Any folding bike riders here?

Any folding bike riders here? Raise your hand and  post a picture of your folder.

Here is mine: 

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Permalink Reply by Chicago Jen on August 7, 2013 at 4:35am

Much appreciated.  Thank you.

Permalink Reply by Ash L. on August 7, 2013 at 5:42am
Any QR skewer should fit. I just took a set off of a 20" wheel set. I'd be happy to sell my old ones (brand new with bike, removed right away) for 6 pack of IPA or a few bucks if you're in to that whole temperence thing.


Chicago Jen said:

Anyone with a folder have any advice for either installing a quick release on a 20 inch wheel, or info on a reasonable 20 inch wheel with a quick release?  Getting a rear flat on the way to work without one was.....inconvenient.  Yup, I know it’s a folding bike, but it’s a brick, and I was not that close to public trans. It would have been much faster and easier to pop the tire off and fix the flat. Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Chicago Jen on August 7, 2013 at 5:59am

Heck no.  Sounds good to me, and you said the magic word.  Just message me with your whereabouts and whether you are a Two Hearted, or Daisy Cutter kinda girl (although Daisy Cutter comes in 4 packs I suppose) and I will make it happen sometime soon.

Permalink Reply by Bill P on August 10, 2013 at 3:19pm

If you haven't seen it yet, check out BromptonTalk on Yahoo groups.

Joza 7 miles said:

I ride a Brompton. I like the little G+ Brompton group. It's nice to see pictures from all over the world from fellow riders.
Permalink Reply by pav on August 11, 2013 at 3:14am

Hey all,

I picked up a used (late 90s ish) steel Swift Folder late last year. Taken it on a couple plane trips already - when taken apart it fits into the largest-capacity airline legal no overcharge suit case. Takes me roughly an hour since i take my time to pack components - i have to remove the fork. Definitely not as quick and convenient as some of the other models out there - but it's completely worth it when within an hour or two of landing and settling in i can get back out there on bike. 

I've yet to test out rail (amtrak/metra) policy which supposedly allows folding bikes with far less restrictions than full. I tried to take it on a CTA bus the one-time i had a problem (had no wrench and wheel shifted into chainstay), and the driver wasn't having it. I had already looked up the CTA policy which explicitly directs users to bring folding-bikes on board and to not put them on the racks. But since a metra option was also available i declined to get into it with the driver.. but for the future i plan on carrying a printed out policy in case i ever need to hop on a bus. Anyone else out there that can share experiences with bringing folding bikes on city buses? I hope to never have to (inevitably going to be a minor inconvenience to other riders) but it's good to know that at least on paper, it's allowed. 

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 11, 2013 at 5:23am

I've never taken my Dahon on a CTA bus--they always seem too crowded with standees, shopping carts and baby buggies, not to mention the occasional wheelchair, to even attempt.  I'm guessing if I tried the CTA bus, I'd probably bag the bike to make it more like luggage and then either place it on the luggage space over the right front wheel well, or, if the bus was empty, take it back to the very back row and place the bagged (clean, no mud) bike on the two bench seats at the window and hog up the middle seat.  I can see how a rattly scratchy muddy-tired unbagged folder might be unwelcome on a bus, even if technically allowed.

I've taken my folder on Pace a few times with no problem, unbagged, but Pace buses are rarely crowded and there's a big space (for wheelchairs?) in front of the first seat on the bus' right where I can put the bike between my knees.

I've taken the folder on the L train often, though never at rush hour when the cars are sardined with commuters.  Yes, my folder is allowed at all times, but I don't need to force myself and my bike on a crowded L.

I carry the Dahon on Metra Union Pacific North Line regularly with no problem.  I've never been forced by conductors to bag the bike except on bike blackout days (the 4th of July, Air/Water Show, Lollapalooza, etc.).  This differs from some of the other Metra lines, I understand, which force you to bag your bike for every ride.  Best places on Metra for me to stash the bike is on either end of the fold-down jump seats in the wheelchair area, with me sitting right next to it holding it steady, or else placing the bike in front of my knees with me sitting in the center jump seat, if I can't get access to the end of that row.  At worst, my folded bike fits neatly in the stairs in the vestibule across from the active doors, with me standing alongside in the stairwell--the UPN Metra uses only one side for entry/exit, unlike the CTA L, which varies sides depending on whether the station is center-platform or side-platform.

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on August 15, 2013 at 4:13pm

I've been looking at the Montague Navigator ($950 cheapest I could find online) for the past few weeks. I'm also considering just buying the steel frame and building it up myself but I have to think about it. I'm pretty certain I will buy one soon though because I am tired of peeking out of the window to see if my bike is okay lol. I love the 700c wheels and that it can handle more weight than a typical folding bike (250 lbs). I saw on their site there is one shop in Chicago, Rudy's, that carries them but I haven't had a chance to go in yet.

The other awesome thing about this bike is it has standard dimensions so you can use regular road-bike parts throughout.



Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

I've been thinking about getting a folder for train rides and such. It seems that most of you have Dahons. Are they better than Bromptons? Anyone have any experience with full-size folders, such as Montague?

Permalink Reply by Miguel Alvelo on August 15, 2013 at 5:34pm
I have a cheap, heavy Schwinn World I use when traveling with Amtrak and in winter.
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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 16, 2013 at 1:33am

A giant folder with 700c wheels might be too big to be useful on public transport and too big to have much advantage in storing at home in a closet or behind a sofa, along with the disadvantage of a hinged frame rather than a solid frame, resulting in less efficiency and comfort.  The worst of both worlds?

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on August 16, 2013 at 1:51am

I actually found out a little after posting this that Bromptons can carry 300lbs. That changes everything.



Thunder Snow said:

A giant folder with 700c wheels might be too big to be useful on public transport and too big to have much advantage in storing at home in a closet or behind a sofa, along with the disadvantage of a hinged frame rather than a solid frame, resulting in less efficiency and comfort.  The worst of both worlds?

Permalink Reply by bk (aka: Dr. Mambohead) on August 18, 2013 at 1:12pm
Dahon "Mariner"

The noble workhorse for six weeks of my summer 2013:

The "Eggbeater"

Kind of gobsmacked by the Mariner. Her first real test. Hundreds of miles. Many sunrise and sunset west line shenanigans. Carried giant packs and boxes.

I am on the train with her right now!... Yes!!!... air show bike ban... packed up all snug in a teenie duffle. under the radar...

what a bike
won't post. sry. see my page
Permalink Reply by Marc-Paul Lee on August 18, 2013 at 1:57pm

Used to have a Dahon  Mu P8 that I liked a lot.  Sold it to a buddy of mine and it started a new chapter with a new owner.  Until it was stolen, that is.  Death to bike thieves.  

After I sold it I bought a Tern Link.  It's ok but I liked the Dahon more.  Apparently so did a lot of other people because the price went up about $200.  I just don't feel as comfortable on longer rides on the Tern as I did on my Dahon (a longer ride being more than 10 miles).  

Now I'm thinking of getting a BikeFriday.  I'd like to get the Silk but I'll need to save for that one.  I wonder if they have a lay-away plan?  

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