Modifying the weight of a folding bike (Dahon MU Uno)
 

Just wondering where is a good place to start when considering bringing down the weight of my MU Uno.

I guess switching to a carbon seatpost and handlebars are obvious considerations, but what other options would there be?

Thanks in advance.

Just buy a lighter bike. It will end up cheaper and better. Roger

Lighter tires, carbon/titanium pedals/seat/crank/skewers, lighter wheel.

Which year model is it?

Certainly the post pump could go .. the kickstand away .. biggest weight loss will be wheels and tires.. the Shimano coaster hub is heavy.. you could lose that and run a track hub and cob up a rear caliper brake adapter at the kickstand mount .. I still run a Rolf paired spoke up front , but negated the weight loss by putting a SRAM 2 speed in the rear .. offset the rear wheel weight by lacing 24 to a 24h Velocity rim.. but then I pulled the carbon seatpost out and the post pump back in for convenience as well as the kickstand.. so yea, you can lose a couple of pounds pretty easily, but you have to ask yourself how worthwhile in the long run..

oh soo true .....

Hi, I just pulled almost 400 grams by replacing the crankset !! I've got a double now !! I started lightening my Tern Link D8 by replacing the seat post and seat, almost a pound savings !, Of course, you should replace the wheels, I have kinetix Pros and about to try Schwalbe Ultreno ZX's, and lighter tubes to save another 300 grams from Kojaks !, Replacing v brakes with KCNC...carbon handle bars, all Dura Ace 10 speed drive train , KMC sl chain.....Lighter pedals...it's going to be cool !!!

Unlimited budget ?

I single speeded my Dahon Mu XL and gave it some lighter parts. Brought it down to 8kg:

http://www.faltradforum.de/download/...1047&mode=view

It is not about beeing worthwhile. Its just a hobby to do it. And plain fun to ride it.

I wish!!!, I just had a bunch of lighter stuff for a carbon hard tail I was collecting. I've been selling off stuff to buy new stuff..

Just bought end of this year, so 2013.

Hi I wanna revive this thread as I am also interested in weight-saving options for a MU UNO on a buget.

If your contribution to this thread is "buy another bike" I would like you to reflect if that could be deemed a contribution at all.

For the MU Uno owners who have been the same path I intend to go, please chip in with ideas and the tried and tested.

I want the lightest MU Uno possible. I will not go carbon, but I will replace things that can make the bike lighter and will buy the parts exclusively on ebay. I also will sell the parts I no longer need, in order to fund this project.

My total budget is $200. I bought my Mu Uno secondhand so I am not overspending and buying another bike is not an option.

The reason for saving weight is a no-brainer: transport.


This is my job list:

1. Get rid of the seatpost with the built in pump. I do not need this I can carry a small pump and use petrol stations.

I will sell the seatpost on ebay and buy a lighter one for the same price.

2. Got rid of the centrestand and sold it. That is 320 grams and it was rattling all along.

3. Ditch the Shimano CB E100 coaster hub. I really dislike coaster brakes. I know it is a 28 hole hub, flange diameter is approx. 48.5mm center to center spoke holes, 3/8x24 axle.

I want to find a straight out replacement that allows me to utilize the same spokes.

4. Will source the Eiosix rear brake caliper adaptor and a tektro R365 to match the front, or will buy a rear tektro R556 long reach and try to attach to the upper brigge.

5. Wanna change the cranks and axle for hollowtech, perhaps FSA Gosamer as it was supplied with the Speed Pro TT.

Will sell the originals.

6. Would love to fit Gates carbon drive system but I do not think I can get the right ratios to match what I have today which is 53T front and 14T rear.

7. Since my used bike came with a sparrow handlebar, may resort to original flat bar plus a riser similar to the Speed Pro TT.

I need advise on the following issues:

A. anyone has tried a straight out replacement hub that does not cost an arm and a leg?

B. Any source for the eiosix brake adapter that is not asia-bound? These are not found on ebay only on asian sites and I am not geared to purchase from them.

C. It has been said that the curved cross frame tube on the rear is to fit a fender not a brake. Still looks ok to me. Anyone could technically argue for or against it? At the moment I only saw armchair expert comments, still looks ok to me to fit a brake there.

D. Anyone knows details about the crankset I need, in this case a shimano hollowtech type, also I do not understand why the cranks are stamped 170mm but I compared them with some 175mm I have and look exactly the same.

E. Anyone has experience with a workable Gates setup?

F. Anything else? Please bear in mind that changing the wheels is not an option, I am quite happy with them and when the tires wear I will look for sleeks.

Thanks all and look forward to the comments!!!

Bests

D. Anyone knows details about the crankset I need, in this case a shimano hollowtech type, also I do not understand why the cranks are stamped 170mm but I compared them with some 175mm I have and look exactly the same.

The important measurement is from center-of-crank to pedal hole.

Sure I was not referring to anything else.

What I'm saying is that two cranks with a 5mm difference in length will look identical at a glance. You'll certainly feel the difference while pedaling, but a quick look won't reveal it.

I can do better than a "quick look" Joe. In any case, apart from underestimating me big time you are not adding anything to this thread.

Guten Tag :)
I have tried several times to open an account in faltradforum to view your link but my email gets rejected. I tried a few emails, maybe only accepts german emails I have no idea, or it is an oversight from the administrators.
In any case I would much like to know what you have done to yours so I can get inspired.
Would you be able to post it here?
Danke!

I was trying to answer your question, and you have a lousy attitude. Fix that.

Maybe you have a lousy attitude and think people are dumb so you patronize them. You should have read my long post, what makes you think I cannot measure a couple of cranks?

You add nothing to the thread. Do not assume people are idiots.

And I tell you why I post in forums:

To get the support, inspiration and knowledge from people who know their stuff better than I do.
Not to read mediocre comments from people who have nothing else to do and assume I cannot tell the difference between a slotted and a phillips screwdriver.

If this is wrong then I have an attitude.

Nothing worse than posting a long thread or a specific question, and get some one minute cheap responses and then I suppose to thank people for that.

Look at the first post, then the first response. Do you think "buy another bike" helps the original poster? I regard that more as an insult to his intelligence.

Still, those levels of response are the ones that prevail on forums everywhere.

I have nothing to do with "buy another bike". You resurrected this thread with a long list of questions, including admonitions for what people can't say, which was a bad start. Then you asked a newbie question about cranks, so I gave you an answer I would think a person without my 30 years of cycling experience would understand. I don't expect everyone to know everything about bicycles..they come here to learn. Now sit back, son. You're out of line talking to me this way.

WOW, just WOW.

Son?
Chances are that I am older than you mate.

Apply Drillium ..

ok I am done with this forum and will direct my energy somewhere else.