Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Folding bike for a clyde

Anyone here ride a folding bike? I started a thread (http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=396535) in the Folding Bikes forum about commuting on a folder, but I'd like to know if anyone here has had experiences, good or bad, with folding bikes. I'm 5'7" and 200 pounds.

Thanks!

I started bikeing last June or July. I got a Caribike Urban from a website called propertyroom.com. They sell police siezed items. It needed a little work and was good as new. Now about me: I am 5'9" and at that time weighed about 300 pounds (I like beer). I put about 300 miles on the bike with no issues except numbness in all the wrong places. I think that with the smaller wheels (20"), the spokes are shorter and therefore, less subject to stress of a larger load. I still have the folding bike but have since gone bent. My posterior and other parts thanks me for the change. I have a EZ-1 that has small wheels like the Caribike, and have had no issues with it either. I put a 20" wheel on the front of the EZ-1 and it improved the ride considerably.

Anyway, you can check the websites for Dahon and others and they will say what load limit their bikes have.

Around Christmas I bought a Montague Paratrooper MTB and now it has 200+ miles on it with me weighing 350lbs Some of this was off road. Nothing crazy but it has handled a couple times I have been forced off curbs and some rough spots in trails. My only complaint is that the front shock needs to be a little stiffer for an ultra clyde or even have a lock out. When I bought mine there where only 2 sizes (18" and 20") so sizing will limit some people. I have also put it on my trainer and run it out that way good. The gears have a good range, lower then a lot of MTB's, but with a top end of 42/11 gearing roadies will drop you. Also most 26" tired MTB components will work with it (not a lot of custom part building to up grade).

**EDIT** I just went to the OP's other thread and saw what he is looking for in a folder, I didn't realize you had specific requirements or where only asking in general. Even though here is my bike if any one else is interested.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h135/mystic_pain/0109081623.jpg

Trucker, it's not what I'm looking for (I have a hardtail for offroad and touring), but that looks like a wonderful bike. Hard to believe it's a folder. Are those standard 26" tires?

Yes, standard 26" tires. Just about everything except the frame is standard. It folds and has QR on seat post, and both wheels. Its not the smallest folder but it works great for me. The main reason I got it was to have a durable folding bike that I could put on the floor in front of the passenger seat of the semi trucks I drive. It breaks down in seconds, here is a video off youtube of the folding:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZtQAHGiJXIw
and here is the company:
http://www.montagueco.com/

I am 5'10" and 200 lbs., and my Dahon Mu XL has held up perfectly.

I am 5'10" and 200 lbs., and my Dahon Mu XL has held up perfectly.

Hmm, that would open up the field considerably. Anyone else have good experiences with Aluminum?

Hey Trucker , Could you post a pic of it folded if you have one, Just curious, Thanks

air does. might pm him

I'm 5'7" and 200 pounds.


Guess who does most of the pulling in Neils on Wheels rides? :D

Neil B.
6'1", 260

I've got a Bike Friday. It's a solid and fun ride. It's plenty strong enough for my weight and really moves along well. The only problem it has is climbing a steep road while standing; the rear wheel slips sideways some.

The other thing is it really isn't a 'folding' bike, it's more of a travel bike as it just doesn't fold down well enough for jumping on / off trains and buses. It's great for flying though.

I thought "Air" was riding a folder?

Yes, standard 26" tires. Just about everything except the frame is standard. It folds and has QR on seat post, and both wheels. Its not the smallest folder but it works great for me. The main reason I got it was to have a durable folding bike that I could put on the floor in front of the passenger seat of the semi trucks I drive. It breaks down in seconds, here is a video off youtube of the folding:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZtQAHGiJXIw
and here is the company:
http://www.montagueco.com/

I have one of those, too. It was designed, originally, for the military for use in Afghanistan. Soldiers will parachute in, unfold the bike, and be off. Even if the enemy see them going down and figure out where they are landing, by the time they get there, the troops will be gone. The bike is quiet and needs no fuel.

Personally, I like it because it looks like a real bike. So many of the folders look like the sort of thing a circus clown would ride, with their tiny wheels and all. I travel by train and bus quite a bit, and I can ride to the station, fold up the bike, stuff it in its sack, and check it through as baggage.