Folding bike for touring
06-06-24 | 05:59 PM
#26
Highly Enriched Driftium
Joined: Apr 2017
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Would I tour on 349 wheels? No. For one, they'll make for a harsher ride due to the narrow width, short profile and high pressure of the 37mm max tire width. Comfort, day in and day out is key in touring.
For two, the higher pressure transfers more road stresses to the rims and spokes. For three, the higher pressure increases the chances of punctures. For four, the narrow tire profile will sink in even the shallowest of loose stuff.
Folks here complain about the harsh ride of narrow tires on 406, but studiously avoid the issue of the harsher ride of 37mm max width on 349.
For two, the higher pressure transfers more road stresses to the rims and spokes. For three, the higher pressure increases the chances of punctures. For four, the narrow tire profile will sink in even the shallowest of loose stuff.
Folks here complain about the harsh ride of narrow tires on 406, but studiously avoid the issue of the harsher ride of 37mm max width on 349.
406 at least, has the option of 1.75 and often 2.0 in terms of clearance. 349, very often, not. Not what a brommie is designed for. Yet, many rave about it touring. But they probably have not ever ridden on cushy small tires. Or they are racerish and like small and light tires for lovely low rotation inertia (one would think less important at steady speeds), and only tour on really smooth roads. Or a lot of multimode transport on the tour, and value compact folding above all else. However, a 'brom at least has rear suspension, though your 50s may be equal, and, are on front too, whereas a 'brom has no front suspension.
I really need to do a test ride of a Brompton. Like I've said, I tend not to ask sales for a test ride if I am not in the market, but I should.
I do now have some quality known-name 406-50s that are used but like new and were cheap at the LBS, my guess is, didn't fit or like the way they rode. I still have some life left on the 1.5s currently on (just using up tires that came on other Dahons I bought), and 1.75s to use, I'll use the 2.0s after that, or if I tour sooner. Frame and fork (mid-00's Dahon Speed) looks like I have clearance for that.
06-06-24 | 07:03 PM
#27
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From: The Ring of Fire, the Global South, Asia-Pacific, the Tropics...
Bikes: Several, all affordably priced, none exalted cult artifacts or hype jobs
06-06-24 | 07:48 PM
#28
Highly Enriched Driftium
Joined: Apr 2017
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Mine just might take larger than 2.0. But that looks plenty big enough for me for on-highway, and even then, standard mudguards would not fit, I'd need to rig something non-standard. Around town, I've been running no guards, had to pull them off to fit first set of 1.75s (though those were deep treaded). It would be mostly for a tour I'd want guards, as on a long one, likely to hit some rain, and also a long flap in front might also help keep dust and coastal salt off the drivetrain in the dry.
06-08-24 | 04:37 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2022
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From: The Ring of Fire, the Global South, Asia-Pacific, the Tropics...
Bikes: Several, all affordably priced, none exalted cult artifacts or hype jobs
Yeah...I priced shipping one to Nassau county with DHL and it was just as much. It'd be a neat business to sell and ship complete build kits. Maybe I'll bring one in a suitcase next time...
06-10-24 | 06:16 PM
#32
Aging hipster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 899
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Bikes: Origami Swift, Surly Ogre, IRO Mark V Pro, home made bamboo cargo bike, eddy merckx corsa extra, Airnimal Joey commute, UGADA Tikit
haven’t been able to find a 20” trifold outside of a couple bike shops in Singapore, or the titanium version on AliExpress. Do you have a link?
