Folding bike for tall person
07-26-17, 06:02 AM
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Considering you're 6' tall, almost any 20" folder will work for you. I'm 5'11", and I have 2 Dahon Speed's, a TernJoeP24 (26"), and I've had a Xootr Swift, and a melon slice. There's really not too many bikes that DON'T work for you.
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07-26-17, 06:13 AM
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1.84 is not tall where I live, that is even below average.
The things to look for are seatpost length -- and with a 58 cm - 60 cm length you ought to be good, unless you are.a real storch -- and reach. Most folding bikes are too cramped for me, as I am 1.88, and I do not like to ride too upride, but rather ride a bit more bend forwards.
That is why I had to upgrade my folders with new handlebars and stems,
The things to look for are seatpost length -- and with a 58 cm - 60 cm length you ought to be good, unless you are.a real storch -- and reach. Most folding bikes are too cramped for me, as I am 1.88, and I do not like to ride too upride, but rather ride a bit more bend forwards.
That is why I had to upgrade my folders with new handlebars and stems,
07-26-17, 01:16 PM
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The Origami Mantis will accommodate riders up to 6'5" and has a maximum seat-to-pedal of 38"
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07-30-17, 05:58 AM
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Hi Jon,
Tokyo here. I've found that the Tern Eclipse has been ok for me, I'm 6'5. They also have 26" wheel models. If you want to choose your own style of drivetrain, maybe internal hub, etc. They have a sale on Amazon at the moment for the Tern Eclipse Uno (Same one I have). I had paid 115,000 yen for mine last year but they are now going for 85,000 yen here.
That would leave you with 20,000 yen'ish to sort out a drivetrain you would like. Or, the also seem to have the Eclipse D16 on sale also for about 113,000 yen here.
You are welcome to come up and try mine out if you like. I'm about 20 mins out from Ueno.
Cheers,
Ray.
Tokyo here. I've found that the Tern Eclipse has been ok for me, I'm 6'5. They also have 26" wheel models. If you want to choose your own style of drivetrain, maybe internal hub, etc. They have a sale on Amazon at the moment for the Tern Eclipse Uno (Same one I have). I had paid 115,000 yen for mine last year but they are now going for 85,000 yen here.
That would leave you with 20,000 yen'ish to sort out a drivetrain you would like. Or, the also seem to have the Eclipse D16 on sale also for about 113,000 yen here.
You are welcome to come up and try mine out if you like. I'm about 20 mins out from Ueno.
Cheers,
Ray.
Last edited by RayB; 07-30-17 at 06:29 AM.
08-01-17, 07:23 PM
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I'm 6'3" with a couple of Dahon Mu frames and a Swift. Both fit fine however the best thing I did for both of them was add some really comfortable bar ends. Enlarging the cockpit and putting me a little further forward cured my cramped feeling on both bikes.
Good luck
I am not a fan of buying a bike and then changing the drive train---can be way more problems than I want to deal with. I have said this many times in this forum
Buy an 8, 9, 10, or 11 speed ---do not buy a 7 speed which will have a freewheel. The minimum top gear ratio you will need is about 90 gear inches.---
Good luck
I am not a fan of buying a bike and then changing the drive train---can be way more problems than I want to deal with. I have said this many times in this forum
Buy an 8, 9, 10, or 11 speed ---do not buy a 7 speed which will have a freewheel. The minimum top gear ratio you will need is about 90 gear inches.---
08-02-17, 10:10 AM
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Brompton H bar is higher, + their telescoping 2 section seat post..
or a Bike Friday It's Built For You.. they make the bike for the customer as it comes up in the order queue.
both are more money than Dahon. but both are available shipped into Japan.
...
or a Bike Friday It's Built For You.. they make the bike for the customer as it comes up in the order queue.
both are more money than Dahon. but both are available shipped into Japan.
...
08-02-17, 01:33 PM
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Note: Bromptons were -really- close to fitting.
As one bikeshop guy said to me as I hopped on a traditional straight top tube 25 in frame. "I thought that bike was too big for you and then I saw you unfold."
08-07-17, 12:34 PM
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Also it is possible to put a stem with a different angle than the one the bike came with for example on a MU and thereby get what you want. You need to find a shop that knows what they are doing.
08-07-17, 11:02 PM
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Update: not a test ride as I haven't found a shop where I can do that, but I did try sitting on a Dahon Mu SP9 at a local shop, and the cockpit felt quite cramped unfortunately. I felt like I needed the handlebar a little further away and higher. So now I'm eyeing off a Dahon Speed D8. Its handlepost is angled at 12° vs 8° on most of the other Dahons available in Japan including the Mu SP9 and Dahon Speed Falco which shares the same frame. Seems like it would be just enough to put the bars where I want them. I tried sitting on one and it did feel a bit better, but would that 4° make much difference in actual use? Guess there's only one way to find out...
On a different note, it took me a while to figure out there's two different lines of Dahon bikes available in Japan: one from Dahon International and one from Dahon Japan. And on top of that, the available models differ from models available outside Japan
On a different note, it took me a while to figure out there's two different lines of Dahon bikes available in Japan: one from Dahon International and one from Dahon Japan. And on top of that, the available models differ from models available outside Japan
You will be amazed at the difference in the feel of your bike with bar ends....
You can also play with the seat location you can slide it forward or back to significantly change your position.
08-21-17, 07:32 AM
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I bought a BF Pakit and added bar ends. It fits very close to how my road bike does, which is comfortable for me. I'm 6' 1", 175 lb
08-21-17, 08:15 AM
#12
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Generally the folding bike companies make one size product.. Brompton has the taller mast for bars and seat, but one frame.
08-24-17, 01:18 AM
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Maybe a Brompton on a special discount
It is possible to buy a Brompton with a special stem for tall people. Take a look at their site. The problem will be to find one in your budget. But it is possible...
08-24-17, 02:39 AM
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Several different models depending on compactness or how racy the bike is.
Last edited by CliffordK; 08-24-17 at 03:32 AM.
09-08-17, 01:24 AM
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09-08-17, 09:38 AM
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Dahon's good for Tall folks
Stated earlier, look at the stem angle. It does vary in different markets.
Bikes in the USA Market that work well for tall people:
Jetstream (very high seat) can be modified with a riser handlebar. I was working on this yesterday in fact. 25.4 Handlebar Attachment
Visc SL Disc (has a very adjustable Stem Top adjustment. Can get you out forward. Also since it provides a 31.8mm Handlebar several different Handlebars can also be used to modify even more.
I've got both of these bikes at my shop at nomadic (dot) net
The Visc's are available in Japan but I don't know about the Disc/and Stem arrangement.
Bikes in the USA Market that work well for tall people:
Jetstream (very high seat) can be modified with a riser handlebar. I was working on this yesterday in fact. 25.4 Handlebar Attachment
Visc SL Disc (has a very adjustable Stem Top adjustment. Can get you out forward. Also since it provides a 31.8mm Handlebar several different Handlebars can also be used to modify even more.
I've got both of these bikes at my shop at nomadic (dot) net
The Visc's are available in Japan but I don't know about the Disc/and Stem arrangement.
09-09-17, 05:06 AM
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Thanks for this advice. I followed it and got a Dahon Speed D8. Makes perfect sense now that I have a clue about possible future upgrade routes to the gear train. I think a 10-speed setup is on the cards eventually. Regarding this, if I was to swap the rear cassette, rear derailleur, shifter, and chain to a 10-speed setup, would I also need to change the 53T front chainwheel? Or could I use it as is? Just curious as I'll use the bike as is for a while and see how I go.
The 53 you have will possibly work with the 10 speed chain.---Trial and error. I would give it a 50/50 chance There are so many versions of Dahon bikes in different markets. If you are going to have a shop do the work you could stop by and ask them---they can take a 10 speed chain and put it on the ring---if it seats fine you should be fine.
Bar ends added. Seat moved backward. Riding position much improved. Thanks for the great advice Rick.
The 53 you have will possibly work with the 10 speed chain.---Trial and error. I would give it a 50/50 chance There are so many versions of Dahon bikes in different markets. If you are going to have a shop do the work you could stop by and ask them---they can take a 10 speed chain and put it on the ring---if it seats fine you should be fine.
Bar ends added. Seat moved backward. Riding position much improved. Thanks for the great advice Rick.
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