General Cycling Discussion - folding road bike? 700c wheels

I'm looking for a road bike that I can take with me on the train.

Here in LA you can't take bikes on the train since there's no racks for them. So I'm bummed and can't take my SS with me. Anybody know of a company that makes 700c wheel base roadie that are foldable?


Thanks all!

http://surlybikes.com/frames/travelers_check_frame/ this may work

There are some around, though I can't think of brands offhand (I researched them a few years ago when I bought my folder). Do you have to have 700s, though? I test-rode several bikes and wound up with 20-inch wheels. I've used the bike on all my regular routes, and it's only fractionally slower, if any slower, than my 700c bikes (I've swapped the folder's tires for 100psi road rubber). Folds into a smaller package, too.
If you don't find something, you might consider S&S couplers. A friend had them put on his Litespeed, and he's really happy with them. Here's one source: http://www.co-motion.com/information/s&s_couplers.html S&S Web site is www.sandsmachine.com.

Wow interesting.

Sorry I maybe have been vague. I'm looking for something more quickly taken apart and put together. Not planning to travel with it.

I just need one for work. Ride to the station, fold it, carry it in the train. Off the train, unfold and ride.

I am currently riding 700c and I don't think I can go back to any size smaller.

slingshot
http://www.slingshotbikes.com/bikes/8

that's about as good as it gets in 700c format.

otherwise there is only 20" and 24"
but don't let the 20" wheels fool you, because they can go quite fast.
bikefriday, dahon and a few other makers offer plenty to choose from.

Dahon Tournado (http://www.dahon.com/us/tournado.htm)

Ritchey Breakaway (http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_category.php?k=114342)

Here's a road bike which will suit your purpose perfectly....pricey though.

http://www.airnimal.eu/Chameleon/PerformanceSp.php

Here's a road bike which will suit your purpose perfectly....pricey though.

http://www.airnimal.eu/Chameleon/PerformanceSp.php

Yes, but the OP was asking for 700C wheels. If he was willing to get small, the Bike Friday Tikit: http://community.bikefriday.com/tikit/hyperfold is more local.

The aforementioned options (traveller's check, tournado, ritchey breakaway, slingshot) are all travel bikes, not multi-modal commuter bikes. They require disassembly to fold, and are designed for travel rather than fitting on a train every morning.

Big wheeled folders don't get very small, at all. Do you have local regulations determining the size of a folded bicycle?

As for model recommendations, I can't make any in the 700c wheelsize, as i'm not aware of any bicycles with that particular spec that are designed as folders rather than just travel bikes. There is one that comes to mind, the Montague Boston singlespeed, but it isn't available as of yet. I don't personally recommend the Montague bikes for multi-modal use either, they're bulky and require the removal of the front wheel - but then again, most big wheeled folders will require some measure of disassembly.

In other wheelsizes, there are some choices. There's the Dahon Cadenza, which is available with bullhorn road bars as a single speed or 8 speed IGH for instance.

The most choice, and in my opinion, the best choice, by far, are the bikes with smaller wheels. Bike Friday can make a road bike any way you want, high end, high performance. Other companies like Dahon offer small wheeled road bikes as well. If you can get over your concerns about the smaller wheels (they really aren't a problem unless you're extreme off roading or slamming into curbs carelessly), then you'll get great choices with both high performance riding and compact folding.

Wow awesome. The tornado looks great and is foldable? 15 minutes it states.

Smallest size the tornado comes in is 52cm which is bad news for me. I ride 49 since I'm pretty short.

Look like short people ride short folding bikes haha. Sucks.


Thanks guys.

Yes, but the OP was asking for 700C wheels. If he was willing to get small, the Bike Friday Tikit: http://community.bikefriday.com/tikit/hyperfold is more local.

I'm aware of that, but the Chameleon has larger wheels than the Friday (24") and gives a ride comparable to a proper road bike. Ask those Triathlon riders who use them. So, if you don't mind, I'll allow my contribution to stand.

Dahon Speed Pro TT. Rides and feels just like a proper road bike,and folds down decently small. Almost bought one,but the brakes sucked. The current ones now have V brakes,which if this hasn't solved the problem,will at least be easy to fix with a set of Problem Solvers' pulleys. Would prolly still buy one if any of the local shops would order me one.