Folding Bikes - Tell us why your folding bike is awesome

I think we could all do with some positive energy. Ground rules:

Post a picture of the bike or bikes, and tell us the one thing you love most about it. Even if the bike well and truly sucks, find something good about it!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2763688167_536bcd2460.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2763688167/)
Dahon Curve D3. This three-speed bike is now a two-speed bike, and doesn't hold together as well as it used to, but it's a fun little bike and I commuted on it for a year and a half. I think the coolest thing about it is the saddle. When I wanted to replace the stock saddle, I posted a thread here asking for suggestions. Someone here told me about Rido saddles, and offered to mail me one at no charge. From England.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4446499840_9c6a5ba88a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/4446499840/)
I replaced the Dahon with a Bike Friday Tikit. I have not yet found the words for how awesome this bike is. It's not really a folding bike, but a bike that folds. The two of us don't have much history together yet, but my favorite attribute so far is that I can climb hills on it that give me trouble on my Randonee touring bike.

Works for me!

I am a vintage guy and love the old British bikes. To me the Sturmey Archer AW 3 speed hub was probably the single greatest invention for bikes.:D

So I have a pair of Twentys. The customized one I ride, the other my bride rides on occasion.

I like the SA 3 speed hub, the fact the bike has a cool factor due to its age and size, and it could be easily modified to fit my 37" saddle to pedal measurement. I do travel on Amtrak with mine, I bag it in an over sized duffel bag as checked baggage.:innocent: It also travels with me in the back of my pickup so I have a bike to ride no matter where my job takes me.



Aaron :)

http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/43837/2269311670066886751S600x600Q85.jpg

I occasionally experience buyer's remorse over this bike, in that I have not used it as much as I thought I would, and it was very expensive, especially shipped to Canada. However, I'm not sure how else I could have gotten road bike geometry, a checkable suitcase fit, and rated for well over 200 lbs. Plus, (I think) it looks very good.

This has been my daily commuter for a little over a year: Brompton S2L. I love how versatile it is--today I took it on the subway and it can slide between the seats--yet without compromising the ride too much. It's an all-around great bike, and I expect to have it for a very long time. I hope to turn it into a single speed one day soon.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4462546052_b4f1d7b327_o_d.jpg

We'll soon be adding a Twenty to the stable! It should be shipping here in the next week or so. It's going to need some work, no doubt, but hopefully will make a fine back-up commuter as well as something fun for shorter trips around the neighborhood. I don't have a photo to post just yet :)

Cool thread! I'll jump in:

For starters - This 1970 Moulton MK3

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/MK3withDuomatichub1.jpg

Salvaged frame from a garage sale. Hand restored by me. Stripped down to the ball bearings. Built up with parts from England, Germany, US, including generous donations from LittlePixel and other BF posters. The pièce de résistance is the vintage Duomatic 2 speed kickback hub that BruceMetras introduced to me. It's become very sentimental to me! Full restoration story here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?404689-Restoration-project-1970-Moulton-MKIII&highlight=moulton+restoration

2007 Moulton TSR30:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/coast2.jpg

Looks gorgeous, rides like a dream. Long, colorful history behind it, stemming from (now infrequent) BF poster, EvilV. I liked it so much, I flew to London to pick it up. Story here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=445448&highlight=excellent+adventure

And the folding classic: 2008 Brompton M6L:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/IMG_4507.jpg

Nothing beats the folding size. Yet when you unfurl it, the ride is splendid. The clever 2 speed rear derailleur combined with the 3 speed IGH is classic. The ultimate travel bike.

2006 Downtube Mini:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/Mini.jpg

One of my earliest folder acquisitions, and the oldest one in my current collection. Inexpensive, indestructable. This Downtube Mini was actually ridden up the Alp d'Huez course of the 2008 Tour de France. I kid you not. A friend borrowed it and rode it up. Trip report here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?450555-Rode-to-and-up-Alpe-d-Huez-on-folders-to-watch-Stage-17-fo-the-TdF&highlight=Alp+d'Huez . That's not me on the bike, by the way, I'm not quite as cute.

Whew. Verklempt alert. :-) I'll stop here and continue later.

SesameCrunch, that 2007 Moulton is a thing of beauty. It makes me want to come to SF just to see it.

147078
147079

A pair of 2006 Dahon Helios P8s, presently stationed in Cesenatico, Italy. Shown above on Piazza Dei Miracoli in Pisa and near shops in the old town center of Lucca. These bikes are LIGHT, efficient, and inexpensive, perfect for putting on trains when tooling around Italy. We like them so much that when one of them was stolen, we bought a used duplicate from Bikes@Vienna -- the store owner's wife's personal bike. Plus, as a matched pair they garner even more looks than even a folding bike does in Italy (which is a lot).

Cool thread! I'll jump in:

For starters - This 1970 Moulton MK3

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/MK3withDuomatichub1.jpg

Salvaged frame from a garage sale. Hand restored by me. Stripped down to the ball bearings. Built up with parts from England, Germany, US, including generous donations from LittlePixel and other BF posters. The pièce de résistance is the vintage Duomatic 2 speed kickback hub that BruceMetras introduced to me. It's become very sentimental to me!

2007 Moulton TSR30:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/coast2.jpg

Looks gorgeous, rides like a dream. Long, colorful history behind it, stemming from (now infrequent) BF poster, EvilV. I liked it so much, I flew to London to pick it up. Story here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=445448&highlight=excellent+adventure

And the folding classic: 2008 Brompton M6L:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/IMG_4507.jpg

Nothing beats the folding size. Yet when you unfurl it, the ride is splendid. The clever 2 speed rear derailleur combined with the 3 speed IGH is classic. The ultimate travel bike.

2006 Downtube Mini:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/Mini.jpg

One of my earliest folder acquisitions, and the oldest one in my current collection. Inexpensive, indestructable. This Downtube Mini was actually ridden up the Alp d'Huez course of the 2008 Tour de France. I kid you not. A friend borrowed it and rode it up. Trip report here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?450555-Rode-to-and-up-Alpe-d-Huez-on-folders-to-watch-Stage-17-fo-the-TdF&highlight=Alp+d'Huez . I have the sticker to prove it, too. That's not me on the bike, by the way, I'm not quite as cute.

Whew. Verklempt alert. :-) I'll stop here and continue later.

sesamecrunch - you're making us drool again with those bikes.....

sigh... my bike is not built yet....watch this space.

Here's mine, the reason it's great cause it gets me to work the same speed as my car, door to door since driving would have to find parking and then get to the elevator while my triangle flies right up to the front door. Plus it fits right under my cubicle so I never have to worry about locking it up. No one even knows that there is a bike under my desk.

Awesome in the lack of weight Dept is the best way to describe my recently purchased Dahon Mu Uno. Hositing it up on the City Bus Racks or carrying it up the stairs or onto the escalators at our Metrorail Station has not been a disappointment in the 2 months or so I have owned it. This carrying drill happens 3-4 times a day sometimes so its featherweight poundage(22 pounds) is greatly appreciated. Also, some days I find a need to fold it several times going in and out of some stores so those <15 second folds are a welcome change. The Single speed so far has worked well here in Flatland Miami; my only complaint is at times with a good tailwind, I run out of peddle and wish for a higher gear. From past threads here I am aware I could add a IGH and that may be a project down the road. They say you get what you pay for and this bike is good proof of that. The Mu Uno is not cheap but a pleasure to use each and every time,,,

I'm the culprit who mailed Neil his Rido saddle, it was on my Hammerhead for a while, but we didn't get on together. Here's a pic of the same Rido in Englandville, outside my secret fortified bunker in 2008 or so.

Cooliest thing about the Hammerhead? The sexiest non-folding 'folder' that Dahon ever produced. It was too cool to be left anywhere, so I replaced it with my current Dahon Vitesse D7.

The cooliest thing about the D7 is it's got me fit again after mystery knee problems. Wonderful bikes, both of them.

My MuXl because of the Nexus 8 IGH and I can make it a singlespeed when the time comes.

I mentioned my bike before,but you asked for it!
reasons, love dual drive mated to brifers, fast and fast to fold, also I think it looks great in black.

In the pic of the downtube, is that a can of tennis balls in the bottlecage?

If so, where is the racquet?
What brand of bottle cage is it?

Thanks

2008 Brompton M6L

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_SdF0uuk3iUc/Sdf7LvVi5pI/AAAAAAAAB7U/8nJNl-wc6sc/s400/P6250687.JPG


Why it's awesome? It's better than a car exercise-wise, cheaper than a car, and faster than a car sometimes. It rides like a dream. Since I took that pic I've added some ride-improving and cute-inducing accessories, like an Electra cruiser saddle with green butterfly motif, ergon grips, brompton s-bag loaded up with pins and iron-ons, and purple skate wheels. I get lots of good attention because of the bike, and every now and then, some applause when I fold and unfold it. :lol:

My folding is awesome.. because its faster than walking... or cycling... and easier, which means i spend more time enjoying the landscape than looking down at my swet hit he road:thumb:

just to clarify thats a 4 stoke petrol motor in the pannier, if you didnt know

and here's mine ...... my apology - see below...

here's mine....
DAHON CURVE D3 - small fold
147194

DAHON MU XL - 8 speed IGH - the real commuter bike
147195

BIKE FRIDAY TIKIT2 - 5 second-fold - awesome. Just got this bike a couple of days ago.
147196

Post a picture of the bike or bikes, and tell us the one thing you love most about it.

http://ouyang.smugmug.com/Bicycles/Brompton-M3L/D2H8474/727336257_CJrab-L.jpg

My Brompton M3L is awesome because:


It rides well enough for 5-mile trips.
It climbs well enough up 15+% grades. (Yes, I have to do this riding into work)
It folds to a regular-shaped almost-nothing. (makes storing and transporting it easier)
It transforms in less 30 seconds. (especially useful in multi-modal commutes)


All these factors make it into an extremely viable car replacement for day-to-day activities. For example, I can ride to the train station, take the train to work, but get the wife to pick me up in her car if we're going somewhere after work. Or I can sneak into the train's luggage car and avoid the jam-packed bike car. Or I can ride to a grocery store and wheel the bike around in its half-folded state to do my shopping; no need for locks. I've even met up with friends and coworkers (different occasions) at fairly fancy restaurants and coat-checked the folded Brompton.

SesameCrunch, that 2007 Moulton is a thing of beauty. It makes me want to come to SF just to see it.

It is indeed. SesameCrunch was kind enough to let me test ride it before I got my TSR27.

BTW, I think that it has some romantic story behind it which makes it really unique ;-)

Kam

BTW, I think that it has some romantic story behind it which makes it really unique ;-)

Okay, that's just a tease. Share, please!

[QUOTE=

BTW, I think that it has some romantic story behind it which makes it really unique ;-)

Kam[/QUOTE]

yes. we're waiting.....

http://ouyang.smugmug.com/Bicycles/Brompton-M3L/D2H8474/727336257_CJrab-L.jpg

My Brompton M3L is awesome because:


It rides well enough for 5-mile trips.
It climbs well enough up 15+% grades. (Yes, I have to do this riding into work)
It folds to a regular-shaped almost-nothing. (makes storing and transporting it easier)
It transforms in less 30 seconds. (especially useful in multi-modal commutes)


All these factors make it into an extremely viable car replacement for day-to-day activities. For example, I can ride to the train station, take the train to work, but get the wife to pick me up in her car if we're going somewhere after work. Or I can sneak into the train's luggage car and avoid the jam-packed bike car. Or I can ride to a grocery store and wheel the bike around in its half-folded state to do my shopping; no need for locks. I've even met up with friends and coworkers (different occasions) at fairly fancy restaurants and coat-checked the folded Brompton.

it is indeed such a small fold. just the size of the 16" wheel.

It is indeed. SesameCrunch was kind enough to let me test ride it before I got my TSR27.

BTW, I think that it has some romantic story behind it which makes it really unique ;-)

Kam


Okay, that's just a tease. Share, please!


yes. we're waiting.....

OK, heh, heh. Some old timers here may remember it.

A young man who worked at the Pashley factory (where the TSR was made), fell head over heels in love with a girl. Alas, his amour was not quite reciprocated. As a last, desperate romantic gesture, he ordered up this TSR as an ultimate display of true and abiding affection. He lovingly supervised its assembly through the factory, and upon completion, presented it to the object of his affections. She rode it once - and promptly dumped him and the bike.

Heart-broken and wanting to rid his life of her memories, he put the bike up for a quick sale. Former frequent poster here, EvilV (who definitely lives up to his moniker ;)), drove down to the South of England to buy it. EvilV kept it for a few months, but suffered some injury and never did ride it much. So, he declared on this Forum that he planned to get rid of it.

When I read the post on my computer here in California, I decided I had to have it. But...the bike was in the North of England! What to do, what to do.... Read this thread for the excellent adventure that followed - http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=445448&highlight=excellent+adventure

it is indeed such a small fold. just the size of the 16" wheel.

Hey, you just got your Tikit one day ago, and your eyes are wandering already?!! :notamused: :lol:

Hey, you just got your Tikit one day ago, and your eyes are wandering already?!! :notamused: :lol:

hmmm. i should have been holding a brompton bike right now also but someone here beat me to it...i wonder who that person is.

honestly i can't help it. this folderitis is starting to kick in again.

Hey, you just got your Tikit one day ago, and your eyes are wandering already?!! :notamused: :lol:
So what were your considerations for pruning your folder tree?

So what were your considerations for pruning your folder tree?

Actually, I didn't trim my collection. Vic bought another Tikit off Craigslist. I merely assisted by pushing/shoving him over the purchasing edge.

My Tikit has been upgraded with the Schlumpf, safety upgrade, stiffened handlepost with my old wooden dowel trick (as you may remember), dialed in the riding position and I'm quite satisfied with it.

I think we could all do with some positive energy. Ground rules: Post a picture of the bike or bikes, and tell us the one thing you love most about it. Even if the bike well and truly sucks, find something good about it!.

Perfect timing. Last weekend, while riding along Contra Costa Canal, I thought to myself how lucky I am to find a bike that fits my needs so well. The black TSR 27 fits in my trunk, is stiff like hell, ride well on roads (I have bald tires) and allows me to ride rough surfaces and even dirt trails. It has very wide gearing range (DD 9x3) which I geared low down to ~17GI. This way I can sustain those long and steep hills, sometimes at 4MPH though.

My goal for this year is to ride 1500miles which translates to riding about 30miles every Sunday and the TSR does the job very well.

I also have a yellow NWT that served me very well for almost a year but I don't ride it anymore so I plan to put it for sale. Once in a while I am contemplating of getting a small wheel and quick fold bike (e.g. Brompton, Strida, Tikit, etc) but I don't think I have bandwidth and TLC for more than one bike. To paraphrase one of SesameCrunch's postings, I have a single general purpose arrow so I don't even need a quiver ;-)

Its fast, light, and reasonably priced!

<a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e302/corseben/?action=view&current=IMG_4314.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e302/corseben/IMG_4314.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I was wondering,how well do seperatable moultons go in to the average car boot. can you get a family full in ? or are they just too unyeilding?

I was wondering,how well do seperatable moultons go in to the average car boot. can you get a family full in ? or are they just too unyeilding?The front section does not reduce in height so whatever space you want to fit it in must have that dimension. Or remove the front wheel as well, easy enough. If the front wheel is out, the linear space needed is modest enough.

I was wondering,how well do seperatable moultons go in to the average car boot. can you get a family full in ? or are they just too unyeilding?

Here is a TSR-27 in the trunk of my Alfa convertible .. an Alfa trunk has just over 12" of vertical clearance with the deck lid shut ... I love these bikes!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4216631686_61354f7afc.jpg

Here is a TSR-27 in the trunk of my Alfa convertible .. an Alfa trunk has just over 12" of vertical clearance with the deck lid shut ... I love these bikes!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4216631686_61354f7afc.jpg
Thanks for picture. I had not thought about removing the wheels.

has any one tried 4 Moultons in a car boot? it looks feasible, but expensive!

Thanks for picture. I had not thought about removing the wheels.

has any one tried 4 Moultons in a car boot? it looks feasible, but expensive!

Sorry its the way my mind thinks. I can picture you taking 4 Moultons(8 half's) out of the trunk(boot) in the dark and putting them all together. Black front red back half OOOps!!

Dahon Speed PRO TT --> It is fast and nimble. The STI shifters and Dual Drive make it very easy to find the perfect gear.

Brompton: Of all the bikes I've bought, this was the easiest to set up. I just unfolded it and put air in the tires and it went. Although this was supposed to be my wife's bike, I found the fenders to be essential during an unexpected rainy winter and spring in Texas. Finally, I like the upright riding position in the city; less neck strain and I have an easier time checking traffic!
It is perhaps the slowest bike I ride, but I routinely commute 12 miles with it and go up and down hills. When I'm feeling tired, instead of driving all the way to work, with this bike, I'll at least get myself to park and ride halfway.

It's hard to focus on just the plusses and no negatives, but oh well...

"Sorry its the way my mind thinks. I can picture you taking 4 Moultons(8 half's) out of the trunk(boot) in the dark and putting them all together. Black front red back half OOOps!"
i
thought the same thing,BIT LIKE OWNING A SMART CAR with interchangeable body work!

I got the Miami Citizen bike & love it. It is my very first folder and got me back riding again, which I think is the most important thing! Although on the low price end, I have never had any problems with it and after a year of riding it I am still happy with it, of course now that I have been bitten by the folding bike bug, I am always looking for an upgrade! BTW got to thank the members of this forum, I have learned a lot about foldables and their differences and what to look for in my next purchase (which won't be for a while) but I have a list going!147408

Where in TX? I'm in Houston.

DT Mini
Ciao
Speed TR
Classic E3x2

I really like your pics. Any issues with the Mini? I have an 08 and love it, too.

MY FOLDER IS AWESOME BECAUSE, AS FAR AS I KNOW, IT'S THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND ON MY END OF TOWN. I LIKE FOLDERS BECAUSE ITS SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE ALL OF THE TIME. AND A TRICKED-OUT RALEIGH TWENTY IS A COOL THING TO SEE. WHEN I GET MINE DONE I'LL POST PICTURES OF IT. RIGHT NOW HERE IT IS WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN '08 OFF OF eBay.An estate sale from Mill Valley, Ca. $175/ shipping was $30.http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4543551157_7f282a4835_o.jpg
I've got a pair of Sun Ringle CR 18's, and when I can find one I'm puttiing a 7sp.IGH on the rear. I've got a pair of Avid Single Digit 7 linear pull brakes with a Dimension linear brake adapter.
with a pair of Single digit 7 levers all ready to go. I'm modifiying the handlebars with a Softride suspension headstem and the wheels and brakes. I'm keeping the frame as it is. Once I get past the headset problem I hope to have this thing
put together ASAP.

My folder is awesome. It's fast enough, comfortable enough, folds fast enough and is the only folder with a "conventional size bike feeling" that I can fold and travel both nationally and internationally, without any major disassembly. Conventional bikes pale next to my Brompton S4L-R



http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4467328670_14b3af194a_o.jpg

Okay, here goes. The post-Rome revised tikit:

http://cs.gmu.edu/~sean/temp/tikit/newtikit.jpg
http://cs.gmu.edu/~sean/temp/tikit/newtikit2.jpg

Here's what's new.


Huge 60T front gear, 11-32 9-speed cassette, new derailleur, and new grip shifter. Puts me at 31 - 92 gear inches.
New unified aardvark and seatmast
$1 Brooks B72 plus seatpost to enable it
Some minor bar ends.
New stem and cranks (got for free).


So what to say? It gets me from point A to point B. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIU_SbUohIQ) As everyone knows, I'm not a particularly big fan of the bike. :innocent:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2430650524_fd7909aa87_b.jpg

Why is my Tikit awesome (http://www.viks-tikit.com/)?

- it makes me smile (http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/tag/tikit/) [see photo]
- rides/fits like my full size bikes (http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=tikit&w=9932605%40N08)
- folds/unfolds fast and no adjustment of the cockpit [seat, bars, etc..] (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2430650524_fd7909aa87_b.jpg)
- best folding bike I've swung a leg over so far...:love:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2700966271_f2ec551fa4_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2700968885_8c755b0056_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2447285098_15cbbde8f5_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2564069139_04cd07d483_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3820738847_e4b3feef64_b.jpg

- it's a chick magnet!...;):lol::thumb:

Hahaha, Vik! You crack me up!

I cannot overstate how much I value three aspects of the Tikit:

It fits me

AND

It folds and unfolds quickly

AND

It is at exactly the same adjustment after unfolding -- no fiddling with seat and stem height and angle

The first two aspects are widely discussed. For me the third was the clincher. I fold and unfold at each end of my commute. On my previous folders the need to fiddle the fit -- and often to realize when riding that something did not feel quite right -- drove me crazy. Tikit solved that issue.

Okay, Vic pushed me over the edge.

What's awesome about the tikit: it folds fairly small, and rolls on one wheel, flies in a suitcase to strange locales, but still rides well enough for me to take both on long rides and day-after-day commutes, even in grueling environments like on Rome's San Pietrini (http://www.usefilm.com/images/5/4/2/6/5426/1389287-large.jpg). I can take it in shops and businesses and universities: it has never had a lock, even in Rome. And I can fix and upgrade most anything on it easily.

Oh, and did I mention the tikit's close-knit community? I rode in Rome with the one other tikiter in the entire area (see below).

I would have not survived Rome without that bike.

http://cs.gmu.edu/~sean/temp/tikit/1.jpg
http://cs.gmu.edu/~sean/temp/tikit/2.jpg
http://cs.gmu.edu/~sean/temp/tikit/3.jpg
http://cs.gmu.edu/~sean/temp/tikit/4.jpg
http://cs.gmu.edu/~sean/temp/tikit/5.jpg

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

It is at exactly the same adjustment after unfolding -- no fiddling with seat and stem height and angle

The first two aspects are widely discussed. For me the third was the clincher. I fold and unfold at each end of my commute. On my previous folders the need to fiddle the fit -- and often to realize when riding that something did not feel quite right -- drove me crazy. Tikit solved that issue.

I hear you. With my first folder - a Dahon - I had to adjust the seatpost height & rotation, stem height and rotation, plus the rotate the bars after each fold. I rarely got it spot on so I'd stop after a block and adjust whatever was bugging me. No problem with a once a week fold...big PITA for a multiple times a day fold. I figured there had to be a better way!

The difference is huge from a practical perspective....when I ride with my Dahon buddies in Calgary and we stop for coffee or a beer...most of the time they"ll lock their bikes outside while I fold my Tikit and take it in. I think that says it all.