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

Here's a pic of my Dahon Speed P8. I've put nearly 400 miles on it in 4 months
and bought it so I could easily take it places with me (I have a suitcase for it)
and do light touring. It's been modified a bit, with an adjustable stem, bar ends,
QR rack, pedals. After I took this pic, I got a new seat and a better pump.

I also use it for riding around whenever I'm in the mood for gears (my other
bikes are singlespeeds). If I get further into touring, I'll probably get a
Bike Friday New World Tourist or Pocket Llama. The short distance between
the BB and the rear hub (15 inches) is a limitation; otherwise it's a nice ride.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=18504&stc=1

More pics at: https://biengroup.net:8100/jonathan/york_2004.html

After I took this pic, I got a new seat and a better pump.

Hey, another Dahon Forumite! We're taking this place over. :)

I think you had mentioned that you're now mounting a Topeak Road Morph on top of the main tube, using the mount that came with it. I just got a Morph today from Bike Parts USA and was wondering if that worked out okay for you? I kind of like the idea of mounting the pump using the braze-ons, instead of just strapping it on, maybe using something like this (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=5750&subcategory_ID=4363), but who knows...

Strida - asleep in its favourite place, on the train :D

(Also got a Brompton L3 - lovely bike, and a bit faster; but not to carry ! - where Strida wins out -you never carry it !)

Here's a picture of my new Dahon Speed TR. I keep it in the back of my car and get plenty of opportunities for short rides. I am looking forward to getting a suitcase so I can easily bring it on my frequent business trips.

Looking good. I like the "aero" front wheel.
What kind of bottom bracket did you use?
What kind of fork is that? What kind and length steerer tube does it have?

Hey, another Dahon Forumite! We're taking this place over. :)

I think you had mentioned that you're now mounting a Topeak Road Morph on top of the main tube, using the mount that came with it. I just got a Morph today from Bike Parts USA and was wondering if that worked out okay for you? I kind of like the idea of mounting the pump using the braze-ons, instead of just strapping it on, maybe using something like this (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=5750&subcategory_ID=4363), but who knows...

Your link points to the mount for the Performance Hurricane ATB pump (which is what's on my bike in
the pic I posted above, BTW). It won't work for the Topeak Road Morph cuz the Morph is thinner.
The road morph on top of the main tube has worked out just fine so far - it's solid on there. I've
only ridden 48 miles since attaching it to my ride, but I've used it already (I had a tube with a slow
leak). Great pump.

So where have you all been ?Dahonites, I'm on the first page.

I just got a Dahon Speed8. I was thinking of getting the Bike Friday Llama but the price was out of my league. So far, I've put about 100 miles on the dahon and it runs great.

Being new here, I'll list my present "fleet" of folders. I order of acquistion:

1972 Rog Pony (S/A 3 spd, Made in Slovania, I've owned it for 20 years)
197? Supercycle (Made in Poland... say no more)
197? Norco (deceased, as in stolen, Made in Italy)
1969 Raleigh Twenty (my daily driver)
1972 Raleigh Twenty (complete with picnic basket)
1972 Raleigh Twenty (about 100 original miles)
1974 Supercycle Twenty (built by Raleigh for Canadian Tire)
1977 Bridgestone Picnica (a mystery bike... even Sheldon Brown hasn't seen one like it)
1974 Auto-Mini (S/A 3 spd, made in Austria)
1967 Raleigh RSW (ok, technically not a folder but a close relative)

All are 100% original. After all, who would ever need more than 3 gears or brakes that "stop" rather than "slow down". I'll send pictures if anyone is interested as I'm too busy polishing my bikes to develope a web page.

If anyone has any insight into that Picnica, please shout.

Looking good. I like the "aero" front wheel.
What kind of bottom bracket did you use?
What kind of fork is that? What kind and length steerer tube does it have?

I'm liking the aero front wheel too - though the Schwalbe tyre isn't fitting it so well....

Ideally (i.e. aesthetically) I'd like the mag wheel at the back but I seriously doubt I'd be able to fit a SRAM 7 hub inside it without serious lathe work ;)...

Maybe I can make it into a fixie and switch it with the geared wheel every so often...

The fork is a un-branded cheapie off ebay. I think it is off a kid's MTB; It cost not a lot (about £15 ($25?) and still needs fitting to the ritchie headset; the steerer is about 12" I think though about 2 inches will need to be removed by the lovely people at TwoWheelsGood (http://www.twowheelsgood.co.uk)

The bottom bracket iis a Shimano UN-72; I had a real job getting the black alloy collars off. They were glued on with this white gunk and after many attempts to get it off with vices and rubber mallets (advice from the man Sheldon himself), I ended up having to intricately hacksaw one of the rings off without damaging the cartridge. Thankfully it worked and no damage was caused.

Getting the Raleigh cranks off was another story - eventually I had to concede defeat and got my local bike shop to perform angle-grinding surgery on the crank arms and cotterpins and got them to do the Phil Wood Ring/Shimano conversion while it was in the workshop. It runs "buttery smooth" now with it's Shimano Tiagra 35/42 (I think) chainset.... I got a double ring so I can maybe get it going as a 14 speed sometime in the future....?!?!?!

So to finish the project I need to make some adjustments to the original rack if I'm to be able to use my Karrimor Panniers, plus I'm waiting on a delivery from the US of a Kalloy Quill Stem - like yours I think (only anodised black) - and the Sram hub - then all I need is to do is spread the seat stays enough for the hub (eek!), get the fit the headset/forks fitted properly, get the hub built into my black alloy rim (I went for the drum brake so I won't have to rely on the awful stock rear brakes) then cable her up and she's off - maybe before Christmas. Or at least that's the plan.
Next year I plan to start saving for a Rohloff hub;)

Being new here, I'll list my present "fleet" of folders

That is an amazing fleet!
Any chance of posting any pictures - I'd love to see them all or at least some of the rare and exotic sounding ones..

>>I'm liking the aero front wheel too - though the Schwalbe tyre isn't fitting it so well....

Try a MAXXIS Hookworm. They are great, though odd looking with a skinny back tire. What the heck, it's going to be odd looking regardless of the tires.

>>Ideally (i.e. aesthetically) I'd like the mag wheel at the back but I seriously doubt I'd be able to fit a >>SRAM 7 hub inside it without serious lathe work ;)...

Does HED make 20" disk wheels? :-]

>>Maybe I can make it into a fixie and switch it with the geared wheel every so often...
It has the drops for it. Note that if you use a wheel with a QR in thhe rear you will probably ahve to use spacers of some kind because the plate dropouts are so thin that the QR won't clamp otherwise.

>>The fork is a un-branded cheapie off ebay. I think it is off a kid's MTB; It cost not a lot (about £15
>>($25?) and still needs fitting to the ritchie headset; the steerer is about 12" I think though about 2
>>inches will need to be removed by the lovely people at
>>TwoWheelsGood (http://www.twowheelsgood.co.uk)

Don't cut it until you determine how high the bars are going to be. You can always use spacers. You don't have to thread the steerer if it's that long, you could go with a threadless headset.

>>The bottom bracket iis a Shimano UN-72; I had a real job getting the black alloy collars off. They
>>were glued on with this white gunk and after many attempts to get it off with vices and rubber
>>mallets (advice from the man Sheldon himself), I ended up having to intricately hacksaw one of the
>>rings off without damaging the cartridge. Thankfully it worked and no damage was caused.

>>Getting the Raleigh cranks off was another story - eventually I had to concede defeat and got my
>>local bike shop to perform angle-grinding surgery on the crank arms and cotterpins and got them to
>>do the Phil Wood Ring/Shimano conversion while it was in the workshop. It runs "buttery smooth" now
>>with it's Shimano Tiagra 35/42 (I think) chainset.... I got a double ring so I can maybe get it going as
>>a 14 speed sometime in the future....?!?!?!


I didn't have that problem because the guy I bought mine from destroyed Raleigh the cranks by driving the cotters out with a tapered drift pin.

I have thought about using a double in the front but I cannot figure out how to route and secure a cable the frame to operate it. Any ideas on that?


>>So to finish the project I need to make some adjustments to the original rack if I'm to be able to use
>> my Karrimor Panniers, plus I'm waiting on a delivery from the US of a Kalloy Quill Stem - like yours I
>>think (only anodised black) - and the Sram hub - then all I need is to do is spread the seat stays
>>enough for the hub (eek!), get the fit the headset/forks fitted properly, get the hub built into my black
>>alloy rim (I went for the drum brake so I won't have to rely on the awful stock rear brakes) then cable
>>her up and she's off - maybe before Christmas. Or at least that's the plan.
>>Next year I plan to start saving for a Rohloff hub;)[/QUOTE]

Kalloy makes an adjustable threadless stem too.

Nothing wrong with a drum brake, but I think the stock rear brake is OK, and it has enough adjustment to work with both 406 and 451 wheels. You don't get much out of the rear brake anyway.

When you get this going, send us more pictures.

Try a MAXXIS Hookworm. They are great, though odd looking with a skinny back tire. What the heck, it's going to be odd looking regardless of the tires.
Maybe. I think until i'm happy with everything I'll run it on two of the same rims for stability; the one on the back is a diamondback economy alloy rim and I have a second one on order.


Does HED make 20" disk wheels? :-]
Now that would be a wheel!
What are the wheels on the Dahon Continental? They look pretty light and cool


Don't cut it until you determine how high the bars are going to be. You can always use spacers. You don't have to thread the steerer if it's that long, you could go with a threadless headset.
The steerer is already threaded so I'm having to go for a threaded headset and quill stem - which actually arrived yesterday.


I have thought about using a double in the front but I cannot figure out how to route and secure a cable the frame to operate it. Any ideas on that?
You have a front deraileur as a chain guide though don't you? I've not looked into it properly but I'm sure there must be a way. There are lots of self adhesive/cable tie based cable routers that might be of help in getting the cable to it... If I do it I'll need a chain tensioner myself.


Nothing wrong with a drum brake, but I think the stock rear brake is OK, and it has enough adjustment to work with both 406 and 451 wheels.
True. I like the clean look of the stays with no clutter though...


When you get this going, send us more pictures.
Will do for sure!

A 'folding' bike?!

My god! That's great!
I've never heard of those. They look great! So convinient!
When you fold them up can you carry them beside you, like a suitcase or the like?

I'm going to keep on the lookout. I want one of those so bad!!!!

Ut-oh.
I hope they have some form of a catch to stop it folding away whilst you're riding!?
That would be terrible lol
Imagine the carnage and the pain O.o

Simon

Hi
I got actually three

1 ThorUSA 26 folder
1 Dahon Picollo
1 Dahon Speed 8

( sold my Dahon Jetstream p 8 a month ago, gonna get a new one when available in spring )

Brakemeister

http://www.thorusa.com/mediumtsf26.jpg

Si por suppuesto! Bicicletas falda eres muy Bueno.

I just got a Dahon Speed8. I was thinking of getting the Bike Friday Llama but the price was out of my league. So far, I've put about 100 miles on the dahon and it runs great.

I just orderd a Dahon Speed 8. Where did you get your handle bar ends? Did you cut the handlebar grips to get the bar ends on?

How is the ride on that? Does it have solid rather than inflatable tires? I was thinking of ordering one, but my experience on small-wheeled scooters made me think the ride would be very harsh.

I just orderd a Dahon Speed 8. Where did you get your handle bar ends? Did you cut the handlebar grips to get the bar ends on?



I got the bar ends (profile design) from a LBS. The LBS installed it for me. They cut the outer diameter part of the grips and slid the brake levers in a little with the grips to make room for the bar ends.

Here's a pic of my Dahon Matrix. It is my commuter bike/primary mode of transportation. I live in the Dallas area, which is praticularly brutal for bicycle commuters, but I've made it easier by moving within a couple of blocks of the train station. I use a Burley Nomad trailer for gorocery shopping or any other time I need extra cargo space.

Some of my vintage folder fleet:
77 Bridgestone Picnica (Japan) (HELP! Anyone seen one like this?)
72 Raleigh Twenty (England)
72 Rog Pony (Slovania)
7? Universal (Poland)
74 Auto-Mini (Austria)

hello i have recently picked up a 1973-74 Norse auto-mini. the bike is about 80% orignal. wanting to restore but would like more info. if any one has any it would be great

Here is a pic of my old Dahon. I dont know the model name, !6'' wheels, 3 speed AW hub(85-7). Chang star brakes. Side pull front, center pull rear. What appear to be HON, cotterless craks, fenders frt and rear. Rear is broken at the moment. Has the Dahon California logos on the rear fender and the hadle bar. Is that the model name? Looks like it had an optional rack but wasnt fitted due to the paint still in the holes for the mount. Original color was red, now faded to this cool orange. Serial number looks like it was scratched out by hand. I put some new cables and tires on it. Rides like a dream. Has some rust but doesnt affect the performance of the bike. I would like to upgrade the front wheel first to an lighter, less rusty one. It is amazing what some people throw out.

Serial number looks like it was scratched out by hand.

...

It is amazing what some people throw out.

"Honest, officer, I just found it sitting by the side of the road. No, I don't know why the serial number is scratched out. What's that? Come down to the station? No really, I'm telling you... I found it! Someone must've just thro... Hey, what's with the cuffs?"

Pretty funny, what i ment was when they put it on at the factory, it was hand applied.

It is amazing what some people throw out.

Here's a pic of my recently acquired via the LFS (landfill site) 1971 Raleigh Twenty folder. It's all there, and most of it seems to work ok. Still cleaning it up to see what it needs.

Pretty funny, what i ment was when they put it on at the factory, it was hand applied.

Heh, heh. Ya gotta love the English language. :)

Anyway, in that case, there happens to be a
thread about serial numbers (http://www.dahon.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=1050) over in the Dahon forums right now. You might be able to ascertain the year and month of manufacture if you were interested.

[This post edited to add the following...]

Duh. I see that you've posted in that thread too. Well, maybe the link will be of use to other BikeForumites. :D

I just recently got my Dahon Speed TR... and I hae to say I dig it.

http://www.dahon.com/speedtr.htm

Just got a Dahon Matrix. Review forthcoming.

I just ordered my first folder, a Pocket Rocket! It's gestating right now, should be here by Christmas!

I too have a Raleigh Twenty that I'm in the process of tricking out. I hope to set it up with front and rear derailleurs to get 16 speeds. I'll get pictures out once it's a little bit further along...

Look at this, if you haven't seen it already:

http://home.comcast.net/~cheg01/r20.html

Also these pics:
http://home.comcast.net/~cheg01/20_light_2.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~cheg01/20_light_3.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~cheg01/20_light_4.jpg

I think you will enjoy building and riding the 20.

I spent a lot of time checking out your site before I even bought my Twenty. Your site and Sheldon's are what inspired me to tackle this. I really appreciate the packing instructions; it's great to know what size case it will fit in. How thick/strong is the plastic of the case?

I spent a lot of time checking out your site before I even bought my Twenty. Your site and Sheldon's are what inspired me to tackle this. I really appreciate the packing instructions; it's great to know what size case it will fit in. How thick/strong is the plastic of the case?

The middle of the side panel is pretty flexible. That's why I put the galvanized pipe brace in there. You can walk on it now without hurting anything. You could probably do the same thing with a wood dowel or plastic pipe to save swome weight. With the 3x7 wheel, rack, pannier, tools, spares, etc., it was a few pounds over the 50# stated limit for airline carriage without extra charge. That was one reason I got the straight 7 speed rear wheel. I hear that the weight limit is not always enforced, though, and the weigh limit is higher with some airlines if you are a frequent flier.

Hi! Regarding Burnarda88's question about Bridgestone Picnicas. I currently own two of them. One is a bronze colored belt-drive model and the other is a red and white chain-drive model (fully enclosed). From what I know they were made in Japan and marketed as "second cars." I estimate they are each at least 35 years old or so. On the internet I found a bronze colored belt-drive model in a museum in Japan and a red an white one (reverse color scheme from mine) in a museum in Australia. From what I understand they are very rare and in high demand. Of all the bikes I own, they are the ones that inevitably attract the most attention. Cheers!

A quick look at the bikes I used to own. My favorite is the brompton

Same here, it's been hard to know what to take from the shop for my own, but I finally settled for the Brompton T6. I especially like the utilitarian generator lights. Of all the bikes, I've ever owned, and I've had many, the Brompton is now my all time favorite.

Just got a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro petite. I'm still working the kinks out, getting to know it, but it is pretty amazing!

After riding recumbents for the last few years, I decided on trying a folder, a Dahon Speed 8 like many of those above. I had mine equiped with a 38 tooth chain ring as usually have to climb when I ride. I just ordered a brooks saddle trying to add to the long range comfort level. It is still an experiment, but seems to be going well.

Regards,

Gary
Greenspeed GTO
Dahon Speed 8

After several years riding and competing adventure races with a Specialized Stompjumper I decided to get a folder, just to adapt to my new lifestyle and be prepared for Academics (I am applying to grad school).

Ended up with a Giant Halfway RS. Click on the link to take a look.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=23256


It only has 56miles with me, but so far I am very happy with it. Doesn't have a name yet though.

Rafael Guerra

You guys are guilty of making me want one. ;)

JCSILVA... Thanks for the info on my '77 Bridgestone Picnica. We (the bike and I) recently took a trip to Las Vegas. The Picnica fits perfectly in an airline regulation size suitcase. According to Bridgestone's Japanese website, they still manufacture a belt drive, 16" wheel Picnica but they don't seem to make it across the pond. Pity. As for mine, the quality is incredible... stainless steel rims, aluminum fenders, dia-comp brakes, etc. If only it had Sturmey-Archer gears vs. Shimano. Once again, if anyone has one like it, I'd love to hear from you.

JCSILVA... Thanks for the info on my '77 Bridgestone Picnica. We (the bike and I) recently took a trip to Las Vegas. The Picnica fits perfectly in an airline regulation size suitcase. According to Bridgestone's Japanese website, they still manufacture a belt drive, 16" wheel Picnica but they don't seem to make it across the pond. Pity. As for mine, the quality is incredible... stainless steel rims, aluminum fenders, dia-comp brakes, etc. If only it had Sturmey-Archer gears vs. Shimano. Once again, if anyone has one like it, I'd love to hear from you.
Very nice.

Koffee, how about some 2005 Xfolders for your next trip to die Schweiz?

"Would you like cream with that?". "No, Baileys will be fine."

http://www.winterxbike.com/photo_gall/photos.htm

:roflmao: :roflmao:

next year: long days bike (commute both ways): stick with my Jamis Coda; short days bike (Metro home) with ice: Dahon Matrix with Nokian tires; short days bike with no ice: something smaller than the Matrix to ease Metro rides home. This likely means Speed 8 or equivalent.

Hi velogirl: "...short days bike (Metro home) with ice: Dahon Matrix with Nokian tires"...
Smart planning.

I thought I could wait until December 2005 to get Nokian Hakkapelitta TR1110 tires to replace the Tioga Bloodhounds on my commuting bike, a Marin Sausalito. Bad idea.

The Bloodhounds had kept me upright through a lot of snow and ice this winter. But last week my luck ran out. I crashed on black ice (which was hidden by slush).

So now I'm using RICE to get my left knee ready to test the Matrix on trails around Boulder, CO next week (Spring Break). If the trails are mud mixed with slush and ice, I'll test the Hutchison Pythons on roads. If the roads on the front range are icy, I'll shorten the altitude-adjustment time, stuff the Matrix back into its Dahon Double Play bag and take my mountaineering O2 mask and Telemark skis to A-Basin ;-)

:roflmao: :roflmao:

Montague CX plus I've also ordered a 2005 Dahon Helios SL. :)
The Montague's a nice sturdy bike and is fun on rough stuff but it's a bit heavy and slow (fat tires) and doesn't fold too compactly for use on transit. The Dahon will be for going faster, road only, and for taking on transit (our local light rail in San Jose, CA). Both fit nicely in the trunk.

Burnarda 88 what is the gearing on those colorful little bikes in the second photo ( I.E gear inches) also how many psi are the tires rated to it should say on the sidewall are the tires 14 inch by 1.75 or 14 inch by 1& 3/8. Sorry i saw a 14 inch wheel variant on the yellow jersey ltd website. Pls ignore this.

Here's my bike, a Dahon Presto Lite adjusted for weekend touring.

http://www.mypix.se/visaFullImage.asp?fill=0&id=JMORDPRQCMROI&storlek=800

Modifications/upgrades as seen on the picture;
-Big Apple tyres
-Telescopic Piccolo seatpost
-Selle Italia Leather saddle
-SKS Mudmax mudguards
-Larger chainwheel (52T)
-SPD pedals
-Minoura PET bottle cage
-Cane Creek bar ends
-Carradice SQR tour bag
-Altura Skye handle bar bag (Klick-fix)
-LED lights front and rear on the bags
-Cable lock on handle post
-Bullit valve caps..

I've only put on the Big Apples the other day, off in an hour or two to try them out on wintery roads in Stockholm, Sweden.

TC, Moe£

Hi Moe, I like what you did to your bike. I'm deciding between a Presta Lite and a Helixp8. Your little bike will be smaller to carry, yet I'm leaning towards a model with QR. And even Dahon Tech folks say pulling the back wheel can be tricky and time consuming. Any thoughts, post here to the group or I should have email allowed to me. I have a Trek 520 and Cannondale H600 too. Kevin, LA, CA