Folders

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Comment by Thunder Snow on March 25, 2013 at 1:32pm

I got my Dahon folder covered in mud riding last week.  To clean it, I was able to fit it folded in my shower at home, then rinse and sponge off as much sandy clay as I could.  I don't have access to an outside sprinkler hose at my apartment, so this was the best I could do.  My shower stall was a mess afterwards, but the bike came out clean enough to park in the living room, after it had dried.

My El Bolso carrying bag got completely muddied when I set the muddy bike inside it to go to work.  I wasn't sure how to clean it, but I took a chance and ran it over to the laundromat on gentle cycle with detergent, then dried it on low.  It came out just fine, cleaner than ever.

Comment by Thunder Snow on March 25, 2013 at 12:36am

JimmyD--I like how you've strapped your folder to the rear rack of your other bike!  Does that make riding the non-folder tough to balance?

Comment by JimmyD 3.75 mi on March 22, 2013 at 12:36pm

Sweet... I didn't notice this group before?!  I just found out about it through that thread on the main forum page about the used Dahon sale.

I'm a folding bike commuter. I ride a Riese & Müller Birdy BD1 bike.

It's pretty much stock right now and needs a bit of tuning, as I bought it used last fall. I've been slowly buying replacement / upgrade parts for it. I had the intent of tuning it up (as best I could) while there still was a bunch of snow on the ground, but I haven't gotten to it yet. 

Here's a few pics:

Comment by Andrew Bedno on January 16, 2013 at 9:16pm

I guess I've gotta sell my vintage folder.

Landlord limits to one in the bikeroom, I have five, figure he'll compromise at three, so it's the folder or my beloved BMX, and my GF already has a great folder (with carrybag even).

So...

There's a good pick and full details here:
http://bedno.com/body/bike/mine/folder

It's Italian, decades old but in good condition.  I overhauled it and always keep my bikes ready to ride.  You can even have the lights and lock I added.

I'd let it go for just a few dozen dollars.  Giving chain linker's first crack.

Comment by Thunder Snow on November 29, 2012 at 10:30am

Brompton's got a new animation of its fold:

Comment by Richard on November 27, 2012 at 1:11pm

If anyone is looking for a cover for a folding bike, I bought this the Tern folding bike carry on cover. But it doesn't fit my bike. I'm selling it if anyone is interested.

http://www.nycewheels.com/tern-folding-bike-carryon-cover.html

Comment by Jing M on October 25, 2012 at 1:57am

I have a tern folding bike but not that $3000 verge x20

Comment by Thunder Snow on October 25, 2012 at 12:00am

This Tern looks nice.  Really nice.

Comment by Allen Wrench on August 28, 2012 at 9:28pm

So, in answer to the question "what folder could be used to carry on Amtrak and carried off and used to tour, 100-200 miles or so? Special panniers? Special handlebar bags? What should I look for?" which was just sent to the group, I guess as usual it depends.

I think you can rig up a decent enough pannier setup on most folders, using a standard mountain bike rack or smaller and Ortlieb frontroller-type panniers; you have space for a rack bag then and a handlebar bag if needed. I'd try it out first to be sure it doesn't affect handling too badly. So the choice boils down to "which folder do you want to sit on for 200 miles?" 

Bike Friday specializes in this stuff, costly, disassemblable not foldable really, good for amtrak since fits in a suitcase, then you carry your stuff in the suitcase as a trailer. Comfy. Not a good commuter later though since takes 5-10 minutes to fold into its box and isn't a nice package to carry when folded. Racks available but costly. Much more customizable fit and features than others.

Brompton can carry more than you think with frontrollers on the rack and the Brompton T-bag (huge, doesn't affect handling much), not really a touring bike but not awful either. You could get one with sportier handlebars, limits size of front bag a bit. Commutes well. Folds in no time and I've brought mine on Amtrak, fits overhead fine. Limited features but elegant and works well. Might need higher gearing to go faster on the flat depending on model, check ratios.

Birdy rides well, carries panniers fine with rack. Disassembles into a suitcase but no trailer thingy unless you make one. It's more like a Friday than Brompton. 

Tern and Dahon not my expertise, if they ride well empty I bet you can get them going fine with panniers.

Comment by Thunder Snow on January 16, 2012 at 5:08pm

From the same practicabiking.org article (see below)

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