender from Black Dog or putting on a Syntace system. That would work for the Tikit as well, but I see the Tikit as an uncrowded city commuter bike.

At the end of the day, you've got to ride each one, preferably loaded for touring, for a long while to decide. Try to find someone set up for touring with each bike. What about the Mezzo? Anyone toured on that?

I just did 50km on very rough roads on my Birdy through some of the most amazing scenery this planet has to offer. Hello from the cows and water buffalo.

I wouldn't call it disassembly. Every bike packing is somewhere on a range of pure folding to complete disassembly, but the Bike Friday 20" bikes are closer to folding than many travel bikes. My Swift Folder took an hour to pack into a 29" Oyster suitcase because I needed to remove the fork and split the frame in half. Both wheels were removed. In contrast the NWT rear triangle folded forward and the rear wheel and fender stayed in place. There was disassembly (removing pedals, removing the right crank on my bike (not a standard requirement), and removing the bars from the stem), but you need to do those operations on every drop bar touring bicycle that fits into a suitcase that I know of.

The Tikit uses normal threadless stems for reach, so there is no reason to purchase anything unusual to fine tune the handlebar reach. It is true that it won't fit the very tall that well, a 58cm top tube just wouldn't be enough.

alex

Good point; cockpit size would be my main complaint about all the folding bikes I've tried, and the availability of the Tikit in larger sizes is a big attraction.

It's a major problem that the internally geared hubs best suited to 16" wheels, namely the Nexus and Sturmey Archer 8 speeds, don't have a shifter option that fits road bars. I wonder if that's the reason the Tikit doesn't come with a geared hub.


For all you hub gear disciples.......MTB flat bars with Origin 8 drops bar ends will allow you to use the Nexus and SA grip shifters AND aero brake levers.

I wouldn't call it disassembly. Every bike packing is somewhere on a range of pure folding to complete disassembly, but the Bike Friday 20" bikes are closer to folding than many travel bikes. My Swift Folder took an hour to pack into a 29" Oyster suitcase because I needed to remove the fork and split the frame in half. Both wheels were removed. In contrast the NWT rear triangle folded forward and the rear wheel and fender stayed in place. There was disassembly (removing pedals, removing the right crank on my bike (not a standard requirement), and removing the bars from the stem), but you need to do those operations on every drop bar touring bicycle that fits into a suitcase that I know of.

The Tikit uses normal threadless stems for reach, so there is no reason to purchase anything unusual to fine tune the handlebar reach. It is true that it won't fit the very tall that well, a 58cm top tube just wouldn't be enough.

alex

Hi Alex, I wouldn't call is disassembly, either, just poking fun. I'm not sure why all bikes don't use a standard threadless stem.

why is the brompton not mentioned more? its geometry?

why is the brompton not mentioned more? its geometry?

That and gearing.

DON'T ignore the wheel size. Birdie wheels might be pretty much the same size as a Bromptons, but 349 tyres and tubes are readily available all over the place, 355s aren't. That's pretty crucial on a long tour.

That and gearing.

I reckon that if you can't ride it on a six speed Brompton, it would be a pain to ride the terrain on any bike. For me, it's worth just getting off and pushing. It's dead easy.

I just pushed a heavily laden strida clone 75 miles on a Spanish walking holiday. It easily carried the luggage of two people and was really not a big deal to walk beside. We had about seventy pounds of gear strapped to the bike and although I could have carried mine on my back, my companion could not have carried hers.

I just pushed a heavily laden strida clone 75 miles on a Spanish walking holiday. It easily carried the luggage of two people and was really not a big deal to walk beside. We had about seventy pounds of gear strapped to the bike and although I could have carried mine on my back, my companion could not have carried hers.

Wow! We need to hear more about this journey. :thumb:

FWIW the wheel size does not determine posture, the frame configuration does. It is true that many 16" bikes assume the rider wants a very small fold for commuting purposes, and is willing to compromise on posture.

As to selection look at Dahon for a wide variety of configurations.

What about just putting some strategic padding on a cheap beefy 20" folder like a Downtube and then bagging it?

I've always thought this would be a good way to go, but I haven't tried it yet. Though, seriously, I wouldn't expect any hard case to hold up as well to a 200 pound rider jumping up and down on it as well as a bicycle. Just make sure you protect the fragile parts well.

What about just putting some strategic padding on a cheap beefy 20" folder like a Downtube and then bagging it?

I've always thought this would be a good way to go, but I haven't tried it yet. Though, seriously, I wouldn't expect any hard case to hold up as well to a 200 pound rider jumping up and down on it as well as a bicycle. Just make sure you protect the fragile parts well.

The original poster (cmcanulty) has a DT-NS and has been touring with it (and her dog). I'm with Rudy on thinking that my Downtube Mini would not be the perfect bike for loaded touring, but I would strongly consider it for a lightweight tour . I wouldn't want to put a 60 pound load, but 30 pounds would work OK. Not enough for a camping tour with tent and stove and sleeping bag, but more than enough for a credit-card tour with hotels, hostels and restaurants.

Another option is to buy your bike in-country when you arrive. I toured Bali for about 3 weeks on a bike I bought there and sold before I left. It was the worst bike I have ever owned (a Chinese 12-speed) but I always look back with good memories on the whole tour. Lost about 1/2 the value of the bike buying and selling it at the same store, but that gave me a bike cost of about $2-3/day back in the late 1980s.

I have always been unwilling to buy a Birdy because I think finding 18" tires and tubes in a far-away place would be very difficult. I love the way my Reach rides and guess that the Birdy is nice as well, but I wouldn't travel with one without bringing my own spares.

If you really want a 16" wheel I think a Tikit would be hard to beat, but for a small packable folder I think a 20" Bike Friday with the suitcase/trailer option would be very hard to beat. They certainly have plenty of experience and lots of satisfied customers.

For whatever reason, my late-model "classic" capreo Birdy came with the old non-adjustable stem. Whatever its weight benefits may be, regarding the questions about packing it's a bit of a pain. It means the handlebars can't just be pulled out of the stem to pack - instead I have to undo the faceplate to take the bars off the stem. It takes a bit longer, and I found it fiddly with bits and pieces hanging off the frame while trying not to get the carpet dirty ;)

Having toured on the Brompton and flown with it I'm going to recommend.

I was really quite surprised when I first got the bike 7 years ago what a good load carrying bike it was (I have a rear rack and the touring pannier at the front).

The only issue I can see is that the gearing might not be wide enough for some people's touring requirements. I personally have the factory lowered gearing and can happily go up a 1:5 hill, a 1:3 hill is another matter ;-)

Wider gearing is available on the 2009 models through the Brompton Wide Range hub or via the Schlumpf mountain drive.