Hmm. Folding bikes are actually pretty heavy!
10-17-14, 10:30 AM
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I tried to fold and keep the handlebars extended. Definitely feels better but still not completely easy. Clunky. My fantasy of using this everywhere is not really met. The reality is that it's just easier to store in the trunk. Nothing more.
10-17-14, 02:23 PM
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.The roll I describe works well for something that was designed to be a bicycle first and not a shopping cart and it takes time to adapt to it.
10-19-14, 09:16 AM
#53
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First ,you never carry a bike except to lift it into a car or up stairs or just a few feet.Even if it weighted only 10lb you'd soon get tired of it.
Second,even though I am not familar with the bike you have,I did find some pictures to show me it's similar to my Dahon and my Citizen and they are both easy to roll around.So I will give you a description how I roll them and you can try it with your Novara,but I'm just speculating here.
First leave the handlebars up and just fold the frame back on itself ,stap both parts of the frame together with a velcro strap(if it has a really good catch you may not need it) do not put the strap through the wheels.Then pull up the seat post or just leave it up,stand behind the bike with your left hand on handbar and put you right fingers under the back of the seat ,tilt the bike back on the wheels and if all is the same as my Citizen just roll away forward ,easy as pie.It rolls forward on both wheels,if you want to go backward just pivot it around or tilt the bike to the left so you can use just the left/front wheel to go backwards.You can of course use just the handbars to push it but the seat helps alot with both hands feeling more balanced.A bipod stand can really help when shopping,you just tilt the bike forward on to the stand and it just sits there as you load your tote bag hanging on the handlebars.
I own a Brompton with eazy wheels,that rolls well but my Citizen rolls just as well only in a different manner.If you Novara doesn't roll just as well then there something I'm not familiar with it's make up.
Remember any folding bike is a compromise of many things most of which it does not perfectly but very well.Hppe that helps a bit.
EDIT: here is video to explain better How to fold and roll a foldable bike (Dahon or Tern) - YouTube
Second,even though I am not familar with the bike you have,I did find some pictures to show me it's similar to my Dahon and my Citizen and they are both easy to roll around.So I will give you a description how I roll them and you can try it with your Novara,but I'm just speculating here.
First leave the handlebars up and just fold the frame back on itself ,stap both parts of the frame together with a velcro strap(if it has a really good catch you may not need it) do not put the strap through the wheels.Then pull up the seat post or just leave it up,stand behind the bike with your left hand on handbar and put you right fingers under the back of the seat ,tilt the bike back on the wheels and if all is the same as my Citizen just roll away forward ,easy as pie.It rolls forward on both wheels,if you want to go backward just pivot it around or tilt the bike to the left so you can use just the left/front wheel to go backwards.You can of course use just the handbars to push it but the seat helps alot with both hands feeling more balanced.A bipod stand can really help when shopping,you just tilt the bike forward on to the stand and it just sits there as you load your tote bag hanging on the handlebars.
I own a Brompton with eazy wheels,that rolls well but my Citizen rolls just as well only in a different manner.If you Novara doesn't roll just as well then there something I'm not familiar with it's make up.
Remember any folding bike is a compromise of many things most of which it does not perfectly but very well.Hppe that helps a bit.
EDIT: here is video to explain better How to fold and roll a foldable bike (Dahon or Tern) - YouTube
10-19-14, 11:01 AM
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I really want to say bravo to your idea. Unlike the other commenter, I don't think it is BS. On my Dahon, the wheels don't line up when folded. That is the bike tilts to the side when rolling it as shown in the video clip above. That is a Dahon issue, their fold is NOT symmetrical with respect to the wheels. Otherwise your idea would really work for me. Dahon, you blew for not making a bike that does NOT rolls easily when folded. Not least not my on Mu P8...
,I never considered it that much of a problem,but others do.I was just happy to discover there was a way to roll it when folded.For me it's become second nature.
10-20-14, 09:44 AM
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Hey guys, look at this! Where do I get one?
[h=1]Landing Gear[/h]
This ingenious gadget fits into the "why didn´t I think of that?" category. With a simple flick of your heel, the landing gear comes down, and your folded DAHON is now ready to roll compactly on three stable wheels. Leave the seat up, and you can easily "walk" your bike wherever you like. The castor design steers easily to fold up snugly and out of the way.
Features
[h=1]Landing Gear[/h]
This ingenious gadget fits into the "why didn´t I think of that?" category. With a simple flick of your heel, the landing gear comes down, and your folded DAHON is now ready to roll compactly on three stable wheels. Leave the seat up, and you can easily "walk" your bike wherever you like. The castor design steers easily to fold up snugly and out of the way.
Features
- Gives folding bikes extra stbility when folded
- Quickly folds up and away when the bike is unfolded for use
- Strong, stable 6061 aluminum shaft with 2.5 inch wheel
- Allows the bike to roll without lifting of strain
10-20-14, 01:23 PM
#56
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How about this one, fits on the end of seat post..
10-20-14, 01:25 PM
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10-20-14, 02:50 PM
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I was going to suggest something like that but realised the seatpost will stick at a certain maximum height. That height may be too low.
10-20-14, 03:44 PM
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10-20-14, 04:03 PM
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That is of course possible but it would be nice to have a solution that is narrower than the seatpost so that height is no problem. I was thinking along the lines of a bung that goes inside the post, a bolt that is tightened that expands the bung, and a small wheel which is attached to the bottom of the bung while allowing access to the bolt. Sounds tricky but not impossible.
Easier would be a fitting that just plugs onto the seatpost with some spring-loaded button for easy removal.
Easier would be a fitting that just plugs onto the seatpost with some spring-loaded button for easy removal.
10-20-14, 08:43 PM
#61
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On China taobao
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No experience. I don't push dahon that often. Here are some photos of QR version, someone's project.
https://www.qixing365.com/thread-88224-1-1.html
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No experience. I don't push dahon that often. Here are some photos of QR version, someone's project.
https://www.qixing365.com/thread-88224-1-1.html
Last edited by bike.gang.uk; 10-20-14 at 08:47 PM.
10-20-14, 10:45 PM
#62
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regular caster wheel and a rubber plug into the botom of the post? yea you put it in your pocket to have the post pull up.
Unless you know clever people to make a Ball that rolls in all directions, and is no bigger that the OD of the seatpost itself.
Unless you know clever people to make a Ball that rolls in all directions, and is no bigger that the OD of the seatpost itself.
10-20-14, 11:55 PM
#63
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They are quite heavy. I was able to get my old Birdy to under 20 pounds, but even a light folding bike is awkward to carry. I am now riding a Brompton, which is a pig compared to the old Birdy, but the smaller fold seems to make it a little easier to carry than the Birdy was.
Since I fold my bike only to get on and off the train, I don't have to carry it so much, so it's not much of a bother.
Since I fold my bike only to get on and off the train, I don't have to carry it so much, so it's not much of a bother.
10-21-14, 04:51 AM
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I know the fold is simple in theory, but my tiny brain can't get it to work every time. It's always something minor but the magnets just seem half an inch too far sometimes.
Well, that's my justification for getting something idiot-proof like the Brompton, whose fold I still manage to screw up from time to time.
Well, that's my justification for getting something idiot-proof like the Brompton, whose fold I still manage to screw up from time to time.
03-09-15, 12:56 AM
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Does anyone know if this works on a Dahon espresso with 26 in. wheels? Its a heavy bike to carry- I have no car and got this to live and travel in Japan- but transferring from station to station is tough...Im supposed to keep it covered/in a bag in the station- but wanted to see it I can manage rolling this thing, any thoughts?
03-09-15, 06:47 AM
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Does anyone know if this works on a Dahon espresso with 26 in. wheels? Its a heavy bike to carry- I have no car and got this to live and travel in Japan- but transferring from station to station is tough...Im supposed to keep it covered/in a bag in the station- but wanted to see it I can manage rolling this thing, any thoughts?
03-09-15, 10:28 AM
#67
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Looks in the DIY capacity of anyone with some alloy tube a Hacksaw , and a roller + a Hose clamp
has to come off to ride the Bike ..
you could also make it as a plug to stuff in the seat tube end - with a regular caster wheel
has to come off to ride the Bike ..
you could also make it as a plug to stuff in the seat tube end - with a regular caster wheel
03-09-15, 05:33 PM
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I made a a transport roller from 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe. The PVC pipe goes over the seat post and stops on the seat tube. It's shown on my Genesis folder from Walmart. The seat post is 34 mm. The roller is a simple rubber roller from Amazon (link below). The attachment is a pipe plug from Lowes (link below).
I can't say I invented this method. I found someone on YouTube that had a similar design, although he used a skate wheel. The pipe plug is a little tall so I cut the stud down about 1/4 inch and had to grind the wing nut to clear the wheel. But the wing nut makes contact with the wheel support and tightens using that surface. The trick to me was figuring out how to have some resistance on the seat post so the roller assembly doesn't go flying when you have to lift the bike. And the roller has to stay aligned and not twist on the post. So I came up with the tie strap to fill some of the open space between the ID of the tube and the OD of the seat tube. It provides enough resistance to hold the pipe in the proper orientation. This hasn't been field tested by me. But I rolled it around the driveway. I had to lean the bike to use the roller and the rear wheel but I didn't strap the halves together so I expect it to be a little easier when it's a more constrained package. I don't expect to use it very often so I didn't want something complicated or that had any risk of snagging the ground inadvertently.
I think the advantage of this design is that it can be used with the seat somewhat elevated so that the bike can be steered by the seat. For my use it will store in my bag when I head into the city but I'll leave it out.
. 
Roller Wheel - Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Pipe Plug - Lowes
Shop Oatey 1.5 Dia PVC Test Plug Fitting at Lowes.com
I can't say I invented this method. I found someone on YouTube that had a similar design, although he used a skate wheel. The pipe plug is a little tall so I cut the stud down about 1/4 inch and had to grind the wing nut to clear the wheel. But the wing nut makes contact with the wheel support and tightens using that surface. The trick to me was figuring out how to have some resistance on the seat post so the roller assembly doesn't go flying when you have to lift the bike. And the roller has to stay aligned and not twist on the post. So I came up with the tie strap to fill some of the open space between the ID of the tube and the OD of the seat tube. It provides enough resistance to hold the pipe in the proper orientation. This hasn't been field tested by me. But I rolled it around the driveway. I had to lean the bike to use the roller and the rear wheel but I didn't strap the halves together so I expect it to be a little easier when it's a more constrained package. I don't expect to use it very often so I didn't want something complicated or that had any risk of snagging the ground inadvertently.
I think the advantage of this design is that it can be used with the seat somewhat elevated so that the bike can be steered by the seat. For my use it will store in my bag when I head into the city but I'll leave it out.
Roller Wheel - Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Pipe Plug - Lowes
Shop Oatey 1.5 Dia PVC Test Plug Fitting at Lowes.com
03-10-15, 08:05 PM
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My fantasy when I was buying my folding bike was that I would just fold it up and carry it around in the mall instead of locking it up. Man! That thing gets heavy after awhile. I'm going to weigh it when I get home but I highly doubt it's only 27 lbs per specifications. If it is truly 27lbs, then, the size must just make it hard to carry. I also tried carrying against the floor and rolling it, but that doesn't work as the wheel doesn't spin all the time. I got a bike bag and hopefully that makes it easier, but I bet that gets heavy after awhile too. Too bad there isn't a backpack that goes with it.
Reality kicked me in the nuts when I bought the "lightest" standard Dahon folder online - the MU Uno, a single speed. At about 10kg (22lbs), it was annoying to fold - admittedly due more to lack of practice - and the bulk made it hardly effortless to carry. It was nothing like what I wanted my folding bike to be.
That was when I decided I wasn't going to cut corners anymore. I tried a number of premium folders at an LBS - the Bike Friday Tikit and Birdy.
And finally, the Brompton. It took me 5 trips to the store before I worked up the courage to throw down the money. That said, the 6-speed bike is not all that light - about 26lbs, but it is very compact. And the racked bike rolled decently. It also disguised itself nicely folded with a Brompton-specific bag on the front carrier block - most people wouldn't know unless they did a double take.
Ultimately, I still consider it the best multi-modal bike on the market, but be prepared to spend a fair amount of resources (time, money) improving it to your tastes. Fortunately, there is a burgeoning market catering to those with barely-existent technical expertise. And a nice number of online guides to maintaining and upgrading your bike if you do have the skills.
It is not that expensive to get down to 24 lbs, but that starts jumping exponentially soon enough.
03-10-15, 09:05 PM
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My fantasy when I was buying my folding bike was that I would just fold it up and carry it around in the mall instead of locking it up. Man! That thing gets heavy after awhile. I'm going to weigh it when I get home but I highly doubt it's only 27 lbs per specifications. If it is truly 27lbs, then, the size must just make it hard to carry. I also tried carrying against the floor and rolling it, but that doesn't work as the wheel doesn't spin all the time. I got a bike bag and hopefully that makes it easier, but I bet that gets heavy after awhile too. Too bad there isn't a backpack that goes with it.
03-11-15, 03:56 AM
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03-11-15, 07:12 PM
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I had exactly the same dream. I thought they folded effortlessly and became instantly weightless or something. At least that's what they try to portray in every folding bike video ever.
Reality kicked me in the nuts when I bought the "lightest" standard Dahon folder online - the MU Uno, a single speed. At about 10kg (22lbs), it was annoying to fold - admittedly due more to lack of practice - and the bulk made it hardly effortless to carry. It was nothing like what I wanted my folding bike to be.
That was when I decided I wasn't going to cut corners anymore. I tried a number of premium folders at an LBS - the Bike Friday Tikit and Birdy.
And finally, the Brompton. It took me 5 trips to the store before I worked up the courage to throw down the money. That said, the 6-speed bike is not all that light - about 26lbs, but it is very compact. And the racked bike rolled decently. It also disguised itself nicely folded with a Brompton-specific bag on the front carrier block - most people wouldn't know unless they did a double take.
Ultimately, I still consider it the best multi-modal bike on the market, but be prepared to spend a fair amount of resources (time, money) improving it to your tastes. Fortunately, there is a burgeoning market catering to those with barely-existent technical expertise. And a nice number of online guides to maintaining and upgrading your bike if you do have the skills.
It is not that expensive to get down to 24 lbs, but that starts jumping exponentially soon enough.
Reality kicked me in the nuts when I bought the "lightest" standard Dahon folder online - the MU Uno, a single speed. At about 10kg (22lbs), it was annoying to fold - admittedly due more to lack of practice - and the bulk made it hardly effortless to carry. It was nothing like what I wanted my folding bike to be.
That was when I decided I wasn't going to cut corners anymore. I tried a number of premium folders at an LBS - the Bike Friday Tikit and Birdy.
And finally, the Brompton. It took me 5 trips to the store before I worked up the courage to throw down the money. That said, the 6-speed bike is not all that light - about 26lbs, but it is very compact. And the racked bike rolled decently. It also disguised itself nicely folded with a Brompton-specific bag on the front carrier block - most people wouldn't know unless they did a double take.
Ultimately, I still consider it the best multi-modal bike on the market, but be prepared to spend a fair amount of resources (time, money) improving it to your tastes. Fortunately, there is a burgeoning market catering to those with barely-existent technical expertise. And a nice number of online guides to maintaining and upgrading your bike if you do have the skills.
It is not that expensive to get down to 24 lbs, but that starts jumping exponentially soon enough.
03-12-15, 12:06 AM
#73
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No, only if you want to do some supermarket shopping with basket on or use Brompton as touring bike. The rack is quite heavy for daily ride actually. Easywheel upgrade (not the plastic rollers came with B) with mudguard wheel is good enough for multiple-bus commute, IMO.
03-12-15, 11:51 AM
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No, only if you want to do some supermarket shopping with basket on or use Brompton as touring bike. The rack is quite heavy for daily ride actually. Easywheel upgrade (not the plastic rollers came with B) with mudguard wheel is good enough for multiple-bus commute, IMO.
03-12-15, 06:28 PM
#75
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I've tried switching to an L-type in a misguided effort to shave weight but in my two encounters with L-types - one when I bought the fenders+roller, and the other when I bought a 2nd hand L-type, they are TERRIBLE at rolling compared to the R types.
Like seriously terrible. Or maybe I was just unlucky enough to get 2 easily-stuck rollers (the tiny wheel on the fender). Maybe the trick was to tilt it back and let the rear wheels do the work, but that still requires more effort than I'm used to. I'm happier just lifting it then.
Another add-on I'd highly recommend is the wheel extender if you intend to roll it around malls and sidewalks. When I roll my M6R with a C-bag, it tends to rock when going over small uneven bumps, but with that it is (almost) rock solid. I guess bike.gang.uk can help you with this.