Need advice chosing a folding bike.
#26
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Congratulations on getting a folder. Couple of questions for you:
1. Pics? You must always post pics of a new famil.... ummm, bicycle, in here.
2. You stated that it was for both you and your wife. How has she taken to it?
3. Did you get one with a rack or not? Did you reach any conclusions about the luggage capabilities of a small-wheeled folder? I'm curious how an extracycle owner would adapt to a smaller folding bike.
1. Pics? You must always post pics of a new famil.... ummm, bicycle, in here.
2. You stated that it was for both you and your wife. How has she taken to it?
3. Did you get one with a rack or not? Did you reach any conclusions about the luggage capabilities of a small-wheeled folder? I'm curious how an extracycle owner would adapt to a smaller folding bike.
1. I will post pictures later this week...
2. My wife loves it. She says she feels like a kid again riding a bike with small wheels. The ability for both of us to ride the same bike (at different times ) was really the big motivating factor for getting a foldable.
3. I didn't get the rack. I am getting use with the ride first and then we will make a decision for luggage. Right now we use messenger bag or backpacks.
Going back and forth between the long tail and the foldable is an interesting experience. The long tail is like riding on rails. It is a fantastic ride but I must admit that the lightweight, very responsive foldable is really a lot of fun to ride.
I probably wouldn't ride a century on the foldable but that's not why I got the bike...
#27
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"...Things I would love to change:
the saddle... Alas, alas, the stupid thing came with a i-beam saddle attachment doo-hickey. Now, how would I fit my brooks on this... Grrr....
The twist shifter... Don't like it but I am not sure what I could use instead
The rims... As soon as I have the chance, I will replace them with nice yellow Velocity Taipan... Now, I need to figure out what size hubs those are..." -Iorek
Now is the time for the fine tuning that most cyclists in-the-know usually do during the first month(s) of ownership.
The saddle is usually the first to go with me and most others (unless you are very lucky and have a perfect choice that came with the bike). One of the things that Brompton ownership showed me is you sometimes have to use adaptors to use the type of saddle on that bike safely. It is a one time purchase for that particular bike-but you get what you want on that particular bike.
Give that twist shifter a chance. I felt that way about those types of shifters when I bought the Piccolo which came with one. I am used to the shifting lever systems mounted on downtubes, stems, and top of the handlbars. I still don't like the shifter style that encompasses the whole grip, just a small around 2" ring that I reach with my thumb and one finger like my Piccolo has-and your bike might have the same style. If you still don't like it, you could still switch to one you like (three of my family's bikes still have the metal handlebars mounted traditional type).
The rims are another matter. If the forks and frame is aluminum, you must be careful to get the exact size since you can't adjust the spread like you can on a steel made one.
the saddle... Alas, alas, the stupid thing came with a i-beam saddle attachment doo-hickey. Now, how would I fit my brooks on this... Grrr....
The twist shifter... Don't like it but I am not sure what I could use instead
The rims... As soon as I have the chance, I will replace them with nice yellow Velocity Taipan... Now, I need to figure out what size hubs those are..." -Iorek
Now is the time for the fine tuning that most cyclists in-the-know usually do during the first month(s) of ownership.
The saddle is usually the first to go with me and most others (unless you are very lucky and have a perfect choice that came with the bike). One of the things that Brompton ownership showed me is you sometimes have to use adaptors to use the type of saddle on that bike safely. It is a one time purchase for that particular bike-but you get what you want on that particular bike.
Give that twist shifter a chance. I felt that way about those types of shifters when I bought the Piccolo which came with one. I am used to the shifting lever systems mounted on downtubes, stems, and top of the handlbars. I still don't like the shifter style that encompasses the whole grip, just a small around 2" ring that I reach with my thumb and one finger like my Piccolo has-and your bike might have the same style. If you still don't like it, you could still switch to one you like (three of my family's bikes still have the metal handlebars mounted traditional type).
The rims are another matter. If the forks and frame is aluminum, you must be careful to get the exact size since you can't adjust the spread like you can on a steel made one.
#28
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I tried to carry around full size bikes on our sailboat and this year I built a modified Raleigh Twenty to carry on our C&C 35MkI. It has been a tremendous success. I figured the heavy gauge steel tubing would be easy to protect from the elements which really bothered me on my thin walled mountain bike and I didn't dare carry my road bike. The internally geared hub, originally a 3 speed is less vulnerable than derailleurs laying around in the lazarette and having everything pounding it. It is now a 5 speed and should be much more successful riding around the San Juans and Gulf Islands this year. It is a great handling bike with a very stiff bottom bracket and frame. Several people who have ridden it have complained about the twitchy steering, I think it is fine. The headset is no longer the high friction Raleigh headset and other than the frame and forks little remains of the original bike. It is a little floaty downhill over 40mph but I have altered the rake on a second one I am building which will have a Sturmey Archer 8 speed hub and hopefully it will be a little more stable at high speeds. Actually I think it handles really well It weighs 27lbs I don't see any disadvantages over a Dahon Mariner for the marine environment. I weigh 210 dressed for riding and I hop curbs with it I take it off road and ridden it over 2 foot jumps, despite the slicks. I have ridden it over 1200 miles this year more than my other bikes. This one cost about 1/10 of my other bikes cost. At first I installed a cheap alloy seatpost. It was a little short and I did overextend it. It used to go into wierd oscillations after riding over anything resembling bumps at moderately high speed usually greater than 26kph, while it seems obvious the over extension and long seatpost would be a factor I replaced the seatpost on my mtb a few years ago with the same cheap post and its extension is much less. The mtb behaves similarly. They are from the same manufacturer. I replaced the seatpost with a Thomson Elite on the Raleigh of the correct length no more bounciness and even better no more wierd oscillations. Expensive but really effective.
#29
Part-time epistemologist
Originally Posted by DaveC
I tried to carry around full size bikes on our sailboat and this year I built a modified Raleigh Twenty to carry on our C&C 35MkI. It has been a tremendous success. I figured the heavy gauge steel tubing would be easy to protect from the elements which really bothered me on my thin walled mountain bike and I didn't dare carry my road bike. The internally geared hub, originally a 3 speed is less vulnerable than derailleurs laying around in the lazarette and having everything pounding it. It is now a 5 speed and should be much more successful riding around the San Juans and Gulf Islands this year. It is a great handling bike with a very stiff bottom bracket and frame. Several people who have ridden it have complained about the twitchy steering, I think it is fine. The headset is no longer the high friction Raleigh headset and other than the frame and forks little remains of the original bike. It is a little floaty downhill over 40mph but I have altered the rake on a second one I am building which will have a Sturmey Archer 8 speed hub and hopefully it will be a little more stable at high speeds. Actually I think it handles really well It weighs 27lbs I don't see any disadvantages over a Dahon Mariner for the marine environment. I weigh 210 dressed for riding and I hop curbs with it I take it off road and ridden it over 2 foot jumps, despite the slicks. I have ridden it over 1200 miles this year more than my other bikes. This one cost about 1/10 of my other bikes cost. At first I installed a cheap alloy seatpost. It was a little short and I did overextend it. It used to go into wierd oscillations after riding over anything resembling bumps at moderately high speed usually greater than 26kph, while it seems obvious the over extension and long seatpost would be a factor I replaced the seatpost on my mtb a few years ago with the same cheap post and its extension is much less. The mtb behaves similarly. They are from the same manufacturer. I replaced the seatpost with a Thomson Elite on the Raleigh of the correct length no more bounciness and even better no more wierd oscillations. Expensive but really effective.
Did it really cost 1/10th the price of your other bikes?
#30
Part-time epistemologist
Originally Posted by yiorgos
Hi EvilV and everyone. I just noticed the photo of the heavily loaded brompton. Currently I am researching the market fro a folder that can be used for commuting and for touring as well (with the ability to go a bit off road). I read the specifications of Brompton rear rack and it said that no more than 5kg should be carried on it.
I am just wondering if this folder is good for touring. I'd thing bigger models like 20'' weeled with better frame would be more apropriate.
How is it for you on touring?
I am just wondering if this folder is good for touring. I'd thing bigger models like 20'' weeled with better frame would be more apropriate.
How is it for you on touring?
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ferrerid=31812
If you do a search on Merc Bike you will find some other comments on the bike.
#31
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Yes it did. The bike has cost under $300USD and my Colnago over $3000. I bought my Marin used but replacement cost is about $3800, last time I looked. My 1973 Legnano cost about $700 in 1977, it was new then and it didn't have a complete Nuovo Record groupset so I think it would cost over $3000 now for a replacement bike, since it has acquired all those components since then.
#32
Part-time epistemologist
Originally Posted by DaveC
Yes it did. The bike has cost under $300USD and my Colnago over $3000. I bought my Marin used but replacement cost is about $3800, last time I looked. My 1973 Legnano cost about $700 in 1977, it was new then and it didn't have a complete Nuovo Record groupset so I think it would cost over $3000 now for a replacement bike, since it has acquired all those components since then.
#33
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Bikes: Swift 8 Shimano Hub, Downtube VIII FS, Raleigh SC40, Generic MTN Bike, K2 Cruiser 24
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On the rack situation -- I use a Topeak MTX quick release rack (V-type) with dual side frames and matching DXP Trunk Bag on my Downtube VIII FS. The bag slides / locks onto the rack. No velco straps, no hassles, super easy. An excellent design. Stated capacity is 20 LBS, but I bet I've had much more on it. Panniers zip out and mount to the side frames with built in bungee / adjustable tensioner. In seconds. The bag also comes with many features, pockets, tricks AND a shoulder strap.
I grocery shop with it often. It will hold a "12 pack" a half gallon of milk, vegetables, meat, bread, a head of lettuce, and more (which also includes all my normal bike gear, tubes, tools, co2, power bars, lock/cable, and accessories). I've also used it for a nicely equipped two day ride (staying at a hotel, so no tent or sleeping bag -- even took a folding chair on that trip).
If you search Topeak in this thread you'll find more description and links to pictures.
Cheers and good luck with your folder.
Bob Gruber
Dallas, Tx
I grocery shop with it often. It will hold a "12 pack" a half gallon of milk, vegetables, meat, bread, a head of lettuce, and more (which also includes all my normal bike gear, tubes, tools, co2, power bars, lock/cable, and accessories). I've also used it for a nicely equipped two day ride (staying at a hotel, so no tent or sleeping bag -- even took a folding chair on that trip).
If you search Topeak in this thread you'll find more description and links to pictures.
Cheers and good luck with your folder.
Bob Gruber
Dallas, Tx
Last edited by bikinbob; 01-11-07 at 08:49 PM.