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

A couple of months ago I picked up a Daahon Curve D3 while on a biz trip and was able to bring it home in a bigger suitcase I had. Well this biz trip I scoped out the Philly CL and found a 2007 Vitesse D7 with a lode of extras. However I didn't bring a larger suitcase with me. Now I have to hit the thrift shops to find a big suitcase to pack it as checked luggage with no fee.

Just got off of the SEPTA train in Philly with my new 2007 Dahon Vitesse D7. It was even a better deal than I thought. The bike looks pristine like it came straight from the LBS. For $250 I got:
2007 Dahon Vitesse D7 - Slate Blue
Like new Dahon Bolso Bag
Like new red bike cover bag (tucked away inside the Bolso)
Like new Dahon gear bag
Two brand new Wald folding side baskets
Two unused Slime 20" tubes
New bicycle pump
One adult helmet
Two children helmets

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dahon%20Vitesse%20D7/IMAGE_228.jpg
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dahon%20Vitesse%20D7/IMAGE_229.jpg
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dahon%20Vitesse%20D7/IMAGE_227.jpg

Hi all, I just bought a used downtube 9. I plan to strip it, clean it, replace the brakes and shifter, derailleur with xtr's. Will probably replace the headset to cane creek, and maybe the crank if I can find or adapt a good one from my parts pile. Anyone have some idea's for upgrading the quick releases?

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/dlimjr/May%202010%20Downtube%209%20folding%20bike/IMG_3652.jpg

Just finished packing the Vitesse into the $20 Salvation Army old school suitcase with cardboard reinforcement. I was able to put everything in except the helmets. It has a pair of wheels at one bottom corner which will come in handy on my 10 block walk from the hotel to the office tomorrow.
Vitesse
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dahon%20Vitesse%20D7/IMAGE_228.jpg
Suitcase with Vitesse inside
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dahon%20Vitesse%20D7/IMAGE_230.jpg
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dahon%20Vitesse%20D7/IMAGE_231.jpg

Kingfish, what are the dimensions of your bag? Does it meet airlines' 62 inch limit or is it more than that?

Kingfish, what are the dimensions of your bag? Does it meet airlines' 62 inch limit or is it more than that?

It made it home safely with no hassles or damage from the airline. I forget the exact measurements, but it was about 68 inches (h+w+d). Oversized, but I guess I was lucky that they didn't measure it at check-in.

151515 http://wendy3921637436.wordpress.com/ I　like this one.It is the new product

Picked up a Thor garage sale Boardwalk. My wife liked it so much, we now have 2. Gone from a Sting Ray to a Raleigh 3 speed to a Le Tour to a series of cars to a recumbent to a 1952 BF Goodrich by Schwinn..to the right bike.

.151935

This is my EZfold 6 speed bike. Cheap, but has a read rack, mudguards, and stand. I have added toe clips, end bars, and a new seat. It weighs 11 kgms, ca be folded quigte quickly and carried on a bus.Made of aluminium.

http://i49.tinypic.com/x4m63p.jpg

152196

got this dahon getaway for next to nothing. needs new tires and tubes, new pedals, plastic collar where the stem slides in, and i'll need to repair the cracked plastic fenders and chainguard. it's coaster brake so i took off the front brake which gave me more room for fat tires. now i just gotta figure out how to get the damnned folding pedal off is stripped bad which i found out on my maiden 6 mile voyage yesterday, kept locking up then folding up . anyone have any tips for getting it off? everything else is polish and shine and touchup paint.

Here's a shot of a Oyama Banana, 14 inch wheels, single speed. It is a small folder with collapsible handlebar post and frame hinge. Also picked up a Dahon folder, 5 speed with 20 inch rims.
I think this was close to the end of Dahon's small diameter tubing production....before they went to the larger 3 inch top tube style. No images as of yet.

it's coaster brake so i took off the front brake which gave me more room for fat tires.
I wouldn't trust a coaster brake to stop me quickly -- that's just me. And a coaster brake won't work at all if you break a chain or derail.

http://www.montaguebikes.com/assets/images/bostonlg.jpg
http://www.montaguebikes.com/assets/images/fitlg.jpg
I have the Montague Folding BOSTON (http://www.montaguebikes.com/boston-folding-single-speed-bike.html) -a full size folding single-speed with a flip flop hub that switches it to a fixed gear that I ride around Boston, MA (coincidentally) and I LOVE it. It folds using quick releases in less than 20 seconds and fits everywhere. I fly a Cessna 182 and take my bike with me whenever I take trips in my plane. It fits in the trunk of my best friend's Volvo sedan and definitely in my 4Runner's backseat. I'm training for the Tri State Trek (a 270 mile long bike ride from Boston to New York to support ALS-Lou Gehrig's Disease) and am looking into getting the Montague FIT (http://www.montaguebikes.com/fit-folding-bike.html) to ride in the race. I love how these bikes look (just like non-folding bike) and the performance is just as good!
Check out their website (http://www.montaguebikes.com) for their new line of bikes!

Are you in New Orleans?! I just moved from there. Love the Mardi Gras beads! :)

my new to me fixed gear dahon
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/upperclasstwit42/0527101551a.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a108/upperclasstwit42/0527101550a.jpg

I wouldn't trust a coaster brake to stop me quickly -- that's just me. And a coaster brake won't work at all if you break a chain or derail.

i've got a bit of experience in flintstoning it but i'm in flat florida and won't be hitting any bridges on this bike

Spent the last 24 hours repairing bikes at our annual repair-a-palooza and during the wee hours built myself a new wheel with a Suzue cartridge bearing hub I had been given and re-spaced to125mm, re-spaced my frame to match, and Forrest the folding fixed gear became Forrest the folding 5 speed.

Used a Suntour Vxs and orphaned Barcon mated to a 13-24 Suntour five speed block and have a gear range from 40 to 76 which is perfect for commuting and daytouring and will be getting bosses brazed to the rear so I can fit a canti brake.

Got testing the bike on the ride back and was packing a ton of stuff and the gearing range was pretty much perfect and the hub is smooth as silk.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/forrest5speed4.JPG

Me? Black Brompton, M 3r, now has a Schlumpf 54t Mountain drive crankset, ( AW3,15t) so now there are 6 gears
low,a 17", high about 80" .. it's rather Hilly here .. still get off and walk, often.
load all sorts of stuff in the big Brommy touring bag , there's more haul space in the Carry Freedom-City, a folding trailer..

Got myself a black Downtube 9FS 2009.5, I think the last of the bunch. Feel I still need to ride it more for any justified user rating, but so far it has served me well. I even get the confidence to ride it down 6 and 8 inch kerbs because of the stock suspension.

Had to replace the split seat because the softcase suitcase it came with wasn't able to protect it from them %#&@ baggage brutes (pardon me, Union). Replaced the grips and bar ends while at it. hanger also got dented in transit, thus my mysterious ghost shifts until the kind bike mech guy set the gremlins straight (with a Park tool). But am still considering a total rear mech replacement.

All in all though, I'm satisfied with Dr. Y's baby.

Recently bought myself an el cheapo hardcase luggage and, to my satisfaction, find that with wheels removed, my bike fits. No frame disassembly required. I'm now trip-ready and will give updates if the airlines charge me extra or not.

Here's my young'un testing the bike.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/photo.php?pid=5249693&id=675818782

ricoflor, what kind of suitcase did you buy--hard/soft, brand, size? Is it 62 curvilinear inches?

I don't think Forrest has ever looked better...

http://ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/forresttour1.JPG

My 1972 Monark folding bike. In Sweden these bikes were called "mini-bikes" or "low-wheeler". Monark and Crescent made them as folding and non-folding and also with a smaller frame for kids.

I'd also like to know about the suitcase..

Hi, finally got my brompton! Here it is shortly after purchasing it in copenhagen, denmark and crossing over to sweden on the ferry.

http://s4.postimage.org/MtoNr.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVMtoNr)


http://s3.postimage.org/8WFKr.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq8WFKr)

Never realized my BIKE would force me to be social... got a bunch of "what the...", "wow" and "how'd you do that?" etc and brommie is barely a day old :)

Spent the last 24 hours repairing bikes at our annual repair-a-palooza and during the wee hours built myself a new wheel with a Suzue cartridge bearing hub I had been given and re-spaced to125mm, re-spaced my frame to match, and Forrest the folding fixed gear became Forrest the folding 5 speed.

Used a Suntour Vxs and orphaned Barcon mated to a 13-24 Suntour five speed block and have a gear range from 40 to 76 which is perfect for commuting and daytouring and will be getting bosses brazed to the rear so I can fit a canti brake.

Got testing the bike on the ride back and was packing a ton of stuff and the gearing range was pretty much perfect and the hub is smooth as silk.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/forrest5speed4.JPG


You should send your photos to this Raleigh Twenty website
http://raleightwenty.webs.com/

Here's my Moulton Mk III as I found it in a craigslist ad, clean frame, lots of non-original parts, and a bad respray:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TBV0VCwgx6I/AAAAAAAAAhk/EESC3VWCLC4/s800/moulton_01.jpg

I tore it down (except for the fork, which is proving stubborn...,) cleaned, inspected and lubricated it. I've added new cables, seat post, and brake calipers, a handlebar and pedals from my parts bin, and borrowed the saddle from my Rockhopper.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TDUuIr8_4rI/AAAAAAAAAlc/BOGiV8X2jKI/s800/moulton_05.jpg

Went out for a spin last night and decided to rebuild the slightly noisy AW, only to learn that the innards have been replaced with an S5 unit (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?660486-Sturmey-Archer-surprise-what-is-this-hub)!

You should send your photos to this Raleigh Twenty website
http://raleightwenty.webs.com/

But I'm not finished yet... :)

Hi I have an e-Bike (folding) EB005

Here's my Moulton Mk III as I found it in a craigslist ad, clean frame, lots of non-original parts, and a bad respray:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TBV0VCwgx6I/AAAAAAAAAhk/EESC3VWCLC4/s800/moulton_01.jpg

I tore it down (except for the fork, which is proving stubborn...,) cleaned, inspected and lubricated it. I've added new cables, seat post, and brake calipers, a handlebar and pedals from my parts bin, and borrowed the saddle from my Rockhopper.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TDUuIr8_4rI/AAAAAAAAAlc/BOGiV8X2jKI/s800/moulton_05.jpg

Went out for a spin last night and decided to rebuild the slightly noisy AW, only to learn that the innards have been replaced with an S5 unit (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?660486-Sturmey-Archer-surprise-what-is-this-hub)!

I envy you. I really want to find one of these someday.

I decided to take a photo of the 4 Dahons I have at home right now.
Wife's 1990 Mariner Classic III (repainted)
2008 Curve D3
2007 Vitesse D7
2005 Jetstream P8
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dahons/IMG_0831.jpg
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dahons/IMG_0833.jpg
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dahons/IMG_0834.jpg

My niece and her boyfriend really took a liking to my folding bikes and asked me to find them two entry level folders.
We ended up finding a used West Marine Port Runner. It was tougher for my niece. She wanted a pink one and 20" wheels. Well, I had a biz trip to Houston and found a Pink 2009 Citizen Miami that is like new. I brought my oversized old school suitcase will be flying home shortly with her Pink Texan.
Neither one of these are built as well as my Dahons, but they are built well enough. I am sure that both of them will enjoy their new folders.
161045161046161047161048161049

I am new to this forum and am unfamiliar with the termology. What is NWT's and what is BF. I also am 5 foot and looking for a folder with a short seat to handlebar ratio. I also can't spend more than $300 for it. I did get the chance to try an old Kent Transit which I liked alot, but they don't make anymore. It seems the 20" wheels are better then the 16". I also tried the Yea! but liked the feel of the Kent more. I am now looking for reviews on the Barcelona by Citizen, only saw one person review it though. I live in Queens, NY and the only times I will fold it will be for storage and putting in my car trunk, no trains or buses. Probably won't be going up any big hills either.

Trying to make a decision is very daunting. I have been responding to local Craigslist posting to try out different ones, but not much out there except cheap ones and Dahon and the Stradia. Could use any help anyone can give...

Tks..

I am new to this forum and am unfamiliar with the termology. What is NWT's and what is BF. I also am 5 foot and looking for a folder with a short seat to handlebar ratio. I also can't spend more than $300 for it. I did get the chance to try an old Kent Transit which I liked alot, but they don't make anymore. It seems the 20" wheels are better then the 16". I also tried the Yea! but liked the feel of the Kent more. I am now looking for reviews on the Barcelona by Citizen, only saw one person review it though. I live in Queens, NY and the only times I will fold it will be for storage and putting in my car trunk, no trains or buses. Probably won't be going up any big hills either.

Trying to make a decision is very daunting. I have been responding to local Craigslist posting to try out different ones, but not much out there except cheap ones and Dahon and the Stradia. Could use any help anyone can give...

Tks..

I believe NWT means New With Tags. BF is Bike Forum.

I prefer the ride of 20" wheel bikes, but I like riding my 16" Dahon Curve because it has Big Apple tires that are fat and help cushion the bumps.

If you are looking for a bargain bike, You may want to check out this one
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/1856065703.html

I really don't see any other deals for Folding bikes in NYC.

There is a Citizen Miami in New Haven for only $100
http://newhaven.craigslist.org/bik/1807992489.html

Good luck.

I asked the same question on the regular folding bike forum here and this was their reply:

BF is Bike Friday (http://bikefriday.com/), a company which makes well-regarded folding bikes, mostly intended to be broken into suitcases for travel; and also the Tikit, a fast-folding commuter bike. NWT stands for the New World Tourist, one of Bike Friday's most popular models. Bike Friday doesn't make bikes in your price range, so feel free to ignore those posts! ;-)

This isnt the thread to be asking questions that you have already asked in a thread that you started.

BF is Bike Friday (http://bikefriday.com/), a company which makes well-regarded folding bikes, mostly intended to be broken into suitcases for travel; and also the Tikit, a fast-folding commuter bike.

The Tikit also makes for a good light touring bike. Here's mine on tour:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4446499840_9c6a5ba88a_z_d.jpg
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/4446499840/sizes/z/in/set-72157623528349037/)

hello, thought I'd share my pics of my daily rider.. got this Worksman on ebay for 99 cents, picked it up and saved on shipping as well..

my guess is 60s-70's model. has three speed coaster brakes.. sorry for all the pics, I just love it and it is my daily rider/go-getter
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/Photo0671.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/Photo0672.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/100_1699.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/100_1696.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/100_1697.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/100_1695.jpg

i know it's rusty as all get out, but I still have yet t find time to do this.. any one know if soaking old parts in vinegar really works for rust removal?

hello, thought I'd share my pics of my daily rider.. got this Worksman on ebay for 99 cents, picked it up and saved on shipping as well..

my guess is 60s-70's model. has three speed coaster brakes.. sorry for all the pics, I just love it and it is my daily rider/go-getter
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/Photo0671.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/Photo0672.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/100_1699.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/100_1696.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/100_1697.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/IlliteriteWino/Bikes/100_1695.jpg

i know it's rusty as all get out, but I still have yet t find time to do this.. any one know if soaking old parts in vinegar really works for rust removal?

Vinegar can do wonders as long as there is still some chrome underneath.

I asked the same question on the regular folding bike forum here and this was their reply:

BF is Bike Friday (http://bikefriday.com/), a company which makes well-regarded folding bikes, mostly intended to be broken into suitcases for travel; and also the Tikit, a fast-folding commuter bike. NWT stands for the New World Tourist, one of Bike Friday's most popular models. Bike Friday doesn't make bikes in your price range, so feel free to ignore those posts! ;-)

So when my niece talks about her BFF does she mean Bike Friday Forever?

Original Bike Friday Diamond frame with accessories

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4803336247_5848853350_z.jpg

Got to installing the half step gearing this morning... the 30 tooth is just a chain keeper and will get replaced with a 40 tooth ring to go with the 48 and 53.

Gives me a 37 - 76 range with 10% steps with a 48/53 instead of the 15% with the single 52 and the 40 will give me a low of 30 gear inches if I keep the 13-24 block.

Had to use my kickstand as a cable stop for the front d (took a few seconds of drilling) and will have to add another braze on for that when I get Forrest out to the frame shop.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/forresthalfstep.JPG

Found that 40 and then decided to mate it to a 14-28 UG five speed... lost a little of the top but gained a stump pulling low of 26 gear inches and although there is some gearing overlap it is between the 40 tooth granny and the 48 middle at the low end.

15 speeds on a Twenty... :)

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/forrest15.JPG

folding bike I have one but I I don't know how to post the picture

OK...Here's my first post and my first folder I picked up off CL. It appears to be a 1985 Dahon Classic III. Cleaned and tuned her up las night. After riding it and looking at all the advancements in folders I'm sure she won't stay too long. Just got to figure out which one to get next. The new Citizen Gotham 2 looks interesting but I'm not reading a bunch of good stuff about CB's. The Dahon Viteese D7 HG looks like something I might like. Need to do more research.....

162264 162265 162263

So when my niece talks about her BFF does she mean Bike Friday Forever?


Don't be silly. She means Bike Forums Forever!

Updated pics of my R20. Put a 6 speed on the rear. Had trouble trying to get the brakes to work properly, still not perfect. I'll be commting on it this week, while I work out the bugs. I plan on putting a full sized rack on the rear, getting heel strike with my current panniers.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/Elad63/BICYCLE/RaleighTwenty001-1.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/Elad63/BICYCLE/RaleighTwenty002.jpg

Updated pics of my R20. Put a 6 speed on the rear. Had trouble trying to get the brakes to work properly, still not perfect. I'll be commting on it this week, while I work out the bugs. I plan on putting a full sized rack on the rear, getting heel strike with my current panniers.


I was wondering how those brakes worked as I have oodles of them kicking around... figure that the reach and arm flex is still too extreme and that drop bolts and medium reach calipers are still the best solution short of brazing on new bosses for V brakes.

Am really loving my 18 speed drive and knocked down a century this weekend... just picked up a Crank Bro's Power Pump Pro that fits perfectly on the top tube in front of the frame release and will handle the 100 psi Comet tyres I am running. It is the smallest pump you can get with a built in gauge... it only weighs 120 grams and has a high volume / high pressure setting which is very nice.

http://www.unicycle.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/2/4/24053_lg.jpg

Was carrying my SKS mini on my weekend ride and had to deal with a flat and came close to tossing it in the ditch but figured it might be needed on the ride home if I picked up any more tire wire.

I still have flex in the arms. It's almost impossible to get both sides angled correctly.

Snagged a 1968 Schwinn Runabout from an out of state CL. Needs some TLC, but not in bad shape. It is bizarre how they had the rear Gripper Slik tire on the front and the Spitfire tire on the back. Also it is strange how the ape hangers and handlebar stem are back asswards.

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Schwinn%20Runabout/IMAGE_282.jpg

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?668697-1968-Schwinn-Runabout-(Run-A-Bout)

I still have flex in the arms. It's almost impossible to get both sides angled correctly.

The front drop bolt solution is easier than the rear...

All you need is a steel tube (gas pipe works) to match the inner diameter of the steerer and a drill.

With this you can mount a medium reach side pull at the bottom of the tube, set it's position and then drill through the old brake mount and through the tube and fix it in place.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa87/DVC45/IMG_4271.jpg