Ni Hou!

I started this search in the Clyde/Athena's forum, didn't know there was a Folding forum, so sorry for the double post...

I am Praying that I will be able to return to school soon, and am seriously interested in pursuing a degree in the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language) field. My interest is in Mandarin (Taiwan). Enough now with the background.

Problem is, although I'm losing weight, I'm worried about breaking the bike (just broke my GT Transeo 1.0 last month). I'm gathering information on moving out of the country and it appears that Taipei has some tiny apartments. So, in the interest of a lack of room for 3 full sized bikes, I'm now looking at a folding bike. My research also shows that there isn't any bike racks on buses, so I'm not looking into a full sized bike with couplers.

Bike Friday's seem to peak out at 260lbs (I'm much closer to 290lbs right now), can't find anything on Dahon's website, and I figured that someone here may have some answers...

So, I'd appreciate any help.

Xie xie (thanks!)
K'Tesh

Most folding bikes that can take 290 lbs will either not fold small enough or not fold quick enough to take onto mass transit. Do a search, there has been plenty of similar discussions in the recent past.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there are no modern folding bikes that are officially rated for your weight requirements. Have you considered an S&S coupled bike? It's not exactly a folder, but you can still stow it away after separating it.

You're right that Bike Friday's heavy rider upgrade goes to 260 lbs. If you got this info from their website, you might want to call them directly to see if they can accommodate a higher weight on some specific model.

Another option is to go for something old and heavy... like an R20. Oh... or maybe one of the DiBlasi bikes can handle it, they seem to be built like tanks. One last option to look at is Montague's line of full-sized folders.

--sam

This old thread discussion might also help:

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/380473-folding-bikes-big-tall.html

Greetings, K'Tesh. I'm of the Clydely persuasion myself (5'9", 228.5 lbs on the scale this morning) and did a lot of searching before taking the plunge on folders. Give Bike Friday a call or drop 'em an email. Although their official "heavy rider option" tops out at 260 lbs, they have a video on YouTube discussing building a bike for a 340 lb rider - using some of their tandem components for reinforcement. BF's Peter Berra talked to me at length when I was just getting interested in folders and was worried I'd break anything that I touched. They're nice people and will let you know the lay of the land.

Full disclosure: I have no financial stake in Bike Friday and am not even a customer (...yet), but I've been impressed by their personal approach to customers both actual and potential.

Thanks for the link!

I didn't see the video, but it's encouraging to hear about. My goal is to get down to 185lbs(84.09Kilos) before I go (in about 1.5-2 years(ish)). I'm very much into overbuilt bikes, 'cause I carry a LOT of stuff.

Xie xie
K'Tesh

Definitely call Bike Friday. I am a customer, and their service won me over. They will talk with you about any detail, and I did not find them trying to upsell at all! They want to fit you to a bike, plain and simple.

Strida, Brompton and my money is eventually on a Bike Friday lol!

The only folding bike I would be willing to recommend is a Raleigh Twenty with a steel seatpost - steel frame built like a tank. Put on some multi-spoked BMX wheels and it will whistle a tune while carrying you. You won't be whistling a tune carrying it though. But you won't break it. It folds, theoretically. But hopefully soon you will be in the weight range of modern foldies and then you can make any choice.

I would second Jur's suggestion. I have have a nickname for Raleigh 20s: Unbreakable.

K' Tesh,
Have you looked at Worksman folders? They are heavy and very old school. They are still made in the US with what they describe as industrial strength steel.Like an old Schwinn. They may be right for you. The recommended folder weight is up to 250 pounds. Perhaps you could get a stronger rear wheel/hub.The website says they specialize in bikes for riders over 250 pounds. Though, I do not know if that includes the folders.The reference in one of the posts to the Raleigh 20 made me think of them. https://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_s...ml/page21.html Good luck in obtaining your TESOL degree.