Bought a Crius Smart 5 speed, instead of a Brompton, some thoughts
 

Hi folks.

Wanted to share some thoughts on my recent purchase of Crius Smart 5 speed. In the summer of 2016, I had taken my Dahon Curve D8 in a suitcase to Europe. I'm from North America. I was able to pack the bike into a large, but not oversized soft suitcase. Only needed to remove the pedals. The experience was great except for 2 things
- the suitcase was too wide to roll down the narrow aisle of trains, so I had to drag or carry it
- the soft suitcase meant that I bent my chain ring and the 2 wheels went slightly out of true. This happened on the trip home.
http://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...an-europe.html

Because of this, I wanted to get a smaller folding bike that I could put into a hard sided suitcase. So I spent the last year planning to buy a Brompton. Brompton was the obvious choice since it could fold into such a compact package. But as the winter then spring went on, the thought of old fashioned components of a Brompton started to irk me (brakes, hinge clamps, gears, the forks) and to pay a premium price for something, that from the get-go I would start upgrading. Example, put in a Nexus 8 or Sturmey Archer 8 speed IGH. Buying a shorter handlepost, etc..

The Dahon Dove and Crius Smart's had always appealed to me, plus they fold into a small package. Couldn't find a way to source a Dove, but I noticed that Thor had imported some Cirus' in 2016. Mulled it over for a few months and then purchased a Smart 5 speed.

Here is a photo from Thor of the bike http://www.thorusa.com/accessories/IMG_1492.jpg

Like
- really nice finish
- paint is gloss black and is finished with mostly black components
- light at 8.6kg (19 lbs) which means I can carry it with one hand without straining
- cheap at $800CDN ($570US), about 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a Brompton
- outfitted with light and good looking LitePro components
- really nice usable gear inches of 30" - 75"
- the Sturmey Archer S-RF5 (w), is a low friction, quiet hub
- ride is really nice, more twitchy that the Curve, but not as bad as I thought
- small fold
- seat post has numbered markings on it, which means I don't have to put a line on it with a marker.

Things I don't like
- old style handlepost latch
- cheap plastic safety latch for frame hinge
- some flex in the 41cm long handlepost
- cheap foam grips

Notes:
- I'm 5'7" and seat post it out to maximum

Thor was really generous and included both folding pedals and some really light LitePro non-folding pedals, also included a Haber Allo stem for free. Plus a water bottle too.

Upgrades planned
- shorter handlepost (36 cm) (current is 41cm)
- Ergon grips
- Schwalbe tires (Big Apple or some Marathons)
- better saddle (or switch Brooks back and forth from Curve)
- twist shifter

I originally was planning on immediately swapping out the older model Sturmey Archer S-RF5, for a X-RF8, but this 5 speed is low friction and very quiet. In fact, it has the gear range and gear inches of the first 7 gears of the X-RF8. Basically it overcomes the two big issues of the 8 speed. Here is my thoughts on the X-RF8.
http://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...tes-later.html

I have the Crius 3sp, wish there was a 5sp option over here when I got it.
I do feel that the IGH is draggy though.

This is really a nice bike.
So light that its easy to handle even when folded.
Its also very easy to push around if the folded bike is secured by a velcro (I use the bungee on my rear rack to do the same thing)
Very under-rated bike imo and often left unmentioned when folks discuss 14"-16" bike options.


I'll certain be looking out for your thread to see how things come along.
Fatter tires will make the ride nicer imo.


What do you think about the 5sp IGP? (GI seems good to cover most things).

Great post Edelay, very informative.

What do you need the aber hallo for? To increase the reach? So, the handlepost is non-adjustable?

How long/far do you plan to ride? Is this more than a last mile bike?

How will you carry luggage on the bike?

Thanks PinholeCam. It was your post last year that brought the Crius to my attention as a Dahon Dove alternative. Thanks for that.

Though I haven't put a lot of km's on it yet I really like the Sturmey Archer S-RF5 (w) for the following reasons:
- low friction
- quiet
- nice looking
- wide range

The hub is about as low friction as my Nexus 8, which is almost indiscernible from a derailleur. Almost as quiet too as the Nexus. One odd thing is that my Sturmey Archer X-RF8 is noisy while pedaling and silent when coasting, but the S-RF5 (w) is the opposite. Okay it isn't noisy while coasting, but that typical freewheel noise. Time will tell if the hub is reliable

The gear adjustment less convenient that my Nexus 8 and X-RF8, in both of these hubs you centre a line in a window. With the S-RF5 I need to shine a flashlight through a hollow bolt to see yellow mark on a cable. Still, for me, easier than derailleur adjustment.

The sad thing is that this S-RF5 (w) is no longer made, even though it seems to be quite easy to find and order. Does anyone have any experience with the X-RF5?

A Brompton just had too many moving parts, older style parts and things like a chain tensioner. This just added up to something that didn't look sleek and had too many points of failure.

The Crius is my bike for international travel and a backup for commuting for the Dahon Curve. I won't bother putting fenders on it. Also for sunny day toodling on the weekends.

The Crius also has higher quality parts that my Dahon Curve came with. The pedals, the rims, etc. Though I do like the frame and handlepost mechanisms on the Curve better. Better design and more robust looking. Though the Curve for me was cheaper (bought light used off of Craiglist), but to buy the Curve new would have been more than the Crius.

It is too funny that after all these years a Dahon Dove finally appeared last week on my local Craiglist for only $250. Lightly used, but the components are such low quality compared to the Crius. So even though I bought a "copy", it is an improved copy.

Thanks tdonline.

I didn't order or ask for the Aber Hallo, Thor generously included it for free. Was nice to see it in the box.

I've since installed it to lower the handlebars. The handlepost that came with the Crius isn't adjustable. The Aber Hallo gets me most of the way to the position I like, which is having the handlebars 10cm below the seat. Once I order a shorter handlepost will remove the Aber Hallo. I realize that my preferred riding position is not typical for a folding bike.

It is definitely not a last mile bike for me. Typically, I will ride this on my 20 km commute (round trip) as a backup bike. As well, when travelling I would expect to do about that much in a day. My plans are to do some longer rides, 50 km to 100 km over the next few years while travelling. Something like, heading out in the morning on the bike, then have my family catch up to me in the car a few hours later. I plan to ride the 250km London to Paris using this bike, though in 3 days. The fit and gearing of the bike should allow this without any issue.

Currently I use a small/narrow day pack for commuting. For the low km day trips while travelling would expect to do the same. For the London to Paris, I could imagine three changes of cycling clothes and rain gear would work in that tiny day pack as well for that. Would be a stretch. So no plans for luggage attached to the bike. This would mean staying in hotels and eating in restaurants for every meal, but that would be part of the fun.

Bloody hell on 14inch wheels, good for you. I haven't worked up the nerve to commute on my 20inch Dahon for the 20 miles roundtrip.

What do you plan to do with the suitcase? Traveling that light sounds fun. I'm an uncarrier, not even a purse can I tolerate so I need some luggage system.

I've retired my 20" folder. It was my main commuter for 4 years. The 16" Dahon Curve is my main commuter now. It is a bit less comfortable ride on the sections with uneven pavement but not excessively so. My 20" had a Marathon Racer on the back, while the Curve has a Big Apple and a City Jet (both fat). This might explain only the slight difference in the ride. I definitely watch the pavement carefully with the 14" wheels, and avoid any rough spots. Maybe some Big Apples would help.

In the situation where the family would catch up to me, the suitcase would be in the car.

For the London to Paris ride, I would likely be doing that trip without the family, so was thinking I could ship the bike in a cardboard bike box, stuff with padding. Then discard upon arrival then beg for one at a bike shop on the return flight. This is a few years out, but maybe the family would take the train or ferry on that trip between the two cities and they could take my suitcase. The planning and agonizing is part of the fun. LOL

Courtesy of Thor
 

I got my Crius a few months ago from Thor. My commute is around 8 miles and mostly flat. I got the Crius because of the parts, the fold, and the weight. I hop the train, fold the bike, and cover it (the conductors are quite zealous on my route).

My friend customized a hunter's meat hauler for me, so I can carry the bike on my back. Will it win any beauty contests? No! But, it works for me. After a few months, I will probably redesign it with real world experience.

The biggest issue I really have is that I have to be very aware of the potholes, because they hurt the cars around here let alone my bike. What I like really like is that I can traverse stairs with ease when I get to my destination.

Well thought out review.

I am surprised that there isn't a hard case that fits a Dahon Curve without too much disassembly. What puts me off a Crius, besides my size, is that 14" bicycle tires and tubes is unusual; although you mentioned Big Apples are made for the bike. What are you using now?

Are these still available? Looks like they've all been sold out.
All I could find for sale was the Crius frame.

sorry I don't sell them anymore. Good bike and great components , but I need to concentrate on Dahon, with cool stuff coming down the pipeline and if I go in all kinds of directions I cannot do it good enough and service is becoming secondary .
Yes I have 2 frames left. 20 inchers for disc brake 135 mm rear, 100 mm front old. Great hydroformed frames as well.


thor

Funny that we both ended with with Crius' when from your thread it appeared that it would be the opposite for both of us.

I'd like to find a bag, something like a furniture dust cover that is open at the bottom. So I could cover the bike and the bring it into places that they don't allow bikes. The public library, stores, restaurants...

I definitely keep an eye out for potholes as well.

I enjoy my 10km commute on the bike. I think I'll gear the bike upwards a bit with a larger chain ring.

Thanks invisiblehand.

The B&W Medium FoldOn apparently would fit a Dahon Curve. The wheels seemed too small and I wasn't sure how sturdy the box was. foldon box M ? B&W International

14" tubes are easy to come by as it is a common kid tire size. The bike came with some 85 PSI Kenda that roll fast and look nice. I do like the thin and sporty look of these tires, but I think some Big Apples are in my future for when I decide to do a multi-day trip.

Oh man, so glad I bought one when I did. I see similar 14" bikes on Aliexpress, but none of the quality that you ordered and built. Great work.

I see some some similar bikes on Aliexpress, but it is hard to judge the quality from photos.

Great Thread

Commuting that far on a 14" wheel would definitely be a challenge.

Rick

26" tubes

It looks like that suitcase is way over the size limit. Below is roughly what I use for my Bike Friday. It's two linear inches past the 62" limit but has never caused any problems during travel.

Samsonite F'Lite GT 31" Spinner

Anyway, you have a different bike now. I think you have a ton of options.

Dammit, I had made note of this suitcase last spring as an option for my Dahon Curve and then promptly forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me.

With my Curve it would leave 8 lbs for other luggage, which would be kind of tight, but with my Crius, it would leave 16 lbs, which would be adequate.

I have two suitcases for folding bikes that are within dimension, and the F'lite for oversize. If your suitcase exceeds the maximum 62" dimensions for international travel, I have a few strategies to deal with this.

1. Never, ever, ever exceed the 50 lb. weight limit, because if you do, they will immediately measure dimensions. This way, they can sock you twice for extra charges - overweight and oversize.

2. How busy the agents are factors in to when best to approach the counter. If at all possible, go to the counter when it's busiest, and avoid going to the counter when there's hardly anybody around. Reasoning: Agents often overlook oversize when a suitcase is under weight limits, especially if there is a long line waiting behind you.

Roughly this matches my experiences. They always check weight. I've never had size checked.

Anytime. There is a slightly smaller Samsonite F'Lite ... 29" instead of 31". It could work with a smaller than my Bike Friday bike.

I don't find it uncomfortable, but then again, my baseline is the Curve. I see people commuting with fat bikes and beach cruisers and they are definitely putting in more effort than me.