Cranks
12-20-09, 10:56 PM
Anyone know of any folding commuter bikes that could support a bigger guy?
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Folding Bikes for Clydesdales?
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bigvegan
12-20-09, 11:49 PM
I wouldn't waste your time. Folding bikes are just a recipe for frustration.
If you're going to commute on something, and you can't bring a full-size bike into your office or find a safe place to lock it, then go on craigslist and buy a beater mountain bike with a rigid frame and fork for $50-100, tune it up, buy a comfy seat, and use two u-locks (one to lock the front wheel to the frame, and one to lock the rear wheel and frame to something immoveable).
That way you've got a full-size bike you can commute on comfortably, and you won't be too sad if it gets jacked.
(The above is my opinion only. Folding bikes have their own little cult of zealous devotees, so you might try asking that section if they've got any recommendations.)
If you're going to commute on something, and you can't bring a full-size bike into your office or find a safe place to lock it, then go on craigslist and buy a beater mountain bike with a rigid frame and fork for $50-100, tune it up, buy a comfy seat, and use two u-locks (one to lock the front wheel to the frame, and one to lock the rear wheel and frame to something immoveable).
That way you've got a full-size bike you can commute on comfortably, and you won't be too sad if it gets jacked.
(The above is my opinion only. Folding bikes have their own little cult of zealous devotees, so you might try asking that section if they've got any recommendations.)
irclean
12-21-09, 06:21 AM
Here are a couple of offers from Montague (http://www.montagueco.com/bikes/mx-folding-bike.html) and Dahon (http://www.dahon.com/us/jack.htm). They both look pretty sturdy and come with 26" wheels.
Boyd Reynolds
12-21-09, 09:57 AM
I've just started thinking about the same thing. I regularly take a trip where I run out of public transit 5 or 7 miles from my destination, and the cabs are not reliable that far into the sticks. A small, single speed folder would help a lot.
Bike Friday will upgrade some of their models to a 260lb limit for a fee, or build a custom bike for someone heavier, but they are pretty pricey, starting around $1000 and going up. I'm hoping to find something closer to $400.
bigvegan made a good suggestion. If you ask this question in the folding bikes forum you might get a more complete set of answers.
Let us know if you buy something, and how it works for you.
Bike Friday will upgrade some of their models to a 260lb limit for a fee, or build a custom bike for someone heavier, but they are pretty pricey, starting around $1000 and going up. I'm hoping to find something closer to $400.
bigvegan made a good suggestion. If you ask this question in the folding bikes forum you might get a more complete set of answers.
Let us know if you buy something, and how it works for you.
Fat Tire
12-22-09, 04:29 PM
The Montagues have NO stated weight limit, as do most Dahons. And if you look you can find a paratrooper for $629, and the others for correspondingly less. Montague makes their folders so no structural members are cut/compromised, and the load carrying ability of the bike has to be seen to be believed, with that huge top bar (about 6 inched in depth). You'll have to buy new tires, if you want to use them as road bikes. And at 32 pounds for the larger frame size, they are not particularly transportable.
The Dahon Jack, Espresso, Matrix are all full sized folding bikes, but most dealers put a 210 pounds wt. limit on them, though I do not recall seeing that limit on Dahon's website. The Jack has Schwalbe Big Apple tires, from the factory.
The Dahon Jack, Espresso, Matrix are all full sized folding bikes, but most dealers put a 210 pounds wt. limit on them, though I do not recall seeing that limit on Dahon's website. The Jack has Schwalbe Big Apple tires, from the factory.