Noonievut

I'm writing this from my hotel room, hanging out with the family...that should give some hint.

I'm an avid cyclist. Mainly a roadie, but I also mountain bike and do some credit card touring. All of my bikes are full size. I ride between 1.5-5 hours, several times a week. I ride all year long, and have lights and cold weather gear so I'm good any time/temp.

When we go away as a family I thought it would be nice to bring a folding bike and get out for a ride(s). I wake up really early, the family doesn't...so it's not taking time away from quality family time if I sneak in an early morning ride. Would want the bike for fitness and something that closely resembles my fit on my road bike. First question - is this possible?

I know very little about folding bikes. I like my drop bars. I have spd-sl on one bike, spd on two others (touring/winter). I use Fizik Arione saddles. I probably wouldn't use fenders or panniers, but if there are braze-ons that's ok. I don't mind if assembly is a bit of a chore...as I'm not doing this frequently and have time to assemble. Would like tires that are a little beefier than skinny road bike tires, as I would be riding in a variety of places and can't say what roads/paths are like...but I would seek out nice pavement. I'm 6'0 and 140 pounds.

I'm going to start looking at the manufactures and doing research...but any advice you can offer is appreciated. Thanks!

rhenning

Go to Bike Fridays web site and look at what they sell. They are the closest ride to your existing bikes you will get. The bikes they build are mostly custom but that what makes them ride like what you have. Roger

feijai

Agreed. Bike Friday is definitely your #1 option. The specialize in custom consultation. Call them up.

fietsbob

3rd , Their Pocket Rocket is built around Narrow 451 wheels , they will equip it with any groupset you want.

and make them to fit ,, their process is a JIT so like a short order cook they build it as your order comes up in the Queue.

supply your fit data and they can match it.

Not a Fast Fold,* it is more about a planned knockdown to suitcase sized transport, but will be just the thing to have stowed in the car trunk , and
set up in a half hour , or so.




*their Tikit is the take the bus easy quick fold model , 349 wheels .. they can kit it out with drop bars and STI brifters like your road bike too,



AFAIK, the building of different frame sizes in folding bikes they are alone.

all others make 1 product size you have to adapt , or adapt To.

cplager

I hate to disagree with the three posters above, so I won't.

I read your post and thought bike Friday.

Some of their models are more packable than folding, but that might fit your need just right.

HGR3inOK

Not a folder, but this might be an option:

Raleigh Bicycles - Grand Prix

FWIW, Dahon had a similar offering a few years ago.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

keyven

I agree with the rest, but I'm going to recommend an alternative anyway - Tern X10 or X18 (with dropbars). Lightweight and fast racer-type 20" folder. It folds quick and compact to throw into your trunk, though the BF should fold/disassemble smaller.

LWaB

Bike Friday should be your first choice, particularly since they are made on the same continent as you live. Airnimal would be worth a look too.

profjmb

Bike Friday pocket rocket. Just back from England where I brought it. I have a couple really great road bikes of normal size, but when I was riding the pocket rocket I kept thinking "This sure feels right." If you want exercise and scenery (but not touring cities on trains and buses that make you fold down quickly), you want Bike Friday.

tcs

Well, many Tern/Dahon models will disassemble/pack down into an airline non-oversize bag. Gaerlans used to have illustrated step-by-step instructions, although that seems to have disappeared from the web.