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Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

kwigglebike.com

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Re: Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

#191

Post by troyjfarrell »

thijsvandien wrote: post #181
ridehelix wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A discussion about folding bikes would not be complete without mentioning Helix. Helix folds almost as small as a Brompton but has 24” wheels and standard bicycle components such as disc brakes, Shimano/SRAM drivetrain etc. Also the fold is the most compact possible, even more compact than Brompton in terms of maximizing the use of space. It also fits in a standard airline luggage without any disassembly which few ot…

This looks nice, but even though you ship internationally, how am I going to have my bike serviced on the other side of the world?

If you are not too picky about the exact model of replacement component, you can get most components at bicycle shops on the other side of the world. They are quite standardized.

Re: Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

#192

Post by ridehelix »

thijsvandien wrote: post #181
ridehelix wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A discussion about folding bikes would not be complete without mentioning Helix. Helix folds almost as small as a Brompton but has 24” wheels and standard bicycle components such as disc brakes, Shimano/SRAM drivetrain etc. Also the fold is the most compact possible, even more compact than Brompton in terms of maximizing the use of space. It also fits in a standard airline luggage without any disassembly which few ot…

This looks nice, but even though you ship internationally, how am I going to have my bike serviced on the other side of the world?

We have a 10 year warranty on the frame. Replacement parts can be shipped worldwide in 3-10 days. The components such as brakes, drivetrain, wheels are industry standard and can be serviced by any bicycle shop.

Re: Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

#193

Post by jay_kyburz »

twblalock wrote: post #7
sparrc wrote: post #2

Seems like it's bordering on push-scooter levels of top speed and stability...what's the benefit of such a small bike compared to a scooter?

One benefit is the ability to sit.

I commit on an e scooter every day, 15 minutes each way, and its more comfortable to stand on it than sit on my bike saddle.

Re: Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

#194

Post by acomjean »

m463 wrote: post #98
laurieg wrote: post #24

I've spent a long time with folding bikes over the years. My advice: bite the bullet and buy a Brompton[1]. Yes, Bromptons are expensive. But they ride like a bicycle, have gears, a stiff enough frame, luggage racks etc. There's very little compromise. The fastest I've done on mine is 45 kph and I've ridden 70km in a day. I carry it on and off buses and trains multiple times a day without issue. In the past I had an…

Folding bikes to me have always been "fits in trunk of car". This is an interesting idea, but I wonder if it collides into the electric scooter market. I think dahon bikes are fairly nice, but I have not tried a brompton. I have a dahon mu n360 with a variable transmission that I like quite a bit. https://dahon.com/bikes/mu-n360/ However recently I bought two bikes direct e-bikes - pretty versatile and go off-road/to…

I have a dahon mariner bike. I like it even though I lack the boat it’s supposed to pair with (I put it in my car). It doesn’t fold as small as the bromton, but I think the wheels are bigger.. it’s useful to have the bike when traveling, dropping car at shop. I think I like the Danone better than my brothers bromton e-bike (which he won in a raffle.. lucky). Ebikes are great though.

Re: Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

#195

Post by ranit »

laurieg wrote: post #24

I've spent a long time with folding bikes over the years. My advice: bite the bullet and buy a Brompton[1]. Yes, Bromptons are expensive. But they ride like a bicycle, have gears, a stiff enough frame, luggage racks etc. There's very little compromise. The fastest I've done on mine is 45 kph and I've ridden 70km in a day. I carry it on and off buses and trains multiple times a day without issue. In the past I had an…

Another half bike worth mentioning https://halfbikes.com/

Re: Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

#196

Post by Glide »

Melatonic wrote: post #109

Does anyone make a less compact folding bike that uses larger tires? The Brompton at 16" is starting to get interesting and while the Kwiggle does look very nice for certain situations. But I think what I would want the most is something with more standard size bicycle wheels that can still fold to be a bit more compact for use on public transit.

Tern makes a BYB bike model that looks decent for transit (https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes/471/byb). I personally own a Tern Verge and it's more enjoyable as a bike than my Brompton.

Re: Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

#197

Post by ridehelix »

moltar wrote: post #184
ridehelix wrote: post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you. Designing it was a labour of love. It’s function over form in every detail. No gimmicks, cheap materials or manufacturing short cuts like using castings for example. The welded frame components are all cnc machined from titanium blocks and the frame is robotically TIG welded in an argon chamber in our Toronto factory. We literally spare no expense in making them.

But $3-5K for a bicycle? How can I justify that if my Mazda3 2008 is worth that much, and still runs perfectly fine?

A well made titanium bike will easily outlast your Mazda and have better resale value. You’re getting outside and active. Lower carbon footprint. Never pay for parking. There’s so much more.

Re: Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

#198

Post by ajmtgu »

Honestly, you'd go flying over the handle bars upon hitting the tiniest twig.

I've been riding Montague Bikes for years -- on the other end of the folding bike spectrum. Full-size wheels, rides so much smoother. Doesn't fold down as small but it goes in the trunk of a car or can be carried on the train and that's all I really need.

Re: Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

#199

Post by brudgers »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #99

I've owned a Bike Friday[1] gnu since 2007 and my wife has both a Tikit and larger touring one which I don't think has a name (Edit: she reminds me it is a 'new world Tourist'). (they are basically custom bikes). I carried mine on Caltrain while commuting, it folds quickly and even if the bike car is full you could easily just stash it in the luggage rack car. They even had a Samsonite suitcase that was the correct s…

Folding bikes are better at most of what bikes do; sitting around waiting to be ridden.

There’s no good way to store a regular bicycle. All of them are compromises of convenience, security, floor space and weather protection.

Re: Folding bicycle small enough to fit in hand luggage

#200

Post by [deleted] »

laurieg wrote: post #24

I've spent a long time with folding bikes over the years. My advice: bite the bullet and buy a Brompton[1]. Yes, Bromptons are expensive. But they ride like a bicycle, have gears, a stiff enough frame, luggage racks etc. There's very little compromise. The fastest I've done on mine is 45 kph and I've ridden 70km in a day. I carry it on and off buses and trains multiple times a day without issue. In the past I had an…

[deleted]
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