Recommendations for a tall, heavier rider
 

Hey folks. I'm looking at getting a folder for my commute, one that I can squeeze onto the often crowded bus and subway when necessary. The catch? I'm 6'4" and 200lbs during my lighter months, and that's without carrying my work computer and files :D Any recommendations? Good experiences? Something your looking to get rid of? I'm hoping to buy used, and keep it under $1000. Thanks!

If money weren't an issue, I would recommend a Bike Friday Tikit (which is what I have at 240 lbs), but since it is... check out Dahon and Tern. Both have bikes with max rider weight around 230 lbs.

Tern tends to have a higher weight limit. 110kgs-242lbs for their 20 inch folders. I opted for a Xootr Swift due to the 260ish weight limit. The fold is almost non-existent, but it's stability and ride quality are what I was seeking. Otherwise I'd go with a tern.

The Origami Mantis is designed for riders up to 6'5" and 240 pounds and is well under your price point brand new.
Warning: The preceding was posted by the owner of Origami Bicycle Company. :)

https://www.bikefriday.com/blog/wp-c...amond.NWT_.jpg

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/73...f831de2fe0.jpg

https://www.bikefriday.com/userfiles...eavy-rider.jpg

That Pocket Llama looks like it could take on the world! Love the Halloween themed colours... ;)

Just the Travel packing fold will not do, for a crowded bus , it stiff... and really only suitable,
to fold at ends of tours.

The Brompton and STRIDA would work for you.

https://brompton.zendesk.com/entries...-rider-weight-

Products_MING CYCLE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.-STRiDA SX-Orange STRiDA SX > STRiDA SX

If you're like me and the distance to the Metro and the amount of stuff are modest -- I ride about a mile to the station and fit everything I need at work into a messenger bag -- then I'd strongly recommend a STRIDA. It's cheaper, easy to maintain, rolls much better while folded and has a tiny footprint.

Brompton H bar setup raises the handle bar, Telescoping and extended seat post options raise the saddle .

But The current prices , particularly in NYC, at retail will exceed your wish-ful budget.
nyce bikes will let you try the bike i suppose..

See : 2014 Brompton H3L, White/White, Marathon-tire http://www.nycewheels.com/brompton-folding-bike.html

Thanks for all the input here folks! Bike Friday, obviously, is out of my price range. So, one of my biggest concerns is side-to-side flex with how extended the seat and handle bar will need to be to fit me. Is this a needless concern? If not, which of these options do you think offers the stiffest ride at the maximum height? Strida?

What type of riding are you doing with this bike? Any bike that is cheap and compact for crowded trains and buses is going to come with compromises.

you might just plan on Going Through a bunch of cheaper bikes , over time ..
consider the whole bike a consumable .

the cost of getting to the job and back .. get a few years out of one , then get another ..

lower the expectation of permanence..

There are a number of folders which can accommodate 200 pounds. That's not really your problem. Your problem is that you are 6'4". You're going to have a problem with reach.

Most folders are one-size-fits-..., well, short people. They don't have a proper reach for anyone your size. To put this into context: Bike Friday, which makes folders properly sized to fit you, makes the Tikit in sizes small, medium, and large. You're definitely a Large. But... the Brompton is slightly shorter reach than a *small* Tikit. And most Dahons are about half-way between a small and a medium Tikit.

To make matters worse, a great many folding bikes don't permit modification to their ahead stems so you can't easily customize the reach. At best you can push forward an inch or two with custom aftermarket stuff like the AberHalo on the Dahons. And some, like Bromptons, don't even permit you to change to more sensible handlebars. These are the compromises you make in order to fold.

This isn't to say there aren't tall people who haven't adapted to the size constraints of a folding bike. But at your height you'll be so upright that you may want to give this another thought. I have a friend at 6'3" who rides a Dahon P8 with an AberHalo stem and just grins and bears it.

Bikes which will likely fit you: a Tikit (or other Bike Friday). A Montague. Maybe a Swift? A Dahon Vector P30 with a custom-length stem perhaps?

Ug. You're voicing some of my greater fears about height. Thanks for the tip on the Bromptons - I had been looking at some used models and was getting tempted, but with such a short reach, it doesn't seem worth it. But, the fold on the Swift is pretty unimpressive, and the Montague's are huge. Which model Dahon P8 is your friend on? Do any Dahon owner's know if I might be able to add some Vector-like TT bars onto other Dahon or Tern models and extend my reach, or is there some proprietary (ie, weird and rare) sizing going on there at the clamp. Thanks again for all the help!

My Xootr Swift comes in different frame sizes, and is easier to customize via standard bike parts. I swapped out the handlebars & stem for my rotator cuff injury, to bring me closer and more upright. And the funny thing is I've got some really long arms!

Xootr Swift Folding Bicycle | Xootr Urban Transport

I just bumped into a Dahon Speed Pro TT on the 'bay. Since it was the earlier model of the Vector, anyone know if that can fit my 6'4" frame decently as is or with a few modifications?

you should bump into this instead:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNj...TvxN2/$_57.JPG

The frame is one size ... no?

Swift Folding Bicycle Sizing | Xootr Urban Transport

You shouldn't have fit issues on a tt from my estimates. Except seatpost lenght maybe. But telescopic dahon post s are availbe. Else ebay have some in different frame widths.

Hmm, I see what you mean. The seat post and handlebar stem, as well as the riser, are the differences. The frame appears to be OSFA. I missed that,...

Believe me, it'll fit a larger person quite well. I'll post a picture of myself standing over the Xootr later. I'm 5'11".

I have one,and I'm 6' w/33" inseam. I think I'm pretty near the limit of the stock setup. I think you'd need to do some mods.

At your size,most folders and mini velos really aren't for you. Even if you can make them fit,the weight distribution is going to be off and effect the handling. I'd really suggest going with Bike Friday since they are sized and can do custom fit.

Alright, I give, Bike Friday it is. I'll keep my eye on that Pocket Rocket currently on the 'bay (and any others that pop up in the future). I wish the seller had the size listed at first, I'd have probably jumped on the buy it now :crash:.

In the meantime, anyone have any opinions on this New World Tourist on CL?

Bike Friday Folding Bike

I have a friend in MN who could take care of buying and shipping, but I don't know much about age and it seems rather oddly equipped, like some better parts were harvested and some junk was put on in its place. I mean, triple crank with no FD? Seems at minimum the drivetrain, seatpost, and saddle need replacing. Is this a deal at 550 + shipping anyways or a pass given the oddities?

Thanks again for all the help folks - I'll stop harassing you with this thread soon, I promise :thumb:

Mini velos come to 55 cm. I imagine that's for a very tall rider. Most people fit fine on a 48 cm and the rest are happy on a 53.

these Xootrs really intrigue me.
Xootr Swift Folding Bicycle | Xootr Urban Transport

I'm going to see if I can try one out here in NYC at one of these dealers:
Where To Buy | Xootr Urban Transport

The geometry looks like it would be sturdier for a tall person. I'm 6'2".
And it gets very positive reviews from owners:
Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Xootr Swift Folding Bicycle - Blue

Seems like a nice folder for someone like me who lives in a tiny studio apartment. But it doesn't fold as small as most others, which would make it a drag to take on crowded subway cars. :(

The Swift may not appear to fold very small but folded it has a nice short and narrow footprint. Up against a wall or bulkhead it sits well out of the way.