Folding Bikes - folding bikes that weigh 18 lb (8.2kg) or less

hey guys

I need a folding bike that I can carry on my back in a bag.
this is for a bike/train/bike use - they won't let me put the bike on the train unless it's in a bag, and I will need to visit those "too long for a walk" distance stores. etc...
It also should be suitable for my size: I'm 1.84 cm tall and weigh 87kg. (some bicycles have limits for the size of the rider)

so far I've found the A-Bike which is 5.5kg but has a limit for the rider to be 85kg so It's not for me.
I hear it's not a very good bike anyway.

also the CarryMe (http://www.pacific-cycles.com/bikecat.asp?nowbtn=5&brandbtn=1&cat=3&rnum=8687) looks pretty good, weighs somewhere at the 8kg.

and there is .9 Fixed Gear Minimalist Pro 1. (http://www.bikefriday.com/node/1591?sortBy=publishedweight) by bike friday.

any suggestions ?

Do you need to carry it on your back or can you carry it at your side? The Downtube Mini has a compact fold and works well for taking on and off trains. I bag it before going into my anti-bicycle office. :-)

Bicycle: http://www.downtube.com/product540.html
Bag: http://www.downtube.com/product509.html

Does it have to be 18lb or less? You're really limiting your options. A little extra weight can get you a lot of extra bike, and you might want to use it for more than a commute- in which case the CarryMe or a single-speed bike could be less than optimal. You still have the option of pushing it most of the time, I assume? My Dahon Jetstream XP's only about 24 lb, and it can do just about any type of road riding, any distance. I'm a weakling, and that's no problem for me to carry around for a while, even without a bag. For fifty bucks more than the BF single speed you mention, you could get an 18-speed bike from them that still only weighs 22lb http://www.bikefriday.com/node/5004?styleId=0. The Dahon Mu SL's a terrific fast bike for $1200, and 19.4 lb....

The BF won't fold small enough. You can get almost any bike down to 8Kg if you are willing to spend the money to reduce the weight. Dahon's Mu Sl comes equipped about that light and would fit you. (Not great for heavy use, but perfect for what you want to do.) No bike will be very comfy on your back. Someone just posted about a $20 bike backpack.

You can also get a bike that rolls when folded.

Someone on the Birdy group (http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/birdybike/) is selling an 8Kg Birdy used. Birdy makes a much more expensive one as well that would better fit a smaller bike (and your back).

You can cover a Tikit with the shower cap cover and roll it at your side. There is also a soft bag for it if you need more coverage. This way you shouldn't have to actually lift it for very long - just enough to get it into the train and to your seat.

The Tikit can be had in 3 sizes and can be had in heavier duty versions for bigger riders.

The fold/unfold is so painless that you can ride it for relatively short distances without feeling encumbered by the folding process.

If you really do intend on carrying the bike on your back the Carryme and the A-bike are you're only reasonable choices (and perhaps the Strida slung over your shoulder): reason being that when wearing something on your back you don't want it to stick out far behind you because the extra leverage will make it feel much heavier.

However, keep in mind that even though you have to bag it you may still be able to roll it: just leave the bag open at the bottom. Don't waste your money on official folding bike bags which are usually designed to fully enclose the bike, just get/make a sack of appropriate size.

Carryme, Tikit, and Strida would all probably be good choices, but I think the Carryme offers the best value for your money in the sense that it is lighter and smaller than all the others and whatever it can't do you can buy another bike with the money you saved. Plus, with a little padding, you can actually carry the Carryme on your back fairly comfortably if you prefer and it's perfect for riding "too long for a walk" distances.

With some work you can get a single-speed Brompton or Merc/Flamingobike copy into that region of weight, but at a cost. Mine weighs about 9kg with the Titanium upgrades. More weight could be lost with things like 9speed chain, ti bottom bracket, carbon brake calipers etc but you're already at the far end of the bell curve where each gram lost seems to cost cumulatively more once you've done the big things like the frame, rims and tyres.

You can easily buy a folder around 9kg (Dahon mu SL, curve SL both weigh around 9kg) but it is REALLY hard to make one under 8.2kg. One of my friends own a 7.9kg BF pocket pro, where he has spent some $7000 to make it under 8kg. Cheaper option is buying dahon anniversary model which weighs slightly under 8kg.

If you can live without gears, another option is converting a lightweight dahon folder (Curve or old Presto Lite) into singlespeed or Fixie.

The Dahon Lt Ed. weighs 16.5 lbs. with a 10 speed for $3000.

The bike you want is probaly Strida, you roll it like a folded up stroller, not carry it. Tikit is said to work the same way, I have not tried one myself.

I think what would be better, as geo8rge suggests above, is a folding bike that can be easily rolled. This would eliminate the need to carry it on your back... and would allow to have a heavier bike.

--sam

The Dahon Lt Ed. weighs 16.5 lbs. with a 10 speed for $3000.


Cheaper option is buying dahon anniversary model which weighs slightly under 8kg.



are you guys talking about this one: http://www.dahon.com/us/muxxv.htm ?

I can't care less about performance, no gears 1 speed is ok for me...as long as the bike stays in tact and don't fall apart - it's ok.

Carry Me emailed me back to answer my question: the riders weight limit is 85kg so I have to forget about that one as well.

I'm looking into BikeFriday now...
something about the Strida bike: why is that bar so close to riders balls ?! it looks as though if you make one mistake and have to crash brake suddenly - you'll be talking soprano for the rest of your life.
http://www.strida.us/images2/_hompage-colors/red.jpg


I gave up trying to find a bike I can carry on my back, I have a back problem you see and can't carry much.
so I have 2 minimal requirements now:
I need to be able to pack it, either in a suitcase or some kind of bag AND wheel it around at the same time.
the train and bus won't let a bike onboard.
just covering it and letting the wheels stick out won't work - believe me, a friend of mine tried that.

I will also be taking my bikes to the mall, hardware store, local library and other places where I will need to browse around for a while - most of these places won't let you bring in a bike either.
if the bike comes with a suitcase with wheels and something grab it with while I walk around tall - that's what I'm looking for.

there must a kind of luggage solution that won't look to suspicious and make people around me ask: "What's with the giant suitcase ? are you flying somewhere ?"

I can't care less about performance, no gears 1 speed is ok for me...as long as the bike stays in tact and don't fall apart - it's ok.

I need to be able to pack it, either in a suitcase or some kind of bag AND wheel it around at the same time. the train and bus won't let a bike onboard.
just covering it and letting the wheels stick out won't work - believe me, a friend of mine tried that.

I will also be taking my bikes to the mall, hardware store, local library and other places where I will need to browse around for a while - most of these places won't let you bring in a bike either.
if the bike comes with a suitcase with wheels and something grab it with while I walk around tall - that's what I'm looking for.




Oh, maybe look Here (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/the-suitcase-bike-oh-god-they-actually-made-it-255639.php)

The only wheeled cases that I have seen for anything (not just bikes) make you look like you are about to catch a flight at the airport. So you might be out of luck. On the other hand, I don't see why you couldn't just get a Brompton and put it in a shoulder bag. If you have far enough to walk that the weight becomes a burden, then you should just unpack it and ride it to where you are going.

I can't care less about performance, no gears 1 speed is ok for me...as long as the bike stays in tact and don't fall apart - it's ok.

Carry Me emailed me back to answer my question: the riders weight limit is 85kg so I have to forget about that one as well.

I'm looking into BikeFriday now...
something about the Strida bike: why is that bar so close to riders balls ?! it looks as though if you make one mistake and have to crash brake suddenly - you'll be talking soprano for the rest of your life.
http://www.strida.us/images2/_hompage-colors/red.jpg


I gave up trying to find a bike I can carry on my back, I have a back problem you see and can't carry much.
so I have 2 minimal requirements now:
I need to be able to pack it, either in a suitcase or some kind of bag AND wheel it around at the same time.
the train and bus won't let a bike onboard.
just covering it and letting the wheels stick out won't work - believe me, a friend of mine tried that.

I will also be taking my bikes to the mall, hardware store, local library and other places where I will need to browse around for a while - most of these places won't let you bring in a bike either.
if the bike comes with a suitcase with wheels and something grab it with while I walk around tall - that's what I'm looking for.

there must a kind of luggage solution that won't look to suspicious and make people around me ask: "What's with the giant suitcase ? are you flying somewhere ?"

That being said I think your only choice is to lose a measly five pounds and get a Carryme or an A-bike. You can put it in something like this:
http://www.joessports.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3135062
or cut two little holes in the Carryme-brand bag for the tiny little roller wheels to stick out (not the actual bicycle wheels).

The next closest thing to meeting your requirements is a Brompton with a travel case, but it will be so big that it barely even meets airline requirements so people will undoubtedly ask you if you are flying somewhere.

Since those are the three smallest bikes available any other bike is going to be even larger. So you can't have your cake and eat it too.

The bike that fits your dreams doesn't exist. The very light folding bikes (eg CarryMe) would probably be too small for you, and the ones that would fit you better are going to be 10kg or more. The ones that are small likewise will be too small for you and the ones that fit you will be average size folded and not fit as-is in a suitcase.

The only solution in existence is to choose a 16" wheel bike (Brompton, Downtube Mini, Curve D3, tikit) and to lug it around in a big bag. Far from ideal. The Brompton is the smallest of the above.

The CarryMe is probably closest; you might try one out despite the weight limit.

are you guys talking about this one: http://www.dahon.com/us/muxxv.htm ?

Yes the same bike.

I will also be taking my bikes to the mall, hardware store, local library and other places where I will need to browse around for a while - most of these places won't let you bring in a bike either.
if the bike comes with a suitcase with wheels and something grab it with while I walk around tall - that's what I'm looking for.

there must a kind of luggage solution that won't look to suspicious and make people around me ask: "What's with the giant suitcase ? are you flying somewhere ?"

You're never going to find a bag with wheels and if you do, it will be HUGE and yes, people will stare.

Dahon, Brompton and even Bike Friday can all be rolled and this is your ONLY solution. Forget about carrying the bike or finding a bag with wheels. By the way, rolling the bike is fine for short distances but does not work if your going to browse in a mall. This is the reason you won't find any folding bike users rolling their bikes in a mall. It gets heavy and tiresome in a short while.

With a folding bike, you have to decide where you intend to go because it's not accepted in many places. Resturants, malls and the local library will kick you out if they think it's a bicycle (or maybe not) but one thing is certain. ALL folders get heavy after 15 minutes of walking, even the A-Bike! Contrary to popular beief, you really can't take a folding bike everywhere.

Most people roll the bike to the train station platform and cover the bike there. No need to carry it or have a bag with wheels. The same situation is repeated for resturants and the library. However, the mall is a different beast altogether because you can't roll it uncovered and using a bag would make shopping impossible.

If you do want to do the mall, here's my solution. Get a cheap folder and use locking scewers removing the quick releases. Buy yourself a nice New York Chain with an American Lock. Chain your folder outside in a hidden area (no bike racks) and you are set!

Carry Me emailed me back to answer my question: the riders weight limit is 85kg so I have to forget about that one as well.
You are 87kg so that is only 2kg over the limit. I second that the easiest would be to loose some weight (good for your back problems) and give the Carry Me a try. Even with 87kg the CarryMe should not fall apart under you.

Having weight as your primary criteria is causing you to compare apples with oranges. The Pocket Rocket and the A-Bike almost couldn't be more different, one folds tiny and is no good for more than a couple of miles at slow speed, the other doesn't fold that small at all, is mega fast and lots of fun, but as a fixed gear will require you to learn a whole new riding style if you've never ridden one before. Get a Tikit, and roll it, that's my advice.

You're never going to find a bag with wheels and if you do, it will be HUGE and yes, people will stare.

Dahon, Brompton and even Bike Friday can all be rolled and this is your ONLY solution. Forget about carrying the bike or finding a bag with wheels. By the way, rolling the bike is fine for short distances but does not work if your going to browse in a mall. This is the reason you won't find any folding bike users rolling their bikes in a mall. It gets heavy and tiresome in a short while.

With a folding bike, you have to decide where you intend to go because it's not accepted in many places. Resturants, malls and the local library will kick you out if they think it's a bicycle (or maybe not) but one thing is certain. ALL folders get heavy after 15 minutes of walking, even the A-Bike! Contrary to popular beief, you really can't take a folding bike everywhere.

Most people roll the bike to the train station platform and cover the bike there. No need to carry it or have a bag with wheels. The same situation is repeated for resturants and the library. However, the mall is a different beast altogether because you can't roll it uncovered and using a bag would make shopping impossible.

If you do want to do the mall, here's my solution. Get a cheap folder and use locking scewers removing the quick releases. Buy yourself a nice New York Chain with an American Lock. Chain your folder outside in a hidden area (no bike racks) and you are set!

I agree that perhaps getting a Kent Magnesium, bagging it on the train and locking it everywhere else could also be a viable option for extending his mobility slightly beyond "too long to walk" distances, but I think the Carryme could also be just as good of an option and I doubt the practical weight limit of the Kent would be much different than the ultraportables.

I don't think rolling a Carryme while browsing the mall is tiresome and I don't see why it would be a problem to simply cut two little holes in the bottom of a bag and let the trolley wheels stick out to cover everything while rolling (I doubt the OP's friend who got kicked off the train was simply letting 1" diameter casters stick out; the train conductor will never know if the tiny roller wheels are attached to the outside of the bag or whatever is inside the bag).

That's why I think the Carryme is a better design than the A-bike. The long shape and various rolling options (you can either roll it on the main rear wheel or the trolley wheels or all of the above) more than make up for the A-bike being smaller and lighter. The Carryme is to the A-bike what the Strida is to the Dahon Sweet Pea (a little bit bigger, a little bit heavier, a little bit more expensive, a little bit better ride, and a little bit more convenient).

I personally think the Carryme would be the nicer option (especially since he could always lock it outside the mall on days when he is feeling particularly tired), but the Kent alternative would certainly be cheaper.

Lastly, there's also the possibility of a xootr folding scooter.

I wanted to buy the CarryMe but they say they don't have any dealers in my country, Israel, and I won't buy a bicycle off the Internet without even seeing it in person

some valid points you posted here guys...I guess I won't find exacly what I've hoped for, so:
the weight doesn't matter that much to me anymore - under 24lb is ok.
I'll use some kind of sack to cover it on the train.
so I have only 1 reasonable requirement - that I can easily wheel it around while folded beside me, you know what I mean ?
walk around with it while the wheels are touching the floor turning and I'm just grabbing it by the seat or some other part

I saw it on the Brompton:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUfSJ1sG--c&hl=en#

and the Bike Friday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQscBxx7wLE

than the weight will not be an issue.

Honestly, you can roll just about any folding bike if you leave the handle bars up. Some are better than others, of course. If you have a local shop with folders, check them out and test the best option for rolling the bike.

--sam

I wanted to buy the CarryMe but they say they don't have any dealers in my country, Israel, and I won't buy a bicycle off the Internet without even seeing it in person

Why don't we start there then. What brands are within your reach for a test ride?

Are there any shops with Bromptons in stock to show you? Bike Friday Tikits? Dahons? Just because there is a dealer it doesn't always mean they'll have the bike to show you unless/until you order it, so if trying before you buy is important to you then the first then you should do is find out what's available.

The Strida 5.0 at 22 lbs can roll pretty easy. Singlespeed, disc brakes.

It depends on the distance you'll be traveling, but you might consider a Xootr scooter for the short trips. I know its blasphemy in a bike forum, but at less than 10 lbs its quite light.

Is this bike in production yet? Len Rubin's Ultimate Folding Bike:

http://homepage.mac.com/lenrubin/PhotoAlbum1.html

You can see him demonstrate a prototype (in a video Downtube's Yan posted!) on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWoeTOVYNY4


An amazing package of features for 17.5 pounds.

Is this bike in production yet? Len Rubin's Ultimate Folding Bike:

http://homepage.mac.com/lenrubin/PhotoAlbum1.html

You can see him demonstrate a prototype (in a video Downtube's Yan posted!) on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWoeTOVYNY4


An amazing package of features for 17.5 pounds.

He's still working on it- I was talking to a guy from Brompton at the Smithfield Nocturne a couple of weeks ago who said he knew him well. It's been a very expensive- in many ways- labour of love for him. If/when he ever gets it on sale, it'll be $$$$$- the Mu XXV will be a snip in comparison. That's the bike Brompton should be aiming to build (though as the gent I spoke to said, one-man operations are very different to mass manufacture).