Fear&Trembling

My Trek F600.

Specialized Toupe 143mm saddle
Syncros 110mm "Cattle Prod" quill stem
Avid SL brake levers
F&R Deore XT V-Brakes
Shimano 105 SS rear derailleur
Shimano Ultegra 11-23t cassette
Sram 971 chain
Carbon fibre TT chainring 55t
Shimano Rapid Fire shifter
Time Atac XS carbon pedals
Oval Concepts 550mm bar
Tioga "power studs" bar-ends.
Planet X grips
Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Slick rear and Stelvio front.
Rolf Prima Accel front wheel with Pantour suspension hub * Bontrager select rear wheel
Bontranger Sport cranks

pm124

Hey F&T,

That's an amazing bike. How much does it weigh? Does it need suspension?

Fear&Trembling

Hi PM124,

Not sure how much it weighs (I have never weighed any of my bikes). The off-the-peg Trek F600 is not particularly light, but I have probably knocked off 1.5kgs from the stock weight.

It does have a Pantour suspension hub, but this is set-up in such a way that it is almost redundant. When the Marathon Slick wears out, I will put on a wider Marathon Racer tyre as this makes the ride softer. I wear padded shorts and the ride is fine on my commute...

Higher res images are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/16114972@N00/

LittlePixel

You're really like those Treks. Which do you prefer - the single speed or the seven speed?
(Would look nice in matt black I reckon)

Fear&Trembling

The last time I rode a 7 speed bike, I had spots and posters of Martika on my wall!

I am a big fan of the Trek with the stem mod, as the handling characteristics are vastly improved. I am going to get an adjustable stem though, as I may stick drops on the fixed.

I still prefer the fixed Trek for commuting, but the 9speed is good for longer rides.
It also means that I can tackle "proper" hills. That reminds, I need to gear down on the fixed...

I was going to get a Ti 1 speed Brompton (I had talked myself into the raw lacquer finish), but a second-hand Trek F600 came up on ebay and it was asking to be modified.

Archi

Hello all!

I am new to the folding-bike frenzie... actually, new to bikes all together. But I am interested in purchasing a folding bike. I live in a tiny place. I am thinking about 20" wheels. It also needs to be light. I've tested 2 Dahons (Ciao and Helios). They seemed nice. Each $600. I want something between $500-800, folds easily, lightweight, good performance (I might be interested in using it as a sports bike in the future). Please offer me your insights and suggestions. Thanks!

juan162

Archi,
First off, look at the older threads...many a newbie has asked this question(Doesn't mean you don't deserve an answer, tho'). Second decide what feature is most important for you. Remember that a folding bike is a compromise, so whatever feature is most important(ie. speed, portability for travelling, portability for multimode commutes, off road riding, comfort of ride, etc.) to you will most likely be the deciding factor as to which bike to buy. For example, if you're looking for a folder that is a fast, road bike kind of folder you should look at th Swifts and the lighter and faster Dahons (the speed p8 and helios come to mind). If you are looking for a multimode commuter, check out the bromptons, 16" dahons, and the downtube minis. If you want comfort, check out the Downtube FS and the Dahon Jetstream. These are just a few examples. Hope this helps,
Juan

spambait11

Dahon Boardwalk S1 with drops:

juan162

Well, here's my Crescent separable single speed and me. I'm running a 46x16 which lets me
average between 15-16mph. It's only taken me a year or so to post pics . I have yet to
take pics of my Raleigh Twenty. When I do, I will also take better pics of the Crescent.
Juan

Revrider

I had a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket as my travel bike which was stolen (in-town Atlanta is a 24 hour crime wave). Instead of buying another one I had my 14 year old Litespeed Classic cut and S&S couplers installed by Stephen Bilenky. Honestly, after my experience with this bike I don't know why anyone would buy a folder. It is terrific. The first time I broke it down I tried to time myself but my watch did not have a second hand, so all I can report was that it took under one minute. My times have since improved considerably with experience!

Unless you are looking for the "Wow, look at me factor" the S&S coupler route is the way to go.

juan162

Revrider,
Can you fly without paying extra costs for the suitcase? Can you ride it to the train or bus station, fold it up in a second, take it on said transportation, and then easily unfold it and ride it to work? Once broken down, can you hold all the parts in one hand comforably without the aforementoned parts banging into each other? There are many different reasons people use folding bikes. S&S couplers are great and I am glad you are happy with it, but don't make broad statements about those of us who choose other solutions that might work better for us. It simply shows ignorance on your part.
Juan

spambait11

"Wow, look at me factor"? Wow, look at you: a vacuous rider who got his Bike Friday stolen and brags about it. Congrats.

So where's your Litespeed pic? Or did that get stolen too?

Fear&Trembling

If you want to discuss the pros/cons of S&S couplers, I would start a new thread as there are many people who would gladly chip in. However, fatuous and sweeping remarks like those evinced in your earlier post only serve to highlight your lack of knowledge in this field.

There are a multiplicity of foldng bikes on the market, because there are dozens of different reasons for owning and riding one. If S&S couplers were simply the "answer" to all of our folding bike needs, we'd all have them...

juan162

Well, it's only taken me a year and a half to get around to posting pics, but here's my Raleigh Twenty. The mods are as follows:

SRAM 21 speed dual drive
SPD pedals
Aluminum Wheels
Schwalbe Stelvio Tires
Shimano Sora Shifters
V-Brakes
Suspension Fork W/ "tarik device" spacer
Diatech Ahead headset
Sugino Track Cranks W/ 54 tooth chainring
26-12 Cassette
Serfas Cosmos Saddle
Braize-ons for V-brakes in the rear
Rear right seat stay was cut out and rewelded to give more space for the chain on the smallest cog.


click for full size

juan162

Here's some more pics of my Crescent Single Speed separable bike. Mods include:

New aluminum wheels
1.35" primo comets
front single caliper brake
New Handlebars
New Saddle

I took everything else off to lighten the load. It's my commuter and outdoor winter trainer. I am currently running 46x16 which gives me a 15-17 mph average on the flats.Future mods include:
suzue flip flop hub
bullhorn bars
different front brake...perhaps a dual caliper?
New paint job


click for full size

LittlePixel

Juan your Twenty looks like a totaly blast! Smart upgrades look nice on that olive frame!
Ta for the pix. And hi-res too!

Speedo

Nice work on the Twenty and the Crescent. You clearly have an eye for the potential in those older frames.

Speedo

juan162

Thanks Speedo,
and now for an update on the Crescent...I just purchased a 451, 24 spoke rear wheel with a flip flop hub. It's also black, so will match the front, 406 wheel. Once I figure out a brake that will fit a 451 in the front, I'll switch that out, too! I'm hoping it won't be too difficult.
Juan

lz4005

That looks great, and exactly like what I would want to do to one.

So now the pestering begins:
Did you just cut off the tube below the stock bars and put a stem on?
Did you have to crimp or shrink the tube to get it to fit?

spambait11

I was thinking about doing that, but just in case things didn't work out, I bought a Dahon Revolve stem (pic below from gaerlan.com) and cut the head off. Now that I'm happy with the result, I should have cut the OEM handlebar instead.


No, the crimp you see is Dahon's solution for making sure the handlebars are centered if you ever raise or lower the handlebars.

The reason why it is off center is because as it was set up originally, the handlepost and seatpost did not line up vertically when looking at the bike from the front. I'm guessing this was to facilitate the fold. Turning the handlepost slightly to the right fixed the lining issue.

lz4005

Thanks for the details.
That is going to be my next bike.

pm124

Modifications include a Deore XT short cage rear derailleur, SPD pedals, and 105 cranks. I run Stelvios in the Spring, Summer, and Fall and the stock tires in the Winter. Ortieb panniers coming. Will post the modified Downtube (Birdy cranks and BB, MKS pedals, and Marathon Racer tires) soon.

juan162

pm124,
Nice looking bike. I luv the look of the Birdys,especially with your upgrades,
Juan

Gerritt

I own a 1942 BSA airborn foldig bike and a 1963 Moulton Stowaway.
The are not for dayle juse the are a part of my collection .
Sometime I ride them for funn.
Gerrit

jogya03

I have HASA F2, taiwan made, alu frame, 16" x 1.75 Kenda tire, 7 speed, 52T chainring. Complete spec could be seen on www.hasabike.com.tw.
I bought it in Singapore for 380 SGD about 6 months ago, upgraded rear sprocket to 11 - 28, it was 14 - 28 previously (gearing is still bit low however), upgraded the seat as well, original was too small for upright riding, and then I added rear fender, handlebar bag, bell and light.