Folding Bikes - My Qile Duo Folder RIP :(

Well it's been a bad time for my beloved folder. First I had the accident where my seat post broke while I was riding it, and then I got a flat tire a few days later, which prompted me to take it to the local bike shop to have the inner tube replaced.

It's a heck of a lot of trouble to dis-assemble the rear end with the band brake, and all the accessories like the rear derailluer, rack, fender, and kick stand. I just preferred to pay someone else to do it for me.

So I took the bike in on Thursday the 8th, and got a call from the bike shop on Friday afternoon while I was out riding my cruiser. The bike mechanic gave me the bad news that because of the rear axle's poor design, it caused the drive side threads to strip out, and the pressure pushed the axle cone to spread the drop out a bit.

He claims that the axle was not long enough to accommodate all those accessories, and it finally gave out.

I went in yesterday (Saturday) to pick up the bike. While I was still there, I asked the mechanic if it were possible to convert my folder to a single speed coaster brake, but he said no.

After I got the bike home, I inspected the rear right drop out, and compared it with the left, and I really couldn't see that it was in any way deformed compared to the left one. Anyway, since the frame is steel, it should not be a big issue to bend it back to proper tolerance, but again, the bike shop guy told me it couldn't be done.

Anyway I just went ahead, and ordered another bike on eBay last night. It's a 6 speed, non suspended folder called the Victory Xtreme (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370360570268&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT), so I'll be changing my signature, and avatar soon.

I'm still tempted to explore the idea of converting my Qile Duo to a single speed, but am not sure if the width of my rear triangle is right for that. If it is, I can get a rear wheel with a coaster brake hub for about $24. It would make a good "beater bike" that I can grab, and go at a moment's notice.

We'll see.

sorry to hear about the demise of your bike. surprised that the lbs would flat out reject trying to repair the dropout. being a steel frame, i've repaired a lot of older bikes simply just with a bit of elbow grease and a small sledge. maybe they just didn't want to spend any effort on it and get you to buy a new bike from them.

at least having the new bike coming in soon you are not rushed to get this one retrofitted. i think putting on a single gear/coaster brake would be fantastic on the bike. it sounds like the rest of your frame is in good shape, so it would be a nice project and get yourself a second bike by the summer!

good luck on your project.

i have my little project similar as well. i have an old walmart Next Folder, with horrible gearing and just very low grade parts. i have been stripping it down, and also considering making it a single gear and just the coaster brakes. for times i am worried about taking my MuSL, riding a beater offers a peace of mind.

sorry to hear that news.
I wouldn't call your folder a beater, you keep it pristine.
the rear suspension on your bike looks like it has more coils than the other you've shown.
is that a good thing?
sounds like a good idea to try and get it back running if it's just the rear wheel.
that's why I'm wary of band brakes.
I was riding my single speed gekko before giving it a teardown and found it's hub races were too tight.

Thanks "badrad" and "TiberiusBTKirk",

I don't think the so called damage is as bad as the bike mechanic made it out to be. BadRad I agree with you that the bike shop people simply don't want to do the work involved.

I've had nothing but bad luck in dealing with them. It was them who damaged my band brake a year and a half ago, and I replaced it without saying anything to them. I figured I wanted to stay in good terms with them as I could need them in the future again.

In early fall of last year, I ordered a comfort bike from PerformanceBike, and took it to them so that they could go through it, tune it up, etc. They charged me about $50 bucks, and didn't true my rear wheel, as I found out about a week later. Once again, I didn't say anything in order to "keep the peace" as they are BY FAR the closest bike shop to me. And now this.

The drive side thread on the axle was stripped, and they claim that the nut didn't have much thread to hold on to. Funny thing is that I recall the last time I tightened that nut, the axle actually poked out a little. If the axle had been too short, that wouldn't have been possible.

I think these guys just want to work on bikes that are very user friendly to the technician. I have to admit that the Qile Duo is not very easy due to the complicated rear assembly, and ironically because I didn't want to do it myself, I took it to the very place that has messed up with me before.

TiberiusBKirk, the new bike (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370360570268&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT) I ordered doesn't have rear suspension. Though it does smooth the ride quite a bit, it robs a lot of power in my honest opinion. And yes, I always liked to keep my bike looking pristine.

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp129/edwong3/BikeRideinBaldwinPark006.jpg

I did locate a source for the wheel with a coaster brake, and the hub dimensions match the width between the dropouts. And since the dropouts are horizontal, a single speed conversion should be quite easy. I'll keep everyone posted.

Edward Wong III
"Broken" Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder that may become a single speed.
2010 Victory Xtreme A09 6 Speed 20" Folder (On order)

This morning, I removed the rear wheel from my Qile Duo folder, and inspected the drive side dropout. I measured it carefully, and compared it with the left side, and it was perfect! This is after that guy in the bike shop told me that it was ruined. I guess his credibility is as good as "you know what"!

I have decided to go ahead with the single speed conversion, and ordered a 20" coaster brake equipped rear wheel through a reputable seller on eBay. It was $28.00 plus $9.00 s+h. I'm also going to get a new 1/8" chain.

The new wheel comes with a 16 tooth cog. Combined with my 46 tooth chain ring, 20" x 1.75" tire, and 160 mm cranks, I get a final drive ratio of 53.7 gear inches according to Sheldon Brown's gear calculator. Perfect for what I am going to use the bike for, and that is as a quick, instantly available transportation to run errands, and other utilitarian uses. My new bike will be for the longer pleasure, and fitness rides, club rides, etc.

Oh, and one more thing, I got the new seat post, and installed it. It's great to be able to sit on the bike, and get proper leg extension again. :)

Way to go, Ed. There's no substitute for gaining knowledge and experience to do one's own bike fiddling, very therapeutic. :thumb:

Of course when you have a bunch of bikes then those therapeutic sessions leave very little time for much else... ;)

Way to go, Ed. There's no substitute for gaining knowledge and experience to do one's own bike fiddling, very therapeutic. :thumb:

Of course when you have a bunch of bikes then those therapeutic sessions leave very little time for much else... ;)

Thanks Jur!

I do find that working on my bikes offers me a source of pleasure. Being somewhat "semi retired", I guess I'd have time for taking care of a virtual "armada" of bikes if I had to. But I don't have but 2 bikes (soon 3) so maybe one of these days.

And it's always a challenge to learn more about bike mechanics. Makes it all worthwhile. :)

are you sure you can handle your bikes yourself Ed ?, I haven't seen you changed your signature yet :).....

are you sure you can handle your bikes yourself Ed ?, I haven't seen you changed your signature yet :).....

You know you're right. I need to change my signature to reflect my current folder situation. See below. :)

Hold on to that receipt for the new wheel.... Does the Qile Duo have horizontal dropouts? Is there something suitable to attach the coaster brake arm to?

Hold on to that receipt for the new wheel.... Does the Qile Duo have horizontal dropouts? Is there something suitable to attach the coaster brake arm to?

Yes the Qile Duo does have real horizontal dropouts, just like a purpose built single speed. And to attach the coaster brake arm, I am going to use the same device that the band brake used. It's a flexible metal band that wraps around the chainstay with a hole to bolt to the brake arm. It's a good thing I kept it because the chainstay is a large diameter tube, and it's ovalized too.

Oh, and by the way, I got my new bike in today via FedEx, but I'm not at all impressed with it. It's going to take some "work" to make it street worthy. I'm actually looking forward to getting the QD back on the road in it's new "incarnation" as a dependable single speed bike.