Rick Imby

Most folding bikes range in weight from 25 to 32 pounds.

Partially because most folders are inexpensive---under $1200--and partly because of the folding bike issues they are often heavier than expected.

Folding frames are small but heavy. The standard bike diamond frame has a lot of leverage against the stresses the rider puts on the bike. Since the same loads are on the folding bike and they are focused into smaller areas the material used in folding bikes is often heavier. Also the hinge on many folders is a couple large chunks of metal clamped together with another chunk.

Folding bike wheels are usually significantly lighter. 20" and 16" wheels and tires are usually significantly lighter than 29er or 700c wheels. Going to lighter rims with fewer spokes per wheel and light tires set up tubeless will also drop the weight significantly.

Performance is most enhanced by minimal changes in your wheels. Taking a pound off of your tire/rim area will have a much larger impact on performance than taking a pound off the weight of the frame.

How many of you guys have a Sub 20 pound Folder? Throw some pictures up.

I am in the process of trying to get my Dahon MU D10 under 20 pounds. Not sure if I will get there or not. The frame is aluminum with an aluminum fork. Starting weight 26 pounds. I will cut off kickstand mount, change handlebars, brakes, wheels, tires, seat, grips, shifter, quick releases..... to get there. We shall see.

First purchase --a set of Rolf 406 wheels from Bruce Metris---..

BruceMetras

How about under 17lbs ..

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...l#post19213129

dorkypants

The frame is just a small percentage of the weight of the fully outfitted bike. I have an Air Friday that in its current configuration weighs around 22 lb.

If I swapped the Selle Anatomica leather saddle for a carbon-shell saddle and replaced all the 2004-vintage 9-speed Ultegra alloy components with current carbon Shimano/SRAM/Campagnolo groupset, the bike would drop down in the 16–17 lb. range, at the cost of several thousand dollars. I don't bother because I ride with a hydration pack (containing gear) that easily adds 10 lb. to what I'm propelling with my legs

slickginger

I would love to have something nice and lightweight as a summer commuter, but I think I'll just end up getting a Brompton... I've just got to have one I think. They're kinda light, right? 24 lb? My current Tern D7i is about 32 lb according to their specs.

fietsbob

There is these Titanium Chinese sourced Swift folders , you can get in on the next Batch .

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...nterested.html

Sangetsu

My straight-frame Birdy was under 20 lbs. Swapping out the heavy original crankset and bottom bracket made a significant difference, lighter hardware, a carbon seat post, and a lighter seat helped as well.

My monocoque Birdy is heavier. I have upgraded it with Ultegra hubs on 20" wheels, a Dura-Ace crankset, XTR rear mech and freewheel, and a titanium bar. A titanium seat post is on the way. I'll have to weight it and see what the results are. But with a Birdy you get a full-size cockpit and can duplicate a road bike riding position.

I got both bikes used, cost with upgrades adds up to under $1500 each.

Winfried

The non-ebike Ahooga weighs about 10kg/20lbs, while the ebike version weighs about 13kg/26lbs. Engineered in Belgium, made in Hungary.

https://thisismybike.me/2015/09/27/s...e-goes-ahooga/
Ahooga - Home

Giant Doofus

I don't have one yet, but I'm seriously considering a Bike Friday Pakit in the 8-speed deraileur configuration. It weighs in at 20.48 pounds.

https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-bikes/bikes/pakit/

12boy

The order that is pending needs 5 to get a discount, I believe we need 2 more.

Abu Mahendra

I might be game for a Ti Swift frame. PM details. Thanks.

12boy

I don't know how to PM. If you send me your email I'll forward what I have, ron4923@gmail.com. If you would like to know more there is a thread started by Jur on 1/20/14 entitled "Titanium Swift, anybody interested?" I have some emails from Christopher Borden who is the de facto leader of this latest group buy which lists prices, has sample drawings etc. Reading the thread began 1/14 is what got me very interested and i think you will find it very interesting if you have not yet seen it. The pictures of these bikes are fabulous. I did not buy one then because I liked my Brompton a lot, and had never ridden a Xootr Swift. I now own a Xootr Swift and I think a Ti one set up just the way I like it may be the only bike I really need of the dozen or so i have now.

Azreal911

Here's my daily commuter of 6km each way, one speed but very no frills and works great going up hills and flats cause of it's 64-66 gear inches with that giant chainwheel and tiny rear cog.



and it's weight in lbs in it's nearly stock form:

Pinigis 

The new Origami Dragon will be available in about 7 weeks. It has a carbon fiber frame, 9-speed Sora, an articulated hinge so the tube is perfectly smooth when open, and comes in at 23.1 lbs. If you want to be a total weight weenie, you can certainly shave off some additional weight (I don't think its necessary).

Abu Mahendra

You selling frames only?

tcs

These cats do. 14. Yeah, I know.

Pinigis 

No. They will be complete bikes. But, given the quality of components, hydraulic disc brakes, etc., they will be priced very competitively.

Steely Dan

my dahon Mu Uno lists at 22 pounds.

i switched out the stock seat post for a carbon one that saved 1 pound of weight.

if went a bit further and got some lightweight tires, a lighter saddle, and a carbon handle bar, i could probably shave off that last pound and get her under 20 pounds, but she's used pretty rarely though, so it's not something that i'm gonna prioritize.

ThorUSA

well I have 19 lbs 14 inch wheels 5 speed, 22 lbs 451 wheels and huge gear ratio, 24 lbs carbon beauty . and also frame/fork combinations where under 20 lbs is possible depending on gear selection, pedals, saddles etc ...
but 20 lbs is not that easy to accomplish ... one speed yeah no problem ...
It also depends on what your budget is .....
shaving the last pound off usually cost an arm and a leg.. :-)


thor

pinholecam

A guy from the bike group here managed to get his BF Pocket Rocket Pro to 12.5lbs.
Quite a feat.

However, upon close inspection, I would not consider riding such a bike.
Reasons :
1. Flat bar, limiting ride positions on longer rides and goes contrary to wanting to go lighter to go faster with the less aero and less powerful seating position.
2. Tight 11-25T cassette, 1T changes between most of the gear shifts may make sense in a time trial or peleton, but a wider range is more 'practical' in most other riding imo.

bargainguy

If memory serves, my Pocket Rocket Pro Petite comes in just under 20 lb., even with the Brooks Team Pro saddle. Keep in mind, though, it's the smallest frame size available.

Interesting how this bike came to me. I used to be a member on a different bike forum that wasn't folder-specific. This was posted as a classified on that forum, along with another Bike Friday that was waaaay too big for me. Apparently the story was both bikes were purchased for a husband/wife (this is the wife's) and both were hardly ridden. Came with the Samsonite F'lite suitcase, which it was shipped in.

But it came to me in different forum: flat bars & SLX trigger shifters. I'm not a fan of flat bars on folders, so I swapped in some Nitto B-135's, 105 9-sp shifters, leather bar tape & saddle, and a computer. All the other components are original. I don't mind the Sora/Tiagra drivetrain.

This, or my Petite Air Glide (avatar pic), are my folders of choice for long-distance travel. For shorter hops, my Tikit drop-bar/brifter conversion works just fine.

maxxevv

Those carbon folders are already available under the SAVA brand from online chinese based websites.

In fact, a quick search shows them available from Amazon UK.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Bikes-Cyc...ANO/B01K73MF6G

Searching further, for equivalent specifications, they can be had excluding shipping for under US$450.
https://world.taobao.com/item/541977....OERD8K#detail

Origami would be hard pressed to equal that.

keyven

My S2E-X Brompton is about 18lb. It started life in 2014 as a 28lb M6R, and has been shedding weight ever since.

2-speed with a 39T chainring for ultra casual riding capable of tackling the most daunting slopes.

Azreal911

That is extremely cheap for a folding carbon frame folder it "looks" like a nice frame but i wouldn't know about long term use on a carbon folding frame and it seems like they just bolted one no name parts whatever they found out of the bin. It can easily be ALOT lighter with proper parts which one would probably do on this forum.

I don't think Origami or most other resellers here would be competing against those drop ship type things direct from china, they cannot compete because they are also offering long term support and setting up your bike correctly, also they have to warehouse them state side. They can probably compete if they just ditched quality and just dropped shipped from china direct to your door but then that's something i think they don't want to tarnish their name for if anything happened. For these taobao aliexpress things, you are pretty much on your own once you get it. If anything happens good luck, it maybe for some with some bike tech know how on how to set things up properly but it's not really for everyone.

maxxevv

Do read again the Taobao listing. They have an option for Shimano (105) 5800 parts, not crappy stuff, though that pushes prices up a few notches.
But the US$450 option is with the most basic of Shimano 3000 series.

Then again, if its support that's a primary concern, yes, its better to buy from a brand with a local presence.

reppans

Guess there's a price for everything ... 16lbs/27spd/5figure$

Ultimate Folding Bicycle