(Re)new rider
 

I travel the country for Fedex Custom Critical doing expedited freight transportation. We are the ambulances of the freight industry offering 90 minute pickup and straight through delivery. I have 3 big trucks and a van. I drive the van so I can go to pretty much any restaurant/museum/etc. when I'm between jobs.

I used to bicycle a very long time ago and my best ride was 55 miles. I need to get active somehow and am thinking about bicycling again. Due to space limitations in my van I'm thinking a folding bike is my only viable option. My spare tire is mounted on one of the back doors so I can't put a traditional bike rack on the back plus having to use those doors for cargo in and out all the time. I thought about a front mount carrier but then I'd have a bug covered bike.

I'm open to suggestions on bike choice, carrying methods, etc. and look forward to input from those with more experience.

Welcome. There are racks that attach to the spare tire. How much do you want to spend and what are your requirements?

Go folder or compact bike like Bike Friday. I currently use a Raleigh Twenty which is a vintage folder, it doesn't fold down as nice as some of the newer ones, but I am a vintage kind of guy. If you are within normal size range 5'-6"-6'-0" or so you won't have much problem finding one to fit.

Aaron :)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rXxvQDmFvso/Sk...0/CIMG0088.JPG
http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/43...600x600Q85.jpg

check this out.... http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/2009/speedprott.htm

Im not pushing any particular brand on you,but i carry my Brompton in my truck sleeper. Just letting you know its doable and folks do it. I could carry full size on back of cab like some truckers do, but it just gets stolen.

I probably need to stay within $500 if at all possible. I really don't know what my requirements are other than decent quality so I don't have to buy more than one folding bicycle to last as long as I am around and then pass along to my new grandson when I eventually can't ride it anymore. My hero was the tortoise not the hare so I don't expect to be winning any races with it. Oh, and a very comfortable saddle, probably gel, but that will likely have to be a change I make to whatever I get.

Just throwing a couple out there for under and over your budget. http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/speedp8.htm
http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current...d7.htmomething to compare and get your thoughts on.
S

Might try a used bike on craiglist and upgrade it to your desires.

Other than that the bike brands around your budget are Dahon and Downtube mainly.

your requirements besides money and personal taste would be your height, weight and maybe any specific folding dimensions you'd like or bike weight.

welcome to the fold :)

I drive a downtube 8FS myself, but it's no longer made :(

I've looked online at used bikes and won't rule that out as an option. I am about 5'8" and 210, not gigantic but not as thin as I'd like either. I'd like as small as possible folded as I don't have unlimited space available but a few inches won't make that huge a difference either. I'm not concerned too much with weight at this point. If/when I progress an extremely significant amount I'll consider upgrading to a bike that fits that level of riding.