Backpack Bike
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Backpack Bike
Has there been any research on the backpack bike genre? By that, what I mean is a bike designed to fit and be comfortably, albeit not easily, carried in a backpack?
I'm currently trying to retrofit a Montague Navigator into a ~20 pound bike that can be stuffed into its bike bag. I'm hoping that at 20 pounds (I've mentioned before that I can't do 29, and that a 39 pound Schwinn Loop almost gave me a heart attack) the bike will be light enough that I can become accustomed to carrying the bike in a backpack, instead of leaving it out locked up.
I do worry that what I'm planning to do is not possible with current technology; i.e, if you really want a comfortable backpack bike, you'd need to drop the weigh down to 10 pounds instead of 20, and that would be impossible from an existing technological viewpoint without resorting to bespoke parts and the immense associated expense.
I'm currently trying to retrofit a Montague Navigator into a ~20 pound bike that can be stuffed into its bike bag. I'm hoping that at 20 pounds (I've mentioned before that I can't do 29, and that a 39 pound Schwinn Loop almost gave me a heart attack) the bike will be light enough that I can become accustomed to carrying the bike in a backpack, instead of leaving it out locked up.
I do worry that what I'm planning to do is not possible with current technology; i.e, if you really want a comfortable backpack bike, you'd need to drop the weigh down to 10 pounds instead of 20, and that would be impossible from an existing technological viewpoint without resorting to bespoke parts and the immense associated expense.
#3
LET'S ROLL
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,789
Likes: 59
From: NEW YORK, NY - USA
Bikes: 2014 BMC Gran Fondo, 2013 Brompton S6L-X
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Bikes: Many bikes in three states and two countries, mainly riding Moots Vamoots, Lynskey R265 disc and a Spot Denver Zephyr nowadays
Has there been any research on the backpack bike genre? By that, what I mean is a bike designed to fit and be comfortably, albeit not easily, carried in a backpack?
I'm currently trying to retrofit a Montague Navigator into a ~20 pound bike that can be stuffed into its bike bag. I'm hoping that at 20 pounds (I've mentioned before that I can't do 29, and that a 39 pound Schwinn Loop almost gave me a heart attack) the bike will be light enough that I can become accustomed to carrying the bike in a backpack, instead of leaving it out locked up.
I do worry that what I'm planning to do is not possible with current technology; i.e, if you really want a comfortable backpack bike, you'd need to drop the weigh down to 10 pounds instead of 20, and that would be impossible from an existing technological viewpoint without resorting to bespoke parts and the immense associated expense.
I'm currently trying to retrofit a Montague Navigator into a ~20 pound bike that can be stuffed into its bike bag. I'm hoping that at 20 pounds (I've mentioned before that I can't do 29, and that a 39 pound Schwinn Loop almost gave me a heart attack) the bike will be light enough that I can become accustomed to carrying the bike in a backpack, instead of leaving it out locked up.
I do worry that what I'm planning to do is not possible with current technology; i.e, if you really want a comfortable backpack bike, you'd need to drop the weigh down to 10 pounds instead of 20, and that would be impossible from an existing technological viewpoint without resorting to bespoke parts and the immense associated expense.
Folding Backpack Bicycle
#7

But, what are the OP's goals.
Deep Woods backpacking?
Airport backpacking?
Bike parking to office?
And., how much riding? Roads? Sidewalks? Deep woods MTB terrain? Distance? Speed?
There are some super compact folding bikes (I think, I haven't actually seen them).
8 Inch Folding Bike, Outdoor Mini Bicycle Folding, Aluminum Alloy Portable Road Bicycle Adult Variety bike-in Bicycle from Sports & Entertainment on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
Free Shipping 8 inch A bike folding bicycle Folding Bike Mini Bike Foldable Bike-in Bicycle from Sports & Entertainment on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
However, I just can't imagine they would be fun to ride more than a mile or so (which I would prefer to walk).
#8
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Bikes: Strida 3
#9
Palmer

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,151
Likes: 2,261
From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Bikes: Many bikes in three states and two countries, mainly riding Moots Vamoots, Lynskey R265 disc and a Spot Denver Zephyr nowadays
So then, is this a bike?
The FLIZ Pedal-Less Bike Concept : TreeHugger
I love that this thing has disc brakes!
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Bikes: Many bikes in three states and two countries, mainly riding Moots Vamoots, Lynskey R265 disc and a Spot Denver Zephyr nowadays
And is it less of a bike than this one, which DOES have pedals?
Crazy! The World's Tiniest Bike that Actually Works? : TreeHugger
Crazy! The World's Tiniest Bike that Actually Works? : TreeHugger
#12
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 29
From: Bay Area and Sacramento
Bikes: Dahon Curl i8
To paraphrase a famous axiom... In the world of folding bikes, there are three characteristics:
Lightweight, Compactness, and Inexpensive... you can only choose 2.
The basic gist is that owning a folding bike about is all about compromises. There is no perfect folding bike... there is only the folding bike that most closely matches your current need... and in some cases none will even remotely match your current need.
Best of luck on the compromises ahead.
Lightweight, Compactness, and Inexpensive... you can only choose 2.
The basic gist is that owning a folding bike about is all about compromises. There is no perfect folding bike... there is only the folding bike that most closely matches your current need... and in some cases none will even remotely match your current need.
Best of luck on the compromises ahead.











