killsurfcity

can anyone tell me what kind of folder this is?

https://fixedgeargallery.com/2005/apr...ydervelt_2.htm

i really like the geometry, and it seems he's had no trouble updating the parts. it also looks like it folds really evenly, which is nice.

af895

I'd email the fellow who posted the pics, if you haven't already. lennzuyd@hotmail.com

If you wanted to build a fixie folder, just about any folder frame could be used - Dahon, KHS, an older Raleigh 20. Any of those would look nearly as clean as the folder depicted once all the componentry is stripped off.

spambait11

The above statement is misleading.

The only thing going for the frames mentioned above is that their folding mechanisms don't interfere with the drive train; this is not the case with other folders - most Bike Fridays, Brompton, Birdy....

When building a fixie especially, you also have to keep track of the rear hub widths (usually smaller than average) as well as the dropouts (usually vertical): can you get a hub in the size (not to mention a fixed or flip/flop hub)? Can you find a matching 16" or 20" rim?

If you don't use a brake, you'll also put tremendous stress on the head tube because of the leverage of the longer stem if you skid/skip stop. Some are OK with this however; not me.

The only frame I would ever want to try a fixie on is the cromo Swift frame: they seem to have purposely designed it so that one could make it fixed. I don't like the fold however since it still looks cumbersome to me, but I'm a commuter and not a world traveler.

Dahon also makes a single speed Boardwalk which looks like it has horizontal dropouts. This, to me, would have been the perfect bike with which to experiment, but I have not been able to source a fixed hub in the 110mm range (not that I've been looking around extensively either).

But if you really want a ready-made fixie, there's always that "Hon Solo."

killsurfcity

<When building a fixie especially, you also have to keep track of the rear hub widths (usually smaller than average) as well as the dropouts (usually vertical):>

i'm primarily looking at raleigh 20"s and similar knockoffs, and the majority that i have seen are horiz drops. so this shouldn't be a problem.

<can you get a hub in the size (not to mention a fixed or flip/flop hub)? Can you find a matching 16" or 20" rim?>

i've been looking into bmx stuff. there's a lot of flip-flop hubs and ready-built wheels available, but i need to do some measurements anyhow on whatever i get first. i'm going to try using a suicide hub to avoid the cost of getting a wheel built custom.

<If you don't use a brake, you'll also put tremendous stress on the head tube because of the leverage of the longer stem if you skid/skip stop. Some are OK with this however; not me.>

i will use a break, but i'll most likely use my feet more often as that is what i'm accustomed to. do you think a rider could potentially break the frame on one of these old steel ones?

<The only frame I would ever want to try a fixie on is the cromo Swift frame: they seem to have purposely designed it so that one could make it fixed. I don't like the fold however since it still looks cumbersome to me, but I'm a commuter and not a world traveler.>

not to mention they are ridiculously overpriced. for the record i have no interest in a "new" bike, i'm strictly looking for something old to retool.

<But if you really want a ready-made fixie, there's always that "Hon Solo.">

like i said above, i'm more interested in building something.

thanks for the info/opinions

James H Haury

Obviously you have not checked Harris cyclery.

spambait11

Actually, I have.
Have you?

spambait11

So long as you know what you're getting yourself into. Good luck.

(By the way, the only reason why I mentioned the Swift cromo is because all the Raleigh 20s I've seen go for $300 or more and oftentimes can be hard to get. But if you got a source, more power to you.)


In general, I don't think you have to worry about breaking the frame, pending the condition of the bike (i.e. rust on the inside, etc.). However, I would check the frame hinge to make sure it is still solid.

James H Haury

Yes they have a nice selection of flip flop hubs.

v1nce

The dude that posted that picture is a Dutch guy like me. I think! the folder he converted is a cheap folder that can be bought new or second hand in NL for anything between E 30 and E 110, but i could be wrong!. They are sold under many brand names but IMO they are mostly (90%) crap and not worth the money at all. This one does look somewhat better/have better geometry. But mostly they have curved tubes, ****ty metal, weak welds and bad paint. Sure they have standard parts and if you clean them up and they can look great (like any frame) but they tend to break and rust like crazy, the steel and coating is just very substandard. Though again maybe he snagged a better one, some of the older ones were decent. But maybe the owner can enlighten us all. I'd be extremely suprised if it is as good as a Twenty though. The hinge isn't as sturdy i think nor is the frame reinforced with an "extra" triangle.

The Raleigh Twenty makes a great Fixie from what i hear but yeah as has been discussed before you would have to be patient in in order to get an affordable one or maybe have it send from the UK completely stripped and folded. And then there it the problem of non standardization though i personally had very little problems with that so far.

I'll be curious to see what becomes you fixie in the end. Hope you can get a good deal on something you like.