Folding Bikes - Folding bike for relatively large human?

I'm 6'2 and 240 lbs and a relatively short inseam (32"). I'd like to buy a folder to use on the MBTA (subway) and for trips in the city or away from a car or T stop.

There's a Xootr Swift for sale used locally, or I can buy one new, but they don't seem to list max weight capacity on the www. Downtube models are rated 225 lbs max, the Dahon Curve 220. And then there are a bewildering list of makes and models, many of which I've never seen before.

Suggestions? Maybe Surly will introduce a Linebacker folder.....

Yeah... it's definitely a problem. I'm 6' and 235 lbs. I settled for a Bike Friday Tikit. I'm still a little above the max weight, I think. However, since the bike comes in three different sizes (mine is Large), it can fit your height quite well. Bike Friday can also customize the bike to handle more weight.

I believe the Xootr Swift could support the weight with it's rigid frame design (though I can't find anywhere that lists a weight). A Brompton also has a max rider weight of about 240 lbs, so that's another option.

Have you tried contacting Xootr to see what they say about it?

--sam

Swift has a 245 lb weight limit.

I use one in Boston that I bought from Peter Reich. At the time of purchase I was around 230 and told him I would be carrying 15-20 pounds of stuff in a pannier.

The swift works fine on MBTA trains from South station (the conductors will ask if it folds) and on the red line (limited experience).

One of the reasons that I bought a Tikit was the sizing options available for it. I'm 6' and didn't quite fit on a Dahon D7 - I can ride it, but it's a bit cramped. The large Tikit fits me perfectly and I am able to swap in normal MTB stems or bars to dial in my cockpit.

As has been noted Bike Friday can build a heavy duty Tikit up to 260lbs without issue. They can build one beyond that, but they'd have to pretty much custom build at that point.

Interesting thread, my lbs assured me that at 6' 3" and 225lbs a folding bike was "suicide." Hit one pothole, he said, and it'll fold your face right into the tarmac.

I had assumed that Dahon's bigger bikes (Cadenza, Flo, Matrix, etc.) would be rated for higher weights. Nope, 230 lbs. The only one at 245 is the superexpensive Tournado, not even available for sale on Dahon's website.

Interesting thread, my lbs assured me that at 6' 3" and 225lbs a folding bike was "suicide." Hit one pothole, he said, and it'll fold your face right into the tarmac.

Well, I've hit some potholes. The worst issue I've had is the chain jumping off.

--sam

... A Brompton also has a max rider weight of about 240 lbs, so that's another option.

--sam
+1
as Sam said, a brompton could pay the bill if you going a lot subway. Thats what the website says in its FAQ:
"What is the maximum load a Brompton can carry?
We stipulate that the bike is designed to carry a maximum load of 110kgs plus 20kgs of luggage; that is the equivalent to 242 lbs plus 44 lbs."

If that sounds interesting to you, I would propose to try a S-typ since your upper body is rather large and the S-typ stem goes more forward hence more stretch. I would also then modify and put a riser bar for more height or some bar clamps like LittlePixel did.

Interesting thread, my lbs assured me that at 6' 3" and 225lbs a folding bike was "suicide." Hit one pothole, he said, and it'll fold your face right into the tarmac.

Your LBS is misinformed.

I'm 6'4" I ride a Matrix and wrong end of 17stone. I have had no problems. In fact I rode it 15 miles to work today.

I think the problem of weight limit is more one of rapid metal fatigue than sudden collapse.

So the bike may be fine for a day, a week, a month or a year but some weld will fail sooner than the guarantee expires.

Total speculation though.

Hopefully my weight will fall quicker than the fatigue.

I think the problem of weight limit is more one of rapid metal fatigue than sudden collapse.

So the bike may be fine for a day, a week, a month or a year but some weld will fail sooner than the guarantee expires.

Total speculation though.

Reality in my case, at 15 stone. I suspect the welds on my two Matrix frames may not have failed if I'd replaced the BioLogic pump post with a longer one.

From Bike Friday FAQ:

Question

I'm kinda HEAVY - is there a weight limit for a Bike Friday?


Answer

While the stock bikes have preset weight limits, our custom bikes can be manufactured for nearly any weight.
For example, the Pocket Rocket (http://www.bikefriday.com/pocketrocket) limits at 220 pounds, and the heavy rider upgrade increases this to 260 pounds. There is a $150 charge for this heavy rider upgrade.

The Pocket Rocket Pro (http://www.bikefriday.com/node/1591) limit is 190 pounds - there is no heavy rider upgrade on that model.

The stock bikes have weight limits of 200 pounds (90kg). But, by choosing the type of tubing we use in our custom-manufactured bikes, we can build a Bike Friday for someone much heavier. Talk to our Sales Team (http://www.bikefriday.com/sales) about designing a custom Bike Friday for your needs.

I'm ready for Spring! After a slothful winter (and gluttonous holiday season) here in Illinois in which my longest bike ride was 5 blocks, I'm back up to 235 lbs (nearly 17 stone).

I can't wait to get back to my bike commute. Hopefully just a few more weeks of good weather and I'll be ready to go. Woohoo!!!!

--sam

Last year I saw a small Pocket Llama (used) for sale on the Bike Friday website that they advertised as rated for 275 lbs.

FWIW, my Xootr Swift is holding up much better than my Dahon Matrix ever did. I don't know how many miles I've put on it--at least 1500, I'd imagine--but everything's still strong and non-creaky.