Folding Bikes - Oh mighty experts of Folding Bikes I summon ye.. looking for a particular frame.

I am making my own custom touring folder and I need a base to start from for cheap. Here's what I am after:

Must be steel(hi-ten) or cro-mo.
Must be able to accept front derailleur.
Must be cheap, around $200 for just a frame or bike with crap components that I would strip or $500 with some usable parts.
Used is fine I just need to know what to look for that can have a large gear range.


Some of the Dahons look nice but in my price range they don't seem to be able to accommodate front derailleurs. I have found some great aluminum folders but I do not trust aluminum for touring (already had issues on another bike).

I have a Raleigh Twenty frame but the amount of time required to turn this into what I want may not be worth it.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: Hmm seems something like this would solve the Dahon front derailleur mounting issue...but I don't see anywhere to buy one. Of course I could braze on a braze on but then I might as well convert my Twenty frame. Can't seem to find this Thor adapter talked about in various places.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRwxlCkonaE/TrabpRs_I-I/AAAAAAAABk4/B0b68kX7LVQ/s1600/IMAG0818.jpg

well the thor adapter would be found at thor .... I would assume ....
http://www.thorusa.com/accessories/special.htm

thor

I am making my own custom touring folder and I need a base to start from for cheap. Here's what I am after:

Must be steel(hi-ten) or cro-mo.
Must be able to accept front derailleur.
Must be cheap, around $200 for just a frame or bike with crap components that I would strip or $500 with some usable parts.
Used is fine I just need to know what to look for that can have a large gear range.


Some of the Dahons look nice but in my price range they don't seem to be able to accommodate front derailleurs. I have found some great aluminum folders but I do not trust aluminum for touring (already had issues on another bike).

I have a Raleigh Twenty frame but the amount of time required to turn this into what I want may not be worth it.

Any suggestions?

If you've got the framebuilding tools and skills to install braze-ons a frame, then your case is going to be atypical.

Before you decide to delve in the Raleigh 20, I'd check out a few Raleigh 20 threads on the amount of work and the atypical parts they need.

You can usually find an older Dahon Speed on Craigslist in your price range. AFAIK, those frames were always chromoly. As you have already discovered, there are clamp-on mounts which allow a front derailer to be installed; although I'd ask someone like THOR whether the mounts he sells are backwards compatible since it's always possible that the model has changed somewhat over the years.

The Downtube's that Yan sells have front derailer mounts as well.

There's a D7 on ebay that might work with the Thor adapter
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-Dahon-Speed-D7-Like-New-Condition-/300661511312?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4600d29490
Oh missed this first time through, not a lot of info but might work well

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dahon-folding-bicycle-/130643020901?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6aee4c65

The Downtubes would have been perfect but they are aluminum.

I have done tons of research and have the tools to do up my Twenty (already had the BB converted) but I still think it's a bit more work than I have time for.

Looks like so far the Dahon Speed D7 is the frontrunner if I can find one around $300.

I see some China frames out there for cheap as well from hi-ten steel, in my mind there is no difference between them and a Raleigh Twenty, the Twenty is just heavy hi-ten as well and on mine the welds are hideous, would have to fill them all in if I want it to look pretty.

BTW The Thor page wasn't loading when I posted that, but now I see the adapters.

Sounds like you`ll be doing some tweaking whatever bike you start with. Go for the Twenty. They have a reputation for being a great ride and we`ll enjoy yet another Twenty thread!

*shakes fist* Ya I do want to, you will have two threads then as I am building two bikes! Well I can see how it goes with the first one if it's a satisfying experience I will go ahead with #2. Bah time to get some work done so I have more time to play with my bikes.

Good girl :D:thumb:!

"I see some China frames out there for cheap as well from hi-ten steel, in my mind there is no difference between them and a Raleigh Twenty, the Twenty is just heavy hi-ten as well and on mine the welds are hideous, would have to fill them all in if I want it to look pretty."


Will you provide internet links to the Chinese frames you mentioned above?

Thanks.