Folding Bikes - First Official Folding Bike Thread!! :) Name Your Bike!

Don't know of a name yet...... maybe when its all done....


http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2811/aimg5448mediumqb6.jpg (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aimg5448mediumqb6.jpg)
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/4792/aimg5434medium2kq5.jpg (http://img238.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aimg5434medium2kq5.jpg)
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/2558/aimg5452mediumpi3.jpg (http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aimg5452mediumpi3.jpg)
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8741/aimg5456mediumjw7.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aimg5456mediumjw7.jpg)
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/2200/aimg5457mediumre8.jpg (http://img161.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aimg5457mediumre8.jpg)
http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/2012/aimg5458mediumzt3.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aimg5458mediumzt3.jpg)
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/6941/aimg5466mediumtv2.jpg (http://img238.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aimg5466mediumtv2.jpg)
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/7397/aimg5468mediumfy9.jpg (http://img367.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aimg5468mediumfy9.jpg)

I'm slowly getting used to it. I rode to the pub last night though and didn't have any troubles either there or on the way back. I'm taking it on the train tomorrow.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l260/oldiesonfoldies/Speed8r.jpg

My humble 06 Dahon Speed 8 - Brooks B17, Dahon Touring rack, MKS pedals, Blackburn rear bag.
A surprisingly comfortable tourer I truly enjoy riding! Been to Laos, Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l260/oldiesonfoldies/CMonblvdr.jpg

My other "tourer" Pacific Carry Me microbike - superbly compact and easy to take along for my travels and "light" exploring...

I've got a Dahon Boardwalk 7 speed model. It's my first folding bike, and I love it. It rides way better than I thought a bike with such small wheels (20") would, and it's really fun to ride and commute on.

I've got a few additions back home in Canada that I'll be bringing with me back to China after my summer vacation, such as clipless pedals and a pair of panniers, that'll make the bike even better.

I've got a two-week-old 2009 Downtube 8H and I adore it. :)

My fav is my "Birdy" from Germany (one of their earlier models from the late '90s). This model has 7 speeds, is very light, and a very fast fold - I love this bike! I'm also kind of enamored with my "Picnica", which is a vintage Bridgestone from Japan, and the lesser known, but very clever "Skoot," from England (these latter two are sadly NLA)

My fav is my "Birdy" from Germany (one of their earlier models from the late '90s). This model has 7 speeds, is very light, and a very fast fold - I love this bike! I'm also kind of enamored with my "Picnica", which is a vintage Bridgestone from Japan, and the lesser known, but very clever "Skoot," from England (these latter two are sadly NLA)

Pictures of your NLA bikes??

Oddly, I don't have any pictures of my Picnica,so I'll have to take some. In the meantime, I do have a pic of the Skoot (attached). If you're not familiar with this bike, it was actually a very clever attempt to to make a convenient and clean folder that could be "disguised" as a suitcase. The "main" wheels fold up inside the body of the case, the three piece foldable handlebars go back and down, the quick release cranks come off and are stashed in the case under the seat, and the seat sinks into the case as well. You then pull a canvas "lid" over the top of the case, and you can then pull it along like a suitcase. The idea was that with this design, nobody could deny access into a store or on a bus because it doesn't even look like a folder. It kind of has that "James Bond" appeal to it - or the "transformers" - depending on which decade you spent in your formative years. BTW, although this bike may look kind of funky, it was designed by someone from the aerospace industry, so a lot of thought went into it, the components were designed and machined with tight precision, and the case itself is made from a high density polymer material, so it's actually lighter and stronger than plastic or even a lot of fiberglass shells. For further strength, the actual frame is more like a minimalist shell. Very clever indeed. And - it's a lot of fun to ride! Ancillary benefits: there is a built-in pump that's housed inside the shell. And, when the bike is in the unfolded mode with the wheels extended, you can slip a briefcase into the center of the frame - out of view and out of the way. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

I have a apple green Brompton that I modified with an ergonomic, seat-bone only saddle. I use it every day to bike to work. I haven't bought a tank of gas in two months. With increasing transit ridership due to high gas prices, folders are the best strategy to avoid competition for bike racks.

I have a Strida 5.

After almost 3 years, my 16" Hasa F2 has a new company, Dahon MU P8. Now I have an option between 16 and 20" folder. Better gearing in Dahon is a plus that allows me to cut almost 2 minutes of my 30 min. commuting time, and compact Hasa is a plus if I have to fold and put it on my wife's car. So I keep both of them,.....

After an accident I had to remove the mudguards. Thought of placing new ones, but I think I like it this way...

I bought this Dahon today. Can anyone help me identify it better than a Dahon V? The bicycle is in for some attempted repairs of the headset as it's super loose and wobbly. As well, the handlebar quick release is broken and the handle bar anchor (for lack of better words, the chrome inverted "V" holding the handle bars in place) is far from secure-fitting. Is the anchor only supposed to have one bearing in it?

I think it's a Dahon III. Join the Dahon forum and there's a thread about this bike where you can get answeres to specific questions.

http://www.dahon.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5139&st=0

new 8HN Slowly modifying
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j65/hotzilla_2006/PICT0823.jpg

i have an old crappy 70s bickerton but looking at buying a new dahon :D

The little tomato ... I love this little bike! :love:
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/DSCF0833.JPG

My fastest folder - 06 Dahon Speed Pro 24 Dual Drive SRAM.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l260/oldiesonfoldies/SpeedPro.jpg

Forrest the fixed gear folder.. now equipped with a cartridge bb and Stronglight crank.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/forreststronglight2.jpg

My wife's few weeks old Swift.

The bicycle doesn't have any fancy components as it's intended for everyday use.
The basics in short: black aluminium frameset from Peter Reich, Brooks B17S saddle, Shimano Nexus 7 with coaster brake, Schwalbe Marathon tires on Rigida X-plorer rims.

The ride is very nice indeed, steering very respective. The saddle needs to be broken in as there's no suspension in this bicycle and the high pressure 20" tires are just as I expected. Hard.

http://www.iamstuffed.com/photos/bromptons/image/595/IMG_2127.jpg

Below: My girlfriend giving her Brompton an inspection.
http://www.iamstuffed.com/photos/bromptons/image/595/IMG_2118.jpg

Below: My Brompton!
http://www.iamstuffed.com/photos/bromptons/image/595/IMG_2117.jpg

They look so nice in Ivory. Ivory and Orange are deffo the best paint colours on a Brompton - Congrats - I hope the twins enjoy living with you!

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=77682&stc=1&d=1217511315

Meet Sterling the Flying Mule, a 1976 Triumph Trafficmaster (made by Raleigh and seemingly identical to the Twenties of the same vintage). I got her from a Craigslist ad in April when there were fears of public transit going on strike. The story I got was that she was made in England, and came here with her original owner who then put her in storage. She has spent most of her existence in a time capsule.

In this picture, everything is original (with the exception of the computer and seat cover, and the safety gear that I had to add to make her street-legal). Unfortunately, the pretty whitewalls are no more, as they split after a few months on the road. If I could find replicas I'd consider using them, but on the other hand I think I'm addicted to the BMX tires that were the only thing I could find in 20 x 1 3/8". I've also had to replace a brake cable, and the brake shoes will be next as they're worn down and I want something better for wet weather.

Otherwise, the only damage on her is cosmetic (pitting in the chrome on the rear rim, chain guard bent outwards a bit, paint damage from folding). I'm not as interested in restoring or keeping her historically accurate as I am in having a good rideable bike that I can carry up the stairs into the office and stash beside my desk. English bikes are made to last a hundred years, so she's far from the end of a useful existence.

Brought it home from the (bike) hospital today... I will let it's new mom name it.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1974R20a.jpg

that's a beautiful bike.

3 weeks ago, I got my first folder, a Cayne Rambler. I didn't know folding bikes even existed until the gas crisis. I started researching user friendly bikes and kept seeing ads... My bike shop didn't even know much about them. I was their first sale. I'm sort of proud of that.

Moneal. How about a picture of that bike?

Here is the the link, there is three models.

single, 3 and 7 speeds

http://www.sunbicycles.com/sun/index.html

Regards

My Birdy Elox (with trailer on a work trip).

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/9971/pc0200170xw8.jpg

Only had a few weeks, but loving it.
Have made a few modifications (i.e. spongy saddle, lights, etc.).
Will be using it to commute to work.
Duncan.

Just got the mini and loving it...

The wife picked up the Mu P8 but loves the mini more, say it's a much more comfortable ride.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29661344@N06/2773188436/

Guess I need to learn how to post pictures...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2773188436_d82344896d.jpg?v=0

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic, but here's my newest... a Breezer Itzy!

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6190/itzyxz8.jpg

I purchased two folding bikes today, one is a brown Raleigh Twenty with the 406mm wheels, the other one is also a Raleigh of the same colour and mostly the same appearance, but it just says Raleigh on it, and has 451mm wheels.

They're both really nice and in perfect shape. Now I see the fuss about the Twenties. And they were $100, together :)

ok i havent done this yet so.... i have a trek f400 navigator and a old bickerton that i want to sell :D

that's a beautiful bike.

3 weeks ago, I got my first folder, a Cayne Rambler. I didn't know folding bikes even existed until the gas crisis. I started researching user friendly bikes and kept seeing ads... My bike shop didn't even know much about them. I was their first sale. I'm sort of proud of that.

Thanks...

Although it's not mine I have been riding it a fair bit... it's a really nice ride even though it is a little stiffer than my Phillip's 20.

It tows the trailer really nicely and my girls really like it when we all ride the English 3 speeds.

I just got my new Biomega/Puma "Glowrider", so I don't have any photos of my own yet:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8489/puma1sz9.jpg

Have to say I love it, can't say its the fastest, most comfortable/easy, lightest bike i've ever ridden, but there is just something about it that makes it amazing, can't really give any logical or practical reasons though. I guess the fact that I cycle alot at night justifies the glow paint, anyway just wanted to share.

Here's my Lloaded Llama.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2791328482_ba44173021.jpg

I just got my new Biomega/Puma "Glowrider", so I don't have any photos of my own yet:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8489/puma1sz9.jpg

Have to say I love it, can't say its the fastest, most comfortable/easy, lightest bike i've ever ridden, but there is just something about it that makes it amazing, can't really give any logical or practical reasons though. I guess the fact that I cycle alot at night justifies the glow paint, anyway just wanted to share.

Nice!

Hi all.

Mine is a Bike-Friday Pocket Rocket. It is my second BF. My first was the metro. I'm a freight pilot that gets to do a lot of weekend layovers. So I've gotten a lot of use and packing experience. I can break it down or unpack and assemble it in 10 minutes or less.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u11/bicycleflyer/Picture123.jpg
This is my current Pocket Rocket with an unusual water bottle configuration that has been working quite well.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u11/bicycleflyer/DSC01999.jpg
This was my BF metro. It was my first folder.

I've done a few mods that make packing and assembly go faster and easier. Here are a couple...

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u11/bicycleflyer/My%20Projects/Picture030.jpg
This is a plug I soldered into the computer's cable. I just unplug and leave the wheel sensor mounted. The fork sensor is low profile and to date has not gotten snagged on anything. I just roll the cable around the handlebars and secure with velcro. The computer mount and cable remain on the handlebars. The computer slides off the mount and gets placed in a bag with a few other accessories.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u11/bicycleflyer/My%20Projects/Picture118.jpg
I don't pack or use a rear rack because it is too much hassle to pack. Each time you would want to use it there are six screws to deal with. The rack is also bulky and hard to fit into my suitcase. So I evaluted my needs and decided the most I would ever need is something like a trunk bag. So I just decided to buy the Carradice Super-C saddlepack. It has roughly the same capacity and did not need a rack or saddle loops to mount. The original straps worked OK, but occasionally would slide over the fender washers that Carradice used in their design. I repaired this twice and then decided to try something new. I ordered a Klick Fix kit from Jandd.com and attached it to the bag. Since Klick Fix does not technically fit a Brooks saddle, I had to modify it a little. The pic above shows this well. Now the bag rides better with no swaying and installs/removes in about two seconds. I cut off all the straps but left the buckles. I plan to use these as lashing points for a jacket or something.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u11/bicycleflyer/My%20Projects/Picture120.jpg
These are the MKS quick release pedals. Once installed they take only seconds remove/install. I use power grips because they are the closest thing to clipless that I have found. This way I don't have to pack extra shoes. This combo has worked great!!

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u11/bicycleflyer/My%20Projects/Picture121.jpg
After getting tired of having to readjust my handlebars after each assembly, I added these marks. Once I got the bars exactly how I wanted them, I used an automatic center punch to create marks on the handle bar and on the stem. Now when I put my bike together I just align those marks and off I go.

I have other ideas/philosophies but I'll save those for another more appropriate time.

Oh yea... My other bike is a Rivendell Rambouillet. As seen on my signature line.

I love the way you've marked it. I may steal that.

I love the way you've marked it. I may steal that.

Sure...

Have had my Birdy Red (7spd) for a couple of years now, and went for a NEW Birdy Touring last year in white with 24 speed. The difference in gearing on long trips is amazing. The 7 spd just isn't up to the job for anything over 'city' moving. Has anyone upgraded the gears? I'm tempted to go for the same set-up as I've got on the Touring as it's great. I do love the original 'Red' though.

I have a Raleigh Twenty that is currently at the powdercoater and awaiting a Phil Wood Bottom Bracket. I've taken it on Bike Virginia, RAGBRAI and from Ottawa to Quebec on CycleCanada. After having trouble with the cottered crank I came to believe it needed a proper modern crank. Since I had it apart I decided that it was a good time to get it painted.

It also has a replacement fork with clearance for fatter tires and that allows canti brakes. I'll post pictures as I get it finished.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2741864675_57e72f008b.jpg

I have a Raleigh Twenty that is currently at the powdercoater and awaiting a Phil Wood Bottom Bracket. I've taken it on Bike Virginia, RAGBRAI and from Ottawa to Quebec on CycleCanada. After having trouble with the cottered crank I came to believe it needed a proper modern crank. Since I had it apart I decided that it was a good time to get it painted.


That is an awesome little bike. :)
It looks like it should be ridden by a WWII paratrooper!

Curve SL, named "Little Red".

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2763688167_536bcd2460.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2763688167/)

I have a bridgestone picnica. Howmuch is it worth?

The Rasberry:

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee323/Tarmacblossom/DSC01256.jpg

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee323/Tarmacblossom/DSC01252.jpg

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee323/Tarmacblossom/DSC01248.jpg

The Carryme almost looks like it is gambolling through the meadow amongst all the flowers by itself lol

What is a colour-matching perfectionist like you Somna doing with pink appendages on a red bike?!!! You need to get its style up to your Brommie standards! :P

Pink = Light red; No clashes - Nothing to see here - please move along.. :)