ururk

I'm considering getting one for a mixed office commute (drive to parking lot, bike to work, etc...). I am going to try out a 20" folder next week, but I'm also researching this full-sized option. I have a 26", but honestly don't like commuting with it compared to my 700c ("my precious" which I will never leave out at the bike racks to the mercy of thieves and vandals).

Primarily:

Is the front wheel a pain to remove?

Would it be a hassle to carry indoors to an office? I don't have a long walk - basically I go through a loading dock, elevator, short walk to my office.

Thanks!

John

Ride-Fly

Removing the front wheel would be the deal breaker for me. The way they attach the removed front wheel to the folded bike seems kind of an afterthought. I guess it's more meant for storage and not freedom of movement with a folded bike, like a Brompy.

But it I get your desire for a folding 700c bike. I'd love to have one if some genius came up with a killer design for a folding 700c drop bar roadie.

I saw saw a design that potential (again referring to my visit to the 2015 Berlin bike show, as I did in another post). *** for some reason, the pic won't upload. I'll try again when I have better wifi***

ttakata73

Pacific has an urban 700c folder and Fubi has a fixie with a smart fold.
Call me a pessimist but a half long but twice wide 700c seems worse to manipulate than just rolling a normal bike through an office that came off a car rack assuming the elevator is full size and not crowded.
That Montague method would get annoying on the second day and your clothes will be stained.
If I had to fold a bike twice a day I would get a quicker folder like a Brompton, Bike Friday, or maybe a Dahon Jifo if you are smaller in stature.
There are many threads here so hopefully you can enjoy researching your new niche hobby.

ururk

Is the IF Urban 700c still being sold? And from what I could tell, MSRP was $1,800. Their IF MODE retails for $2,750 in the US - and while I love the design, I'll go with a smaller wheel before spending that much. Now, if it was my only means of transportation, then maybe I'd consider.

That Fubi looks perfect! Too bad it won't be shipping till October - being a crowdfunded campaign, I'd be surprised if it ships before 2017. The only thing that would make it better would be compatibility with a belt drive/internal geared hub. Those are the two things I really love about my bike.

As for the Montague, I have *serious* concerns about removing the front wheel constantly.

Well, Monday I'll try to get the courage to check with the building manager. There are bike racks outside my building... so she might not be very sympathetic. It is a freight elevator - plenty of room for the bike. I could also stash it under the stairs BUT someone said the fire inspector would likely frown on that - they always show up when you are doing something wrong

bargainguy

Part of the solution with taking a folder into an office building is entering and leaving in stealth mode. That is, keeping your bike covered until you're in your office or work environment, and again when you leave.

For that reason, I wouldn't announce to your building manager that you plan on taking a folded bike into the building. If she says no, she will also be on the lookout because you've notified her in advance, and you won't be able to sneak it in ever if it's covered up.

Unless you're a folding bike nut, chances are no one will suspect that there's a bike in your covered bag. I remember taking my Brompton M3L in a covered bag to visit someone. Asked him what he thought was in the bag. He had no clue until I took out and unfolded my Brommie.

The way my particular M3L came to me was pretty much the same situation as you. I saw the bike on Chicago CL, and I live in Milwaukee. Made an appt., went to inspect the bike - which had almost no wear - and asked why he was selling it. He lived in Chicago and wanted to use the bike for multimodal commuting. First day he rides it to work, he folds it up and puts it under his arm. Building security stops him as soon as he enters the building and says "no bikes allowed, no exceptions." So he never rode it to work again, and shortly thereafter lost his job and needed to sell the bike to pay the bills he was accumulating.

I'm normally the type of person who is upfront and direct in my dealings with people. But some folks are so scared by bikes and potential litigation, they go all nutsoid if they see one in an office building. So folding bikes are an exception to my upfront/direct dealing mode. Cover it up, and nobody will be the wiser.

ururk

Good points! I'm going to stop at a Brompton dealer this week - they are right down the road from my office.

This is an old article, but sums up my fears pretty well:

https://www.michigandaily.com/conten...-dollars-bikes

dadbar

I have a Montague. Folding it and removing the front tire is a pain in the neck. I only do it if absolutely necessary. When I had a station wagon I used to fold it and leave the tire on (it fit OK that way but it was ungainly to maneuver). Long story short- I now have a 20 inch Dahon which gets a lot more use.

ururk

I've slowly come to that conclusion!

I went and tried out a Brompton at the local dealer. Not too sure I could get used to the 16" wheels. The bike felt solid, though it was new so that might be expected. For what they run locally - ~$1,800 - I'm going to pass on that option.

The more I look at the FUBi, the more I like it, and think I might order one. While I wait for I could start using my 26" mountain bike. A hassle (bike rack) but might be worth the wait.

tmac100

Obviously he did not try carrying it into his building/office in an Ikea bag or something similar.... I will use this method to check in my Brommies as a part of my checked baggage allowance and side step their confiscatory $50 "fee" for bicycles - no exceptions according to the airline help center......

fietsbob

Commuting? get a Beater and some really serious Locks, to not have to walk Home.

get the bike overhauled, so it works good even though it does not look so great.



I'm fine with my 16" wheel Brompton and my 20" wheel Bike Friday, But I dont live where You Do.

ururk

I'm probably overstating the danger - I just wouldn't leave my good bike parked out of sight for long. I have a beater of sorts - a $300 Raleigh 26". The issue is hooking it up to my car every morning, taking it off, etc... It may seem silly, but this is a hassle which discourages me. First world problems The current rack system I have uses long threaded bolts instead of quick releases, so mounting the bike takes time.