Folding Bikes - Folder for Tall Guy?

I'm a long-time bike commuter, living in New York City. I think I'm going to have to make the switch to a folding bike due to the usual NYC apartment life concerns (i.e., no place to keep bikes).

I'm 6'2" tall, and have a 34" or 35" inseam. I'm concerned that some folders may not unfold to a size large enough for me. For reference purposes, my most comfortable bike is my ancient 25" Raleigh Super Course.

I like the price of the Downtube folders, as compared to the Dahon bikes, but I'm nervous about buying a bike online that may turn out to be too short.

Any thoughts and recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Saintly,

Of the Downtubes, only the Full Suspension model is designed to accommodate really long legs.

With Bromptons you can get an extension seatpost.

With Dahons there are various tricks you can play to get a longer seatpost. Most involve some sort of suspension.

Xootr Swifts can now be bought with an XXL seatpost.

The tricks to give you enough leg room don't make the horizontal length better. You can probably customize your reach by changing stems.

Most Bike Friday models are semi-custom: no problem. The Tikit, their 16 inch model, comes in three sizes, the largest of which should be large enough for you.

Speedo (36" inseam)

The original Swift (http://www.swiftfolder.com/spec.html) (not the Xootr) supposedly accomodates riders up to 6'4".

I have a Dahon Speed P8. No problem with the seat tube length & I have a 35 1/2" inseam. The reach to the bars is a little short, but not really a problem for this type of bike. I've found that I like it with the seat pushed all the way back on the rails & the bars in the lowest stem position.

Hey! You are in NYC? Head over to Bfold (http://bfold.com/) or NYCEWheels (http://nycewheels.com/) and try on some folders for size. I have yet to visit Bfold but they have come highly recommended. I am about your height and leg reach and tip the scales at a solid 200#. For compact fold it is hard to beat the Brommie and it can be easily optioned out. FWIW I have yet to find a 16" wheeled Dahon that would work for me.

Aaron:)

Downtube FS will be perfect for you and will fully extend you for an upright ride with a few inches to spare!

oh bythe way no need to be nervous you can count on Downtube owners like me but the owner Yan operates a very fair return policy anyway. You can't go wrong for the price.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I think the Dahon and the Downtube are the only bikes within my price range, so as nice as the Bromptons and Moultons and so on are, they're not under consideration right now.

There's a nice Dahon with internal gears that I'll have a look at somewhere this week. The Downtube FS looks nice, but it also looks like the rear suspension precludes the use of a rack, which somewhat limits its usefulness as a commuter.

... I think the Dahon and the Downtube are the only bikes within my price range, ...

There's a nice Dahon with internal gears that I'll have a look at somewhere this week. The Downtube FS looks nice, but it also looks like the rear suspension precludes the use of a rack, which somewhat limits its usefulness as a commuter.

I forgot to mention that there are tricks to accommodate a longer leg length on Downtube's as well. Check out the Butt Buddy (http://www.sidetrak.com/Catalog/components.html). (You'll have to scroll down the page a bit.) It can be added to any seatpost that uses a standard clamp, and will add two inches to the seat post length. The Butt Buddy would make it possible to get a full leg extension on a front or no suspension Downtube. Those two can carry a rack.

Speedo

You can add a rack to the Downtube FS saintlyloser, it's a specialist attachment to the seatpost. See:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MOUNTAIN-BIKE-REAR-RACK-SEATPOST-CLAMP-STYLE_W0QQitemZ270217537905QQihZ017QQcategoryZ42317QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247 QQcmdZViewItem

Relatively cheap accessory and well capable of taking a good bag or resonablly sized pannier. I also use a Jansport or Timberland rucksack.

What is the diameter of the regular Downtube seatpost? Is it the same as the Mini? If so, making a telescoping seatpost is straightforward.

What is the diameter of the regular Downtube seatpost? Is it the same as the Mini? If so, making a telescoping seatpost is straightforward.

I e-mailed Yan this very question over the weekend. Here is what he replied:

we use a 27.2mm post [on all models but the mini]. The mini uses a 30.4 post

Yan

I e-mailed Yan this very question over the weekend. Here is what he replied:

we use a 27.2mm post [on all models but the mini]. The mini uses a 30.4 post

Yan

FS also uses a 30.4mm. The proper statement is all bikes except FS & mini use 27.2mm.

Thanks,
Yan

Hi saintlyloser I just wanted to say I noticed the Downtube VIIIH 2008 is only $399 on the downtube website. I have both the FS and H here in London (2007 models). The H will accommodate you too, I'm 6 feet exactly and there's a few inches to spare on the seatpost and handlebar settings. This bike includes rack & kickstand the the I've nothing but praise for the 8 speed Sturmey Acher hub gears for commuting. Especially when changing down at red lights, with a hub you can do this when stationary. Very low maintenance and robust gear set too.

I have an FS (also in London) and I'm 6'3. With the seatpost fully extended, it's perfect for me in thick soled bike shoes, and too high in my work shoes.