My short-list of 20" folding bikes for next conversion..

[morphix]

I'm currently looking for a 20" folder to do my second conversion project.. my requirements are:

1. Under £400
2. Ideally weighing less than 12kg
3. Hub gears preferred
4. White or black frame
5. Must have a rear rack

And here is my short-list of contenders:

Oyama St James 2010 - black, 3-speed internal rack 12.8kg £250

This looks like a bargain with the hub gears. The weight is a bit on high side but not too bad. Although the brand is Taiwanese and not rated, I've seen good reviews of this bike.

Raleigh Bikes Boardwalk Lite Windsor Edition - 7-speed, 12kg £280

Can't go wrong with Raleigh and this bike is made for them by Dahon so two of the leading names in one bike. Lighter than the Oyama but lacks hub gears, on the plus side though it almost a kg lighter.

Urban Lite - silver 10.5kg £200

This is an unusual bike with a very light magnesium titanium frame. It's probably not as well spec'd as the other bikes being a low budget bike, but it's got my interest purely for the low weight factor and I like the styling of it a bit.

Dahon Mu Uno (2011) Folding Bike (<10kg, no gears or brakes) £385

Now this bike has got me thinking...perhaps a fixed gear is the way to go since I never change out of 7th gear on my current electric bike or ride it unpowered anyway. Providing the fixed gear is high enough it could work. Another thing too it has no brakes and uses a back-pedal braking system. Getting rid of gears and brakes makes for a super-light bike under 10kg and it looks a lot nicer and more portable without all the gears and cables. So I'm giving this some serious thought.

Dahon Vitesse D7HG - £500

Last but not least, is this popular folder..it has the hub gears (7 of them) and is more expensive than the Oyama 3-hub, but its probably a much better made bike. I believe flecc has one? The only thing which puts me off this bike is the aluminium frame and problem with doing a front wheel conversion, and also the price is a bit much for me.

I also really love the look and design of the Dahon Vitesse P18 (2010) - 13.5kg £600 but it's too heavy and way out of my price range. If anyone can recommend any white 20" folders that look like this and are cheaper, I'd be very interested though!

I'd welcome any comments on the suitability of the above bikes, or indeed any other bikes I haven't considered (but please, no Brompton recommendations, I know I will get some stick for saying it, but I hate them and think they're overpriced and don't like the look of them, yes I know they're considered investments and hold their value, but I don't care I would never buy one)

 

[eddieo]

I have a Dahon Boardwalk on ebay this week....Has a " Lite Hitten" steel frame



eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

 

[catsnapper]

I've got a Dahon Mu Uno. It came with a front brake(as required by UK law), the coaster brake is freewheel not fixed, with backpedaling operating the brake. I've also used it as straight fixie with a replacement wheel.
I'ts currently being fitted with larger(451) wheels and an SRAM Automatix 2spd hub, with a view to adding an 80mm front hub motor to it sometime in the future.

I've also purchased a couple of Oyamas for relatives, but not used one regularly. They're certainly heavy, having some relatively crude steel parts, but handled well and the frame seemed robust enough.

C H WHite sell the Dahon Speed Pro steel frame for £100 if you want to start from basics. They also sell their own range of custom bikes including a nice white UNO, but not cheap!

HTH,

Alan

 

[cwah]

This thread is great, I have exactly the same problem as you have.

You can add this to your list:
Downtube FS - 12 kg - £490
According to reviews, it's not bad.

You have also some cheap and light bike (don't know what it worth)
The Giant Conway 12kg - £130

Or a "no name" bike 12,5kg - £150



Or why not directly purchase an electric bike?
A bit heavy but can go up to 32km/h. 26KG £500

I just found this one, really light but only 25km/h. 16.5kg £500


If you find the perfect combination of a light and fast bike, I would love to hear from you

 

[indalo]

I'm currently looking for a 20" folder to do my second conversion project.. my requirements are:

1. Under £400
2. Ideally weighing less than 12kg
3. Hub gears preferred
4. White or black frame
5. Must have a rear rack


Dahon Mu Uno (2011) Folding Bike (<10kg, no gears or brakes) £385

Now this bike has got me thinking...perhaps a fixed gear is the way to go since I never change out of 7th gear on my current electric bike or ride it unpowered anyway. Providing the fixed gear is high enough it could work. Another thing too it has no brakes and uses a back-pedal braking system. Getting rid of gears and brakes makes for a super-light bike under 10kg and it looks a lot nicer and more portable without all the gears and cables. So I'm giving this some serious thought.

Hi Morphix.

As far as I'm aware, I have no need at present for a folding bike but I can appreciate they have their place. That said, I rather like and agree with your criteria for your project base and, like you, I'm tickled by the idea of the Mu Uno, if only for the fact it's a bit left-field and I kind of like the eccentricity of that.

When you make your choice, I shall enjoy reading about the build and the performance, etc. My feelings about the Brompton are much the same as yours. I'm sure it's a lovely bit of kit but I baulk at the money they ask for them.

Keep us posted.

Indalo

 

[andyh2]

Well it is over budget, but I'd add the Xootr Swift to your list for consideration.

It uses standard 406 wheels, brakes, gears etc. Rear dropout is 132.5mm track end so a wide range of single speed, fixed, hub and derailleur hubs can be used. Front is standard 100mm.

Decent tyre clearances, mine's currently running 2" Big Apples and mudguards. Not common in the UK but quite popular in the States. Fold nowhere near Brompton territory, but the ride is great. 11kg weight with the fat tyres and mudguards.

Some links;
Xootr Swift Folding Bike
`thew's reviews: Xootr Swift Folding Bike
Xootr Swift Folding Bicycle : Xootr Urban Transport
swift folders

the last one is 114 pages long! Folk set them up lots of different ways. So they're great if you're a tinkerer.

I've currently got an 8fun 20" kit with bottle battery on mine and they work very well together. Might put mine back to un-assisted as I've now got Walkermans' Pro-connect and Lafrees.

 

[jerrysimon]

Smaller wheels can mean a less comfortable ride. That swift fitted with Big Apples will be better as they provide built in suspension

Some Downtube models also come with full suspension I think.

Regards

Jerry

 

[morphix]

some good choices

This thread is great, I have exactly the same problem as you have.

You can add this to your list:
Downtube FS - 12 kg - £490
According to reviews, it's not bad.

You have also some cheap and light bike (don't know what it worth)
The Giant Conway 12kg - £130

Or a "no name" bike 12,5kg - £150



Or why not directly purchase an electric bike?
A bit heavy but can go up to 32km/h. 26KG £500

I just found this one, really light but only 25km/h. 16.5kg £500


If you find the perfect combination of a light and fast bike, I would love to hear from you

Hi cwah, some great additions there... I did consider a Downtube as my first choice (the orange one without suspension) but they don't seem to be available in UK and the colour wasn't really to my liking.

The Giant is well worth considering, great name.. and the unbranded one looks like a copy of the Dahon curve.. might also be worth considering, looks modern and it's light/cheap!

That second folding electric bike you spotted is very unusual! I like the look of the frame, and the weight is quite good but I expect that's mainly due to the smaller battery. Would like to find out more about it

Yes I will keep you updated on my choice and if I find any other bikes

 

[andyh2]

A bit off thread, but I really like the 20" Big Apples. I've tried them in 26" and 700 sizes and whilst comfortable, found them to make the steering too sluggish for me. In the 20" size the comfort remains and slowing down the steering a bit is welcome on the smaller wheel, basically it makes it ride just like a big wheel on the road.

Whatever you choose to go for it's worth having the clearance for them.

 

[jerrysimon]

I put one on the rear (standard continental on the front) of this recent aquisition. Its a 20" wheeled Pashley Fold-IT retro fitted with Moulton APB front suspension forks.

The Apple on the rear both provides some much appreciated comfort and makes up for the slight raise at the front with the Moulton forks. I have to say I am a big fan of Big Apples and would fit them to my Brompton if there was clearance. The Brompton does of course have rear suspension anyway.

I have resisted "E-ing" it

Regards

Jerry