I’m going to cycle the last 9 miles of my 30 mile commute. I will be able to take a paved bike path for about 4 miles and then suburban streets for the last 4 miles. No hills or off-road travel is expected. I’m looking for an entry level folding bicycle that will be reliable and comfortable, it does not need to be fast.
I’m 5 foot 11 inches and 230 lbs.
Any suggestions for a first time commuter bicycle that folds?
I'm ready to spend $600.
My total commute is from Chicago to the south-west corner of Schaumburg, Its a 30 mile one-way trip. I'm going to drive from my home on the far north side of Chicago to the Busse Woods forest preserve in Elk Grove Village. From there, I can use the bike path in Busse Woods to travel to Schaumburg. I will need to cover about 4 miles on the Busse Woods bike paths and another 5 miles through residential streets in Schaumburg.
It’s totally flat and paved. I can shower at the office, so I'll probably bike come rain or shine.
I have a Mazda6 station wagon and want to carry the bike inside with the back seat folded flat. The bike will be in my car or in my office, theft will not be an issue.
Any make & model suggestions?
Michael
Klaw
05-20-08, 12:47 PM
Under $600 you're pretty much going to find fewer options... Downtube is the most affordable (~$400) and still holds up to the weight, but you'd probably want to upgrade some parts (which price at least leaves you room to do.) Dahon's are spec-ed at 230 max so if you want a Dahon probably a Matrix or a Jack are your best bets (which are 26" folders, a little sturdier but bulkier). If you want small I'd recommend looking at Downtubes... which have the added benefit of 30 day trial ownership, you can return it if you don't like it. If you can expand your price range slightly the Xootr Swift is about $675 and is considered the most stable 20" ride of folders. Depends on what you want to spend and what space constraints you have. All of the above should fit your car and office.
At $600, and factoring in your bike needs, I'd buy the Xootr/Swift.. Also, terrific after sale support.. and lots of satisfied customers on this forum, me included..
MillCreek
05-20-08, 01:28 PM
I own a Dahon (2007 Mu XL), and on the Dahon forums, there are a number of riders on 20" models at your weight or somewhat more who have no problems.
jwlunt
05-20-08, 05:55 PM
If you sniff around you can find a Swift for under $600. A link was posted up recently here...
jvroom
05-21-08, 09:04 PM
I'm a 6' 2" 260+ pounder ... I'm happy with my Xootr Swift (I upgraded the stock tires to some fatter/heavier duty Schwable Marathon's w/KevlarGuard)
Xootr Swifts don't fold very small, but are well built and ride really solid.
Go for it!
werewolf
05-22-08, 01:56 AM
Sizewise, I'm between Bar. and JWlunt, and I'm also on a Swift, same Schwalbe Mar. tires, too.
giskard
05-22-08, 07:37 AM
I'm 6' 6", weight 115kg and ride a Dahon MuP8 with no problems
Speedo
05-22-08, 10:56 AM
If you are multi-mode commuting then the folded size is going to be important. The bikes with 16 inch wheels have a bit of an edge there. Look at Downtube Mini, Dahon Curve, Brompton, and the Bike Friday Tikit. I tried to list them in increasing price order.
Speedo
recumbenteer
05-22-08, 11:05 AM
I'm 240 and have ridden my Dahon MUP8 for about a 1000 miles with no problems.
bent eagle
05-22-08, 06:08 PM
I own a Dahon (2007 Mu XL), and on the Dahon forums, there are a number of riders on 20" models at your weight or somewhat more who have no problems.
Can you provide a link to the Dahon forums? Thanks!
Foldable Two
05-22-08, 06:27 PM
Can you provide a link to the Dahon forums? Thanks!
Look Here:
http://www.dahon.com/
You'll find the Dahon Forum listed in the drop-down menu under "Community" at the top of the page.
Smallwheels
05-22-08, 09:20 PM
What type of bicycle do you ride now? If comfort is a factor you need to decide if you can ride bent over on low handle bars or not. The Swift is a very sporty bicycle with a bent over riding position.
Some folders have the handle bar riser higher than the seat, and that position is more comfortable for me.
MnHillBilly
05-29-08, 03:20 PM
You're going to find answers all over the place - but Dahon's not the only game in town. I'm a midwest urbanite commuter - 5'9", 250 lbs and dropping - and I do fine on my 2007 Giant Halfway - it was $500 last year and is a solid citizen - rides better than my conventional Raleigh, shifting is fantastic for the terrain I encounter - on flats, I can keep up with the Lance wannabe's, hills are fine - I don't commute to try to set a land-speed record, though I'm faster on my Giant than I am on my Raleigh - the shifting is superior. I drive halfway along my route, and bike the remainder - 7 miles one way, 16 total each day. No matter what make or model you get, a folder isn't something you can just pound on - you'll have to stay wary of changes in the road surface and not deliberately jump curbs and so forth. But my Giant handles me and some cargo just fine for a regular bike path/road commute. Folds easy, easy to carry and stow. Most reputable stores that handle folders will have a Halfway model to try out.