Hello all,

I apologize if this question has been thoroughly hashed out previously, but I was unable to find this specific question in the forum.

I seem to be about to buy a folding bicycle, and would like some advice. I am mostly looking at the Xootr Swift, various Dahons, and the Downtube. I can't afford my first choice, a custom Bike Friday, and I'm not that impressed with their cheapest models. I expect to ride my folder mostly on the road and in commuting to work. A Raleigh Twenty would be fun, but I don't have the time to take on a new project.

I have done all kinds of cycling (except racing), urban commuting, road, mountain, loaded touring. Currently I mostly ride two road bikes, a fixed gear and a multispeed with drop bars and racing-style geometry. I find these very comfortable, even on medium-length rides of 20 miles or so.

I recently test-rode two Dahon Helii. I found them to be lightweight and cleverly designed, with an impressive parts spec for the money. However, I was disconcerted by the seating position. It was too upright for my taste, too much like my wife's Raleigh 3-speed. Years ago, I test rode a Bike Friday and don't recall a similar impression.


Can I approximate my road-bike seating position without a lot of added expense and time on a Dahon or a DownTube? Or is the Xootr Swift the best choice, as it appears it would be relatively easy to modify (I see you can even make it a fixed gear easily).

Many Thanks,
Marc

Have you looked at the bf pocket tourist or the low end pocket rocket? I have a pocket tourist and a new world tourist. I bought my pocket tourist and they sized it for me riding position and all and i didnt pay any more. i need a very upright position because of back problems aand we talked about it alot. the end product works on both bikes and im wondering is the reverse would suit you a less upright position. you might spec different handle bars to help this ? worth a try or a least a call, hey its an 800 number

You need to look at the Dahons (and other folder brands) that come with a telescoping steerer post-this should allow you to get into a more aero position...read the dahon specs because they don't all have this feature.
juan162

IIRC the Dahon Radius telescopic handlepost can be added to any Dahon that doesn't come with it.
https://www.dahon.com/technology/component/radius.htm

Hi Marcreif,

Can't speak for the Xootr Swift or Dahons. I'm 6'0" and have been riding my Downtube for several weeks now in more road-style seating position. With the seatpost near its max extension mark, my legs are just slightly bent when pedalling at the lowest point, and I have the handlebar about 1-2" lower than the seat. I'm also comfortably over 200lbs (+backpack) and haven't had any problems with the seatpost bending on me. I bought the 2005 model because I wanted to get on the road for the least amount of money. If you decide to go with a Downtube, get the 2006 model because they come with the adjustable stem which will make it easier to get the seating geometry that you're looking for. I'll probably upgrade mine sometime in the next year.

If you can afford a bit more money, and based on the all the compliments in the forum, the Swift may be your best bet, because you can have it put together pretty much how you want it. If, like me, you just want to get on the road as affordably as possible, I think the DT (either model) makes an exellent base to start riding now, and upgrade at your leisure.

If you want a road bike fit/feel from a folder, you have 2 options. The most expensive option is obviously a Pocket Rocket. The second, and more affordable option, is the Swift. Granted I could have gotten the basic Pocket Pilot for around $900, I didn't like the fold, the look of it didn't appeal to me as much as the Rocket, and I'd still end-up dumping more money into it to change-out components. After a bad expereince getting parts for my Dahon, I also was on a mission to steer-away from bikes with non-standard parts as much as possible..the proprietary stem on the Friday in particular. I knew that if I wanted to dial-in my fit, I'd need to be able to freely play around with different stem lengths/rises, as well as have the freedom to move the stem up or down. You can't do that with a Friday. (Don't get me wrong, Friday owners...the Pocket Rocket is a killer awesome bike...but not particularly suited for my purposes, where I need a bike that can easily handle standard off-the-shelf parts thrown at it, and folds quickly and conveniently enough to be practical for folding and boarding multiple trains on a daily basis.)

I have to agree with you on the sit-up-and-beg riding position of the Dahon...I own one. I originally bought it because it looked clever, and I initially planned on only using it for commuting. But this is after having spent 7 years on a road bike previously...and you know: once a roadie, always a roadie. The Dahon fit and ride soon got old with me. I was yearning for my old roadie stretch again. I was already out $370 on the Dahon, so a Pocket Rocket was way out of the question. Then I found the Swift.

I'm 5'6" and currently running drop bars and a 90mm road stem on my Swift, and the stretch feels identical to what I've been used to on my 54cm road bike (also with a 90mm stem). I'd imagine at your height, you could easily go with a 120mm or 130mm stem and get a nice stretch. The beauty in the Swift is that the world of standard road parts and specifications are available for you to choose from. And oh yeah, the Swift is road-bike light. In stock form, the bike is 22lbs. Dump the heavy seat, heavy tubes and tires, pedals (which are all the first things to go on virtually ANY stock bike), and you'll have yourself a sub-20lb ride. I've dumped the cassette, derailleur and shifter in favor of a single-speed drivetrain, and now my Swift is lighter than my road bike.

I would add .... a reworked DT FS. Still working on it as the parts dribble in, but essentially only the frame will be left stock. Total cost is going to come in under $600.

Updated pic of my Swift with new Tektro brake levers (oh, what nice levers they are...note the flat profile from bar top to brake hood...comfy!):

Just to set the record straight, you don't have to purchase one of BF's proprietary stems (which is customized to fit YOU, by the way). You can request a straight bar and add your own neck and handlebars if you want to. But BF's stem looks better though.

Anyway, back to Swifts...

Are you using problem solvers for that setup? If not, how are those levers performing with V-brakes?

Yeah, I have the Travel Agents. I original set them up in "doubler" mode, as recommended, but hated the lack of brake feel (spongy, no feel fore the pads against the rim). I now run them in "pulley" mode, which has excellent feel and smoothness, compared to the "noodle". The levers work fine with the V-brakes even without the doubler assist...it just requires more pull at the lever. I have my pads set pretty close to the rim, which thankfully I can afford to do as 20" rims tend to stay nice and true and solid, moreso than 700C rims.

James,

Those pictures just reinforce my opinion that the Swift is the best-looking folder.

Thanks to all who posted some info. Still haven't bought anything. Still thinking.

Marc