Folder Closest To My Current Bike?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
31 Posts
Folder Closest To My Current Bike?
I may, unexpectedly, have need of a folder bike. We have a Dahon Boardwalk that hasn't been too impressive, i.e. no-one ever rides it unless we fob it off on a guest. But I know there are plenty of other folders out there.
My main commute bike is a '80s steel oldie racer, 25mm 700C, 53/39 and 12-26, drop bars below saddle, about 26 lbs w/ full lights, pump, fenders.
What is the folder that will ride and feel as close to that as possible? But still folds up small enough to bring on a train or bus?
Just looking around, I'm not seeing a folder with drop bars or a saddle-to-bar drop.
My main commute bike is a '80s steel oldie racer, 25mm 700C, 53/39 and 12-26, drop bars below saddle, about 26 lbs w/ full lights, pump, fenders.
What is the folder that will ride and feel as close to that as possible? But still folds up small enough to bring on a train or bus?
Just looking around, I'm not seeing a folder with drop bars or a saddle-to-bar drop.
#2
Banned
Bike Friday Pocket Rocket.. Caprio Cassette is a 9~26t for the higher gears on those thin tired 451 wheels.
or BTO Tikit.
PDX and Eugene are on the same River , take your favorite bike down there , Train, Bus or drive your car.
and they will be able to measure all the relevant dimensions and make it to fit the same.
where you contact the Bike Bars, saddle and pedals ..
or BTO Tikit.
PDX and Eugene are on the same River , take your favorite bike down there , Train, Bus or drive your car.
and they will be able to measure all the relevant dimensions and make it to fit the same.
where you contact the Bike Bars, saddle and pedals ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-01-13 at 10:34 AM.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
31 Posts
Wow, I just found this guy's website . . . that's a lot of work/money to spend on a Dahon but the end result is almost exactly what I was envisioning. Though I could skip the Di2 and the gold bling, the front derailler and drop bar conversion look great. I'd use clipless pedals.
https://handsonbike.blogspot.com/p/da...alk-x20-r.html
It also seems that this and other dropbar conversions for the Dahons are unnecessarily complicated. Why not simply cut the top off the stock handlepost and have the top of a fork steerer tube welded on, to accept a standard threadless stem. Or, if height and reach adjustment are not necessary, shim the stock handlepost clamp to fit a standard drop bar? I may be missing something here.
https://handsonbike.blogspot.com/p/da...alk-x20-r.html
It also seems that this and other dropbar conversions for the Dahons are unnecessarily complicated. Why not simply cut the top off the stock handlepost and have the top of a fork steerer tube welded on, to accept a standard threadless stem. Or, if height and reach adjustment are not necessary, shim the stock handlepost clamp to fit a standard drop bar? I may be missing something here.
#4
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 440
Bikes: Mezzo I4, Trek 1200, Rudge (Montague) BiFrame, Bickerton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Mezzo or Ori if you can get them where live. They adapt well to dropbar conversion and the frame design means they ride fairly close to a road bike. See the Mezzo upgrade thread for details of converting to dropbars. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-bike-upgrades
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,653
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 380 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 106 Times
in
80 Posts
I would also say a Bike Friday would more than meet your needs. They are made in Eugene so you could take a day trip and test ride, see how it is done, check their used bike supply and if you bring your bike with they will be able to take all the measurements to build you one. Roger
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Rafael, California
Posts: 2,097
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
I may, unexpectedly, have need of a folder bike. We have a Dahon Boardwalk that hasn't been too impressive, i.e. no-one ever rides it unless we fob it off on a guest. But I know there are plenty of other folders out there.
My main commute bike is a '80s steel oldie racer, 25mm 700C, 53/39 and 12-26, drop bars below saddle, about 26 lbs w/ full lights, pump, fenders.
What is the folder that will ride and feel as close to that as possible? But still folds up small enough to bring on a train or bus?
Just looking around, I'm not seeing a folder with drop bars or a saddle-to-bar drop.
My main commute bike is a '80s steel oldie racer, 25mm 700C, 53/39 and 12-26, drop bars below saddle, about 26 lbs w/ full lights, pump, fenders.
What is the folder that will ride and feel as close to that as possible? But still folds up small enough to bring on a train or bus?
Just looking around, I'm not seeing a folder with drop bars or a saddle-to-bar drop.
Another option is a Pacific Reach Road .. same folding style as the Airnimal but with elastomer front and rear suspension .. this bike would be a fast, comfortable ride.. I own both bikes..
One reason you don't see too many successful drop bar conversions on long stemmed Dahons is the steerer is so long.. so there is lots of flex... much more leverage with drops than flat bars...
#7
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Dahon Anniversary Replica(or older Speed Pro TT) or Tern Verge.
Really understand they're only going to be somewhat similar. You're just not going to get a small framed,small wheeled bike to exactly emulate a regular bike.
Really understand they're only going to be somewhat similar. You're just not going to get a small framed,small wheeled bike to exactly emulate a regular bike.
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: York UK
Posts: 3,027
Bikes: 2X dualdrive Mezzo folder,plus others
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 107 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Sold one 653 renuelds tubed road race bike, replaced with downtube with low profile bars and ultergra kit. Total cost less than £400 with used parts.
More compact Mezzo replaced downtube due to storage limitations. Upgraded mezzo slower , but not by much.
Dahon Speed tt is nice bike also look at terns in 20" wheel, else carbonfibre ori supra ?!?!
Problem with some dropped bars is getting road sti to work with v brakes. I found this ok on the downtube if v brakes set to very tight clearence and soft pads fitted. Wrists are stronger in a vertical postion anyway, so drops improve braking ability.
Last edited by bhkyte; 08-03-13 at 03:09 AM.
#9
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
That won't be easy.
https://problemsolversbike.com/products/travel_agents
Anything else is pure kludge. Used these on my old cross bike when I converted from canti's to V's,my Speed Pro TT came with them stock,and my friend's wife has a Terry that came with them stock. They're really the best solution. It's one thing to cob something together to get a bike to shift gears,but brakes really need to be done properly.
Don't know that I'd agree with that. There are many factors to braking performance. Never noticed a dif between my dropbar and flatbar bikes that didn't have to do with the brakes themselves and the tires I was running. You'll certainly never get a dropbar bike running 23's to stop as well as a flatbar bike running 2inchers.
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
#10
master of bottom licks
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lou-evil, Canned-Yucky USA
Posts: 2,210
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Yesterday I finally met another cyclist on my commute home. He was commuting from work (although far more "hardcore" looking than I and was probably an avid roadie, although his legs weren't shaved ) but we had a good spirited ride getting through the city just chatting it up and I thought that my BF NWT kept it's own pretty well. He was obviously a stronger rider than I but this was definitely one of my more memorable commutes... wish there more like this.
Here's the last 1.5 min clip of the ride.
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
31 Posts
Looks like a fun ride!
Hmm, I wonder how "different" the bikes would feel.
Can you guys do this thought experiment for me. Suppose you were placed on a bike, and were blindfolded. How would you know if you were on a conventional road bike such as mine, or were on a folder with drop bars? Let's overlook the question of how you are managing to ride while blindfolded . . .
Hmm, I wonder how "different" the bikes would feel.
Can you guys do this thought experiment for me. Suppose you were placed on a bike, and were blindfolded. How would you know if you were on a conventional road bike such as mine, or were on a folder with drop bars? Let's overlook the question of how you are managing to ride while blindfolded . . .
#12
master of bottom licks
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lou-evil, Canned-Yucky USA
Posts: 2,210
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
IMHO the difference would be the reaction to steering input, my BF being more responsive.To me the difference between my Bike Friday and my road bike is the same as between my Flying Pigeon and my road bike (aside from the weight). The Bike Friday is stable whether at slow or fast speeds (and quick to accelerate and maintain speed) but it's steering is "livlier". Some people may call it "twitchy" but then compared to my Flying Pigeon the road bike could then also be considered twitchy.
As far as the ride quality of my BF compared to my road bike (an 80's Nishiki Olympic 12... 4130 chromoly) I don't think there's much of a difference since my Nishiki is riding on Conti Gators (700X23) at 120 psi f/r vs Schwalbe Marathons (20"x 1.5") at 65psi front and 85psi rear. Mind you, this is my BF and if you consider that the frame it has a "spindly" (or more "compliant" [marketing speak if it's considered an advantage]) rear triangle, just one main chromoly frame tube and a longer wheel base (41.5" for the BF and 40" for the Nishiki) so that may contribute to its "plush" ride considering it has smaller wheels.
As far as the ride quality of my BF compared to my road bike (an 80's Nishiki Olympic 12... 4130 chromoly) I don't think there's much of a difference since my Nishiki is riding on Conti Gators (700X23) at 120 psi f/r vs Schwalbe Marathons (20"x 1.5") at 65psi front and 85psi rear. Mind you, this is my BF and if you consider that the frame it has a "spindly" (or more "compliant" [marketing speak if it's considered an advantage]) rear triangle, just one main chromoly frame tube and a longer wheel base (41.5" for the BF and 40" for the Nishiki) so that may contribute to its "plush" ride considering it has smaller wheels.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: York UK
Posts: 3,027
Bikes: 2X dualdrive Mezzo folder,plus others
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 107 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
"Don't know that I'd agree with that. There are many factors to braking performance. Never noticed a dif between my dropbar and flatbar bikes that didn't have to do with the brakes themselves. .........
Drop bar braking postion does allow the user to squeeze harder.
My point is that drops allow a stronger pull. The wrist are stronger anatomally in the neutral postion rather than in the flat postions where several muscles are maintaing the postion and can not contribute to squeezing tha brakes
Don't have evidence to prove this translates in to pratice, other than if you get a grip tester the best results are achived in a vertical postion.
I could get anorak about which muscle groups are in better mechinical postion, but I fancy another coffee!
Drop bar braking postion does allow the user to squeeze harder.
My point is that drops allow a stronger pull. The wrist are stronger anatomally in the neutral postion rather than in the flat postions where several muscles are maintaing the postion and can not contribute to squeezing tha brakes
Don't have evidence to prove this translates in to pratice, other than if you get a grip tester the best results are achived in a vertical postion.
I could get anorak about which muscle groups are in better mechinical postion, but I fancy another coffee!
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: York UK
Posts: 3,027
Bikes: 2X dualdrive Mezzo folder,plus others
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 107 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Forgot about travel agents with v brakes. I got mine working without using them but not ideal.
#15
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
The wrist are stronger anatomally in the neutral postion rather than in the flat postions where several muscles are maintaing the postion and can not contribute to squeezing tha brakes
Don't have evidence to prove this translates in to pratice, other than if you get a grip tester the best results are achived in a vertical postion
Don't have evidence to prove this translates in to pratice, other than if you get a grip tester the best results are achived in a vertical postion
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
31 Posts
Update - I have been commuting on my steel racer and on my Dahon Boardwalk, on alternating days.
I tuned the Dahon, installed a proper saddle and clipless pedals, and pumped the tires up hard.
So far, the most obvious difference is the upright position and squishy handlepost of the Dahon. Lots of wind resistance, and when accelerating the flex in the handlepost is obvious. I think I can address that with a shorter handlepost.
The next difference is not enough stretch-out room on the Dahon. I think I will stick some bullhorns in the shorter handlepost. It would be nice to find a seatpost with some offset.
The final difference is not a big enough gear in the Dahon. Where I'm 53x12 on the racer, in the folder I'm . . . nowhere. Mulling over doing a front derailleur mod to the Dahon. This really is a problem.
The small wheels are not feeling as odd as I thought they would. I am enjoying the ride, actually.
I tuned the Dahon, installed a proper saddle and clipless pedals, and pumped the tires up hard.
So far, the most obvious difference is the upright position and squishy handlepost of the Dahon. Lots of wind resistance, and when accelerating the flex in the handlepost is obvious. I think I can address that with a shorter handlepost.
The next difference is not enough stretch-out room on the Dahon. I think I will stick some bullhorns in the shorter handlepost. It would be nice to find a seatpost with some offset.
The final difference is not a big enough gear in the Dahon. Where I'm 53x12 on the racer, in the folder I'm . . . nowhere. Mulling over doing a front derailleur mod to the Dahon. This really is a problem.
The small wheels are not feeling as odd as I thought they would. I am enjoying the ride, actually.
#17
Banned
If simple top seatpost, ie 22.2 tube top .. there is the Brompton SAP to mount on the post and the saddle clip on it.
#18
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 440
Bikes: Mezzo I4, Trek 1200, Rudge (Montague) BiFrame, Bickerton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Have a look at getting some dropbar ends, I have origin 8 bar ends on my Mezzo. An extended adjustable stem such as the Satori, there are other similar stems and Deal Extreme do a cheap one, would help with reach. For gearing, I can recommend the Sram dual drive hub but that depend on the rear drop-out spacing of your bike.
#19
Conquer Cancer rider
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 6,039
Bikes: Fun bike, city bike, Bike Friday, Brompton (also fun bikes)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looks like a fun ride!
Hmm, I wonder how "different" the bikes would feel.
Can you guys do this thought experiment for me. Suppose you were placed on a bike, and were blindfolded. How would you know if you were on a conventional road bike such as mine, or were on a folder with drop bars? Let's overlook the question of how you are managing to ride while blindfolded . . .
Hmm, I wonder how "different" the bikes would feel.
Can you guys do this thought experiment for me. Suppose you were placed on a bike, and were blindfolded. How would you know if you were on a conventional road bike such as mine, or were on a folder with drop bars? Let's overlook the question of how you are managing to ride while blindfolded . . .
__________________
Zero gallons to the mile
Zero gallons to the mile
#20
The Recumbent Quant
Update - I have been commuting on my steel racer and on my Dahon Boardwalk, on alternating days.
I tuned the Dahon, installed a proper saddle and clipless pedals, and pumped the tires up hard.
So far, the most obvious difference is the upright position and squishy handlepost of the Dahon. Lots of wind resistance, and when accelerating the flex in the handlepost is obvious. I think I can address that with a shorter handlepost.
The next difference is not enough stretch-out room on the Dahon. I think I will stick some bullhorns in the shorter handlepost. It would be nice to find a seatpost with some offset.
The final difference is not a big enough gear in the Dahon. Where I'm 53x12 on the racer, in the folder I'm . . . nowhere. Mulling over doing a front derailleur mod to the Dahon. This really is a problem.
The small wheels are not feeling as odd as I thought they would. I am enjoying the ride, actually.
I tuned the Dahon, installed a proper saddle and clipless pedals, and pumped the tires up hard.
So far, the most obvious difference is the upright position and squishy handlepost of the Dahon. Lots of wind resistance, and when accelerating the flex in the handlepost is obvious. I think I can address that with a shorter handlepost.
The next difference is not enough stretch-out room on the Dahon. I think I will stick some bullhorns in the shorter handlepost. It would be nice to find a seatpost with some offset.
The final difference is not a big enough gear in the Dahon. Where I'm 53x12 on the racer, in the folder I'm . . . nowhere. Mulling over doing a front derailleur mod to the Dahon. This really is a problem.
The small wheels are not feeling as odd as I thought they would. I am enjoying the ride, actually.
Again, don't forget the pictures.
#21
Banned
See.. you got a One size Bike .. now you have to adapt it with various fixes , .. but it is a lower cost starter..