Folding Tourers

[mcfcbird]

Hi, thanks for all the responses. After a lot of deliberation and a brief test ride, I opted for the Dahon Speed TR, an 08 model that was discounted down to around £450. Around half the cost of al low-spec stock Bike Friday. I've only ridden the bike on the flat up until now in urban LA, but the bike handles very well and folding it is a breeze. The only immediate modification I'll make is to the saddle, which I'll replace with a Brooks. I mean the saddle is fine, it's just I prefer Brooks and I'm used to them.

I REALLY like the DualDRive feature, which eliminates the usual triple chainring in favour of a rear hub, so you can swtich them from a stationary position easily and smoothly, that'll be handy when I want to shift mid-climb too.

The kick-stand is too short and flimsy, and will probably go. It doens't look like a centre stand would interfere with the folding, so that's always an option, but I probably won't bother with one.

First time I've ridden on Big Apples, cause none of my other bikes have ever been able take 'em, and I love them.

I'm five-eleven and the bike fits me fine. I may look at bar options (the option of drops would have been nice), but the need isn't dire so I'm not too concerned about it. I dare say there may be one or two other modifications that'll become more apparent with time.

So for the money I'm very happy with it as a second bike. When I take it back to the UK i'll get the Airporter suitcase for it, whether I'll use it more than the Galaxy remains to be seen, but it's just a fun and relatively inexpensive option if and when I opt for it, which I'm sure I will when I want to take a bike abroad.

Thanks again for the responses.

 

[ChrisBailey]

I have a Bike Friday NWT, have done a number of tours, Pyreneen Raid in 2002, Across Pennsylvania in 2005 and am planning to ride around the Grand Canyon in May this year.

I used to have a 1995 Dawes Galaxy and also own a Thorn Audax.

The Bike Friday is good, not as good as the Thorn, close to the Galaxy and certainly acceptable as a touring bike. You need to test ride one though, as they are expensive and you need to be sure it's the correct choice.

I logged some of my BF rides if this helps.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/cb2005b

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/cb2009a

Please contact me if you have any specifc questions which you think I may be able to help with.

Chris

 

[Paco]

I have enjoyed long tours on a Moulton, LEJOG being the longest. However, it is not a folder, but a separable, so does not break down to the small package of a folder.
My latest acquisition is an Airnimal Chameleon, which does fold into a suitcase, and feels like a full sized bike (which it nearly is). Great for long distance touring.

 

[ufkacbln]

I only know two people who tour on folders, and that is what they both use.

I have an early Chameleon, and it is an excellent machine, which flies quite happily, however the Joey is as good as a tourer, and a lot cheaper. Additionally the wheel sizes offer more choice of tyres as the Joey has two wheel sizes, where the Airnimal has 520s which limit tyres to road tyres only.

 

[Cathryn]

Helen, when do you go?

 

[HelenD123]

Helen, when do you go?

19th May. It's coming up fast now!

 

[gwhite]

I have an early Chameleon, and it is an excellent machine, which flies quite happily, however the Joey is as good as a tourer, and a lot cheaper. Additionally the wheel sizes offer more choice of tyres as the Joey has two wheel sizes, where the Airnimal has 520s which limit tyres to road tyres only.

I have a Chameleon also and have been waiting on Airnimal producing a case/trailer as promised a long time ago. Heard nothing as yet but wondered if the Bike Friday trailer would fit. Probably not given the larger wheels.

 

[HelenD123]

I have a Chameleon also and have been waiting on Airnimal producing a case/trailer as promised a long time ago. Heard nothing as yet but wondered if the Bike Friday trailer would fit. Probably not given the larger wheels.

I think the trailer is almost imminent. I've spoken to the guy at Airnimal within the last couple of months and I think he mentioned the trailer being available in May. It may be worth ringing them.

 

[Cathryn]

19th May. It's coming up fast now!

I'm so excited for you!!

 

[Kirstie]

Another one for the Airnimal Chameleon - I have toured on mine and use it more generally when the train companies aren't co-operating. I switched the chainrings for touring gears and it's really excellent.

 

[currystomper]

I was wondering if anyone here had any direct experience with folding tourers, or any advice concerning getting one.. Thanks in advance..

Mark

I've had a Dahon Speed and used it a lot for commuting - it should be OK for touring. I would consider a supended seat post to help with the bumps - the 20 inch (406) wheels have a lot less give in them than a standard bike.

PS I would recommend a pacific Reach as a folding touring bike - ~ 500 UKP full suspension, standard components and a lovely ride. I rode my Reach every where until this year. (I built up a recumbent over the winter)

 

[gwhite]

The thing that decided me in choosing the Airnimal was that the vast majority of the parts were stock, generic bike components. I wanted to avoid specialist components, as being niche items, the price is invariably inflated.

 

[Jugular]

I often seem to miss these really pertinent threads, I've recently bought a Brompton for commuting, multimodal touring and potentially cycle touring. So far I'm relatively happy with the bike, the wheel construction is a bit naff and the pedals were too weak for a small fall I had so I've replaced those. All in all I'm pleased but I was told Dahon's are rubbish, BF NWT's don't really fold and Airnimals are bloody expensive. Hence I plumped for good ole British engineering. Being Steel and having a warranty on the frame I might just hope for the best with flying with it.

 

[jay clock]

I have flown a dozen or more times with a bike and cannot see that the plus sides of "easy travel" are offset by the downsides of the hassle of having a suboptimal bike.

And by the way I do have a folder - Dahon Speed P8 which I love. But to take it on tour means fitting it in a normal case (which I did easily for a trip on business to the US) but a lot of faffing to pack and unpack, hassle for how to fit luggage on a small wheeled bike, and hassle for what to do with the case if leaving from a different place.

So if a very short two or three days very light pootling, I would take the Dahon if pushed. If not, it is the Koga Miyata.

 

[stephenjubb]

depends on what you mean by a suboptimal bike?

my bike friday new world tourist, agreed a pain to get in the suitcase, but it is worry free travel by plane with bike without having to worry about an expensive full size bike getting damaged by baggage handlers.