Folding Bikes - Calling on experts - Help me find a folder...

So many choices, but is there something out there for me?
Here's what I am looking for:
- new or used
- 20 inch wheels
- speedy
- fits in trailer style case (VERY IMPORTANT)
- rack
- drop bars
- quality parts and not too heavy
- quick to assemble/disassemble (5 minutes, not 20-30)
- under $1000
I know I can find a NWT in that range used but I am a little turned off by how long it takes to pack it up and unpack it. I will be traveling mostly by air/train/bus.
Thanks in advance!

I can't fold up and pack a suitcase full of clothes in much less than 5 minutes. So your options will be limited and there's unlikely to be anything for under $1000.

airnimal are the fastest to pack into airline-legal suitcase as far as i know
i know because i have an airnimal joey
my girlfriend has a new world tourist
i pack my bike into the case in about 10 minutes
it then takes both of us about 45 minutes to do hers, just because it is very fiddly to fit it in the case!
you can adapt the bike friday trailer hitch to work with the airnimal + case
just dont buy the case thet airnimal sells, this is crap! mine broke twice on the first two flight i took it on
get a good samsonite or an SKB type thing

I can't fold up and pack a suitcase full of clothes in much less than 5 minutes. So your options will be limited and there's unlikely to be anything for under $1000.

Uh, well, I can't pack for a trip in under 5 minutes either, but what does this have to do with the bike? Basically, I don't want the trouble of a long and drawn out routine every time I get on and off a train or flight. I think this is a normal desire....

Any reason you're set on 20" wheels? I mean, it's just a name. ERTO406 wheels won't really be 20" in diameter anyway and the ERTO349 wheels won't be much smaller.

Of course, ERTO349 wheels are usually a red flag indicating the design has compromised ride quality and performance overall compared to a bike with ERTO406 or ERTO451 wheels, but if you really want to be able to pack your cycle in 5 minutes then maybe a Model T tikit could work for you.

$999 new for a Model T tikit, but if you get a used then you can customize it some without exceeding your budget

You might also check out the Birdy and the Pacific Reach, but they might be too expensive

airnimal are the fastest to pack into airline-legal suitcase as far as i know
i know because i have an airnimal joey
my girlfriend has a new world tourist
i pack my bike into the case in about 10 minutes
it then takes both of us about 45 minutes to do hers, just because it is very fiddly to fit it in the case!
you can adapt the bike friday trailer hitch to work with the airnimal + case
just dont buy the case thet airnimal sells, this is crap! mine broke twice on the first two flight i took it on
get a good samsonite or an SKB type thing

Looks nice (and a little pricey)...but nice :)

Any reason you're set on 20" wheels? I mean, it's just a name. ERTO406 wheels won't really be 20" in diameter anyway and the ERTO349 wheels won't be much smaller.

Of course, ERTO349 wheels are usually a red flag indicating the design has compromised ride quality and performance overall compared to a bike with ERTO406 or ERTO451 wheels, but if you really want to be able to pack your cycle in 5 minutes then maybe a Model T tikit could work for you.

$999 new, but if you get a used then you can customize it some without exceeding your budget

No, I don't need 20" wheels, but I don't want wheels that are small (like 16 or similar)....19, 21, whatever is cool. To be honest, I don't know about ERTO 349, 406 and 451....

No, I don't need 20" wheels, but I don't want wheels that are small (like 16 or similar)....19, 21, whatever is cool. To be honest, I don't know about ERTO 349, 406 and 451....

Common rim diameters for folders are 305mm, 349mm, 355mm, 406mm, and 451mm. The first two are called "16 inch" and the last two are called "20 inch", but as you can see the progression is actually pretty gradual with the variation among "16 inch" or "20 inch" sizes being just as large as the variation between them.

Dahon's "16 inch" bikes are 305mm, the Brompton and tikit are 349mm, the Birdy is 355mm, the top end bike friday's are 451mm, and most others are 406mm.

Yeah, so based on your description I think your best bets are a Bike Friday Model T tikit and a Pacific Reach City (or the low end model...I think they recently changed the model names). Bike Friday's entire business basically revolves around the trailer bike suitcase concept, so if you want the whole package then that will definitely be the way to go, but the Pacific Reach will give you bigger wheels, a high end road suspension, and probably better components for the same money (disadvantage being that it only comes in one size and I'm not 100% sure you'll be able to fit it into a trailer suitcase as quickly as you want).

Have you considered the xootr swift? The swift will cover most of your requirements:

- ETRO 406 wheels :thumb:
- speedy (belongs to the fastest folders) :thumb:
- $ 699 :thumb:
- fits in trailer style case :thumb:
- not too heavy :thumb:
- rack: can be purchased extra from the website :thumb:

- drop bars: easy modification
- quality parts: well, medium quality but standard measures so upgradable
- quick to assemble/disassemble (5 minutes, not 20-30): hm, while Bike Friday advertises the "easy packing" in a suitcase, on the swifts website you are "warned" about packing it in a suitcase if you are not mechanically skilled. And they give all kind of nice tips like "Turn on some relaxing music and drink a cappucino with a couple of biscotti"...but then from reading the single steps, I get the impression of a fairly easy and quick packing. At least as quick or quicker as a Bike Friday packing.

Note: I dont own a xootr swift (yet) but the bike gets rage here, perhaps some owner can comment on actual packing time?

A used Dahon Speed Pro TT might fit the bill. It has track-style handlebars, which is are very similar to riding with drop bars. I believe it will fit in a trailer-style case and it has 20" wheels. The only thing I'm not sure about is the installation of a rack, although it does appear to have eyelets in the back that could make this possible. The cost is more than you're looking for (around $1300), but if you're willing to put in a few more bucks, it might be worth it. The best thing about the Dahon models is that they fold and unfold very quickly. With the Speed Pro TT, I think you can just loosen the handlebars to flatten them when packing it up.

The 20" Dahons still need disassembly to fit into an airline-legal case.
And gaerlan.com warns that Dahon handleposts that go outside the fold (Speed Pro, Mu SL) might not fit.

Dahon Mu Sl fits, I did it with a bit of practice in <5 min. No disassembly needed except unclamping the Vro clamp plus take off wheels. Right fold stem fits nicely in between the rear. The Mu SL might be one of the most compact bikes as it has a bow rear which lets you put the cassette there and cranks arms can stick through low count spokes wheel. With its light weight it is a perfect bike for commuting, traveling by plane, and serious riding.

By pack ... do you mean in a flight legal suitcase? If so, a NWT packs pretty quick relative to a lot of other options unless you go with sub 20" wheel bikes.

Bike Friday has a few sub $1K options now.

Swift is a good option unless you want to go with a multiple chainrings. Although they have a front derailer option now. I just have not heard anything on its -- the front derailer -- performance.