Help! Front chainring size ?

[guerney]

All of the bikes Mike designed may be investment opportunities now? I suppose it depends on future demand. You should have bought that 8freight! I was very surprised when you didn't.

 

[guerney]

My reason for wanting one is for the MB design effect of the narrow fold and use of the single sided axle, I likely wouldn't use it much but handy to put in the car boot.

How thin is it's folded size? Mine was pretty thick, even before conversion. But it still folds, thank goodness..

 

[guerney]

@Nealh - Are his bikes married? Will they need to be legally divorced before he sells you one? They can't cite incompatibility as grounds, unless one is broken. Please do upload pics and details, if the seller meets you halfway and sells you a Halfway (or both).

Does it have a one-sided shock absorber?

 

[Nealh]

I don't know how thin it folds but by all accounts it is (or was) the the thinnest folder on the market, hence why MB went with the oblong box tube design and the single axle./fork & chainstay. After the Halfway and he left Giant's he designed the 10kg 2D which I think he only made a prototype and five other models, no one being brave enough to produce it for the masses.

Mikes own prototype bike.
The enclosed chain meant no dirt or grime from the road, oiling only needed every six months.
Only a lucky few people (five) have this bike in their persession.

 

[guerney]

"Anonymous" reports a problem with the Halfway's folding stem mechanism:

Giant Halfway Folding Bike user reviews : 2.7 out of 5 - 5 reviews - roadbikereview.com

Giant Halfway Folding Bike user reviews : 2.7 out of 5 - 5 reviews. Read it's strength, weaknesses, find deals and pricing - roadbikereview.com

products.roadbikereview.com

 

[guerney]

A post by "jmm" about weak brakes and unavailable part from Giant:

Opinions wanted on 2002 Giant Halfway - Bike Forums

Folding Bikes - Opinions wanted on 2002 Giant Halfway - Greetings All, I have been lurking on this forum for the better part of a year, and just registered in order to post so I can garner your opinions. After 30 years or so, I've decided to get back into casual cycling for exercise and to help...

www.bikeforums.net

 

[guerney]

Mikes own prototype bike.
The enclosed chain meant no dirt or grime from the road, oiling only needed every six months.
Only a lucky few people (five) have this bike in their persession.
View attachment 48709

A dirty chain is the only reason I wear one glove...

That bike would be even narrower with folding pedals. My folding MKS FD-7 alloys with "Aggressive treadplate" are pretty good.

FD-7 | MIKASHIMA INDUSTRIAL CO,.LTD

www.mkspedal.com

 

[Nealh]

Again just one post of an issue not a resounding failure of a bike.
One suspects Giant didn't want a folder in the line up but can see that on the back of the success that Mike made for them out of the TCR road bike which revolutionised the bike industry, they likely gave in to him and produced the Halfway though heavily over engineered form his original design. I don't think they had their heart in the bike and in their eyes consider it to be a side show.

It is like any bike one can find bad reviews or the odd issue but also on the other hand one can find plenty of good things said and owners who love the simplicity.

The 8 freight is not a small bike at 8 foot long it needs space and width, I would also need towing capability with one an doing wouldn't be easy to convert/adapt one witht he rear axle design. Adding a mid drive isn't an issue as I have seen a video of a guy riding one with a BBS01.

 

[Nealh]

A dirty chain is the only reason I wear one glove...

That bike would be even narrower with folding pedals. My folding MKS FD-7 alloys with "Aggressive treadplate" are pretty good.

FD-7 | MIKASHIMA INDUSTRIAL CO,.LTD

www.mkspedal.com

The Halfway has folding pedals as part of the design, an even rarer model is the Halfway with rear suspension.
The later incarnations had 7 gears and integrated mudguards bringing them in at approx. 13.2kg.

 

[guerney]

One suspects Giant didn't want a folder in the line up but can see that on the back of the success that Mike made for them out of the TCR road bike which revolutionised the bike industry, they likely gave in to him and produced the Halfway though heavily over engineered form his original design. I don't think they had their heart in the bike and in their eyes consider it to be a side show.

My own feeling is that Giant wanted to be associated with the winning MB brand, but were not at all prepared to support his free thinking design habits. They also needed to manufacture bikes at low price, which I believe was the issue which ruined MB's intention regarding the Halfway, the bike's production, and ultimately the relationship.

 

[Nealh]

Regarding the fold, the only likely issue is abuse or lack of maintenance with it.
I have seen some developed liitle playin the pin area of the mechanism which could lead to play and stress. The answer I saw should such an issue occur is similar the Suntour parallelagram seatpost, the copper bushes in the guides holes for the pins wear so they should be inspected and replaced as part of general maintenance.

 

[guerney]

even rarer model is the Halfway with rear suspension.

That's no good for a rear pannier? It's why I hesitated buying a dual suspension Dahon Jetstream with disc brakes.

The later incarnations had 7 gears and integrated mudguards bringing them in at approx. 13.2kg.

But that's heavier than my unconverted Dahon Helios P8, which weighed only 10.7kg, and it has a double fork and double chainstays!

World Wheels - The No 1 internet source for Dahon Folding Bikes in UK and EU

World Wheels: Online Retailer of Dahon folding bicycles. We carry Dahon's complete line of portable folding bicycles and folding bike accessories.

www.cyclemotion.co.uk

 

[Nealh]

My own feeling is that Giant wanted to be associated with the winning MB brand, but were not at all prepared to support his free thinking design habits. They also needed to manufacture bikes at low price, which I believe was the issue which ruined MB's intention regarding the Halway, the bike's production, and ultimately the relationship.

Yes , Mike was bloody minded and once he had an idea he wa slike a terrier. As he once said he isn't the best bike designer but was the only forward thinking one who broke the satid mould of bike design, hence the TCR game changer. Mike wanted lightweight and simplicity and that costs money.

 

[Nealh]

That's no good for a rear pannier? It's why I hesitated buying a dual suspension Dahon Jetstream with disc brakes.



But that's heavier than my unconverted Dahon Helios P8, which was only 10.7kg, and it has a double fork and double chainstays!

That's because Giant over engineered Mikes original design and the finished bike they produced wasn't all that he hoped for. Over engineered frame ,crappier rim brakes instead of the hub brakes, awkward wheel axle /hub design instead of QR axled wheels and one expects the list goes on.

 

[guerney]

The 8 freight is not a small bike at 8 foot long it needs space and width, I would also need towing capability with one an doing wouldn't be easy to convert/adapt one witht he rear axle design. Adding a mid drive isn't an issue as I have seen a video of a guy riding one with a BBS01.

My BBS01b hauls a approx 90kg trailer with cargo very well up steep hills, even with 52T>32T and the controller @15A. Freight weight is very much limited by the QR axle. I imagine an 8freight would have better gearing, and if not, you can certainly put a double chainring in front, as you have before on other bikes.

 

[guerney]

That's because Giant over engineered Mikes original design and the finished bike they produced wasn't all that he hoped for. Over engineered frame ,crappier rim brakes instead of the hub brakes, awkward wheel axle /hub design instead of QR axled wheels and one expects the list goes on.

Are you certain you want the bike MB objected to being made? His unadulterated design sounds great.

 

[Nealh]

In the end Giants execution of the bike simply didn't live up to the brillance of the designer, though in concept and the finished bike it remains a radical design from those that have come and gone.
Even today the design is radical, it still looks like no other folder on the market and that is down to one man.

Likley the only other comparable bike is not a folder and that is the Gocycle small ebike but that is CF and a different game altogether price wise.

 

[Nealh]

This is one of the best reviews I found on the Halfway, and sounds like the guy used the bike well.




Forum home Commuter cycling forum Commuting general

Giant Halfway - anyone have one?
jonathan_heath Posts: 4
March 2020 in Commuting general
Does anyone have one of the wonderfully designed Mike Burrows Giant Halfway? I'm looking to either buy one or if someone has one they don't want to sell, then some detailed photos.

Your help is much appreciated! Cheers...

• 
  djhep Posts: 13
  March 2020
  Hi Jonathan.....
  I have a Giant Halfway that i used for 5 years on an oil terminal in Nigeria.
  It was my get about transport, but was also used as my training bike for daily 10 mile lunch time ride, and 30 mile weekly ride.
  It took some serious abuse on baaaaad roads, and the only thing that caused problems over approx 14k km was the hinge which got a bit loose over time.
  
  I would definitely recommend it as a very good city bike, having 8 gears and ability to fold up quite small for transporting on trains etc.
  
  I still have it, as i brought it home with me to fix up, but i intend keeping it for use when i finally get myself retired (which could be quite soon the way the oil price is at the moment
  
  ).
  
  
  All the best.
  
  Dave.
  
  
• 
  jonathan_heath Posts: 4
  March 2020
  Hi Dave, thanks for your detailed reply - much appreciated. It's great to hear how well it's lasted after so many miles! Sounds like it's been a really valuable little bike to own.
  
  
• 
  djhep Posts: 13
  March 2020
  Hi John.....
  It was definitely a good little bike and for what i paid at the time was a bit of a bargain compared to some of the other fold ups available. It also rode suprisingly well.
  
  Yes i am in the oil industry, and am unfortunately locked down on a terminal in the Nigeria Delta at the moment. We have no idea when we will get out of here, but to be honest we are doing ok. We are still on pay, and food isn't a problem so all good.
  Also i still get to ride my bike every day
  
  
  
  The bike is now in Spain, so for the foreseeable future i am unable to take any pictures.
  The rear wheel, swing arm assembly is fairly basic, and the strength comes from a hefty axle and a modified wheel hub.
  
  I'm going to delve through some pics on my hard drive and see if i can find any pics that might be useful.
  
  Anyhow Jon, hope you are surviving your own lockdown, and have a great day ahead.
  
  Dave.
  
  
  
  

 

[guerney]

That's hopeful, maybe those Halways won't half be good! Do Giant make production runs of bikes using different factories of differing quality of work? Hope it works out with the seller.

 

[guerney]

Likley the only other comparable bike is not a folder and that is the Gocycle small ebike but that is CF and a different game altogether price wise.

Someone with a Gocycle on the forum last year comlained about chips in the paintwork underneath, which he thought was caused by gravel. Could have alternatively been because the magnesium alloy frame flexed more than it's paint?