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Folders

Group for owners and fans of folding bikes. Webspace for discussion of issues, advice, stories, history, ideas etc about folding bikes.

Members: 50
Latest Activity: Jan 11, 2022

Discussion Forum

Brompton Riders Chicago

Just thought you might like to know that I started another group, specifically for us Brompton riders. With any interest, I'm hoping we can get together for a ride or two, and share our B's history…Continue

Started by Marcusn Jul 17, 2014.

accessories 6 Replies

Would anyone care to share their experiences (good and bad) with various folder-specific accessories?Continue

Tags: accessories, bike, folding

Started by Anne Alt. Last reply by L.Park Nov 16, 2013.

Advice on folders for a Metra UPN commute 15 Replies

I'm beginning initial research on folding bikes for a commute. I take Metra's UPN from Ravenswood to Davis and onto Northwestern University (north campus). I'm looking forward to a reasonable…Continue

Tags: commuting, metra, bikes, folding

Started by Richard. Last reply by Richard Sep 21, 2012.

Folding on the South Shore RR 4 Replies

I'm considering a folder specifically to take on the South Shore Railroad.  I know this line has a history of being hostile to bikers.  Anyone have stories to share?  Their official policies allow…Continue

Started by Michael. Last reply by Anne Alt Feb 18, 2012.

Comment Wall

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Comment by Allen Wrench on November 11, 2010 at 9:22am
Anyone know anything about the NYC-made Swift folder?
Comment by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on September 27, 2010 at 12:13pm
Anyone have The Dahon Espresso? Like it? Do you find it not beefy enough for trails?
Comment by Mike Bullis 5.5-6.5 miles on September 25, 2010 at 3:41pm
The Raleigh folder with the 16" tires is known as an RSW 16. A little monster Raleigh introduced to compete with Moulton.

I have no experience with RSW 16 but they came up in discussion at the ABCE last weekend in Minneapolis. The few folks who had any first hand knowledge of them, had ridden them in the UK when they first came out and pronounced them 'crap' at the time and still have a dislike of them. Uncomfortable, poor handling, and "slower than dried snot" were some of the comments I heard. That said, I wouldn't mind having one in my stable.

Hell, I'd still like to get my hands on an R20.
Comment by jennifer james on September 25, 2010 at 2:26pm
Saw a neat Raleigh folder with 16 inch wheels and a SA 3 speed this Friday at Critical Mass. Anyone know anything about them? Then there were the usual Dahons, Bromptons, and a few neat Mariner-type things at the mass. Let's have a big folding bike turnout for next month's mass and try to make a big group in the middle somewhere.

But better than that, a folding made-in-Chicago recumbent with small wheels zipped past on Halsted. I can't remember the name of the bike builder - can anyone help me out? Thanks.
Comment by AlexeiM on September 14, 2010 at 4:00am
Sorry to hear about jennifer james's long-lost two-tone T5. I agree that this should be a friendly place for the R20 crowd and especially for Moultoneers. Although the Moulton is not a folder, it is the inspiration for the modern folder - small wheels, separable, breaks the diamond frame convention. In effect, Dr Moulton gave permission for Mark Sanders, Andrew Ritchie, et al to think differently about bike design. (Also, the soon-to-be-released Moulton TSR-2 is an urban dream machine I can't resist.) Perhaps this should be the Small Wheels group instead. As one poster introducing his Brompton on the British Bicycles Chicago group said: "Small wheels gotta represent!" (And yes, Rapid Transit is a godsend.)
Comment by jennifer james on September 14, 2010 at 12:09am
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/raleigh-twenty.html is a good place to start for too much information about souping up 1970s steel folders (new everything). And Worksman still makes a 70's style folder in NYC.
Comment by jennifer james on September 14, 2010 at 12:03am
The Brompton ads emphasize how you can avoid theft by bringing the bike inside with you FOR A REASON. Now that I've replaced the one stolen out of my locked stairwell 8 years ago (red, with black, T5 - seen it?) I'm almost completely over it. The replacement is locked even when I'm riding it. Almost. This applies to most folders - especially Bike Friday NWT and similar which don't have much of a place to put a lock through. BE careful with your folder!

We have done a lot of riding around on Brompton, Birdy, and
Friday, mostly found secondhand (with proof of ownership). Folding bikes are like potato chips - once you start...

Obviously, someone should say the words "Rapid Transit" here.

I think this forum should also include nice not-really-folding folders like Moulton spaceframes and Raleigh Twenties. Sheldon Brown's site has links to the Raleighs.
Comment by Carl on September 12, 2010 at 2:20pm
Stridas are sweet! They really are the lightest practical folder. I met Mark Sanders (the inventor) when he spoke at Columbia several years ago.
Comment by AlexeiM on September 12, 2010 at 2:12pm
After 30 years out ofmthe saddle, I have been enjoying a Strida LT for the last month. A Brompton test drive gave me the jones, so I ordered an M1R. Today marks Day 25 of the Brompton Wait (which you have to endure before you get to enjoy the Brompton Fold on your B-spoke model).
Comment by Mike Bullis 5.5-6.5 miles on September 12, 2010 at 1:32pm
I have a German Markenrrad folder that I set up with alloy rims, front drum brake, Sturmey Archer S5/2 rear hub, and Ideale 92 saddle. I need to breakdown and buy some Kenda Kwest tires for the little beast cuz it still has dry rotted American made Carlisle tires on it and when was the last time you saw any of those.

Before, http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/bikamper/SummerProject.jpg

After, http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/bikamper/Markenrad.jpg

The seat post was changed the day after the 'After' pic was taken. It kinda folded under my fat ass.
 

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