Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Folding Bikes
Reload this Page >

SS/FIXED folder??

Search
Notices
Folding Bikes Discuss the unique features and issues of folding bikes. Also a great place to learn what folding bike will work best for your needs.

SS/FIXED folder??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-14-10 | 10:27 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Bremen, Germany

Bikes: '97 trek 750, '04 Bacchetta Strada, '07 Cdale capo SS/fixed, niner sir9

SS/FIXED folder??

hi guys,
I'm look for a folder which I can zip around fast and is light for bring up public transport. Looking at singlespeed and ability to convert to fixed... Dahon mu uno is 1 im aware of.. any others you may know?? Seems like few cater for such niche requirements?

thanks!
neoterryjoe is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-10 | 11:28 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Neoterryjoe--You are in the same place I was several months ago. AND with the exact same Bike--a Mu Uno.

Here's a few threads on my BF Responses. Poster Bruce Metras left a very informative post (and link also) to exactly what you are contemplating doing to yours and what I may do to my(mu uno) bike. So far, due to my living in Miami, Florida and the fact we have flat as a pancake terrain for 99.9% of my riding, I have not converted as of the present. As you will see, he used a Rare IGH 2 speed to solve his problem. I still plan on using an IGH(internal hub) on my Mu Uno. I have not been able to find the same unit Bruce was able to find as they are not manufactured any longer and are much sought after. The Mu Uno, due its lightweight and ease of rapid folding, has worked out great for transporting on multi modes of Public Transportation(bus, metro trains ect). Good Luck

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=mu+uno+to+igh


Bruce Metras' Mu Uno conversion:https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ghlight=mu+duo

Last edited by miamimike; 06-14-10 at 11:30 PM. Reason: add
miamimike is offline  
Reply
Old 06-14-10 | 11:35 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Neoterryjoe--this post was a copy I made on another recent but current thread here on BF in the folder forum :
My Experience is limited to two dahons in the past couple years; my 1st Dahon was a Boardwalk(high tensile steel) at 30.5 lb and my 2nd is a Dahon Mu Uno(Alum, approx 22 lb). Due to the fact that I may, on one day, load and unload, Fold and unfold my bike and wheel it thru the metro stations up to the platforms(100-200 yards in some situations ) while transporting it up & down the escalators in our Metro Train Stations 3-4 times from the time I leave home until the time I arrive home, weight, even 8.5 lbs , is a huge factor for me(and my back). My Mu Uno is a Dream(weightwise) in comparison to my old Steel Boardwalk SS . Not to forget, our Bike Racks on our City Buses are a few feet off the ground and performing this loading & Unloading & stretching drill 2-4 times a day gets old so a bike weighing 8.5 pounds lighter is a huge comfort factor. I loved the ride quality of my old steel boardwalk but the comfort factor of loading & unloading & rolling the folded Mu Uno works better for me. And once I arrive on Public transportation, the Bike ride distances are usually under 3 miles. *******I wanted to add, when I use the Fold Down Racks on our city buses, I don't trust the Tension of the Spring loaded arm that fits over the front tire to maintain your bike securely in the rack. I use my own Bungy Cord wrapped around the frame by the folding mechanism stretched down under and around the Bike carrier and back up to the point I started at, where I hook the bitter end of the Bungy cord. This maintains the bike very securely in the bike carrier so it doesn't allow the Bike to fly out of the carrier when the Bus hits one of our many bumps/RR Crossings, Potholes. I have personally seen Two Bikes fly out and off of the Bus Bike Carriers in the last 2 months here and the Bus Company states, "Not responsible for any damage sustained to your bike in the event this happens". You are on your own so I prevent this possibility with the use of a simple well applied bungy cord. I wrap an old sock around the bike area over where the Bungy is appled applied to prevent the Bungy from wearing off any paint. Caveat Emptor...

Last edited by miamimike; 06-15-10 at 03:35 AM. Reason: add, sp
miamimike is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-10 | 12:25 AM
  #4  
jur
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 10
From: Albany, WA
The Xootr Swift has track ends as well as a derailer hanger, so that has been used to convert to fixie by some users. In that respect it is the most versatile bike around. Doesn't fold down compactly but occupies very little floor space when folded, and easily carried, plus very light. And the stiffest folder frame to boot.
jur is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-10 | 08:11 AM
  #5  
vik's Avatar
vik
cyclopath
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,264
Likes: 6
From: Victoria, BC

Bikes: Surly Krampus, Surly Straggler, Pivot Mach 6, Bike Friday Tikit, Bike Friday Tandem, Santa Cruz Nomad

Bike Friday makes a fixed gear Tikit and could certainly make a single speed version as well. I've been riding a fixed gear a lot this spring and could definitely see the benefits for a folding bike - no cables to the rear of the bike, lighter weight, simpler and very robust as there is nothing to damage in transit.
__________________
safe riding - Vik
VikApproved
vik is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-10 | 08:52 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Bikes: Wheeler Mtn bike, Strida 5.0, Tern Link Uno, FSIR Spin 2.0, Dahon Mu P8

My little folder is a single speed (non fixed) and there's basically no maintenance on the rear and no adjusting for 2 seasons so far of daily commuting. I ride a strida to work but a Dahon Uno would feel more like a normal bike for you and the clean no cable mess is a definite plus from all those other geared models if you are constantly folding it on and off. With the Uno seems like you can replace the cog in the back with a fixed gear cog.

So far I've found my bike worked great for rush hour traffic on the subway in the big cities since it actually has a very small footprint when you are standing with it and there's no grease on the chain to peeve anyone off. Plus the 5 second folding/unfolding time makes it even sweeter.
Azreal911 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-10 | 10:58 AM
  #7  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Bremen, Germany

Bikes: '97 trek 750, '04 Bacchetta Strada, '07 Cdale capo SS/fixed, niner sir9

thanks for all your replies, appreciate it(esp miamimike)!! I guess the issue now is of budget, even the Mu uno currently may be out of reach, not to speak of the Tikit! strida is nice for its kevlar belt, but i wish to have a full size bike handling and fixed conversion capability.

i used to own a Pacific carryme SS;great bike, but the wheels are too small for comfort sometimes for even small kerbs where I live(in Singapore). I've a brompton-look-a-like flamingo which is a workhorse, I just need a lighter(and fun!) machine to complement it for fast zip-around in the city.

Mu uno is great for its weight, paint job( miamimike, the 2 speed is great!!!). I'm also looking at the boardwalk for conversion. Here, its offered as D7 only, a 7 speed deraileur-based-(no horizontal dropout x.x ) unlike the S1, hence I need to find out also if the dahon specific deraileur hangar(the threading?) can be used with common tensioners from shimano or surly..

anyone knows?? =)
neoterryjoe is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-10 | 11:55 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,095
Likes: 12
From: Pacific Northwest

Bikes: Too many....................

Can you get a Raleigh folder to build into a single speed?
Dynocoaster is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-10 | 04:52 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Neoterryjoe--look for a used Mu Uno as they turn up from time to time on CL. On a current Thread here titled something like "Best of Craigslist", look for my post on the last page from the Miami CL, as a guy had a Mu Uno for sale. If it hasn't sold recently, he may be ready to negotiate his price.

Last edited by miamimike; 06-15-10 at 04:53 PM. Reason: sp
miamimike is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-10 | 05:53 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 8
From: San Rafael, California
Originally Posted by miamimike
Neoterryjoe--look for a used Mu Uno as they turn up from time to time on CL. On a current Thread here titled something like "Best of Craigslist", look for my post on the last page from the Miami CL, as a guy had a Mu Uno for sale. If it hasn't sold recently, he may be ready to negotiate his price.
Looks like one in Baltimore .. https://baltimore.craigslist.org/bik/1711835306.html ... but at $525 asking price, I'd rather pay a few bucks more and go new and get the lifetime frame warranty.. there was one here in the SF Bay area .. $350 I think, but it's gone now..
BruceMetras is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-10 | 08:00 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Bikes: Wheeler Mtn bike, Strida 5.0, Tern Link Uno, FSIR Spin 2.0, Dahon Mu P8

Originally Posted by BruceMetras
Looks like one in Baltimore .. https://baltimore.craigslist.org/bik/1711835306.html ... but at $525 asking price, I'd rather pay a few bucks more and go new and get the lifetime frame warranty.. there was one here in the SF Bay area .. $350 I think, but it's gone now..
few bucks more and get a new one??? actually try $4 less and get a new one

https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/muuno.htm

https://www.nycewheels.com/dahon-fold...ke-mu-uno.html

that guy is on crack thinking a used bike is worth more than a new one.

Last edited by Azreal911; 06-15-10 at 08:03 PM.
Azreal911 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-10 | 09:04 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
$450 for the Mu Uno in the Miami CL. Includes the handy Bolso Bag which costs around $50-$60 new. Seeing how its still not sold, this guy may be open to offers. Maybe $400?

https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/bik/1719135833.html
miamimike is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-10 | 10:39 PM
  #13  
Sixty Fiver's Avatar
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG

Bikes: See my sig...

Originally Posted by Dynocoaster
Can you get a Raleigh folder to build into a single speed?
Ran my Twenty as a fixed gear for many years... was great until this year when my health started to affect my ability to ride a mono-speed.



Current set up has gears (5 of them)... works great as I sometimes need that lower range.



These are the toughest folders on the planet... not the greatest of folds though.
Sixty Fiver is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gracejoo86
Folding Bikes
3
06-22-14 06:53 AM
MEversbergII
Folding Bikes
12
06-10-14 08:19 PM
themothman421
Folding Bikes
18
04-16-11 12:13 PM
CAX
Folding Bikes
15
07-06-10 05:25 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.