Folding Bikes - My non-folding smallwheeler

Hi guys,

This time I post my silver-and-red smallwheeler.
Originally I had built this one for my GF (She rode this bike with marathon tires)
Now my GF has moved to full-suspension moulton, I ride this bike, fitting longer stem and faster stelvio tyres. (It's still a bit small for me though)

http://img2.dcinside.com/viewimage.php?id=bicycle&no=29bcc427b48177a16fb3dab004c86b3f36bf15545611d805e53b1c3e57fea4ede4ddb0d44e3d4f4579ad0f36afcdc0d95 da9a5710d2e8d8214b245991ca1ac&f_no=20bf8119b49c32b669

Got aluminium frame/CrMo fork kit from taiwan manufacturer, Wheelset from japanese shop, and everything else are standard roadbike components.
The framekit alone cost me approximately $250.
Current build weighs about 8.9kg (19.6lbs), which is comparable to pocket rocket pro with similiar compoenent sets. If I give up capreo cassette and move to lightweight wheelset with standard hub, the weight can be dropped down to less than 8kg. (17.5lbs)

Non folding frame has a number of advantages - they are much stiffer and (generally) lighter, and has better component compatibility, and cheaper.

I use this bike as an alternative of 700c road bike. Riding smallwheeler with roadies is great fun!


Comments welcome.

That is sweet...where did you get the fork from ?

That is sweet...where did you get the fork from ?

The fork came with the framekit.

WOW !!! :eek:

http://www.thehotpepper.com/images/smilies/hot.gif

This bike is too kool for words !!!

<desktop> *click*

Definitely sexy.

Speedo

I use this bike as an alternative of 700c road bike. Riding smallwheeler with roadies is great fun!


I don't think I've seen a small wheeler "in the flesh" in the US. They are practical. I have a Honda Element, and without rear seats the rear is too short to roll on two full sized bikes (easily). Two of these small wheelers would fit nicely.

Speedo

Wow.

Don't stop posting your pics.

More info on the cable housings pls?

Love it! My Moulton Mini is going to be a much more retro and less shiny take on that idea.

Cool bike

whats the dimensions on there like wheel base frame size steerer length

Ive built a few small wheel bikes but using old frames
Heres my lil blue bike
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/Alecw35/79bluebike.jpg
Is a no budget take on the same theme.
Built using parts I had.

You seem to have one-off stuff down, Raxel !
Do you (or any folderfans) have experience with setting
up a BMX frame as a street bomber ??
Can the dropouts take a 8/9sp cluster ??
This is a project I always think about when my dansbmx.com
catalogue comes, scarily enuff, if a few more pix like this get
posted I might move on it :eek:

I fitted a 5 speed wheel to a Raleigh WildCat BMX
That was 10 years ago. Was an old bike then

I got a single speed shopper rear wheel and fiddled with the wheel spacers and the spokes.
Managed to get an old 5 speed block on it with out making it any wider.
So it fitted in the frame without having to widen the drop outs.
I filed a bit off the drop out to clear the mech
I used an old Huret Mech. The claw that goes under the wheel nut was reversed
It was a nightmare to set the gears.
So I gave up.
And then the incomplete bike got stolen (again).

A BMX frame may have a 14mm thick rear axle. Geared bikes have about 10mm.
You can get special washers to use the thinner axles in the big slots.
The drop outs will be to narrow on a BMX about 110mm apart
8/9 speed will be 135mm
You can spread out the frame. Its got to be evenly done so the wheel sits on the centre line of the frame.
Ive managed to widen small frames by using a car jack the diamond shaped one. Used for lifting cars to change wheels. Close it up then put between the drop outs. Will be difficult to see if its doing it evenly.
There will be a lot of strain on the frame. Be carefull.
Then theres the problem of the chain angle.

Try to get a BMX that has a long back end as this would give the chain a better angle.
If you can get a older BMX.
They will be lighter and easier to widen.

Some jump bikes use rear facing drop outs will be easier to get a rear mech now.

Awesome, Alec !!! :beer:

What is the frame on the lil Blue ?

Thank yo for taking the time to post that great info !!
:)

Raxel - that is AWESOME! I am horribly jealous! :)
Very much like the bike I am hoping/considering putting together.
The problem for us here in North America is the complete unavailability of such small-wheel frames etc.
I am contemplating a Dahon Hammerhead (if they are available here) or a custom frame - which would cost a LOT more than the $250 you paid! :(

Then I keep thinking "suck it up and buy a full size bike", which would solve all my "availability" problems... but I really enjoy the small wheel thing. Happy riding!

Jur - I think Raxel described the cable housing in his other post (about gf's Moulton) as "I-Link" but I wasn't able to Google that... it looks incredibly similar to Nokon.

Hey thanks
If any of my stuff is usefull good.

Lil Blue bike is just an old kids MTB. I narrowed the rear to take a 3 speed wheel
Was a 5 speed bike.
It has a single 18 tooth shimano cog on the Strumey Archer hub. Which can take a narrow chain.
Then its got 52/42 rings on racer cranks.
Is 6 speed. Really needs a different cog. Is slow. But dont want to spend £10 on a new cog.
Its good in the mud though 2 wheel slides are easy.

Ive fitted dynamo lights and a rack....also painted the bars.
But the bike has been damaged still rides ok though.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/Alecw35/lilbluebikelow.jpg

That is a beautiful bike! Please keep posting pics. Asia seems to have many brands of folders and small wheelers that we in the West have never even heard of, and a greater appreciation of them. Good job!

Has the mantle fallen off the venerable shoulders of Jur etc etc, 'cos I think we have found a new master bike builder.......simply put, an object of artistic beauty, Raxel........AWESOME.

Thanks for favorable comments!

This frame has 132.5mm rearend which both takes MTB and road hubs. (I'm using capreo hub)
And you can use cantilever brakes, V-brakes, caliper brakes. There are disc-specific framekit too.
Cable housing is Tioga I-links. In south Korea they are sold at the half price of nokons.

Dahon bikes are very popular here too - Are Dahon Mako and Hammerheads available in western market?
They are really good smallwheelers (albeit somewhat expensive)

Here I post some more bikes my friends has built (same framekit, different components / colors)

http://img2.dcinside.com/viewimage.php?id=bicycle&no=29bcc427b48177a16fb3dab004c86b3f36bf15545611d805e53b1c3e57fea4ede4ddb0d44e3d4f4579ad0f36af90c1de9 49d37a321347b4b817ee1b4d4681233a38dcf60&f_no=20bf8119f5db36ad51ee98bf06d6

http://img2.dcinside.com/viewimage.php?id=bicycle&no=29bcc427b48177a16fb3dab004c86b3f36bf15545611d805e53b1c3e57fea4ede4ddb0d44e3d4f4579ad0f36afccc7dea 2b394402c781c71dfc86e6754690a011095c26a&f_no=20bf8119f5db36ad51ed98bf06d6

Tyres are Panaracer minute 20*1.25 pink wall ver., wheelset is pink Tyrell AM-5 lightweight wheelset.

http://img2.dcinside.com/viewimage.php?id=bicycle&no=29bcc427b48177a16fb3dab004c86b3f36bf15545611d805e53b1c3e57fea4ede4ddb0d44e3d4f4579ad0f36afc6cc880 22c1cdacf45a4165eeb1a357d06&f_no=009f9d77abd828a1

With marathon slick tire

http://img2.dcinside.com/viewimage.php?id=bicycle&no=29bcc427b48177a16fb3dab004c86b3f36bf15545611d805e53b1c3e57fea4ede4ddb0d44e3d4f4579ad0f36afc09088e b01d71531da9a8cac8e6d6eb8a6&f_no=3da8de21abd828a1

disk brakes, hookworm tires, bullhorn bar setup

@Raxel - do you know if this manufacturer (O2?) has a web site?

Drool...

That is a very lovely bike. If you want to keep the capreo, and not have to try and find a 60 tooth or bigger front chainring then you could just lace the wheel up with 24? spokes instead of the full number. I had standard rims and hubs laced with only 24 spokes on a recumbent with 20" wheels and they survived commuting, racing and even touring.

Drool...

The Dahon Mako was never available in the western market.

The Hammerhead 2007... Dahon did not list it as a "US" model, but I know that it was available in the US.
That said, I never saw it in the flesh here in Canada.

For 2008, the Hammerhead is not listed as a "US" model, but I have high hopes that it will again be available through dealers such as ThorUSA (http://www.thorusa.com) among others.

I would also be interested in finding out more about this "O2" company, assuming that is the company name...

The frame is made in taiwan and being sold in japan under a few different names.
I have bought mine here : www.cyclinghouse-giro.com
Unfortunately taiwan factory ceased to make this framekit and there are few sets remaining.

[QUOTE=gnome;6267462]Drool...

That is a very lovely bike. If you want to keep the capreo, and not have to try and find a 60 tooth or bigger front chainring then you could just lace the wheel up with 24? spokes instead of the full number. I had standard rims and hubs laced with only 24 spokes on a recumbent with 20" wheels and they survived commuting, racing and even touring.

Drool...

Actually, I can go to a lightweight 451 wheelset with 20c primo tires. With such setup, 56T front ring will sufficient for most usage. However I want to keep Tiso red anodized chainring I happened to get very cheap at ebay..


http://img2.dcinside.com/viewimage.php?id=bicycle&no=29bcc427b48177a16fb3dab004c86b3f36bf15545611d805e53b1c3e57fea4ede4ddb0d04b3d4f487baf0c32af93c1d0d ba5f3c0d25a67b305a47276ae62f872f3&f_no=009f8119b18769e864afd1

http://img2.dcinside.com/viewimage.php?id=bicycle&no=29bcc427b48177a16fb3dab004c86b3f36bf15545611d805e53b1c3e57fea4ede4ddb0d04b3d4f487baf0c32afccc2dfe 18c8108928790e3cf1ccb7009900cd9ff7f43&f_no=009f8119b18769993cf1dca511

Above is one of my community member's setup using 451 size ultralight wheelset (AM classic hub + sapim butted spokes+ lightweight rims plus 1" primo tire) It weighs mere 8.2kg.

I don't think I've seen a small wheeler "in the flesh" in the US. They are practical. I have a Honda Element, and without rear seats the rear is too short to roll on two full sized bikes (easily). Two of these small wheelers would fit nicely.

Speedo


I had an Element a couple of years ago for a little while. I know what you mean and tried to shove bikes in the back many times without much luck unless I took the bikes apart. I actually broke the suspension in it. When I took it in the shop they asked me if I had ever put more than 650 lbs in the vehicle including passengers and cargo. I said most definitely I had (4 200lb men overload the suspension apparently). Anyway, I fixed the suspension and traded it in. Moral of the story, be careful how much weight you put in it because in spite of all that cargo room it's not designed for a lot of cargo to be in it unless you're carrying boxes of packing peanuts. Maybe that's not an issue for you, but I bought it to be a 4WD hauler.

If I could get a small frame non folder set up as a coaster brake cruiser ,I could get rid of my current full size cruiser.The top bar has to be high enough to be grasped .I want it as high as a regular bike.

Raxel,

You are single handedly creating a market for these bikes in the U.S.!

Speedo

I had an Element a couple of years ago for a little while. I know what you mean and tried to shove bikes in the back many times without much luck unless I took the bikes apart. I actually broke the suspension in it. When I took it in the shop they asked me if I had ever put more than 650 lbs in the vehicle including passengers and cargo. I said most definitely I had (4 200lb men overload the suspension apparently). Anyway, I fixed the suspension and traded it in. Moral of the story, be careful how much weight you put in it because in spite of all that cargo room it's not designed for a lot of cargo to be in it unless you're carrying boxes of packing peanuts. Maybe that's not an issue for you, but I bought it to be a 4WD hauler.

TNX. I do put a lot of stuff in it, but it tends to be of the bulky, but light weight variety.

Speedo

Raxel, how did you get that first bike to stand up like that? Or did you Photoshop out the hand?

Since this is a non-folder, is it still small enough that you can take it inside public buildings, or are you condemned to lock it to a post outside like the other big bikes?

These bikes are beautiful! I really didn't know anyone built these before this thread. Funny enough, that's why I bought a folder. I wanted a small wheel bike but had no idea it was it's own "genre."

Are they kid's frames for the most part? 20" wheels? Can someone post some basic details to a very interested newbie type small wheelophile!?

I'd love to build a small wheel single speed. Probably could do it with a bmx frame right? Don't they have horizontal drop outs?

Raxel, that's seriously one of the prettiest bikes I've seen.

It's a simple trick.
Let your friend hold the bike and get ready to take picture, and tell him to release his hand for seconds.
The bike will stand still for a while and you can take photo then. :]

And it is NOT a kid's frame. Its frame has effective top tube length of 53.5cm.
(Bigger size ones and Cro-mo custom-built one were also available)

Just droping by to the say hi to an old friend.

토실님 안녕하세요. ^^

I had an Element a couple of years ago for a little while. I know what you mean and tried to shove bikes in the back many times without much luck unless I took the bikes apart. I actually broke the suspension in it. When I took it in the shop they asked me if I had ever put more than 650 lbs in the vehicle including passengers and cargo. I said most definitely I had (4 200lb men overload the suspension apparently). Anyway, I fixed the suspension and traded it in. Moral of the story, be careful how much weight you put in it because in spite of all that cargo room it's not designed for a lot of cargo to be in it unless you're carrying boxes of packing peanuts. Maybe that's not an issue for you, but I bought it to be a 4WD hauler.

I also got an Element. By removing just the right rear passenger seat, I was able to fit 2 bikes in that spot with the front wheels turned slightly. I then put my Giant halfway in the left rear compartment and placed my son's kid bike behind the driver side seat, so I had a total of 4 bikes in there with 3 people in the car. I only had a problem with the pedals getting stuck with the other frame.

Super color combo, Raxel. Did you anodize the parts yourself? Did you "go" small wheeler just to have something easier to store and transport? thanks