ddr

I知 59 years old, 5-8 and 280 lbs. An old short fat guy.

About 2 years ago I managed to drop about 35 pounds by eating better and riding my bike more often. Then a few things conspired to keep me from riding and the pounds slowly came back. Now I知 interested in doing more riding again and we have moved to a place that has some great bike paths to explore. I will be mostly doing day rides of 10 miles or so a few times a week. Mostly on paved paths or dirt roads. The dream is to work up to doing a fully supported beginner痴 tour next year. Something with 30 miles or less a day with no big climbs and they carry all the luggage.

I have been thinking of getting rid of my old steel road bike and getting a folder. Mostly for the ease of mounting the bike since it is slowly getting harder to kick my leg over the top tube.

We have a local shop that deals almost exclusively in folders. I went in to talk to them about a Bike Friday NWT Diamond, since they are rated for 330 pounds. They are a Bike Friday dealer, but they thought a 6 speed Brompton would work for me. They unfolded one and invited me to take a ride and I was impressed. It seemed to handle and shift well, and it didn't have any problem with my weight that I could tell. They did tell me that the official weight limit was 250, but as long as I was not doing jumps with it, they thought I should be fine. I知 not sure I need a bike that folds that well, but it would save me some space in the garage and it would make it easy to take the bike with me on road trips. It seems as though the Brompton would be fine for the type of riding I am doing and that I want to do next year.

I壇 be interested in hearing everyone痴 thought or any other options I should look at.

Thanks.

Devin

1nterceptor

People that tour and want a folding bike will usually go for a Bike Friday.
Did you also test ride the NWT? Although I've done over 100 mile rides on
my 2013 Brompton and I'm very happy with it; I don't do bike touring.

RANDALL'S ISLAND, NYC by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

bhkyte

If you don't need the folding aspect may be just consider a beam frame bike. It will be cheaper and lighter than the equivalent folder.

keyven

A mini-velo bike should suit your needs just fine. Or any bike with a step-through frame.

That would give you a massive range of alternatives as Brompton and Bike Fridays are on the pricey side.

ddr

No, I never did get to ride a NWT. They didn't have one in stock. I guess their sales model is to build them custom for you, so they really don't have many examples of Bike Friday bikes for you to try out. They did have some Terns and a few other brands. But the only one I tried was the Brompton.

fietsbob

The Diamond 24 is a derailleur drive train 20" travel bike , It does fold but intention is packing to travel , It wont fold easily as you would want for a daily commute..

Bike Fridays Tikit is their Offering that folds quick and easy.. It has a different fold style than Brompton , though they Share the same 349 _ 16" wheel size and tire options..

Of course Brompton has a OEM tire source of their Own by now , with other optional choices ..

The Tikit has the rear Wheel fold, alongside, so is wider.. The seat pillar folds down, the seat height remains unchanged ..

Brompton the Rear wheel folds directly underneath, and the seat post is telescoping Down as Part of the fold..


I believe if you contact Thje Bike Friday Company in Oregon (800 number ) they may have contact with a Owner of one of their Bikes, near where You Live.

Yes they are a Built as Ordered Bike, but the only one with a few Sizes , as opposed to just One .

I happened to buy a Pocket Llama. heavy Rider Option.. main section has a triangle , which simplifies locking it up to bike racks and signposts On the Street.

rather than their typical large Ovalized single Tube.. Mine has the options of Dynohub-disc brakes and Rohloff IGH.

bargainguy

A few years ago, I sold my Giant Halfway folder to a fellow who weighed ~350 lb.

Now the Halfway is not in the same class as the Bike Friday or Brompton, but it might be what you're looking for.

It wasn't the bike for me because of one simple reason - weight centered too far back over the rear wheel. Too many unintentional wheelies for this 125 lb. guy. For someone who is not a lightweight, it might work quite well.

ddr

I had a Giant Halfway that I sold not long ago. I got it off of Craig's List and I don't think it had ever been fully assembled and used. I didn't ride it often because the center latch came undone on me a few times during a ride. I could not get it to latch tighter and neither could my LBS. I thought it might have something to do with my weight. But at the time I didn't know about the shop that sells only folders. I bet they could have helped me with that problem. I kinda regret selling it today, but at the time I was moving and not riding it, so when someone showed up and made an offer on it I let it go.

debit

I would say to get the bike you think you'll enjoy riding the most. If it were my choice, I'd probably lean toward the Bike Friday, since you can get it built specifically for you. Good luck with whichever you decide to get, and keep riding.

Joe Remi

I'm wavering between Brompton and BF, too. The plan is to be able to put the bike in my little Fiat occasionally, not as a daily 'in a hurry' commute option. I'm leaning towards a Pocket Companion 8 or Pocket Expedition..can BF owners chime in about how much time/difficulty is involved with breaking this bike down small enough to toss in my Dahon carry bag and put in the car? These models use the Easy Pack Mast.

invisiblehand

In short, if the small neat fold is unnecessary, then I'd stick with the Bike Friday. Your drivetrain and tire choices are much much much better with the NWT.

fietsbob

I have the hinged mast and the optional folding steering mast on my Bi Fri P Llama.

'easy pack' is loose parts, seat and handle bar masts come Out.. chain goes slack with the rear fold, so plan to wipe it pretty clean first.