Suggestions touring?
 

I am new to bikes and want a folding bike for touring. If i had unlimited budget, I would get the Bike Friday Diamond Llama. but my budget is ~$1000. I want something tough that I can go off roading with. Is there any caveats to getting gears reduced or is that easy to do on any bike?

I am lost with the amount of options available. I just discovered origami brand. They seem cool. I dont understand the diffence between the Crane, Gazelle and Hawk.

Thank you!!

Look for a used Pocket Llama. They are around. EBay and Bike Friday it self has trade in bikes. If they don't have one put your name on the list if one comes in. Tell them your price range. That is how I got my Pocket Rocket. Roger

Hi Spiritess. I think bigger wheels would be better in general. ie 20" or more for offroading. The Montagues are a good option to look at.

Reasonably easy to drop the gearing range on foldies, within reason...

PS I have taken my trusty old steel Dahon into totally inappropriate tracks but I had to be v careful. My Moulton is better as has suspension at both ends.

How about a Dahon Jetstream?

looks like Montagues are all over 20". I am interested in 20" for stowing on buses and planes.

i like the jetstream but i dont see any used ones online. i wonder why they discontinued it :(

I found a used pocket llama on ebay for $1.1 why would i buy this over the origami crane though?

what about a dahon vybe d7?

im seeing alot of new world tourists on ebay too

This chap certainly put his new world tourist through its paces.
https://bicycletouringpro.com/ultima...ourist-review/

The Bike Friday is designed exactly for what you want touring is why you would buy it. Roger

Spiritless, read this and you will better understand why you may want to buy a more expensive bike over a cheaper one. https://handsonbike.blogspot.com/p/c...ium-bikes.html

What size Llama are you looking for? I just bought a used 58cm (by my measurement) Pocket Llama, but I'm really starting to think I don't need 4 20" wheeled bikes...

There is a Dahon Jetstream for sale on Craigslist in Phoenix for 800. Looks to be in great shape. If your local it looks nice. I've been looking at it for a few weeks but will let it pass.

Thank you, what that taught me is dont bother with low end bikes. but would you consider a cheaper dahon or an origami to be low even though some of the origamis are $300?

I would ride a 58cm folding bike for sure. I am a tall rider. i like 56-58cm frames. Are you interested in selling one?

oh cool, i could probably talk CL people into shipping a bike since they fold up. The question is how do i get the transaction done safely?

I am just going by the specs and have not owned this bike but the Zizzo Liberty gives you a lot for the money and Costco website has them at a good price..

Consider the Change Bike 26" version.
I have the 650b version and its got no problems getting onto local trains.
Too inconsiderate to use bring it up the bus though.
This is in the Singapore context, so it will differ in your country.

If its a coach type transport with a luggage hold, then the bike is no issue going in.

I wrote about the 650b version here.
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...bike-650b.html


For 20" options, you will be limited by the tire width and wheel size.
20' won't give as much roll over ability over rocks and undulations as larger wheels. (even w/ suspension)

https://www.instagram.com/foldingtouring/

Have a quick look here for some real world folding bike touring setup. You might be able to get some better idea on what you can get.

Maybe your right, maybe a 26" is the way to go. does anybody know of a thread that talks about choosing a 26" vs 20" for touring?

Thank you!

I disagree with this. There are a wide range of options for 20-inch tires. I also take issue the saying that 26-inch tires are more comfortable than 20-inch bikes with suspension. I have owned two Moultons a 16-inch and a 20-inch and both were more more comfortable than my non suspended 26-inch tire mountain bike. Ultimately, though, I found front suspension to be compromised.

Many people tour on Bromptons, Bike Fridays and others. Are larger wheels more comfortable than smaller wheels? Yes but not that much. I have been riding on a Xootr Swift with 2-inch Big Apples and ride is quite acceptable.

My Moulton TSR is the most comfortable bike I have by quite a long way and the suspension really helps to reduce road and track chatter. There is definitely a point at which the 20" wheel with a 1.75" tyre is not going to go over a large bump in the track as well as larger wheel, but I would have thought that would be a relatively extreme point - eg when roaring down a single track path and dodging tree roots, large rocks etc, and not so much when going down a normal trail with panniers and enjoying the view.

The Crane snd Gazelle are out of stock, but the Eagle model replaced the Crane 8 and added disc brakes. We are having an issue with the website so unfortunately some of this may not be clear.

I toured quite a bit on mix riding (road/trails) with my 18" Tyrell IVE and done a fair bit of road touring and audax with my 20" (451) Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Super Pro.
What made me take the 650b route are probably 3 things:

1. Rollover of bumps, rocks, roots, washboard on 18" w/ 1.65" tires was too poor. Also if I encounter loose sandy type gravel, snow or beach like sand, I am in trouble.
2. Speed at the top end (I do ride my bikes vs road bikes on the Sundays )
3. Better balance of speed and comfort by the variation of the tire width and pressure on poor roads. A 20" bike with narrow high pressure tires is fast, but suffers big time when the road gets bad (esp demoralizing for long distances). A 20" bike with suspension (Moulton TSR which I owned) can give the stability and comfort on bumpy roads, but it soaks up pedaling power too on the climbs or at high speeds. Also, its based on the premise of high pressure tires + suspension and the former will still give power transfer and traction problems in beat up roads (the suspension on takes care of the comfort part while the tire still bounces around on bad roads)

All said, though, my riding needs are governed by the places I use my bikes in and my riding style/needs, so YMMV.