Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.cmcanulty
01-16-08, 09:13 AM
I have been experimenting all week with getting my downtube NS into a 29" suitcase. It is a soft suitcase with a little give in the height (narrowest dimension). I finally achieved what I wanted-leaving on the rear rack and fender. I put in the rear frame part, then the the front frame with fork turned 90 degrees and hinge bolt removed and slid between the stays. I left the dérailleur on. Then put in the wheels and stem, handlebars etc. It all fits. I am pretty irritated though that Downtube folded measurements are way off on the middle dimension . The 33" seems about right but the 23.6" is not even close, if I knew that measurement is actually 25 or 26." I probably would have bought another bike. Based on the web measurements I had figured out it would fit in suitcase with just wheels removed. Instead it is a rather big job. The other issue is I would feel much more comfortable with airline travel if I took the 2- 20" wheels as carry on as they seem the most vulnerable to getting bent. Has anyone done this? I wonder if the airlines would say they were somehow dangerous? They would slightly exceed the carry on dimension rule but aren't bigger than tons of stuff I see people carry on.Also is there anyway to get some truth into the stated measurements of folders? Lots of thoughts here, anxious for my first tour with the Downtube. I am also wondering if anyone has sawed off the big u on the bottom to save 1 1/2' in folded size and some weight? Also my hinge bolt is so hard to remove I have to hammer it out, even after greasing it and steel wooling it. Thanks, hurry spring!