Hey I have seen this folding bike that has 26" wheels, duel suspension and is probably fairly heavy.

Now for this conversion im gonna do it on the cheap here was what I thought of.


Donor Bike: Not sure on model but here it is https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/f...ike/1211911896

Handlebars: Add drop ends origin8 also might put the bar on backwards to get a more forward curve. Dont wanna get new gears so probably go up and down to change gear. Im used to downtube shifters so I dont think that going up and down will be much different with grip shifters.

https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-33617...ords=drop+ends

Brakes: either stick with what it has or install some cheap single pivot callipers.

Fork: Probably install a new fork to get rid of the front suspension.

So what do people think? Would this bike be able to fold with drop bars and how do people think this bike would fare against real roadies. Reckon it could be as good as a heavy vintage full steel bike?

Look to a genuine Montague as a donor instead. These have been built into great roadies. That one is going to be very heavy as you point out; by the time you get it light and nimble enough to make it into the peloton (if ever) you are going to be a good wad of cash lighter. Plus it has rear suspension which is a total gimmick, sapping energy while giving little comfort. That BSO is 15kg at least. You would be replacing every single component. So while the starting point price is low, the end point would be higher, with a good chance of not being satisfied in the end.

Cant you lock back suspension out?

Also do you know if you can move the brakes levers from the MTB position to the end of some bar ends. If I did that would the handlebar be essentially the same as a bullhorn bar or do bar ends not work like that?

That type of suspension is just an undamped spring; you can adjust the spring tension making it stiffer but as far as I know, locking it altogether is not possible unless by means of tightening the adjusting nut right up to the point where the spring is fully compressed - but that would drop the bottom bracket perhaps too far resulting in pedal strike. It would be better to remove all the bits and replace by a solid thing, such as taking out the spring and replacing it with an aluminium cylinder.

The brake levers could in principle be on bar-ends, if these were 22.2mm diameter. The brake cables would stick out a bit awkwardly perhaps.

As jur suggested, Montague folders are a great starting point.
Look at Raxel's build here as inspiration(!):

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...ue-hummer.html