mrchaotica

I've decided that I need a folding bike (actually two including one for my wife) for when I go out of town. (I commute by bike, and intend to still use a full-size for that unless the folding bike is so incredibly awesome that I don't feel the need to.) Here's what I'm looking for, ideally:

1. Small enough to be an airplane carry-on (not a hard limit; I prefer not to have to check it but I will if I have to). Southwest's carry-on limit is 10 x 16 x 24 inches.
2. Fit two of them in the trunk of a Miata along with at least a school-backpack-worth of clothes and stuff (I can also put stuff on top of the trunk if necessary, but only 20 lbs and not bulky.)
3. relatively inexpensive, but better than BSO quality
4. probably not single-speed (there are hills where I live, and the places I travel to)

Looking on Craigslist, I see:

• Citizen Tokyo with bag for $150
• two Dahons (of unspecified model... but they're 6-speeds and have 20" wheels) for $300 for the pair.
• another unspecified Dahon (that looks slightly newer) for $350 "negotiable"
• an "English style folding bike" (single-speed, step-through type frame, 20" wheels) for $100

Are any of these Craigslist bikes what I want, or should I shop around more? I'm going on vacation after Thanksgiving and would love to not have to waste money renting a crappy cruiser bike at my destination, but I'm willing to wait for a good deal if I have to.

Thanks for your help!

Pinigis 

It is highly unlikely that anything will fit in a carry on bag, but there are several options for checked baggage. But be realistic, many bikes will not fit into an airline standard case (<62"). At Origami, only our Crane 8 model fits well without excessive disassembly.

tcs

No. Think about it: the bikes you listed have 20" diameter wheels. They're not going to fold to 10x16.

Even a CarryMe DS exceeds carry on dimensions. In fact, even a Sinclair A Bike (no thanks, I'll ride a nasty rental cruiser) exceeds carry on dimensions.

mrchaotica

What does this mean? That some (16" or 20") folding bikes are too big even to be stowed with the checked baggage?

Are my requirements too restrictive?

linberl

AFAIK the brompton is the only bike that can be carried on and stored in the overhead.

There are bikes that will fit in suitcases which then become your trailer (bike friday) and some that fold well enough with the wheels off to fit in a suitcase (just measure the fold and buy one that fits both the bike and the airline requirements). Just make sure the suitcase is within the airline limit for size and weight with the bike inside; those extra fees are no fun.

downtube

You need two bikes in the trunk of a Miata? I can fit two bikes in the trunk of almost every standard car. However I have been unable to even fit one folder in the back of many convertible's. I never tried with a Miata, but I think you may want to get a trailer hitch and a hitch mounted rack....or look at https://www.seasucker.com . Otherwise your restrictions may leave you with zero options.

Thanks,
Yan

mrchaotica

Hmm... I figured that driving around with a rack might cramp my style (probably don't want to do any "spirited" driving with bikes swinging around back there), but that may be the way I have to go. On the bright side, my Miata already has a trailer hitch (the previous owner used a utility trailer to carry a second set of wheels to racing events) and it means maybe I'd only really need one folding bike (for when I travel alone for work), and that I no longer need it urgently.

So there's nothing that folds as small as a Brompton, but has one less digit in its price? That sucks...

Okay, so revised requirements: one bike that fits into an airline standard checked-baggage case as Pinigis mentioned (which apparently means the length + width + height must add up to 62" or less... I didn't know that until now because I usually only fly with a carry-on) preferably without any "unusual" dis-assembly, and doesn't cost more than, say, $250 (unless there's a really good reason I should pay more). Being able to tow its own case would be nice, but probably not a hard requirement (unless I decided to ride from the airport to the hotel!).

tcs

Somebody help me out here: how about that little Chinese folder you can get on the 'net, the 'Q' or 'Freeride' or what was it?

tcs

The airline the OP says he will be flying has a 24x16x10 carry on restriction. The Brompton folds, naked with no hard case around it, to 23x22x10.6. Maybe you'd get on, but probably they'd take your bike away from you at the gate and throw it (literally) in with the other dunnage.

tcs

Sure there is. Dahon Classic III. Common on craigslist. Bought mine for $90 (and did some upgrades).



Pull the upper seat post & saddle, stow it between the wheels and it will drop right into an airline legal hard shell suitcase you can pick up @ Goodwill.

tcs

With my '94, you can choose what you want in the trunk: the folder or the spare tire.

linberl

But can it go in the overhead? I know bromptons do on southwest. My bike friday fits fine in a suitcase if I want to check it, that's no big deal, lots of bikes fit suitcases for check in.

HGR3inOK

My understanding is that some Brompton owners have been allowed to carry on their Bromptons and store them in the overhead bins on Southwest Airlines. Keep in mind that Southwest overhead bins are larger than those on some other airlines. I have been told (by a Brompton owner, NOT a Southwest Airlines agent/employee) that the issue with "carry-on" versus "checked" depends, in part, with whether the item will go through a normal baggage security scanner. If so, then (again, I have been told) whether to "gate check" the item or allow it as a "carry on" is the flight crew's decision. Most Bromptons weigh less than 30 lbs. and are pretty secure when folded. Many carry-on bags weigh substantially more than 30 lbs.

FWIW, I expect in the not-too-distant future that, when flying on a commercial airline, at check-in I will get on a scale along with my checked and carry-on baggage to determine whether my "total transported weight" is within a specified maximum. Cramming the heaviest items in a carry-on to make the checked-bag weight limit may no longer be sufficient to avoid surcharges/fees. And I expect individual suitcase/package size and weight limits will continue for checked bags.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

linberl

You might want to check the cost of baggage on your airline, because you would have a checked bike in suitcase and possibly one with your personal belongings. If you are planning on putting your personal stuff in a carryon, that would reduce the cost. My question, since you have a regular bike, is how often you would travel and use the the folder? A cheap folder may not ride all that great, especially if you are used to a decent bike. If your travel is infrequent, then maybe renting a bike makes more sense. There are some apps now that let you rent bikes from private individuals, like Spinlister. check it out - maybe that would work adequately for you. Just something else to consider.

BassNotBass

Honestly I wouldn't buy a bike based on which one you could theoretically carry onto a plane because so much depends on the airline and the decision of the agents. I was once held up for almost 30 minutes at Charles de Gaulle Airport because the agents couldn't determine what the allen wrench in my pack was and whether it was dangerous. I should have left it in the checked-in case with my bike.

tcs

As Hank said, it's a roll of the dice since the Brompton is measurably larger than that airline's carry on limit - and if you're boarding C53 I'd guarantee it won't.

And do BikeFridays meet the OP's 'relatively inexpensive', 'one less digit in its price' target?

bargainguy

Cheap folders are often an exercise in frustration. I'd stay away from them unless you like to be frustrated.

Why? Lots of reasons. Main folding hinge develops lots of play. Parts are low-rent and needing constant adjustment. Squeaks and rattles galore. Difficulty folding and unfolding after only a few uses. Many times limited gear ranges, which means limited usefulness for most people. I could go on, but you get the idea.

In general with folders, you sacrifice many things on the altar of portability. I love my Brompton M3L for the uber-compact fold, but riding position is wonky, at least for me; gearing is limited; and it's expensive. The Bike Fridays are the best blend of portability and riding comfort for me. But they're not cheap either. It would be great if folks could test-drive a folder for a week. It would tell you almost everything you need to know before buying one. Would save many a purchase from that one deal-breaking issue that you didn't know you'd run into.

linberl

tcs, my new-to-me but still used bf was not terribly expensive. but I was patient and waited for the right bike at the right price. and it's such a great ride that i was able to sell my 700c which recouped the expense to a large degree. imo a quality used folder is better than a cheap folder that rides poorly and needs constant maintenance, which is probably what you get new for 150 bucks. not being snobby, just learned the hard way, if you buy a cheap bike you will pay one way or the other. in any case, my point was that (as i said) lots of bikes fit in suitcases, my bf was just one example; was not suggesting the OP get a bf.

Pinigis 

Add Origami to the list of bikes that fit into suitcases that transform into trailers. Our Crane 8 does this perfectly with our Traveler case and trailer kit. And yes, the case comes in under 62 inches and the case with the bike and trailer packed inside is under 50 lbs.

Pinigis 

I had one of these. I would not plan to do more than short rides on one of these.

Pinigis 

It is possible to get most folders into a suitcase, but my assumption is that you don't want to use an oversized case (more than 62" L + W +H). In that case, you will be more limited.

zoom26

do you know if your travel cases could house 20" dahon bikes (dahon vybe), and would disassembly be required?

downtube

Disassembly is required to put any 20" wheel folder in an airline legal suitcase.

Thanks,
Yan

Pinigis 

Email me and I will send you the packing instructions. Paul@origamibicycles.com

mrchaotica

Okay, so at the moment I'm considering these:

• $150 - the Citizen Tokyo that I mentioned before (which does have 16" wheels, not 20") and 6 speeds
• $150 - a Dahon Classic III (also with 16" wheels) with 3 speeds

These are also available on Craigslist, but seem like less-viable candidates (either because they're out of my way, or because my non-existent folding-bike-expert intuition makes me think it wouldn't be as good):

• $100 - an APEX 16" (Buy APEX 16" Folding Bike Shimano 6 Speed - Rack & Fenders at Wholesale Prices)
• $175 - Kuhn Rikon (with only a mountain-bike style rear fender)