lightweight travel bicycle
05-24-11, 04:01 AM
#51
If it dont fold frankly..
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my set up would be similar to this: https://www.google.gm/imgres?imgurl=h...w=1346&bih=537
cool, like a DIY bob trailer. have you seen wandertec's cello bike case? a smaller version that fits a folding mtb would be perfect.
cool, like a DIY bob trailer. have you seen wandertec's cello bike case? a smaller version that fits a folding mtb would be perfect.
yeap thanks i have seen it. i went back to basic and thought do i need a folding travel bike at all, but bad experiences of transit planes trains buses in china, africa and eother peoples experience has set me against it .
05-24-11, 04:53 AM
#52
If it dont fold frankly..
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05-24-11, 08:38 AM
#53
Part-time epistemologist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWoeTOVYNY4
I'm not sure whether Len missed his window or not.
(1) He had a pretty good bike .... oh ... five/six years ago. Supposedly he wanted to make it absolutely perfect -- whatever that means since "perfect" changes from person to person -- before selling it despite having people who already wanted the bike.
(2) Unfortunately, it is the case that there are more competitors in the market now producing relatively compact folding bikes. Len's bike would still have a niche. The Brompton's fold is very good and Len seemed to address some of its ergonomic and gearing limitations.
It depends on what you mean. In an absolute sense, here isn't much of a market for $10K bikes period. But is there enough of a market to support a super-high-end builder? If it rides/folds well and the bike isn't simply a novelty item, then I'd think that there would be people with plenty of disposable income to buy the bike.
I'm no frame builder, but I seem to recall people mentioning on Velocipede that titanium was getting harder to come by. At some point, Len wrote something about offering a steel version at a lower price which would be worthwhile since titanium might generally be pretty hard to work with relative to alternatives with few advantages.
Anyway, I always thought that Len would have a pretty good business model if he sold some UFBs but primarily focused on modifying Bromptons. If he simply offered his pretty cool adjustable handlebar/stem and a new rear triangle I'm pretty sure he would have a decent amount of business. More generally, allowing for lots of wild assed speculation here, I see people like Len in research often. Lots of good ideas and work ethic; but with a hard time letting go of projects and putting it out in the public.
I'm not sure whether Len missed his window or not.
(1) He had a pretty good bike .... oh ... five/six years ago. Supposedly he wanted to make it absolutely perfect -- whatever that means since "perfect" changes from person to person -- before selling it despite having people who already wanted the bike.
(2) Unfortunately, it is the case that there are more competitors in the market now producing relatively compact folding bikes. Len's bike would still have a niche. The Brompton's fold is very good and Len seemed to address some of its ergonomic and gearing limitations.
It depends on what you mean. In an absolute sense, here isn't much of a market for $10K bikes period. But is there enough of a market to support a super-high-end builder? If it rides/folds well and the bike isn't simply a novelty item, then I'd think that there would be people with plenty of disposable income to buy the bike.
I'm no frame builder, but I seem to recall people mentioning on Velocipede that titanium was getting harder to come by. At some point, Len wrote something about offering a steel version at a lower price which would be worthwhile since titanium might generally be pretty hard to work with relative to alternatives with few advantages.
Anyway, I always thought that Len would have a pretty good business model if he sold some UFBs but primarily focused on modifying Bromptons. If he simply offered his pretty cool adjustable handlebar/stem and a new rear triangle I'm pretty sure he would have a decent amount of business. More generally, allowing for lots of wild assed speculation here, I see people like Len in research often. Lots of good ideas and work ethic; but with a hard time letting go of projects and putting it out in the public.
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A narrative on bicycle driving.
A narrative on bicycle driving.
05-24-11, 09:48 AM
#54
If it dont fold frankly..
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWoeTOVYNY4
I'm not sure whether Len missed his window or not.
(1) He had a pretty good bike .... oh ... five/six years ago. Supposedly he wanted to make it absolutely perfect -- whatever that means since "perfect" changes from person to person -- before selling it despite having people who already wanted the bike.
(2) Unfortunately, it is the case that there are more competitors in the market now producing relatively compact folding bikes. Len's bike would still have a niche. The Brompton's fold is very good and Len seemed to address some of its ergonomic and gearing limitations.
It depends on what you mean. In an absolute sense, here isn't much of a market for $10K bikes period. But is there enough of a market to support a super-high-end builder? If it rides/folds well and the bike isn't simply a novelty item, then I'd think that there would be people with plenty of disposable income to buy the bike.
I'm no frame builder, but I seem to recall people mentioning on Velocipede that titanium was getting harder to come by. At some point, Len wrote something about offering a steel version at a lower price which would be worthwhile since titanium might generally be pretty hard to work with relative to alternatives with few advantages.
Anyway, I always thought that Len would have a pretty good business model if he sold some UFBs but primarily focused on modifying Bromptons. If he simply offered his pretty cool adjustable handlebar/stem and a new rear triangle I'm pretty sure he would have a decent amount of business. More generally, allowing for lots of wild assed speculation here, I see people like Len in research often. Lots of good ideas and work ethic; but with a hard time letting go of projects and putting it out in the public.
I'm not sure whether Len missed his window or not.
(1) He had a pretty good bike .... oh ... five/six years ago. Supposedly he wanted to make it absolutely perfect -- whatever that means since "perfect" changes from person to person -- before selling it despite having people who already wanted the bike.
(2) Unfortunately, it is the case that there are more competitors in the market now producing relatively compact folding bikes. Len's bike would still have a niche. The Brompton's fold is very good and Len seemed to address some of its ergonomic and gearing limitations.
It depends on what you mean. In an absolute sense, here isn't much of a market for $10K bikes period. But is there enough of a market to support a super-high-end builder? If it rides/folds well and the bike isn't simply a novelty item, then I'd think that there would be people with plenty of disposable income to buy the bike.
I'm no frame builder, but I seem to recall people mentioning on Velocipede that titanium was getting harder to come by. At some point, Len wrote something about offering a steel version at a lower price which would be worthwhile since titanium might generally be pretty hard to work with relative to alternatives with few advantages.
Anyway, I always thought that Len would have a pretty good business model if he sold some UFBs but primarily focused on modifying Bromptons. If he simply offered his pretty cool adjustable handlebar/stem and a new rear triangle I'm pretty sure he would have a decent amount of business. More generally, allowing for lots of wild assed speculation here, I see people like Len in research often. Lots of good ideas and work ethic; but with a hard time letting go of projects and putting it out in the public.
05-24-11, 10:13 AM
#55
Part-time epistemologist
To the overall thread ... probably not particularly relevant. But you asked a question and I elaborated.
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A narrative on bicycle driving.
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05-24-11, 11:05 AM
#56
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Perhaps you should just import a frame and build the bike with components you can get locally... maybe bike parts have less duty.
05-24-11, 01:33 PM
#57
If it dont fold frankly..
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sorry invisablehand dont me to be a 
reverborama.. i think i've found a very good solution waiting to pull it if then ill let all ya'll (wish e had a word like that in english) know.
reverborama.. i think i've found a very good solution waiting to pull it if then ill let all ya'll (wish e had a word like that in english) know.
05-25-11, 04:15 AM
#59
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The Moulton is not a folder but does takedown for packing. The small-wheel+full suspension combination is well proven for touring on tracks and trails and quite a few global tourists have crossed continents on them.
The fully triangulated space-frame is very strong.
The fully triangulated space-frame is very strong.
05-25-11, 07:43 AM
#60
Senior Member
My new lightweight travel bike (not 26"):
Bike weighs about 27 lbs, I bet this whole package doesn't weigh even 35. Room for some clothes, cycling shoes, and a tool kit. Doubt I could wedge a helmet in there.
Bike weighs about 27 lbs, I bet this whole package doesn't weigh even 35. Room for some clothes, cycling shoes, and a tool kit. Doubt I could wedge a helmet in there.
05-25-11, 08:32 AM
#61
Part-time epistemologist
To retrofit a steel bike with S&S couplers is about $600. From memory, the Flo is a 4130 MTB. Something like a Karate Monkey is ~$400. Assuming that the (observable) working condition is excellent and cosmetics are good ... say $600-800? Mind you, I know little about suspension forks.
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A narrative on bicycle driving.
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05-26-11, 12:47 PM
#62
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I agree with "get a BikeFriday." (If you can afford one. They are not cheap.) BF has everything you are looking for. Why buy something else and start rebuilding? My Pocket Llama is maybe 10% slower on the road than a lightweight road bike, but who cares when you are just out riding to see the sights and experience the country? Its fat tires (I have 1.75's) and high bottom bracket handle gravel and even single track with aplomb. It weaves through NYC traffic like no bike I've ever owned. Itfolds quickly (I paid extra for the folding stem). It packs into an airline legal suitcase than can become a trailer, and except for the custom frame, uses only standard components that are easy to replace at any LBS. Plus, after-purchase phone service from the company is great.
05-26-11, 01:25 PM
#64
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Can this one be split in half? https://cgi.ebay.com/Slingshot-Steel-...item256416da7a
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05-26-11, 01:30 PM
#65
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I checked the Sling Shot site and you can get just the frame. https://slingshotbikes.com/technology-foldtech.php
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