Folding Bikes - Best Folder for Plane Travel

Hi, Guys-- I'm looking to get a folder and a case to take on trips domestically and abroad. What do you recommend? I'm on a budget, and like to really tour wherever I go, perhaps as much as 30 miles per day, rolling terrain.

Thanks!

Downtube mini, Dahon Curve

http://www.downtube.com/product533.html 23.5 Lbs.
http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/2008/curvesl.htm 22.4 Lbs.
http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/2008/mup8.htm 24.2Lbs.

I like the Downtube, but is the Mini stable enough to ride long range? It doesn't come with its own hardcase, I know.

I know some Dahon models come with cases - does the Curve?

Could you say more about why you recommend both of these?

Thanks

As far as a hard case, Samsonites seem to be the way to go. See instructions on getting a Downtube into a suitcase (http://www.downtube.com/How_To_Pack_a_Folding_Bike_in_a_Suitcase/). The mini is smaller, so that should be an easier task than what's shown there.

I was looking at the lighter weight and the comfort level of the bike.
Folding bike do not come with cases and those need to be purchased separately.
Downtube and Dahon produce quite a few bikes and I would recommend trying one out to make sure it is what you want.

I like the Downtube, but is the Mini stable enough to ride long range?

Jur has a nice photo essay (http://members.iinet.net.au/~jdekter/lakesentr2008/lakesentr2008.html) on taking the Mini for a 40km+ ride.

Jur had an article here about packing a mini in an oyster

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=369090&highlight=mini+dt

Strida 3.2
http://www.stridaforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52

"... I take my strida on planes quite a bit, and it gets a hard life - I put it in the bag, with a bungee holding together and a padded envelope over the ball joint. That doesn't stop gorilla bag handlers droping, putting it under suitcases etc. but in about 5 or 6 round trips the bike has been fine - and Damn useful for getting around and getting to know new towns.
What helps are the plastic (nylon??) wheels - which just spring back, and the fully enclosed drum brakes. If I travelled with a Strida5 (or many other bikes with metal spoked wheels - i am sure they wouldn't stand this treatment - and would get bent. The discs would be particularly vunerable..."

If you are on a budget like I was for years, buy anything you can and regret until you can buy a Brompton.

With a Brompton you can be ready for flight in less than one minute like no other folder. No tools, no delays, no adjustments, no hassle;

With a Brompton you can ride 1600 km (Thousand Miles) in one single shot. Haven't heard of any other 16" wheeled folder finishing BPB (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=307126);

With a Brompton you have an international forum with thousands of users willing to take the time and help you with any possible detail/mod/upgrade;

With a Brompton you become a chick Magnet (well, that happens with the the Mini too);


The Brompton bike is the closest thing you will ever get that might give you the feeling you are on your own RX-78 Gundam (For the non-geek bikers, just click on Amuro's signature)

With a Brompton you become a chick Magnet (well, that happens with the the Mini too);


With a handle like BikeeGrrl I suspect that being a chick magnet is not high on the OPs list of requirements.

As someone who has never been a chick magnet, I want to know, is there really a measurable effect between 14R (without Brompton) and 14R (with Brompton)?

Speedo

Hi, Guys-- I'm looking to get a folder and a case to take on trips domestically and abroad. What do you recommend? I'm on a budget, and like to really tour wherever I go, perhaps as much as 30 miles per day, rolling terrain.

Thanks!

We're all on a budget! How much is yours?

Fortunately there are an embarrassingly large number of good folding bikes in the market today. If your budget is up over a grand you might consider a Bike Friday. If the ride is more important than the fold they are a great way to go.

Speedo

With a handle like BikeeGrrl I suspect that being a chick magnet is not high on the OPs list of requirements.

As someone who has never been a chick magnet, I want to know, is there really a measurable effect between 14R (without Brompton) and 14R (with Brompton)?

Speedo

Oops, let's rephrase that: With a Brompton you become a sexy thing!

Measurable effect? Yes, with my Brompton I am 32.7% more likely to.....no, not really, no measurable effect.

:thumb:

Hi, Guys-- I'm looking to get a folder and a case to take on trips domestically and abroad. What do you recommend? I'm on a budget, and like to really tour wherever I go, perhaps as much as 30 miles per day, rolling terrain.


I think that I'd need more information to make a good suggestion.

How many days of cycling are you expecting when you fly somewhere? Would you unpack the bike and use it for one 30 mile ride, or use it for many?

What do you ride now and what are your performance expectations?

If you want a high performance bike then and ride constantly and take longer trips then S&S couplers would be the better suggestion. The downside with them is cost and the longer time to pack the bike.

If you fly frequently (trips are often just a couple of days) and don't require as high of a performance than I'd recommend the Bike Friday Tikit. I can pack it into the suitcase in about 10 minutes. The Brompton would be another option in this category.

If your answer is somewhere in between then I'd look at some of the other Bike Friday models, most of which pack in about 30 minutes. From what I've seen the suitcase packing of most Dahon and Downtube models would fall into this category.

I've also used a Swift Folder for this type of travel, but it would take me close to an hour to pack due to the extensive disassembly required (including removing the fork from the frame). With a slightly larger suitcase that wouldn't have been necessary, but it still really isn't a big designed for suitcase folding.

alex

Measurable effect? Yes, with my Brompton I am 32.7% more likely to.....

I'm gettin' a Brompton!

Speedo

I agree with 14R; if you want a quick, very compact fold for being able to check as baggage on the airlines without the oversize surcharge, want to tour with it, and are going to have to deal with rolling terrain, save up and get a Brompton.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Brompton/BromptonUnfoldedsm.jpg http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Brompton/BromptonFoldedLsm.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Brompton/M6LinHardCase.jpg

Bromptons are easy to fold and stay together better than any bike I've seen or heard of. 15 minutes to pack your bike can grow old really quick if you travel frequently. Brompton is the only one so far that you can fit into an internationally acceptable luggage with no disassembly whatsoever. On top of that, your bike doesn't need to look nerdy with the standard accessories it comes with. Lots of room for upgrades

http://www.littlepixel.info/twenty/mercton/mercton_bullhorns.jpg

http://img2.dcinside.com/viewimage.php?id=bicycle&no=29bcc427b48177a16fb3dab004c86b3f36bf15545611d805e53b1c3e57fea4ef33e22426a11e60e3842ffcf1b5e794a03 966dd92841f3361181aa03ac74a876e44&f_no=2fafdf6bb7826ae864afd1

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2265161737_7e91c95c29.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1025/582335375_b5f0f2c282.jpg

http://i.treehugger.com/files/brompton_bike.jpg

Convenient to carry too, can't go wrong with a Brompton unless you really need a high performance folder. Then I suggest a Bike Friday or a Birdy.

All I need now is your credit card number.

14R

Disclaimers:

1-I do not work for Brompton.

2-All images used withOUT permission by owners.

Hola, I've got to admit it... after spending about $500 on a 20" bike and suitcase setup by Dahon about a year ago... my frequent plane trips have convinced me, and I'm saving for a brompton now. (My Dahon was fine but I want the security of a non-oversized bag, altho it has only been challenged once in that year) After maybe 20 or more plane flights with a folder I've learned that I don't want to disassemble (which even the tikkit needs), so give me tiny folded size and good quality. Also, avoid a derailleur if you can, all of my folder ones are slightly out of tune from one pack or another. So, if anyone has a used Brompton, give me a shout.