Dahon Curve folding bike? [Archive]

!Jones

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

On Oct 2, 10:32 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> Anyone have one and can share some comments abt it?
>
> I'm VERY limited on money right now but want/need a
> folder for commuting to work

I had a friend who had one and liked it. I think his main gripe was
that it didn't fold into a very "friendly" package for a crowded
commuter tram. As I recall, the chain rings stuck out and were easily
bumped by fellow commuters, a propensity which did not endear him to
others on the train. Also, they're not exactly easy to fold... I
suppose that one's definition of "easy" is relative. He had a
zippered shoulder bag made for it and it took him a good five minutes
to get it completely folded and stowed. There are various levels to
which it can be folded, some more time consuming than others.

He also went to a heavier front rim or, perhaps, tire. He said that
the light wheel made it somewhat skittish for city riding. When he
got a tad bit more rotating mass, it handled better in traffic, or so
he said.

All of which is second hand information, so take it with a grain of
salt.

Jones

(PeteCresswell)

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

Per me@privacy.net:
>folder for commuting to work

Has anybody used a brand that I *think* is "Zoot" or "Xoot"?

Saw one in a Philly LBS and one of the wrenches there said it was
his favorite handling-wise among folders for commuting.
--
PeteCresswell

Grand Poobah

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

Make sure you really need a folder, and not just a bike with small wheels.

I thought I would need a folder for my intermodal commute (bike/city
bus/train), so I bought a Bike Friday with 20" wheels. Daily folding /
unfolding became tedious.

My small-wheeled bike is less obtrusive on the train, and much easier on
stairs and escalators (compared with a full-sized bike).

If you definitely need a folder, I believe Dahon is the cheapest.

- Jay

<me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:g3p4g3pf1tdii80srmr9v8jsc097fd969c@4ax.com...
> Anyone have one and can share some comments abt it?
>
> I'm VERY limited on money right now but want/need a
> folder for commuting to work

Scott Gordo

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

On Oct 2, 11:32 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> Anyone have one and can share some comments abt it?
>
> I'm VERY limited on money right now but want/need a
> folder for commuting to work

I bought one for my father a few years back, a cromo "Boardwalk" with
6 or 7 (external) gears in the back. I think it was under $300.

It's a nice design and very well made for the ducats. It folds up
conveniently small and with impressive ease, and put back together
very securely and intuitively. If my father can fold/unfold it without
so much as losing a finger, then Dahon has really done their homework
-- his mechanical ineptitude would be comical if he wasn't my pops.
Included a small rear rack, which was a nice throw-in. The carrying
weight is probably closer to 30lbs than 20. I don't know how that
compares with a similarly equipped bike from another manufacturer.

I have taken a few toodles on it. I'm 6'2 and 215lbs, so I'm already
on the outside of the cycling spectrum. There was _just_ enough
seatpost to give me an acceptable leg extension. The steering was
almost all-hands -- it was too upright for me to really lean in much,
but it wasn't scary-squirrely either. (I could probably help that with
some bar ends if it was my bike.) As far as stiffness goes, you won't
confuse it with an 80s Cannondale. I wouldn't want to race a crit on
it, but it, you know, got the job done. I'd assume that most of the
flex comes from the looong seatpost and the pillar that leads up to
the stem. (FWIW, it's roughly a million times stiffer than the cute
old 70's Bianchi folding boat anchors I've had, but much less of a
chick magnet.) For my father's leisurely, 2 mile excursions to the
store or down the promenade, it's perfect. Your enjoyment may be
largely based on how far your commute is, and how fast you need to get
there.

I think it's a very good value. As I'm starting to do more travelling,
I've been poking around craigslist here and there for a used one. And
I definitely wouldn't go any cheaper than a Dahon. There are a lot of
very crappy looking designs out there.

Scott

me@privacy.net

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

>
>
>the tube is magnesium, a garbage cycle tube material.

thought it was aluminum

Rik O'Shea

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

On Oct 2, 4:45 pm, datakoll <datak...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> the tube is magnesium, a garbage cycle tube material.

Tell that to Pinerello - Dogma magnesium frame $$$$

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:47:27 -0500, me@privacy.net wrote:

>>
>>
>>the tube is magnesium, a garbage cycle tube material.
>
> thought it was aluminum

According to the Dahon website, you are (except for a missing vowel)
correct.

Andrew Price

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:47:27 -0500, me@privacy.net wrote:

>>the tube is magnesium, a garbage cycle tube material.
>
>thought it was aluminum

From what I've heard, the Dahon folders, although not in the
Brompton/Birdy class, represent good value for money.

datakoll

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

THE QUALITY MATERIALS AND DESIGN FRAME TUBE IS MAGNESIUM COLORED.

Leo Lichtman

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

According to the Dahon website, you are (except for a missing vowel)
correct.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Dahon evidently doesn't know about the missing "i" either. Do you know the
relative densities and tensile strengths of aluminum vs aluminium? ;-)

01-03-1970, 03:56 PM

On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:37:48 -0000, datakoll wrote:

> THE QUALITY MATERIALS AND DESIGN FRAME TUBE IS MAGNESIUM COLORED.

You're missing a vowel.

me@privacy.net

01-03-1970, 03:57 PM

>I rode the REI FlyBy:
>http://bikehugger.com/2007/09/time_flies_on_the_flyby.htm
>
>Which I believe is more-or-less the same bike. It's pretty slick for
>getting around town. The internal hub makes me want to get one.

yep that is it!!!

Maybe I will go to REI and look at it in St Louis

me@privacy.net

01-03-1970, 03:57 PM

>On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:47:27 -0500, me@privacy.net wrote:
>
>>>the tube is magnesium, a garbage cycle tube material.
>>
>>thought it was aluminum
>
>From what I've heard, the Dahon folders, although not in the
>Brompton/Birdy class, represent good value for money.

Well that is what attracts me.... good value

I'm short on cash right now

SMS

01-03-1970, 03:57 PM

me@privacy.net wrote:
>> I rode the REI FlyBy:
>> http://bikehugger.com/2007/09/time_flies_on_the_flyby.htm
>>
>> Which I believe is more-or-less the same bike. It's pretty slick for
>> getting around town. The internal hub makes me want to get one.
>
> yep that is it!!!
>
> Maybe I will go to REI and look at it in St Louis

You might want to wait until it actually appears in stores, sometime
early next year.

The issue with virtually every folder other than the Brompton is that
they don't really fold small enough to be convenient on a train or bus.
The bike friday Tikit is small, but not as well designed as the Brompton
in terms of folded size.

There was a Brompton clone a while back, the Caribike, that the
manufacturer sent me for evaluation that was the same size, but not
nearly as well designed, i.e. it folded with the chain on the outside
rather than on the inside ("http://tinyurl.com/2hn3jy"). It was
discontinued quite a few years ago.

me@privacy.net

01-03-1970, 03:57 PM

>> I'm VERY limited on money right now but want/need a
>> folder for commuting to work
>
>I had a friend who had one and liked it.

what brand and model folder did he have?

!Jones

01-03-1970, 03:57 PM

On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:11:38 -0500, in rec.bicycles.tech
me@privacy.net wrote:

>>> I'm VERY limited on money right now but want/need a
>>> folder for commuting to work
>>
>>I had a friend who had one and liked it.
>
>what brand and model folder did he have?

Sorry, dunno.

I haven't heard from me old pard in a coon's age. I'm gonna email him
tonight and see if he's about. I'll just *ask* him, I will!!!

Jones

Scott Gordo

01-03-1970, 03:58 PM

On Oct 2, 4:44 pm, "(PeteCresswell)" <x...@y.Invalid> wrote:
> Per m...@privacy.net:
>
> >folder for commuting to work
>
> Has anybody used a brand that I *think* is "Zoot" or "Xoot"?
>
> Saw one in a Philly LBS and one of the wrenches there said it was
> his favorite handling-wise among folders for commuting.
> --
> PeteCresswell

Funny, I was just talking to a guy about this yesterday on the subway.
He had a Swift Folder. He said it's the same bike.

/s

Clive George

01-03-1970, 03:58 PM

"_" <jtayNOSPAMlor@hfDONTSENDMESPAMx.andara.com> wrote in message
news:fyas0mms9q7z.i39krt8e0777.dlg@40tude.net...
> On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:37:48 -0000, datakoll wrote:
>
>> THE QUALITY MATERIALS AND DESIGN FRAME TUBE IS MAGNESIUM COLORED.
>
> You're missing a vowel.

Here's one:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/2u2vc9

datakoll

01-03-1970, 03:58 PM

try a want ad in the local sailor's columns. sailors own folders. try
google search for ports of call like Miamuh, San Diego, and the used
stuff online lists of and newpapers per se.
several people met this afternoon on the beach said they passed over
the Dahon line caws they thought the tubes were magnesium.
Magnesium, reluctant to tak epaint, corrodes, is heavy for its
'strength', 'brittle', and not 'stronger' than Al or Fe++ doesn't weld
well either does it? Why manufactuurer would advert paint in this
shade for an otherwise sophisticated design is in question.
Arthur Clarke always made a point of saying "Al yew min eeeeeeee um."
In fact, I once heard him tell some one to shove it for bringing the
subject up.

me@privacy.net

01-03-1970, 03:59 PM

>Make sure you really need a folder, and not just a bike with small wheels.
>
>I thought I would need a folder for my intermodal commute (bike/city
>bus/train), so I bought a Bike Friday with 20" wheels. Daily folding /
>unfolding became tedious.

OK

>My small-wheeled bike is less obtrusive on the train, and much easier on
>stairs and escalators (compared with a full-sized bike).

Am confused....what bike is your bike with "small
wheels"? is it NOT a folder but just a reg bike with
say 20" wheels on it?

Or.... did you mean that your Bike Friday IS your bike
with small wheels

Confused

me@privacy.net

01-03-1970, 03:59 PM

> I bought a Bike Friday with 20" wheels. Daily folding /
>unfolding became tedious.

Was the Bike Friday THAT much of a hassle to
fold/unfold daily?

Clive George

01-03-1970, 03:59 PM

"SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message
news:470301c1$0$79906$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...

> The issue with virtually every folder other than the Brompton is that they
> don't really fold small enough to be convenient on a train or bus.

Try a birdy - they're pretty close, and make up for it by being very good to
ride.

clive

me@privacy.net

01-03-1970, 03:59 PM

>The bike friday Tikit is small, but not as well designed as the Brompton
>in terms of folded size.

Yeah I'm aware of the Tikit and Brompton but they are
too pricey for me at this moment

However you definitely STILL give the edge to the
Brompton over the Tikit? If yes, why?

Tom \Johnny Sunset\ Sherman

01-03-1970, 04:03 PM

Clive George wrote:
> "SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message
> news:470301c1$0$79906$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
>
>> The issue with virtually every folder other than the Brompton is that
>> they don't really fold small enough to be convenient on a train or bus.
>
> Try a birdy - they're pretty close, and make up for it by being very
> good to ride.

Does anyone else find it horribly annoying that the Bromptom uses an ISO
349-mm tire, the Birdy an ISO 355-mm tire and the Moulton an ISO 369-mm
tire? Extra cost and/or less tire choices and availability than there
would be if there was just one size. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
A Real Cyclist [TM] keeps at least one bicycle in the bedroom.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

(PeteCresswell)

01-03-1970, 04:03 PM

Per Scott Gordo:
>> Has anybody used a brand that I *think* is "Zoot" or "Xoot"?
>> PeteCresswell
>
>Funny, I was just talking to a guy about this yesterday on the subway.
>He had a Swift Folder. He said it's the same bike.

That's the one. I has fixated on "Xooter", which looks tb the
model name and not the brand.

It folded *really* quickly and easily.

Although there's no "official" place to put the handlebar stem it
lays on top quite nicely and a couple pieces of bungee would hold
it just fine.

Dunno about the folded size - as far as getting on/off trains is
concerned... but just sitting on it and riding it a few feet, if
felt much more like a "real bike" than the other folders I've
tried.
--
PeteCresswell

(PeteCresswell)

01-03-1970, 04:03 PM

Per Scott Gordo:
> Swift Folder.

Not to go on-and-on... but another thing that impressed about the
bike was it's form factor when folded. The main frame member was
right *there* where my hand hung down when standing next to it,
it was a comfortable grip, and the whole thing was perfectly
balanced. i.e. It's conspicuously easy to carry when folded.
--
PeteCresswell

SMS

01-03-1970, 04:03 PM

me@privacy.net wrote:
>> The bike friday Tikit is small, but not as well designed as the Brompton
>> in terms of folded size.
>
> Yeah I'm aware of the Tikit and Brompton but they are
> too pricey for me at this moment
>
> However you definitely STILL give the edge to the
> Brompton over the Tikit? If yes, why?

For the folded package, not the ride, though I hear the newer Bromptons
are much improved from my Bromptons of six to seven years ago.

You could have afforded the Bromptons I bought. I bought four of them on
four trips to Taiwan for about $235 each. They were the Bromptons built
under license by NeoBike of Taiwan. They are no longer licensed to build
them. In fact, the executives of NeoBike went to jail for their actions
related to patent infringement. Brompton was about to do a deal with
Dahon, and the Dahon employee sent to negotiate the deal left Dahon and
started NeoBike. The Brompton violates several Dahon patents.

See
"http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-miscellaneous/4133160-1.html"

jbollyn@gmail.com

01-03-1970, 04:03 PM

On Oct 3, 1:36 pm, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> >Make sure you really need a folder, and not just a bike with small wheels.
>
> >I thought I would need a folder for my intermodal commute (bike/city
> >bus/train), so I bought a Bike Friday with 20" wheels. Daily folding /
> >unfolding became tedious.
>
> OK
>
> >My small-wheeled bike is less obtrusive on the train, and much easier on
> >stairs and escalators (compared with a full-sized bike).
>
> Am confused....what bike is your bike with "small
> wheels"? is it NOT a folder but just a reg bike with
> say 20" wheels on it?
>
> Or.... did you mean that your Bike Friday IS your bike
> with small wheels
>
> Confused

My BF has 20" wheels, and all BF's fold. When I first bought it, I
always folded it and carried it onto CTA buses, because I was afraid
the bike rack on the front of the bus would drop my bike. The bike
rack has a J-shaped lever which holds the front wheel by a spring
mechanism, but it is designed for full size wheels. The lever tends to
disengage with small wheels, because there is not enough tension on
the spring. Which would then drop the bike under the moving bus.

After a couple months of tedious daily folding, I took another look at
the bike rack. I am now using two bungee cords to secure the bike to
the rack. One of the cords holds the J-shaped lever in place, so it
cannot disengage. It is faster and easier to use the bike rack,
compared with folding.

I walk my unfolded bike right onto the CTA train. The smaller wheels
let me stay out of the way. A full size bike is always going to be in
someone's way on the train.

The commuter train platform involves either a narrow escalator or a
stairway. Both of these are much easier with small wheels.

I also need to walk a short distance to make my connections. It is
much easier to walk with the unfolded bike, compared with carrying the
folded bike. I often have 20 lbs in my trunk bag on the rear rack,
which makes folding even more complicated.

Regarding ease of folding, my bike is a heavily modified Pocket
Tourist, which is the cheapest BF model. They have several BF models
which are said to fold easier and faster, but of course they cost
more. With my model, you need to remove the seat mast and the
handlebar stem, fold the bike, and then tie the whole thing together
with bungee cords. Takes 5 minutes, and it is not a very compact
package. I do not recommend the PT for anyone who needs to fold it
daily.

- Jay

(PeteCresswell)

01-03-1970, 04:04 PM

Per (PeteCresswell):
> I has fixated on "Xooter"

SHB "I had fixated on "Xootr"...
--
PeteCresswell

Gary Young

01-03-1970, 04:05 PM

On Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:20:47 -0700, SMS wrote:

> me@privacy.net wrote:
>>> The bike friday Tikit is small, but not as well designed as the Brompton
>>> in terms of folded size.
>>
>> Yeah I'm aware of the Tikit and Brompton but they are
>> too pricey for me at this moment
>>
>> However you definitely STILL give the edge to the
>> Brompton over the Tikit? If yes, why?
>
> For the folded package, not the ride, though I hear the newer Bromptons
> are much improved from my Bromptons of six to seven years ago.
>
> You could have afforded the Bromptons I bought. I bought four of them on
> four trips to Taiwan for about $235 each. They were the Bromptons built
> under license by NeoBike of Taiwan. They are no longer licensed to build
> them. In fact, the executives of NeoBike went to jail for their actions
> related to patent infringement. Brompton was about to do a deal with
> Dahon, and the Dahon employee sent to negotiate the deal left Dahon and
> started NeoBike. The Brompton violates several Dahon patents.
>
> See
> "http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-miscellaneous/4133160-1.html"

The article doesn't say the Brompton violates several Dahon patents. If
that were so, then presumably Brompton UK would be in hot water as well.
The article says:

"Dahon accused the employees of stealing Dahon technology when they left
the company and using it to build Neobikes."

The employees could have stolen manufacturing methods. Are you sure they
were patents? Might have been trade secrets.

me@privacy.net

01-03-1970, 04:05 PM

>You could have afforded the Bromptons I bought. I bought four of them on
>four trips to Taiwan for about $235 each. They were the Bromptons built
>under license by NeoBike of Taiwan. They are no longer licensed to build
>them. In fact, the executives of NeoBike went to jail for their actions
>related to patent infringement. Brompton was about to do a deal with
>Dahon, and the Dahon employee sent to negotiate the deal left Dahon and
>started NeoBike. The Brompton violates several Dahon patents.

wow!

Interesting!

Clive George

01-03-1970, 04:06 PM

"Tom "Johnny Sunset" Sherman" <sunsetss0003@iinvalid.com> wrote in message
news:47044180$0$26438$88260bb3@free.teranews.com.. .
> Clive George wrote:
>> "SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message
>> news:470301c1$0$79906$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
>>
>>> The issue with virtually every folder other than the Brompton is that
>>> they don't really fold small enough to be convenient on a train or bus.
>>
>> Try a birdy - they're pretty close, and make up for it by being very good
>> to ride.
>
> Does anyone else find it horribly annoying that the Bromptom uses an ISO
> 349-mm tire, the Birdy an ISO 355-mm tire and the Moulton an ISO 369-mm
> tire? Extra cost and/or less tire choices and availability than there
> would be if there was just one size. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

I think you're not alone in that particular screaming...

cheers,
clive

A Muzi

01-03-1970, 04:06 PM

>> "SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote
>>> The issue with virtually every folder other than the Brompton is that
>>> they don't really fold small enough to be convenient on a train or bus.

> Clive George wrote:
>> Try a birdy - they're pretty close, and make up for it by being very
>> good to ride.

Tom "Johnny Sunset" Sherman wrote:
> Does anyone else find it horribly annoying that the Bromptom uses an ISO
> 349-mm tire, the Birdy an ISO 355-mm tire and the Moulton an ISO 369-mm
> tire? Extra cost and/or less tire choices and availability than there
> would be if there was just one size. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

Please sing that song for the 650B crowd.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Tom \Johnny Sunset\ Sherman

01-03-1970, 04:06 PM

Andrew Muzi mused:
>>> "SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote
>>>> The issue with virtually every folder other than the Brompton is
>>>> that they don't really fold small enough to be convenient on a train
>>>> or bus.
>
>> Clive George wrote:
>>> Try a birdy - they're pretty close, and make up for it by being very
>>> good to ride.
>
> Tom "Johnny Sunset" Sherman wrote:
>> Does anyone else find it horribly annoying that the Bromptom uses an
>> ISO 349-mm tire, the Birdy an ISO 355-mm tire and the Moulton an ISO
>> 369-mm tire? Extra cost and/or less tire choices and availability than
>> there would be if there was just one size. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!
>
> Please sing that song for the 650B crowd.

And another size for the LBS to stock.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
A Real Cyclist [TM] keeps at least one bicycle in the bedroom.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

SMS

01-03-1970, 04:06 PM

Gary Young wrote:
> On Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:20:47 -0700, SMS wrote:
>
>> me@privacy.net wrote:
>>>> The bike friday Tikit is small, but not as well designed as the Brompton
>>>> in terms of folded size.
>>> Yeah I'm aware of the Tikit and Brompton but they are
>>> too pricey for me at this moment
>>>
>>> However you definitely STILL give the edge to the
>>> Brompton over the Tikit? If yes, why?
>> For the folded package, not the ride, though I hear the newer Bromptons
>> are much improved from my Bromptons of six to seven years ago.
>>
>> You could have afforded the Bromptons I bought. I bought four of them on
>> four trips to Taiwan for about $235 each. They were the Bromptons built
>> under license by NeoBike of Taiwan. They are no longer licensed to build
>> them. In fact, the executives of NeoBike went to jail for their actions
>> related to patent infringement. Brompton was about to do a deal with
>> Dahon, and the Dahon employee sent to negotiate the deal left Dahon and
>> started NeoBike. The Brompton violates several Dahon patents.
>>
>> See
>> "http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-miscellaneous/4133160-1.html"
>
> The article doesn't say the Brompton violates several Dahon patents. If
> that were so, then presumably Brompton UK would be in hot water as well.
> The article says:
>
> "Dahon accused the employees of stealing Dahon technology when they left
> the company and using it to build Neobikes."
>
> The employees could have stolen manufacturing methods. Are you sure they
> were patents? Might have been trade secrets.

According to one of the Dahon executives I talked to at Interbike a few
years ago, there are (or ever) some patents that Brompton violated. I
know that one was the folding steering column design.

me@privacy.net

01-03-1970, 04:07 PM

>My BF has 20" wheels, and all BF's fold. When I first bought it, I

OK

Sounds like a NON folding bike but with 20" wheels
might be best overall compromise then huh?

Is this what you mean? That the small wheels actually
make it easier to lug around than any of the folding
aspects?

SMS

01-03-1970, 04:08 PM

me@privacy.net wrote:
>> You could have afforded the Bromptons I bought. I bought four of them on
>> four trips to Taiwan for about $235 each. They were the Bromptons built
>> under license by NeoBike of Taiwan. They are no longer licensed to build
>> them. In fact, the executives of NeoBike went to jail for their actions
>> related to patent infringement. Brompton was about to do a deal with
>> Dahon, and the Dahon employee sent to negotiate the deal left Dahon and
>> started NeoBike. The Brompton violates several Dahon patents.
>
> wow!
>
> Interesting!

I even had a web site on how to buy it. See
"http://www.nordicgroup.us/bromptai/"

jbollyn@gmail.com

01-03-1970, 04:08 PM

On Oct 4, 9:01 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> >My BF has 20" wheels, and all BF's fold. When I first bought it, I
>
> OK
>
> Sounds like a NON folding bike but with 20" wheels
> might be best overall compromise then huh?
>
> Is this what you mean? That the small wheels actually
> make it easier to lug around than any of the folding
> aspects?

Yes, that is what I mean. If I were buying a bike for my commute right
now, I would look for a non-folder with 20" wheels. Non-folding bikes
are stronger and cheaper, other things being equal. By that I mean,
you pay a premium for the folding feature. Especially if you are 200
lbs 6'4" like me, where frame strength is an issue.

The one feature of my folder which I use every day, is that the seat
mast is easily removed by a quick release. I use this feature every
day. For instance, it is very useful if you want to load the bike into
a car. Any non-folder I were to buy, would need to have a seat mast
like that:

http://orion.neiu.edu/~jbollyn/bike/seat_mast.jpg

- Jay

me@privacy.net

01-03-1970, 04:08 PM

>Yes, that is what I mean. If I were buying a bike for my commute right
>now, I would look for a non-folder with 20" wheels. Non-folding bikes
>are stronger and cheaper, other things being equal. By that I mean,
>you pay a premium for the folding feature. Especially if you are 200
>lbs 6'4" like me, where frame strength is an issue.

Understood. Why have the complexity of the folding
mechanism if NOT really needed!!

BUT.... who builds bikes with small Bike Friday-LIKE
frames that are NON-folding and use 20" wheels as well?

>The one feature of my folder which I use every day, is that the seat
>mast is easily removed by a quick release. I use this feature every
>day. For instance, it is very useful if you want to load the bike into
>a car. Any non-folder I were to buy, would need to have a seat mast
>like that:
>
>http://orion.neiu.edu/~jbollyn/bike/seat_mast.jpg

Cool!

and another god idea!!

Maybe what we need is a bike LIKE the Bike Friday in
stature and design..... but NOT one that folds at all?
That might be just as easy to break down and haul
around as a folder huh?