northernlights

By that I mean only the stem, handlebars and pedals can be folded but not the frame.

Without a folding frame you eliminate the biggest weak point of a folding bike, and eliminate the safety risk it imposes. You also reduce weight, cost and complexity. There should be a great savings in cost, one of the biggest concerns with folding bikes.

Not all of us needs a full fold. A folding bike with 20 inch wheels is already plenty compact as it is even in its fully unfolded riding position, compared to a standard hybrid or road bike. I wish companies would make a semi-folded version of their folding bikes so consumers would have more choices. I think there would definitely be considerable demand for it.

thugpipe

Its called a minivelo and they are big in Japan and Asia but never took off in the states throw on a NVO stem and some folding pedals, done. We have the technology, we have the capability, now go get one!

Abu Mahendra

Minivelo, to me, connotes a bike with classic geometry and 20" wheels.

northernlights

We're talking about semi-foldable but no part of the minivelo appears to be foldable at all.

tds101 

An NVO stem only allows rotation of handlebars, not folding. I have it on my TernJoeP24,...it requires the use of an allen key whenever you need to rotate it into a more compact storage/transport position. I wish the quick release option was available for a stem of this type,...it would make using a full size folder that much easier. Can you imagine the benefits for a 20" minivelo? Excellent!!!

12boy

You might consider a Rinko headset although they only come in 1", apparently. This is from Velo Orange:
Grand Cru Rinko Headset-JIS

Rinko is a type of touring cycling that's popular in Japan. It involves traveling on a train with your bike in order to reach a cycling destination. If the bike's wheels and fork are removed and all is placed in a lightweight nylon bag, the bag is treated as regular luggage in the train's passenger compartment. I first wrote about Rinko here. But quickly removing the wheels and fork is a simple way to pack a bike for car or plane travel, as well.

So the idea of a rinko headset is to facilitate removing the fork without needing tools to do it. A Rinko headset has teeth that keep the important parts from spinning and a knurled top cap for easy removal. The top cap also has holes for a pin wrench in case you over-tighten it. So far as we know, this is the first sealed cartridge bearing Rinko headset. The cartridges are held in place with spring clips. The body is steel to resist damage when disassembled.

thugpipe

Well maybe I am misinterpreting the op but it sounded like a minivelo, unless he meant a low single tube or a low diamond frame with a folding handle post of a typical folding bike just without a hinge. Ok sure that could be convenient but man that folding handle post is the first thing I would like to get rid of from any folder, I guess that is why I went for my silvertip.

fourknees

Bike Friday has a frame that doesn't fold...you could customize it and add a folding handlebar stem....you can add folding pedals to any bike.

tds101 

I just made a discovery today. The NVO stem is designed to use a quick release lever. I removed the small bolt that was securing it, put the quick release lever and thumb nut on, and everything fit perfectly. It's actually machined to utilize the quick release. I don't understand why this isn't a widely bragged about feature.

osco53

Never considered this a weak point, My Dahon Speed P8's frame fold joint is perfectly sound..

If I didn't need the compactness I would buy a regular bike...

northernlights

But it is a major weak point which is why folding frame bikes usually have much lower weight limits than conventional solid frames. A larger heavier person may be at greater risk on a folding bike as well. Things you can very safely do on a regular solid frame bike such as hopping on and off curbs, riding on rough roads and potholes, popping wheelies etc. may put undue stress and strain on a folding frame.



But not all of us needs a full-folding bike. A compact semi-folding bike would be a compromise between full-size and full-folding. If they made something that looked exactly like the Dahon Speed P8 for example but with a solid frame instead of folding that would be a good compromise for some. The Dahon Speed P8 is pretty compact even when unfolded. I'm sure there would be a sizable market for such a bike.

keyven

It's not that uncommon - I believe the Xootr does not (and apparently rides very well), and so does the Japanese Tyrell bikes.

Both apparently have excellent ride quality due to their non-folding frames.

bikexpert

Minivelos are quite popular among Asian markets, personally I've tested Pacific Cycles' REACH R20 and it's mind blowing.

The triangular frame is super rigid and the bike's performance is just as good as any regular race bikes, although the folding isn't as easy or as neat as regular folding bikes but it is a compromise for speed!

REACH's facebook community (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReachGlobalCommunity/) is where I found this minivelo, hope it's useful!

Abu Mahendra

there are folders with triangulated or classic diamond shaped frames. The Tyrell FX and FSX fit the former category. The Dahon Dash and PC Reach fit the latter. Here's an example of a diamond shape folding minivelo:

owenfinn

The Giant Idiom is popular in Japan.

https://www.giant.co.jp/giant16/bike_...?p_id=00000054

linberl

You need to fit this system to a 20" bike....

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ion-in-cycling

tds101 

And this stem is exactly what I'd been looking for, up until I modded my current one on my TernJoeP24. Too bad this isn't being funded,...it would be fantastic.

linberl

If they don't get funded, maybe they will sell you a prototype :-)

BruceMetras

I've installed the n-lock stem on customer's bikes before .. same idea more or less..

tds101 

Once I replaced the allen bolt with a quick release lever on the NVO stem, all other options are irrelevant for me. A quick release makes everything easier, and all other options too complicated and time consuming.

Trace Syd

Yes, my partner and I do have folding bikes. I love mine (Dahon) but keep and use it in Vancouver. I just lack storage space beyond 1 bike per person. Yes, we have gone loaded bike pannier touring for several hundred kms. He more than I because he has more time since I have a full-time job. Folding bikes are seen used quite often in Vancouver. But here, in Calgary still seems to be as unusual and rare as an exotic giraffe.

Winfried

The frame on the Birdy doesn't fold. But a bit on the expensive side.

As for mini-vélos, I understand that the horizontal tube is fine for Asian riders but often too short for Western riders.

Out of curiosity, what are my options besides 1) the n-lock stem or 2) the NVO + quick-release nut + thumb nut mentioned above as a way to move the handlebar 90° for easier boarding on trains?

tds101 

Have you considered a Xootr Swift?


This is an old video, but it shows how good the bike really is. I had a Swift, but I needed the smaller fold of a Dahon or Tern for multi-modal commuting. I miss my Swift,...

reppans

Surprised some these bikes have not been mentioned:

Bernds does have a Brompton-style folding rear end, but the vertical loading/stress on this design does not seem as weak as they are on lateral loading/stress on most folder's main frames. The rest of the frame is solid, and it's load spec is > 300 lbs.
Bernds Bikes

If rough terrain is expect, and the smallest folded size is not necessary, why limit wheel size, which I think is a bigger limitation than the frame.
montage bikes

bhkyte

I have 6 folding bikes and none of them feature a folding front tube.