Folding Bikes - Can you recommend a bike for my situation?

I'm 5'2", female.
I live in a 6 floor walk-up apartment
I'm in NYC - I will only be riding it at Central Park or the NYC Greenway for leisure and exercise. I won't be riding in traffic with cars since I'm too chicken.


With that said, does anyone have any recs for me? I came the folding bikes subsection because I figure they would be the lightest bike so I can carry it to my apartment.

So far, I have heard very good things about the Dahon Speed 7 or Vitesse D7HG, but I'm not sure if there are better recs out there. I'm not sure if these 2 bikes are too specialized or advanced for what I'm using it for or perhaps I need more?

I also don't want a 16 inch wheel because those look like baby wheels and just looks weird when I saw them on the streets. I"m also afraid it won't be that stable. I'm not very good on my bike, so I feel safer on something sturdier. Thanks for your help.

Honestly, if you're looking for something light, you'll do better getting a non-folding bike. I'm not saying that you shouldn't get a folder, but based on your criteria, a regular bike would fit your needs best. Folding bikes are generally heavier than comparable regular bikes.

If, however, you have your heart set on a folder... the best thing I can tell you right now is to go to one of the NYC area shops that sell folders and give a few a test ride. Pretty much any folder will work for the type of riding you're looking to do. Now it's just a matter of testing a few out to see if they'll work for you. Here are a few NYC area shops...

http://nycewheels.com/
http://bfold.com/

Good luck!
--sam

I'm 5'2", female.
I live in a 6 floor walk-up apartment
I'm in NYC - I will only be riding it at Central Park or the NYC Greenway for leisure and exercise. I won't be riding in traffic with cars since I'm too chicken.


With that said, does anyone have any recs for me? I came the folding bikes subsection because I figure they would be the lightest bike so I can carry it to my apartment.


If you are optimizing for weight you might do better with a full sized bike. Something aluminum or carbon fiber can be pretty light. If the stairs in your walk up are tight, or you are tight for storage space in your apartment, then a folder might be just the thing.



So far, I have heard very good things about the Dahon Speed 7 or Vitesse D7HG, but I'm not sure if there are better recs out there. I'm not sure if these 2 bikes are too specialized or advanced for what I'm using it for or perhaps I need more?


The Xootr Swift (http://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/bikes.shtml) might be a good match for you.

You know most people need to buy their folding bikes sight unseen, but in NYC there are at least two bike stores that specialize in folding bikes. You can go and get expert advice and, more importantly, test ride the options and see what you like.

NYCE Wheels (http://nycewheels.com/) is in the Upper East Side, and BFold (http://www.bfold.com/) is near Union Square.

Good luck!

Speedo

OH wow, I really had no idea at all that full size bikes are lighter than folding bikes. I just figured since they're smaller, they should be lighter too Do you have any recs for a light full size bike for a short person? And hopefully cheaper than a folding bike?


I hope to be able to check out both shops recommended and actually get a feel for how heavy they feel. Thanks again :)

OH wow, I really had no idea at all that full size bikes are lighter than folding bikes. I just figured since they're smaller, they should be lighter too

Be careful with that generalization. The light, full-sized bikes they're referring to also costs in the thousands of dollars. You can get full-sized bikes that weigh 40lbs too. It depends on how much you want to spend.

Your best bet is to go bike shops and look around.

I'm 5'2", female.
I live in a 6 floor walk-up apartment


My wife was in the exact same situation. I got her a full-sized light sport hybrid. As mentioned here, you'll generally find that folding bikes are heavier by a tad than their non-folding brethren, mostly because of the added complexity of the folding mechanism.


I also don't want a 16 inch wheel because those look like baby wheels and just looks weird when I saw them on the streets. I"m also afraid it won't be that stable.

Many folding bikes aren't super stable but that's not because of the wheel size per se: it's because of the geometry of the bike necessary to achieve a good fold. I have a 16" wheel folding bike and it rides pretty well, more stably than the larger folding bikes.

I can't speak to weird: but people literally stop me in the street to tell me that THAT BIKE IS AWESOME! So...

My jamis commuter 3 feels pretty light and it's a fairly inexpensive bike. I don't have any trouble lifting it in and out of my truck and I'm 5 ft 2 in as well. I have a folder, but it's sort of heavy. I've gotten used to hoisting it and throwing it into my Toyota's trunk, but it did take some adjustment. I'm not sure how I would do on six flights of stairs... Plus it's sort of awkward when I take the handlebars out and put it in between the folded wheels... but I love my folder and I imagine it would be handy in a big city...

I guess I would go and do some lifting at all the bike shops. If you tell your LBS what your needs are, they'll try to steer you in the right direction... and if you keep doing research, you can evaluate their reccomendations.

Be careful with that generalization. The light, full-sized bikes they're referring to also costs in the thousands of dollars.


Or thousand, singular. You can get some pretty light bikes for not too much money if what you are looking for is only a light bike.

Best bet is the looking around. If she goes to those two shops she'll be in good shape.

Speedo

I agree with the recommendations. My full-size CF bike, which cost a bit over $1000, is lighter and much easier to carry up and down stairs than my folder.

I agree with the recommendations. My full-size CF bike, which cost a bit over $1000, is lighter and much easier to carry up and down stairs than my folder.

Yeah, but that's not really a fair comparison because the available choices in folders are, on the whole, much more utilitarian all around.

Make no mistake, smaller bikes are lighter, but the mere 20-30% size reduction sought by most folding bike purchasers isn't nearly enough to overcome utilitarian additions like wide tires, fenders, overbuilt wheels, suspension, etc. However, it's all a matter of degree; My 8" wheeled bike is under 18 pounds with racks, fenders, lights, overbuilt frame (enough to carry two people), etc and it's extremely easy to carry up and down stairs.


I also don't want a 16 inch wheel because those look like baby wheels and just looks weird when I saw them on the streets. I"m also afraid it won't be that stable. I'm not very good on my bike, so I feel safer on something sturdier. Thanks for your help.

This is your problem right here. Since bicycles are so bare and without facade, you can't expect something to be different unless it also looks different. Your criteria is biased against the best choice and in favor of whatever is normal. I mean, think about it, if a wheel isn't small enough to look weird then how can you expect it to be extraordinary in weight?

Also, I assure you that the smaller the wheels the sturdier they are. Larger wheels are fragile and unwieldy.

Hate to say it, but your expectations are unreasonable and irrational. If you restrict yourself to things that are normal then you can never have something that's better (by definition).

I think a STRIDA is the bike for you.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=467153

There is a cheaper copy also. Ask EvilV.

Strida Mini ?
.... lighter, smaller (and costs less than other Stridas), bearing in mind you are 5' 2"
or CarryMe ?

I think a STRIDA is the bike for you.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=467153

There is a cheaper copy also. Ask EvilV.

I wanted to say that too, but was put off by the lady's dislike of small wheels.

The Strida is tiny and light weight. I am not familiar with Central Park, but have got the view from somewhere that NY is pretty flat. The Strida has only one gear so you wouldn't want to be riding it up those hills in SF I have seen on TV :eek:

I have to tell you, I wrote some stupid things about stridas before I rode one - how it was a clown bike and so on. I am ashamed of my ignorance now. The design is great; it is so compact as to be beyond wonderful, it weighs (by comparison to my other bikes) next to nothing, and it is a lot of fun.

It handles in a less frisky way than my Brompton copy. Now when I ride that, I feel uneasy for the first few minutes. You can also get strida now in a smaller size - I think it's called the mini.

Also - for apartment living, you really need something that will fold up small, or be small when it isn't folded. There is no more compact AND ridable bike than the strida. Also, the fold is so fast and easy that you won't be deterred from folding it up. It literally takes a few seconds to turn it into something the size of a set of golf clubs.

All I can say is try out a strida, but make sure they adjust the seat height properly for you so you get a fair idea of what it is like when properly set up. If you don't like it, then it cost you nothing, and if you do, you'll have a lot of fun.

PS - in considering anything I say about Stridas - please be advised that I only have a knock off and not a real one.

Your requirements are attainable provided the budget you have available can match them. Let's see. You want a light weight bike, with at least 20 inch wheels. You are also saying that you live in a 6th floor apartment in a building that apparently has no elevator. In addition, the purpose you have for your future bicycle is mainly recreational.

If you can spend up to $600, maybe the Dahon MU P8 is a good option. It weighs less than 25 lbs.

http://www.thefitnessstore.com/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1207776753&PNAME=2008+Dahon+MU+P8+Folding+Bike

And if you got some extra bucks, and you really want to go lightweight, the MU SL 9 is under 20 lbs.:

http://www.thefitnessstore.com/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1140480444&PNAME=2008+Dahon+MU+SL+9+Speed+Folding+Bike

But, if you're on a tight budget, the Citizenbike "Gotham" model is also sub 25 lbs., and looks just as good as the Dahon.

http://citizenbike.com/catalog.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=7

Obviously the Dahon's higher price also means it has higher quality parts in it than the Citizenbike, but for your intended use, the Gotham should work well.

And as others have said, high quality, non folding bikes are another option if you don't need for it to fold.

Good luck,
Edward




I'm 5'2", female.
I live in a 6 floor walk-up apartment
I'm in NYC - I will only be riding it at Central Park or the NYC Greenway for leisure and exercise. I won't be riding in traffic with cars since I'm too chicken.


With that said, does anyone have any recs for me? I came the folding bikes subsection because I figure they would be the lightest bike so I can carry it to my apartment.

So far, I have heard very good things about the Dahon Speed 7 or Vitesse D7HG, but I'm not sure if there are better recs out there. I'm not sure if these 2 bikes are too specialized or advanced for what I'm using it for or perhaps I need more?

I also don't want a 16 inch wheel because those look like baby wheels and just looks weird when I saw them on the streets. I"m also afraid it won't be that stable. I'm not very good on my bike, so I feel safer on something sturdier. Thanks for your help.

Your requirements are attainable provided the budget you have available can match them. Let's see. You want a light weight bike, with at least 20 inch wheels. You are also saying that you live in a 6th floor apartment in a building that apparently has no elevator. In addition, the purpose you have for your future bicycle is mainly recreational.

If you can spend up to $600, maybe the Dahon MU P8 is a good option. It weighs less than 25 lbs.

http://www.thefitnessstore.com/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1207776753&PNAME=2008+Dahon+MU+P8+Folding+Bike

And if you got some extra bucks, and you really want to go lightweight, the MU SL 9 is under 20 lbs.:

http://www.thefitnessstore.com/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1140480444&PNAME=2008+Dahon+MU+SL+9+Speed+Folding+Bike

But, if you're on a tight budget, the Citizenbike "Gotham" model is also sub 25 lbs., and looks just as good as the Dahon.

http://citizenbike.com/catalog.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=7

Obviously the Dahon's higher price also means it has higher quality parts in it than the Citizenbike, but for your intended use, the Gotham should work well.

And as others have said, high quality, non folding bikes are another option if you don't need for it to fold.

Good luck,
Edward




I'm 5'2", female.
I live in a 6 floor walk-up apartment
I'm in NYC - I will only be riding it at Central Park or the NYC Greenway for leisure and exercise. I won't be riding in traffic with cars since I'm too chicken.


With that said, does anyone have any recs for me? I came the folding bikes subsection because I figure they would be the lightest bike so I can carry it to my apartment.

So far, I have heard very good things about the Dahon Speed 7 or Vitesse D7HG, but I'm not sure if there are better recs out there. I'm not sure if these 2 bikes are too specialized or advanced for what I'm using it for or perhaps I need more?

I also don't want a 16 inch wheel because those look like baby wheels and just looks weird when I saw them on the streets. I"m also afraid it won't be that stable. I'm not very good on my bike, so I feel safer on something sturdier. Thanks for your help.

hopefully the OP will enjoy riding her bike around the park and quickly realize how useful it is as a transportation device in NYC! Especially with all the new bike trails! This is where the added benefits of a folder in the city may be revealed to her: being able to hop on the train, bus or taxi, being able to take into buildings, or taking it on the plane for vacations or visits to distant relatives!
For this reason I would recommend a lightweight folder with a nice ride, like the Swift!
I suppose a Dahon might be ok too, but I am opposed to anything with a clamp halfway through the main tube, I like bikes to LAST but thats just me (ducks).

An addendum to my first post...

I agree with others, 16" wheels would be perfect for someone that is 5'2". I'm 6' tall and my 16" wheeled folding bike is great.

But since the OP noted a bias against 16" wheels, I doubt a 20" wheeled bike will make her feel any better. I honestly suggest looking for a lightweigt commuter or road bike sized to fit someone 5'2".

That said, if the OP should still try out the folders... and definitely try out the 16" bikes. I think she'll be pleasantly surprised.

--sam

Thank you everyone for your wonderful recs. For now, I will be doing more research into:

Xootr Swift
Dahon Mu P8
Citizen Gotham

One last question though. The Citizen Gotham is much much cheaper than the other 2 options. Is there a reason for such cheap pricing? Does it break easily or what? The weight for it is also light, only 23 pounds.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful recs. For now, I will be doing more research into:

Xootr Swift
Dahon Mu P8
Citizen Gotham

One last question though. The Citizen Gotham is much much cheaper than the other 2 options. Is there a reason for such cheap pricing? Does it break easily or what? The weight for it is also light, only 23 pounds.

The weight is inaccurate on the Citizen bike...it's much heavier than that.

bettybl,

Most of the times, a bicycle manufacturer will quote a weight on a certain model by weighing it without pedals, and/or the saddle. Some will go to the extreme of using the smallest frame to come up with their published weight. I kid you not!

Of course, most of the times, this is not revealed in the sales literature meant for public "consumption". I think one time, I seen a road bike advertisement that had in very small lettering near the bottom of the page, and it said something like "Weighed without pedals".

This practice is more prevalent amongst makers of higher end bikes, where low weight is a premium, and a sale can be literally gained, or lost by grams.

Getting back to the Gotham's claimed weight; in another thread someone who had bought one, had this to say:

"Hello,

My first folding bike (and first bike in 30 years) is a Citizen Gotham. As a pilot, I have been meaning to get something to throw in the back of my Cessna for years and weight is of a paramount concern. The stock Gotham fit the ticket and comes in at 24 pounds, as weighed by a bike shop scale. It is a great little bike and serves it's intended purpose for the most part."

You can read his comments, as well as others, both good and bad about Citizen bikes in general (Not just the Gotham), by clicking on this link:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=410768

It does make sense about what this person stated in his post about his Gotham's weight, as my Flying Pigeon folding bike weighs about the same, or maybe a few ounces more since I took off the rack, and fenders. Both bikes have very similar components.

And by the way, you might want to include this bike (Flying Pigeon) among your possible choices. The Flying Pigeon is even less money than the Gotham. It is available on eBay.

Here is my bike, the Flying Pigeon, which I got from a distributor selling through eBay...

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp129/edwong3/BikeRideinBaldwinParkJan82009003.jpg

and here is the Gotham.

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp129/edwong3/citizen_bike_folding_bike_gotham_si.jpg

The important thing is, do your homework. First pick out something that will fulfill your needs in a bicycle, and then consider everything else (price, features, customer service, etc.).

Good luck:thumb:

Edward




Thank you everyone for your wonderful recs. For now, I will be doing more research into:

Xootr Swift
Dahon Mu P8
Citizen Gotham

One last question though. The Citizen Gotham is much much cheaper than the other 2 options. Is there a reason for such cheap pricing? Does it break easily or what? The weight for it is also light, only 23 pounds.

Thanks Edward :) I know nothing about bikes at all. I just want an affordable and lightish one for the parks to have fun with. I searched for flying pigeon and it's only $110 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Folding-Flying-Pigeon-Bike-20-6-Spd-Shimano-3748_W0QQitemZ270167994625QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116) definitely a big YAY (and they have red too, another YAY) for my wallet.

May I ask do you feel the bike is at all quite heavy with all the pedals and seating (say, compared to a dahon bike if you have one to compare to). Also, would you wholeheartedly recommend this bike or have certain reservations about it? Thanks once again.

Hi again!

The "Pigeon" has a light feel to it because it is relatively light. If anything, for the money, it is probably the best value to quality ratio of any folder that I am aware of. The frame is magnesium alloy which is slightly lighter than aluminum. Other parts like the seat post, and the handle post are aluminum alloy. There are some steel parts, and accessories like the rack, the fenders, and the chain ring.

Now keep in mind, bikes like the Swift, mid-upper range Dahons, and some others not mentioned in this thread, come with higher end parts, and perform accordingly. However, the parts in the FP would be good enough for the intended use that you have planned.

Reservations you ask? If you decide to get this bike, or any other model for that matter, in which you purchase via the internet; it is highly recommended that you take it to a bike shop to have them adjust everything for you.

The next thing might not even be an issue for you. The stock seat post that came with the FP, was a little too short for me. That is not a problem at all for you since you are 5'2". I am at least 5'9" with a 29" inseam, so that was one issue for me. The other thing about the seat post was that after I would ride the bike for a mile or so, the seat post would have slipped back into the seat tube about an inch. That was annoying, especially since the post was a little too short for me to begin with:mad:

I tried tightening the quick release as much as I could, I also cleaned the seat post, and the shim with 97% alcohol to dissolve any traces of oil. It helped but didn't eliminate the problem completely.

Well by chance, a day or so before the FP arrived, I had placed an order for a 400 mm long seat post from "bikeman.com" for my other folder, a Qile Duo VST II. T I noticed that the diameter was the same. 28.6 mm! So when the new seat post came in, I used it in the FP, and took the post from the FP, and used it in the QD. It worked! Now I had the height I needed for the FP, and since the new seat post has a serrated finish to it, it no longer slipped.

As I stated this might not be an issue for you since you are lighter than me as well.:)

Well that's all I have to say for now. Feel free to ask more questions if you have them.:D

Regards,
Edward

Edit: I forgot to answer you question about the weight issue. The bike comes in at 28 lbs. with the rack, and fenders. Those are some of the parts I mentioned that come in steel. When I took off those accessories, I weighed the bike again, and it come down to 24-24.5 lbs! The rack is quite heavy. It is very well made however, and it should be able to support some good weight. As it is now, the FP compares favorably with the mid range Dahons in weight. It is right now even lighter than the Speed P8.


Thanks Edward :) I know nothing about bikes at all. I just want an affordable and lightish one for the parks to have fun with. I searched for flying pigeon and it's only $110 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Folding-Flying-Pigeon-Bike-20-6-Spd-Shimano-3748_W0QQitemZ270167994625QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116) definitely a big YAY (and they have red too, another YAY) for my wallet.

May I ask do you feel the bike is at all quite heavy with all the pedals and seating (say, compared to a dahon bike if you have one to compare to). Also, would you wholeheartedly recommend this bike or have certain reservations about it? Thanks once again.

If you look at some of the older threads there is 2 or 3 about the Fying pigeon in the last 1-2 weeks. At least two peopel bought it an wrote about it. Sounds like more than enough for your use. Also I think that if you buy an expensive high end bike you need a cheap one too, that you can lock up for 5 minutes without being scared all the time.

I think for your situation (6 stairs to flat, riding in the park on flat ground) I still think the weight of the bike is ine of the most important things. If it is too heavy you are going to just leave it in the flat. In that case maybe roller skates is better.

I still suggest the Strida or a cheaper copy (ask EvilV). Just take the time to get used to the super cool design!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVVgsQt1DK4

I'm 5'2", female.
I live in a 6 floor walk-up apartment

I'd like to see a 5'2" woman carry most of these bikes upstairs more than a very few times. I'd suppose that <1% of women would be prepared to regularly carry a bike up six floors - if that.

The only bike for a situation like this is a Strida - and you won't like carrying that up six floor either. Most of the rest are none starters for regular use in this situation.

You can grip the strida in your right hand below the seat, take the left handle bar grip in your left hand, lift up your right hand to the shoulder and push the left down, and the bike up ends into a very portable state. No part gets in the way of your body, and it is great for going upstairs like that. I know this because one of my routes has a long outside staircase on it, and I do this most days.

The Strida is tiny and light weight. I am not familiar with Central Park, but have got the view from somewhere that NY is pretty flat.

While the Strida may be a good choice for compactness and weight (I don't own one), please be aware that New York is NOT flat. I wouldn't buy any bike that doesn't have at least 3 gears, and given a choice I'd opt for more, no question. There ARE hills in Central Park, and if you intend to do any riding elsewhere in New York, be aware that there are parts of Manhattan that are most definitely hilly.



I'd like to see a 5'2" woman carry most of these bikes upstairs more than a very few times. I'd suppose that <1% of women would be prepared to regularly carry a bike up six floors - if that.

I agree with this, except I'd include myself, a 6'2" man. 24 lbs. may not sound like a lot but it IS a lot when you have to carry it up stairs. I love my folder, but honestly, if I was living in a 6 floor walkup and looking for a bike for recreational use, I'd be looking for a non-folder under 20 lbs. if possible. I'll add that in my experience carrying my folder in its UNFOLDED state feels a lot lighter, probably because of weight distribution, than when it's FOLDED. So for me that defeats the whole purpose of getting a folder if you're thinking it will be easier to carry up stairs when folded.

I would strongly recommend going to a store. buying any of these sight unseen is a bad idea, especially if you have no experience with folding bikes.

Folding bikes tend to be heavier for two reasons, both stemming from the fact that they're more complex to manufacture. Firstly, this complexity makes them more costly to make, so for any two bikes, one folding and one non-folding, of roughly the same price, the non-folding one is going to have nicer components and probably a better-built frame. On top of that, folding frames by nature are heavier than non-folding bikes because hinges and clamps have to be overbuilt. The traditional diamond bike frame is the lightest, stiffest thing anyone's really managed to come up with (with a few exceptions like the Moulton). Any alteration to that design generally incurs significant weight gain.

Most folding bike aren't actually much smaller than non-folders. They have smaller wheels, but when unfolded they put the pedals, seat, wheel axles and handlebars at basically the same points as on a full- sized bike. The exceptions here are the true mini-bikes like Strida, A-Bike, and Mobiki.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from getting a folder-- With the right one, the performance difference with a full-sized bike is negligible. But you should definitely go to a shop (or preferably several) and look seriously at all of your options.

I would highly recommend one of the Dahon folders that has 20" wheels. Check out their "urban utility bikes" at www.dahon.com. I'm a 5-foot tall female and ride the Dahon Speed Pro TT and carry it up and down several flights of stairs each day. It weighs about 22 pounds with all my stuff on it. That's probably more bike than you need, but the Dahons seems to be among the more adjustable bikes for people of different heights. Also, don't totally eliminate the idea of 16" wheels. It will shave some weight off the bike. The Curve SL is VERY light and has 16" wheels.

The good things about folders when it comes to carrying them up into an apartment building is that not only are they relatively light, but they are compact. When you're our size, compactness can matter more than weight sometimes. Also, apartment building stairwells can often be narrow. Maneuvering a full-size bike in them can be daunting and dangerous. With a folder, you're better able to round corners.

A folder is a great space-saving option for those of us living in apartments. When at home, I store mine under my desk. It is completely "out of the way" and doesn't eat into our limited living space like a full-size bike does.

The Dahons fold up really quickly and mine has withstood quite a bit of abuse during the 9 months that I have had it.

There are a few downsides to folders that you'll want to consider. Finding parts for them can be a little tricky (although in NYC you will probably be fine). Just always make sure to have the correct tubes with you, as not all bike stores carry spare tubes for these odd-sized wheels. They also require a tad more maintenance than a typical bike, although you don't sound like you'll be doing a ton of riding. I ride about 100 miles each week on my folder and I do have to spend a bit more time cleaning it and ensuring that everything is in working order. Also, on ALL folders, the brakes are a little less powerful due to the long cables that these bikes all have. I alleviated this problem by installing some Kool Stop salmon brake pads to give me a little more braking power, especially in wet conditions.

Finally, as a small woman, I have found my folder to be the most comfortable and easy-to-handle bike I've ever ridden. The 20" wheels are far more easy for me to maneuver through traffic. Also, because everything on the bike is smaller than a full-size bike, it just fits me better. I have four bikes (three full-size and one folder) and my folder is BY FAR the most comfortable bike for me to ride.

Hello,

My apartment is only on the second floor. However there are three landings, and you must do a left, then a right to get there. And on top of that, the stairway is narrow. In spite of that, I have to agree that I prefer, and find it easier to carry my bikes in their unfolded state. Sometimes the rear tire will bump one of the walls as I go up or down the stairs. I imagine that a full size bike would require even more care.

The Qile Duo's frame has a tube that curves up, and acts as a carrying handle, and it balances out perfectly. With the Flying Pigeon, I just grab the frame right in front of the seat tube, and it is easy to carry it that way. So yes, that is an issue that the OP must take into consideration.

Regardless, anyway you cut it, we're talking about carrying a bike up, and down 6 floors. The major issue then is weight, not whether or not the bike folds. You can choose like me to carry the bike upstairs unfolded. It's also possible to rest the front end of the saddle on one of the shoulders, and hold it in place with one hand, while using the free hand to steady oneself with the railing in the stairwell. There is no rule that says you must first fold the bike before doing so.

The OP knows what level of fitness she is in, and if 24 lbs. is too much, then she'll have to consider something lighter; regardless of folding (or the lack of) capability. I don't think this is as hard of a challenge as it may seem at first.

Just my "dos centavos".:D

Edward




I agree with this, except I'd include myself, a 6'2" man. 24 lbs. may not sound like a lot but it IS a lot when you have to carry it up stairs. I love my folder, but honestly, if I was living in a 6 floor walkup and looking for a bike for recreational use, I'd be looking for a non-folder under 20 lbs. if possible. I'll add that in my experience carrying my folder in its UNFOLDED state feels a lot lighter, probably because of weight distribution, than when it's FOLDED. So for me that defeats the whole purpose of getting a folder if you're thinking it will be easier to carry up stairs when folded.

what floor in the walk up do you live on?
I lived on the fifth floor of a 5 story walk up and carried many types of bikes.
the easiest was a road bike, the most difficult an Apollo 5 speed chopper.
are there wide landings to rest or is it just narrow criss cross stairs?
how do the people with folders carry their folder? folded or unfolded.
it's the top tube that made it easy to sling the bike over my shoulder.

Show me a more portable bike than this and I'll buy it.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mxD813fC848/SXNhCw9PysI/AAAAAAAABSI/kfJZH1YU0lw/s512/DSCN1629.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mxD813fC848/SXNhBlleuwI/AAAAAAAABSA/2WrGJu1IQxc/s512/DSCN1627.JPG


Excuse the scarf - I just got in from riding back from the pub and it has just started snowing outside.

The bike weighs twenty pounds and cost me £120.

It has a clean rubber drive belt and no grease anywhere.

I am 5'6" tall, aged 58 and can ride this bike ten miles with ease and carry it up any number of flights of stairs within reason. It is the most compact, practical bike for a <6 mile commute anywhere but a really hilly place, or a bit of fun I have ever had.

Excuse the odd facial expression. I have had a few beers here.

A regular road bike is MUCH easier for me to carry than a folder like my Swift, or yours too, Mr Evil. I can carry the road bike with the top tube resting on my shoulder. The Swift needs to be carried in my hand and it's very awkward.

You know, it's not like someone couldn't add a shoulder strap to a folder. You don't need a top tube.

You know, it's not like someone couldn't add a shoulder strap to a folder. You don't need a top tube.

I'm not sure if that would work out well with an awkward bulky folded up package like my Swift. Do you use a shoulder strap? Some folders roll, but that's not much help on stairs.

If I had to live in a 6th floor walkup and needed a bike I'd pick a stripped down lightweight road bike, or a track bike (like bike messengers use), and I'd toss it on my shoulder. A somewhat daunting prospect even for me, a big strong 6'1" feller. And if you are in a 6th floor walkup it must be a very old building with narrow steep stairways, too. When did they make it illegal in NY to build tenements with over five floors without an elevator, the 1920's or 30's?

A regular road bike is MUCH easier for me to carry than a folder like my Swift, or yours too, Mr Evil. I can carry the road bike with the top tube resting on my shoulder. The Swift needs to be carried in my hand and it's very awkward.

Ah, but just try turning a corner on a staircase with a full size bike balanced on your shoulder under the top tube. It's length will make it foul up on the walls, passing neighbours, banisters etc. I have a shed full of bikes - 700 c road bike, two, 26" ATBs, a 26" hybrid etc and in my opinion they are far less portable even though they may ride faster and further than the strida knock off.

The test is that the only bike I have ridden this week is the Strida knock off and the week before I took the Brompton knock off about twelve miles. Both of them are in the house the R20 is in the garage and the full sized bikes ate piled on top of each other in the shed and covered in spiders webs.

I went out for a ride with a friend this afternoon through the park and to the pub. I picked up by Merc for starters, and then put it back, because I knew I could so easily collapse the Strida type in five seconds and take it into the pub for a couple of beers without challenge.

In the end of course, preferences like these are only a matter of opinion so others must make up their own mind.

This is part of my route to the pub ->

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mxD813fC848/SXNqRCJR9RI/AAAAAAAABTM/x_NWB1q4xJQ/s512/DSCN0321.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mxD813fC848/SXNqPYtIcWI/AAAAAAAABTE/mWpK3aVDjg4/s512/DSCN0309.JPG

I'm not sure if that would work out well with an awkward bulky folded up package like my Swift. Do you use a shoulder strap? Some folders roll, but that's not much help on stairs.

Who says you have to fold it? A 20" wheeled bike should be at least 12 inches shorter even without folding (plus you can rotate the handlebars sideways).

I've said it before and I'll say it again: most of the advantage of a 20" folder simply comes from the fact that it's a smaller bike. The main folding hinge itself is mostly symbolic.

"Ah, but just try turning a corner on a staircase with a full size bike balanced on your shoulder under the top tube. It's length will make it foul up on the walls, passing neighbours, banisters etc."


Yep, a rather daunting prospect, especially in an "old law" tenement. Been there done that.

That's beautiful country, Evil. So green! Where is that?

Who says you have to fold it? A 20" wheeled bike should be at least 12 inches shorter even without folding (plus you can rotate the handlebars sideways).

I think a problem with carrying a folder like that with shoulder straps is that the bike will hang low and the pedals and crank and front wheel might foul your legs, whereas carrying a big bike on my shoulder the pedal and crank and wheel is higher and out of the way. This is just speculation though.

All this makes me so happy I escaped from NYC, not to mention it's going up to 76 here today!

"Ah, but just try turning a corner on a staircase with a full size bike balanced on your shoulder under the top tube. It's length will make it foul up on the walls, passing neighbours, banisters etc."


Yep, a rather daunting prospect, especially in an "old law" tenement. Been there done that.

That's beautiful country, Evil. So green! Where is that?

Thanks werewolf.

This is a valley that runs through the city of Newcastle upon Tyne where I live. It is in the north east of England a city of about 200,000 population situated at 55N, 1.8W. I find this valley a very convenient traffic free route to some locations in the city - great for biking, except that it has pretty steep sides. I have to push the strida up some of the routes through here, depending which ones I take. Once you are down by the river you can travel about two miles through the city on flattish and traffic free paths. Click link below to see the location.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Jesmond+Dene,+Byker,+Newcastle+Upon+Tyne,+Newcastle+Upon+Tyne+NE7,+United+Kingdom&sll=54.991502,-1.588898&sspn=0.011473,0.018926&ie=UTF8&ll=54.991822,-1.591558&spn=0.011473,0.018926&t=h&z=15&iwloc=addr


Wider scale map:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Jesmond+Dene,+Byker,+Newcastle+Upon+Tyne,+Newcastle+Upon+Tyne+NE7,+United+Kingdom&sll=54.991502,-1.588898&sspn=0.011473,0.018926&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=54.991822,-1.591558&spn=0.051013,0.154495&z=13

I think a problem with carrying a folder like that with shoulder straps is that the bike will hang low and the pedals and crank and front wheel might foul your legs, whereas carrying a big bike on my shoulder the pedal and crank and wheel is higher and out of the way. This is just speculation though.

All this makes me so happy I escaped from NYC, not to mention it's going up to 76 here today!

The bike need not hang any lower than the slack in the strap. This isn't rocket science.

Evil - Gorgeous! Living here in the Sonoran desert you can forget how green the world can be. OK, I'm off! Riding my Swift south of Tucson...

Shoulderstrap can be done, just a matter of how.

My lightest bike is a full size Motobecane mixte, wery light but big.

How often is she going to carry only the bike up the stairs? Most days you bring a bag, or some shopping or..

If this was me I`d be slim with great legs!

Evil - Gorgeous! Living here in the Sonoran desert you can forget how green the world can be. OK, I'm off! Riding my Swift south of Tucson...

Ah - I hope you have a great ride there werewolf. We get a fair bit of rain to make things green and it ain't always all it seems. There are many days when I'd like to ride in a desert, I can tell you, as I arrive home soaked and half frozen.

That's beautiful country, Evil. So green! Where is that?

Looks like a great place! It is all about realising it and going there. It is quite possible to go right trough without seeing it or worse, driving around the whole area in a car.

Many towns has got rivers or streams going trough, and if you follow them it is easy to forget that you are in a town.

Ah - I hope you have a great ride there werewolf. We get a fair bit of rain to make things green and it ain't always all it seems. There are many days when I'd like to ride in a desert, I can tell you, as I arrive home soaked and half frozen.

Well, at least you arrive with a half-heater on ... at least that's what I can gather from previous posts.. :lol:

Well, at least you arrive with a half-heater on ... at least that's what I can gather from previous posts.. :lol:

I think you are referring to my ridiculous scarf in the house. LOL. I just hadn't bothered to divest myself of outdoor gear before looking at the laptop and making impetuous photographs of my beastly self and my horrid knock off. Put it down to three pints of ale and a stiff ride in snow flurries - or early onset Altzhiemers or something.

Rest assured I heat my house adequately with a knock off boiler and gas tapped from my neighbour's supply.


:eek:

Looks like a great place! It is all about realising it and going there. It is quite possible to go right trough without seeing it or worse, driving around the whole area in a car.

Many towns has got rivers or streams going trough, and if you follow them it is easy to forget that you are in a town.

One of the best things about biking is that it makes you explore new routes to find traffic free ways. This can lead you into discovering great places that you might not ever see from a car.

I think that life is in many ways like that - we should look for beautiful things in among the mundane and everyday and appreciate them. That is something I would like to have realised earlier in life than I did. I could have appreciated many people, places and things that I passed over because I hadn't bothered to notice them. It is easy to get overly tied up in the future and to miss the present. Sad thing is, the present is the only time that is real. The rest is either a poor recollection or a mirage.

One of the best things about biking is that it makes you explore new routes to find traffic free ways. This can lead you into discovering great places that you might not ever see from a car. I think that life is in many ways like that - we should look for beautiful things in among the mundane and everyday and appreciate them. That is something I would like to have realised earlier in life than I did. I could have appreciated many people, places and things that I passed over because I hadn't bothered to notice them. It is easy to get overly tied up in the future and to miss the present. Sad thing is, the present is the only time that is real. The rest is either a poor recollection or a mirage.


Well said! There are so many things I see on my commute that are just amazing, things I would never notice or appreciate if I was behind the wheel of a car. Sunsets and sunrises are my favorite. Or this awesome view I have every morning as I cruise down New Jersey Ave in DC and see the Capitol building right in front of me with the sun rising around it. In spring I always find these little flowers popping up in the strangest places. Or there's the winter mornings when I sometimes go in early and the city is this awesome, eerie quiet. And the great thing about biking is that it only takes 30 seconds to hop off and snap a picture of something. That way, you can enjoy the present well into the future.

Well said! There are so many things I see on my commute that are just amazing, things I would never notice or appreciate if I was behind the wheel of a car. Sunsets and sunrises are my favorite. Or this awesome view I have every morning as I cruise down New Jersey Ave in DC and see the Capitol building right in front of me with the sun rising around it. In spring I always find these little flowers popping up in the strangest places. Or there's the winter mornings when I sometimes go in early and the city is this awesome, eerie quiet. And the great thing about biking is that it only takes 30 seconds to hop off and snap a picture of something. That way, you can enjoy the present well into the future.

Absolutely right. I can picture that view right now in my imagination and you know what else? Just getting on any of my bikes and turning the pedals for a few minutes puts me in a good mood, and in a state to notice things and enjoy them. I think that maybe too much of modern life works against the fact that we are just animals and that we derive a sense of well being and metal acuity from working our bodies quite hard. Just about everything in modern life goes right against that and wrapped up at home, stuffed in an office and confined in a car we can become dull and sour. Jump on that bike and spin those pedals a few hundred times and you know you are alive. Just watch a dog or any animal run for the joy of it and you'll know if you are a cyclist what they are feeling like.

Absolutely right. I can picture that view right now in my imagination and you know what else? Just getting on any of my bikes and turning the pedals for a few minutes puts me in a good mood, and in a state to notice things and enjoy them. I think that maybe too much of modern life works against the fact that we are just animals and that we derive a sense of well being and metal acuity from working our bodies quite hard. Just about everything in modern life goes right against that and wrapped up at home, stuffed in an office and confined in a car we can become dull and sour. Jump on that bike and spin those pedals a few hundred times and you know you are alive. Just watch a dog or any animal run for the joy of it and you'll know if you are a cyclist what they are feeling like.

Exactely (both of you). And this is why I always ride with a wery happy dog who just lowe to run with the bike. Twice the joy.

There should be a "beautiful places I brought my bike (or my bike brought me) in the folder forum.