so e plan to do the same then ok. well when i finish in fact get started ill let you know:)

yeap thanks i have seen it. i went back to basic and thought do i need a folding travel bike at all, but bad experiences of transit planes trains buses in china, africa and eother peoples experience has set me against it .

http://www.changebike.com/product_fb_df-501.html

yet another .... rather pointless i think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWoeTOVYNY4

I'm not sure whether Len missed his window or not.

(1) He had a pretty good bike .... oh ... five/six years ago. Supposedly he wanted to make it absolutely perfect -- whatever that means since "perfect" changes from person to person -- before selling it despite having people who already wanted the bike.

(2) Unfortunately, it is the case that there are more competitors in the market now producing relatively compact folding bikes. Len's bike would still have a niche. The Brompton's fold is very good and Len seemed to address some of its ergonomic and gearing limitations.

It depends on what you mean. In an absolute sense, here isn't much of a market for $10K bikes period. But is there enough of a market to support a super-high-end builder? If it rides/folds well and the bike isn't simply a novelty item, then I'd think that there would be people with plenty of disposable income to buy the bike.

I'm no frame builder, but I seem to recall people mentioning on Velocipede that titanium was getting harder to come by. At some point, Len wrote something about offering a steel version at a lower price which would be worthwhile since titanium might generally be pretty hard to work with relative to alternatives with few advantages.

Anyway, I always thought that Len would have a pretty good business model if he sold some UFBs but primarily focused on modifying Bromptons. If he simply offered his pretty cool adjustable handlebar/stem and a new rear triangle I'm pretty sure he would have a decent amount of business. More generally, allowing for lots of wild assed speculation here, I see people like Len in research often. Lots of good ideas and work ethic; but with a hard time letting go of projects and putting it out in the public.

sorry im not sure how relevant to the thread this is. i trying to compile a helpful thread for those wanting a lightweight travel bike (ok witha slight 26" wheel bias, but thats a good ballance for here)

To the overall thread ... probably not particularly relevant. But you asked a question and I elaborated.

Perhaps you should just import a frame and build the bike with components you can get locally... maybe bike parts have less duty.

sorry invisablehand dont me to be a :troll: :thumb:

reverborama.. i think i've found a very good solution waiting to pull it if then ill let all ya'll (wish e had a word like that in english) know. :)

Ok. im asking for opinions what would you pay for a used dahon flo frame?

thx

The Moulton is not a folder but does takedown for packing. The small-wheel+full suspension combination is well proven for touring on tracks and trails and quite a few global tourists have crossed continents on them.
The fully triangulated space-frame is very strong.

My new lightweight travel bike (not 26"):

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1305725593



http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1305726039


http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1305725481


Bike weighs about 27 lbs, I bet this whole package doesn't weigh even 35. Room for some clothes, cycling shoes, and a tool kit. Doubt I could wedge a helmet in there.

Assuming that you mean, frame, fork, headset ... (this is typical for road bikes but may not be for MTB)

To retrofit a steel bike with S&S couplers is about $600. From memory, the Flo is a 4130 MTB. Something like a Karate Monkey is ~$400. Assuming that the (observable) working condition is excellent and cosmetics are good ... say $600-800? Mind you, I know little about suspension forks.

I agree with "get a BikeFriday." (If you can afford one. They are not cheap.) BF has everything you are looking for. Why buy something else and start rebuilding? My Pocket Llama is maybe 10% slower on the road than a lightweight road bike, but who cares when you are just out riding to see the sights and experience the country? Its fat tires (I have 1.75's) and high bottom bracket handle gravel and even single track with aplomb. It weaves through NYC traffic like no bike I've ever owned. Itfolds quickly (I paid extra for the folding stem). It packs into an airline legal suitcase than can become a trailer, and except for the custom frame, uses only standard components that are easy to replace at any LBS. Plus, after-purchase phone service from the company is great.

Can this one be split in half? http://cgi.ebay.com/Slingshot-Steel-...item256416da7a

I checked the Sling Shot site and you can get just the frame. http://slingshotbikes.com/technology-foldtech.php