Folding Bikes - Yet Another 'Help me choose' Thread

My commute has changed, and I'm eyeing a new bike to cope with the new conditions. It's about 18 miles, but perfectly flat; my fixed gear has been getting a lot more use on it lately. However after a 10 or 12 hour day I don't always feel like the extra hour and a half back home, so I'll take the bus. Of course, sometimes the bus rack is full and I curse my full sized bike.

I'd like to keep the fixed drivetrain, it works well on my commute. I haven't found any stock fixed folders, but I'm a reasonably talented mechanic and can do the conversion myself.

Things I would like
Sized to fit my 6"3 frame
Horizontal dropouts so I don't have to use an ENO hub
The ability to change out parts at will, I like to fiddle with my bikes, so the ability to easily swap handlebars would be great.

I'd gladly treat this as an excuse for a complicated project; I've considered buying a Raleigh 20 and having my way with it, but they never seem to come up for sale in my area.

Are there any suggestions for either new or vintage bikes that could serve as the basis for this project?

Hi, Dahon has the Speed Uno and Mu Uno and Brompton has the SE1. Bike Friday has a SS also. How much are you looking to spend?

A bike friday Tikit, by virtue of being made made to order, in Eugene Oregon
can be sized for your stature..
and having the rear Portion fold as a unit , with their Season Tikit
rear fittings for chain tension, can serve your fixie desire/needs ..
+ the stem, and such is a common threadless type, so aids your swapping of bits.

Let's assume Bike Fridays are out of my price range, even though they certainly are lust-worthy. Maybe once I get a pay raise (or several).

Until that point, cheaper is better, with a max budget of maybe $600. I thought about the Mu Uno, but it doesn't seem like a lot of bike for the money. I also haven't been able to figure out if the Dahon stem would work with easily with other handlebars, I can't stand straight handlebars myself.

Fixed drivetrain might not be a good idea with smaller wheels: Your crankset is too close to the ground on turns, even the non-aggressive rider can hit the pavement with the pedals while turning. I strongly suggest you saving for a Tikit. Everything else will fall short on your expectations (assuming you want something close to the riding quality of a "regular size" bike).

The Speed Uno is $379 Shipped. http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/speeduno.htm Soma handlebars http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/handlebar.htm Aber hallo for a longer reach http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/technical/aberhallo.htm
Just some ideas for your budget.

The Xootr Swift SS for $699 shipped may be another choice http://www.xootr.com/folding-bicycle.html

Let's assume Bike Fridays are out of my price range, even though they certainly are lust-worthy. Maybe once I get a pay raise (or several).

Until that point, cheaper is better, with a max budget of maybe $600. I thought about the Mu Uno, but it doesn't seem like a lot of bike for the money. I also haven't been able to figure out if the Dahon stem would work with easily with other handlebars, I can't stand straight handlebars myself.


Worksman folding bicycles: http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page21.html (http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page21.html)....." recommended for riders from 4'9" - 6.2" up to 250 pounds".....(although you are an inch over the recommended height and you did not list your weight so I have to go by assumptions there too). They are steel frames and appear to have a horizontal dropout so that means an easy conversion to a fixie. The single speed is listed for about 300 dollars-what you would spend for a vintage Raleigh Twenty now-still well under your budget for a bike. This will allow you to pay for the customization of the bike should you buy one.

The Xootr Swift SS for $699 shipped may be another choice http://www.xootr.com/folding-bicycle.html

+1

It is the sensible choice.

The Xootr Swift has a specially designed rear axle thingummy, not a dropout but a track end, but with a derailer hanger as well. So you can have your cake and eat it.

The Xootr is therefore the ideal choice for a fixie/SS; it also has ample room for choosing 451 wheels which will give a delightful extra amount of crank clearance over and above the normal amount (which is not smaller than for big-wheelers) so you can carve around with less fear of striking a pedal.

Plus the ride quality of the Xootr is so far above most other folders, it will be an upgrade for you. ;) In fact I predict you will never want to take the bus in the first place.

6'3", well you can order the Xootr with longer bits (but the frame size is always medium).

Agree, the Swift should be a very good choice, assuming if folds small enough for the bus.

Lou

Any other less-expensive BFs (I'm thinking Pocket Sport, Pocket 8) with horizontal dropouts?

Any other less-expensive BFs (I'm thinking Pocket Sport, Pocket 8) with horizontal dropouts?
those use a derailleur.. realistically there is a fold/hinge point behind the BB,
so You should just consider, instead of a fixie, 2nd best in simplicity,
a single speed (or a 3 speed IG hub) with a chain tensioner,
as the chain goes slack as the rear wheel is folded forward.

same basic theme with the Llama, the chain tensioner and hub on the one I just got was from Rohloff.

I think some folks are forgetting that the OP wants to take this bike on the bus. While I think the Xootr is a great bike, most don't consider it bus friendly. It could work, as long as the bus isn't crowded.

I'm with those that have suggested a 3 speed IGH. If you feel the burning need for fixed, then swap out the stock IGH for the Sturmey-Archer 3speed fixed IGH.
http://www.amazon.com/Sturmey-Archer-3-speed-hub-kit-120mm/dp/B003RLFAZY

Good luck on your search. :)