Advice please - folder for light touring
 

I'm a total newbie to folding bikes but am considering trying one out for some light touring in Asia. I've spent a fair number of hours reading threads here and have been checking craigslist for used folders. The Dahons I've seen on craigslist in my area have been stupid expensive for used bikes, with asking prices just a hair below retail.

Here are my plans for using the bike:
1. Explore Jeju Island in Korea for a week, staying in hostels
2. Explore several places in China, staying in hotels, hopefully taking the folding bike on trains by carrying it on in a soft bag (China no longer allows bikes on the train, so it has to look like a piece of luggage)
3. Ride from Seoul to Busan Korea on the riverside bike trails, maybe some camping
4. Possibly explore Japan next year

About me:
Late 50s, 5'11" tall, 175 lbs
Former USCF cat 2 roadie, BMX and MTB rider. During college I worked at a bike shop and a distributor. I'm comfortable working on my bikes, but am behind the times as I haven't paid much attention to bikes since the mid 1990s and don't even ride mine very often anymore. To stay fit, I tend to run and hike nowadays.

I've never done bike touring, so I'm trying to budget a max of $600 for the bike.
I'm estimating that I'll carry about 30 lbs of stuff if I ride from Seoul to Busan, maybe 20 lbs for the Jeju trip and touring some cities in China. In Korea, I can use rear panniers. In China, my stuff may need to be carried in a backpack that I'll strap to the rear rack. I plan to remove the wheels and pack the bike into a 62" suitcase for flying. For trains in China, I plan (hope?) to use a soft bag that will hold the folded bike w/o removing the wheels.

I've narrowed my search down to the following 20" bikes:
1. A new Solorocks/FSIR Spin 5
---- since I'm a newbie here I can't yet add a URL but you can see the bike at: fsirbike dot com
2. A used Novara Flyby (2014/2015 version with 7speed Nexus hub)

I love the looks of the Solorocks/FSIR Spin 5 and the way it folds. It's lightweight, the 9 speed cassette has a range of 30-90 inches and the frame has a rack mount on the head tube which might come in handy. It has quick releases front and rear, which will make removing the wheels a bit easier for when I pack it in a 62" suitcase for flying. The cons are that this bike is pretty much an unknown - I've found very little info about it on the interwebs and haven't seen anybody using one beyond as a city commuter bike.

The Novara, being a used bike, is way under my budget, even after I replace the tires and the junky folding pedals. The Nexus hub only has a range of 34-84 inches, the bike is about 4 to 5 lbs heavier and doesn't have a rack mount on the head tube.

I'd love to hear the thoughts on these two bikes from the experienced folding bike guys here, and also your thoughts on other bikes/options that I might have missed.

I think Abu has a FSIR spin 5 he may comment on and there is a past thread on it too.

Thanks, I did read at least some of Abu's posts and am hoping he will weigh in with his thoughts on the bike's suitability for some touring. Not sure how many miles he put on it before he tore it down for customizing.
I also read someone here from Florida who just recently got the 16" tire Spin 3 and seems to be loving it for recreational rides.

Take a look at the 24" Tern line, good solid bike about 30lb, can handle the load of light touring.

I think a 24" tire bike will be too big for me to quickly pack and carry on board trains in China. I concerned I may even get rejected on some trains with a 20" bike in a soft bag.

Yep, that is correct. Although I'm not sure recreational rides is an apt adjective. I ride because of diabetes, so, I like to think of my bike as my insulin substitute. :)

Anyway, would I take my new Spin3 on a long journey and be completely dependent upon it? I don't know yet. I haven't looked, but my odometer probably has 70 miles on it. It's far too early to make any sort of recommendation for your particular journeys. Although I envy you immensely and your plans and fortitude to carry them out; it is beyond my ability to undertake such an incredible trip. Kudos to you [MENTION=465873]scrappy123[/MENTION]

I hope Abu responds to your thread with more information based on longevity of use.

My Spin 3 is indeed incredible with a solid frame, surprisingly good tires. The brakes, rims, drive system and shifting controls are as good as I expected. I am an IGH guy and up until this bike have converted all of my keeper bikes to Sturmey or Nexus hubs. For now, I am leaving the 9 speed gearing alone. I say "for now". Any sign of trouble and I'll replace derailleur, et al with a Sturmey without hesitation. More than a few times since I have had the Spin3, I have been forced to stop quickly without for warning in 9th gear. Having to lift the back of the bike, down shift a couple gears, pedal to engage lower gears just frosts my cupcakes. All of my other bikes, I simply click down gear and pedal off when the roadway is clear.

Oops, here I go again, old man spewing his thoughts. I'll shut up now and let others have the thread.

I think the Novara was made by Tern, and discontinued in the midst of their 2nd frame recall. I would encourage you to go with anything else.

Thanks
Yan

I tour with a Tyrell IVE, just did ****et to Krabi (168km) and back (so 336km in total).
Done Perth to Margaret River last year and a couple of shorter 2 day tours and two 200km brevets.

Nice fold, robust steel construction and good standard shifter/RD setup which can be easily upgraded/changed.
18" wheels with a good range of tires to choose from (Marathon Racers being my choice as its very robust).

Thanks for the info, I'll check that out. Because it looks so similar to a Dahon Vybe that I tested at a local shop, I assumed that the frame was built by Dahon.

I recall that Dahon made the older Novara bikes. Then Tern made them. I recall that REI discontinued them soon after recall #2.

Can anyone confirm that my recollection is accurate?

Thanks
Yan

Hmm...well...
 

My FSIR Spin 5.0 has never hit the tarmack. I stripped it, started the rebuild, and remains a work in progress, so i cannot comment on longevity or road-worthiness for the long touring haul.

Let me ask, where are you? Where are you coming from? I ask so I have a sense of your market and options...Tyrell IVE could be good if you can get one...

Thanks Abu. Did you have any concerns about the bike that led you to strip it? What are your plans for the Spin 5 when you complete its build?

I'm in Southern California and travel to Asia once or twice a year. Pretty sure that I saw a 16" FSIR Spin when I was in Singapore last December, I thought it was a very cool bike for taking on the MRT and getting around town.

If I get the Spin 5, it'll be the Solorocks version from Canada.
I've not heard of Tyrell but will search the interwebs to see if they're available here in the US. I'm also not sure about 18" tires and their availability versus 20" (406mm bead).

I am a bit of a maximizer rather than a satisfier so i tend to strip & rebuild. The stock components on my FSIR were good for the price, but not top tier, and for touring I'd replace the tires, chain, grips, saddle, pedals.

My plans for the FSIR once it's done? I plan to use it as my main 406 once and if i sell my current main 406er, a Dahon Dash.

Another option to consider is a chromoly FnHon or Crius folder built to your spec. They can do this for you in Singapore. Wheelonfire in Sing could probably do it for you. Tyrells IVEs can be had in Singapore at BRU and MyBikeShop. Fyi, prices are a bit lower in Bangkok. There I can recommend HyperBike run by a really friendly Thai fellow who speaks English, and is quite good answering questions on Messenger. He sells Tyrell and FSIR.

If you are willing to sacrifice on the size of the fold, I'd recommend a Dahon Dash. HyperBike can hook you up with one too.

I'm not writing from experience myself but have read many threads regarding touring on larger bikes and I guess this is more applicable to long touring but steel frames, strong wheels and tyres plus derailleur gearing often comes up. A very workhorse approach to cycling to ensure the holiday is more about the holiday than bicycles issues. This is for full size bikes but I'm sure much of it can be applied to folding bikes. Basically you want a bike that either due to a fault, worn part or some sort of minor collision or accident can be easily fixed anywhere by either widely obtainable parts or basic welding skills. I guess it really depends on how developed the country is and how much support is available. You need to look at the bike you are considering with an eye to what could go wrong with it and how would you sort the issue.

Ensure that you, plus your luggage, water and food don't go over the maximum weight of the bike you choose.

For anyone who has ever asked why you'd want to pull a suitcase trailer on a tour.

I would never consider pulling a suitcase behind on a tour....it must create tons of drag. I would use a small carrybag and use cardboard and bubble wrap to protect the bike ( inside the bag ). Once at the destination I would throw away the bubble wrap, and cardboard. The carrybag would take almost no space ( most fold into a 4"x4"x3" space ).

Thanks,
Yan

Agree 100%. I'll travel very light, especially if I'm using a folder, staying in hostels/hotels, carrying only food/water for the day, minimal clothes/electronics/spare tube, etc.

I'm continuing to check craigslist for used folders in this area. So far, the suitable used bikes have been priced high, such as $600 (firm) for a 2 year old, used Dahon Speed P8.

I am also considering just renting a bike in Korea for the long rides there.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China have tons of cheap rental bikes, similar to what you find in NYC, which are OK for exploring a few miles beyond a subway stop. The challenge for a westerner is that you need Ali-pay or Wechat-wallet account on your phone (connected to a credit card or bank account) in order to unlock the rental bikes.

Yes, we have received feedback from folks that have used our case on long-distance tours. The drag is not much of an issue since the frontal area is only 12" x 20", and the wheels roll very smoothly.

I am accustomed to pulling a trailer since I do so regularly, and the suitcase is much easier than my 2-kid trailers (obviously). I also have a couple of single-wheel trailers that have a similar frontal area to the suitcase and they are very easy to pull.

Nope.

I don't use panniers because of wind drag. I am certain a suitcase with wheels will create much more drag than a set of panniers.

Thanks
Yan

You sound like you've thought this out pretty well. FWIW, I've owned a Dahon Classic/California since '91 and Speed P8 since '05, but it wasn't until I got my Brompton M6R that I restarted bicycle short touring. For me it just tip the scale on small/easy/convenient/versatile 'enough' for the way I like to worry-free ultra-light/ultra-compact tour (clicky).

I was between the Speed P8 and a Brompton back in '05 and chose SP8 on cost, and even after buying the M6R last year, I was worried about having buyer's remorse....but now, it's only bike (of six, incl. more expensive ones) that I would keep/replace if I could only have one, and by a good margin.

There are many of us riders who aren't Hans Christian Andersen princesses so we aren't bothered by relatively trivial concerns.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bicy...8MmjDKggCBizM:

I also don't concern myself with cutting every possible ounce off of my bike or wearing the sleekest spandex clothing to cut wind drag... I just enjoy riding. But no, a trailer doesn't "create tons of drag", as you put it.

I ain't towing a trailer... doing so violates my idea of traveling light and would be far more trouble than value-add