makeinu

Wow, sounds great.

fogrider

this looks like it is pretty easy to fold/unfold and it looks like it rides just like any full size bike! but the website does show price or how to get it. some issues: can't get a longer stem, it looks like its only available in one size, no room for waterbottle or pump.

here is an idea I've been toying with: take a steel frame with round tubes, cut the top tube near the seat cluster and the down tube near bottom at each cut, find a sleeve to fit into the cut tubes. have the sleeve insert about an inch into each tube. loctite to one side. use seatpost clamps on the tubes to hold together. I think the tubes may need to be slotted so they can be tight on the sleeves. the cost of seatpost clamps are dirt cheap, the red loctite is about as strong as welding...one problem I see is that due to the tube angles, it may be hard to pull the tubes apart, but it may work if the sleeves are not too long. I've got an old frame that I'm planning on testing this on. seems like the parts would be dirt cheap.

mcalpik

Isn't the Airnimal suitcase larger than the 62 inch size for airlines? I know most people may not get caught, but it is expensive if someone measures.

Scooper

The B&W hardcase for the Brompton sold by Channell Wasson is exactly 25" x 25" x 12", for an airline checkable linear 62". The Brompton fits inside the case without disassembly except for removal of the telescoping seat post, but just barely.

With a compact fold like the Brompton's, it's hard for me to understand how any bike with a bigger fold could fit into a 62" case without a lot of disassembly and reassembly.

While the six speed Brompton isn't exactly a racing bike, it's hardly a poor performer and certainly isn't limited to 10 or 15 mile rides.

invisiblehand

Depends on what you mean by a lot.

Both of those statements are a matter of opinion.

pm124

Sorry, I measured and was wrong (my Eggbeaters are new and I was using a shorter Wellgo pedal before). You actually have to either remove a pedal or use a shorter Speedplay pedal. But other than that, it fits snug with just the wheels off.

Scooper

One poster earlier in this thread said it takes 30 to 45 minutes to pack and a similar time to unpack. Another poster said one could get it down to 10 or 15 minutes with practice. To me, both of those are "a lot." The Brommie takes me about 30 to 45 seconds to fold and pack, and a similar amount of time to unpack and unfold.

Indeed they are. They're opinions based on my personal experience, so I accept responsibility for them.

castle77

The fact is that Airnimals CAN fit into an airline checkable suitcase, believe it or not. Sure it takes much longer than a Brompton, but it's a totally different bike, and how frequently really do you take your bike on a plane with you? Even if it was every week it wouldn't be too much hassle. I would imagine that you're probably flying just a few times a year, so it shouldn't cause too much of an issue, its simple enough.