Folding bikes are like chocolates...
#3
I Fold
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LOL true! I have a Brompton and a Strida, and I am thinking of getting a Tikit or a Birdy. It is supposed to be for my wife, but in reality I just want to have another folder that I can ride
I know my feeble stable pales in comparison to yours, jur. You're the Folda Man!
I know my feeble stable pales in comparison to yours, jur. You're the Folda Man!
#9
Each Drop of Sweat Counts
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I agree. I have a Dahon Mu P8, I have a Dahon Speed TR on order that I hope will show up any day and here locally in Japan they make a bike called an Ignio that costs $150. Soon as I find one in the store it's mine.
I have zero reason to have three folding bikes other than I can.
I have zero reason to have three folding bikes other than I can.
#10
Still moving forward.
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I've just pared my stable from 3 bikes to "only 2", and I'm already looking for a Tikit to fill the huge void. At least it's a cheaper habit than doing the same thing with cars.
Plus it's more fun, better for you and the world, healthier, more relaxing - just like chocolate!
Plus it's more fun, better for you and the world, healthier, more relaxing - just like chocolate!
#11
Eschew Obfuscation
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
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Bikes: 2005 Fuji Professional, 2002 Lemond Zurich, Folders - Strida, Merc, Dahon, Downtube, Recumbent folder
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Meh - I can quit any time I want.
.... not!
.... not!
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#12
Senior Member
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I've only been cycling since March, and I'm already thinking of getting a third bike! I think it's because there are so many designs of folding bikes tuned to different needs and, well, I have a lot of needs. :-)
Here's what I've got:
1) Downtube 8H: I'm currently souping this one up to become my road/touring bike. Has higher gearing and feels more solid and robust than the Mini, plus it has an integrated rear rack.
2) Downtube Mini: My all-around commuting bike. Reasonably zippy, great for stopping and starting in traffic, folds quickly and compactly for the subway, the office, and my front hall closet.
What I'm fantasizing/curious about:
1) CarryMe, because I would love to have a mini bike I could take *everywhere* and never have to think/worry about locking it on the street. Of course, if NYC ever gets its act together and provides secure indoor bike parking facilities and a bike-sharing program, I wouldn't need a CarryMe (except for, maybe, the bus, where the one time I brought on a 20" folder, it was hell).
2) Trikke, not technically a bicycle, but it also falls in the ultra mini-bike category--portable, small footprint, take everywhere. Also, it has the reputed advantage of providing a full body workout.
3) A folding bicycle with a shaft drive or a belt drive--I love the concept of greaseless bikes since I ride in standard clothes and am tired of grease getting on my pants! (Although why your typical folding bike with an internal hub can't have a full chaincase like on the Dutch city bicycles is beyond me.)
Here's what I've got:
1) Downtube 8H: I'm currently souping this one up to become my road/touring bike. Has higher gearing and feels more solid and robust than the Mini, plus it has an integrated rear rack.
2) Downtube Mini: My all-around commuting bike. Reasonably zippy, great for stopping and starting in traffic, folds quickly and compactly for the subway, the office, and my front hall closet.
What I'm fantasizing/curious about:
1) CarryMe, because I would love to have a mini bike I could take *everywhere* and never have to think/worry about locking it on the street. Of course, if NYC ever gets its act together and provides secure indoor bike parking facilities and a bike-sharing program, I wouldn't need a CarryMe (except for, maybe, the bus, where the one time I brought on a 20" folder, it was hell).
2) Trikke, not technically a bicycle, but it also falls in the ultra mini-bike category--portable, small footprint, take everywhere. Also, it has the reputed advantage of providing a full body workout.
3) A folding bicycle with a shaft drive or a belt drive--I love the concept of greaseless bikes since I ride in standard clothes and am tired of grease getting on my pants! (Although why your typical folding bike with an internal hub can't have a full chaincase like on the Dutch city bicycles is beyond me.)
#14
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Better than chocolate
I'm up to 2 folders now, a REI Novara Fly By (made by Dahon) and a Raleigh 20. And I'm a mainly a recumbent rider.
#18
Eschew Obfuscation
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Bikes: 2005 Fuji Professional, 2002 Lemond Zurich, Folders - Strida, Merc, Dahon, Downtube, Recumbent folder
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I installed a Cruzbike (www.cruzbike.com) kit on a Downtube and the result was this:
Fairly simple install and relatively low cost recumbent. Not a racer, though.
Fairly simple install and relatively low cost recumbent. Not a racer, though.
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Last edited by SesameCrunch; 11-06-08 at 09:16 AM.
#20
Banned
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More recently there's also the TW Bents Cobra:
https://www.rebel-cycles.com/cobra/cobra.html
https://www.twbents.com.tw/HTM/cobra.htm
which folds similarly to the grasshopper and is quite a bit cheaper.
However, it seems pretty hard to beat a cruzbike conversion on price because most folders are already low monotubes and, thus, side step the premiums charged for bikes which are so ridiculously niche.
P.S. For completeness let's not forget the fold rush
but I don't really consider this a real folder because it only folds down to the size of a regular bike (because its otherwise so massive).
https://www.rebel-cycles.com/cobra/cobra.html
https://www.twbents.com.tw/HTM/cobra.htm
which folds similarly to the grasshopper and is quite a bit cheaper.
However, it seems pretty hard to beat a cruzbike conversion on price because most folders are already low monotubes and, thus, side step the premiums charged for bikes which are so ridiculously niche.
P.S. For completeness let's not forget the fold rush
but I don't really consider this a real folder because it only folds down to the size of a regular bike (because its otherwise so massive).
#21
multimodal commuter
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#22
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#23
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Folders are like fine wines, while there are many good choices, we each have an obligation to limit our selection because overindulging would just be improper (or maybe I'm just cheap ).
#24
hipster traffic dodger
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you really have to try the lot before you decide on a favorite