14R 

When I decided to go back to graduate school, adding a folding bicycle to my new lifestyle was one of the best logistic moves that I made. Having a fully functional, geared, confortable bike that could go with me inside my sedan without racks, folding seats or any other hassle is, for me, a priceless convenience. It impacted my life so positively that I ended up giving my girlfriend a folding bike and, after that, using the bike more often than initially planned.

Time went by and the desire to expand the usage lead me to consider international travelling. The purpose of this thread is to share my personal opinion about traveling with a 20" folding bike after 17 days travelling, 10 flights and 5 different airports.

Packing - After searching the net, sharing information here as well as over other message boards and some trial and error, packing a Giant Halfway or a Downtube inside a conventional hard luggage is, with some basic mechanical knowledge, do-able under 30 minutes. The main focus should be protecting the derailleur and using some of the several creative methods available online to avoid the luggage to collapse and squeeze the bike. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE LEVEL OF ABUSE YOUE LUGGAGE MAY RECEIVE.

Riding after traveling - Unless you have basic to intermediate level skills on bike mechanics, I suggest having the bike checked by a professional. My personal experience showed different levels of gear adjustments needed (from light tunning to re-adjustment of the entire cable), some lightly bent spokes (probably due to my inexperience packing) and minor adjustment on brake cables (I have no clue why it happened).

cost-benefit - Besides the extra cost of travelling with a conventional bike, I am not sure if preparing, packing and tunning a 20" folder is any easier than a conventional, unfolding 26" bike. We can read about the benefits of traveling with a folder, but I personally don''t have an opinion yet about the benefits of it for international travelling. If money wasn't an issue, I would have a 20" folder to use inside my car as I originaly got it for. If money wasn't an issue, I am not sure if I would prefer a conventional bike to travel internationally with or a folder. Of course, once the international travelling is done, the benefits of having a folding bike still exists (I had a chance to benefit from having a folder several times during my trip). But I can easly see different scenarios where having a folder wouldn't make a difference.

All comments will make this a valuable thread for reference.

Rafael

af895

Enjoyed reading that Rafael - thanks.

I wonder if a conventional bike would be more prone to damage in transit, simply because it's more awkward for baggage handlers to deal with?

One area the small wheel folder really shines: if you end up in a country or city with public transportation, you have an easier time integrating without restriction.

The New York subway system allows folders to travel unrestricted and the wonderful electric train system across much of Europe does too. Instead of renting a car at great expense, a 20" folder would rock. Oooo. Now I'm fantasizing about flying to Dusseldorf airport, unpacking the folder, riding to the train station and railing over to my relatives house a few hours away.

wpflem

We have little hestation in shipping out 20 inch folders as compared to 26 inch bikes. The bigger bikes are significant more prone to shipping damage especially the rear derailler. I think for anyone considering doing repetitive travel as you desciribe, the internal geared rear hub makes good sense. Most of our 20 inch Dahon bikes of all varieties come in with minimal need for tune-up and adjusting as compared to Dahon's 26 inch models. Montague 26 bikes arrive exceptionally well packed for transport, but in our experience they do need a good professional tune-up prior to being used the first time.

Our customers tell us that the airlines are getting very finicky about the size of suitcases they will allow on board without extra charge.

14R 

A 20" folding bike with internal gear hub and somehow a custom luggage to perfectly fit both wheels is, for now, my dream traveling bike. One way or another, a big A+ for the downtube bike in every aspect including how easy it is to set-up for travelling.

Rafael

jasong

I´m anxious to see what Yan has in store for a really small folder, or I´m thinking about doing the same with a Brompton and a 8 speed internal hub (isn´t the sturmy8 available in a size that will fit Brompton dropouts?).

My idea before with the 16" wheels was actually pulling them out and carrying them onboard. They'd fit anywhere like that, and then it's easy to get the bike in the case with lots of clothes in it for padding.

There are a lot of situations where 20" wheels show their ugly face, like trying to get stuff into a luggage locker somewhere after disassembly. I slowly continue to talk myself into the Brompton. Now the smaller OLD rear internal hub is making that seem much more realistic.

downtube

I can't get too specific, it is much too soon to talk in detail.....many problems can come up!!! However I will say it has rear suspension, rigid alloy front fork, 9sp Capreo components. I plan to have a sample in March. I will test it out and might have some by the November 2006.

Thanks,
Yan

oboeguy

Rafael, do you have any pictures showing you packed your bike?

14R 

Besides the ones you can find here, no.

Hope it helps.

Rafael

okiedokie

Checked baggage is supposed to be
62 inches or less LxWxH. The Downtube viii is 12x24x33 folded or 69 in.
Could you tell me how you were able to make it a smaller dimension? Did you
take the wheels off?
appreciate your advice since I am possibly thinking of buying a downtube.

On another note, do you think a downtube is a good foldable for it's price? I would
like a low end model in the $2-300 range.

jasong

I'd just like to hear that it will be around 54" inches total folded dimensions (ala Brompton) and use 16" wheels. That will make me wait in buying a Brompton.

14R 

OkieDokie,

There is no 20" wheel bike that can fit checked baggage without some disassembly. A short internet search can lead you to some site teaching the details on how to do it, or you can search this forum as well.

To make things easier, just click here for some images:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=160524

About the other note, I think Downtube is the best folder in the market. If I had US$ 300 I would buy one, if I had 3000 I would buy one and upgrade it to death.

Rafael

v1nce

Man, i am so stoked that that Downtube is in the works, and i must disagree firmly though, for the love of the stars, the universe and anything good let it be 20 inch!! If there is really no other way/it must be 16 i just hope it won't be inefficient (Brompton allegedly is) and a comfortable ride even for long touring (is this possible with 16 inch, does suspension take care of that?).

Thanks for working on your new folder Yan! I am saving my pennies for that exact one!

I also agree on the Downtube being one of the ultimate bikes, especally for upgrading, is there a chance the current models or the upcoming Bromptonesque will have a Frame only option as well?

folder fanatic

I enjoy using and owning my 2 folders (along with my family). I did entertain an idea a short time back about taking one of them (the Brompton) with me when I fly. Now I nix the idea since in the post 9/11/01 world, shape and weight both play against bringing even this small folder safely along. So I now take it on trains only. If I need to fly, I just rent a bike at the destination. It saves alot of hassle for me and the other family members.

If I am in Europe or some other far off place longer than about a month, I would simply purchase a bike and take it back home unassembled, or sell it over there.

v1nce

Hmm for me the weight was a bit of an issue but only because i fly budget and took quite some other stuff on my trip. Sure it was a bit of a hassle to (dis)assemble my Folder for my 8 day trip, but it was well worth it to me. Having my own bike that everything is tweaked on to my preferences just doesn't compare with renting or buying on site. But that is just my opinion.