Does anyone have a folding bike?

[shootingstar]

Or when you really like cycling will get another 2nd bike.

Having a folding bike is so convenient at times. Ride it everywhere for regular cycling several times per week.

[Sky King]

Check out Laura and Russ's blog the path less pedaled. They are touring on Brompton's at the moment

[luv2climb]

I have 3 folding bikes-a vintage 1982 single-speed Dahon Da Bike, a 7-speed Dahon Speed D7, and a Worksman Port-O-Trike adult trike.

Here's the Dahon Da Bike on a very hilly ride in Amador County.

creek crossing on Amador Creek Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

Dahon Da Bike at top of School St climb in Amador City by kittyz202, on Flickr

Here's the Worksman Port-O-Trike being used to take the Dahon Speed D7 home from REI when I bought it back in May. I am car-lite.

Worksman Port-O-Trike carrying Dahon Speed D7 by kittyz202, on Flickr

Worksman Port-O-Trike carrying Dahon Speed D7 by kittyz202, on Flickr

Here's the Dahon Speed D7 on its first real test ride after doing my usual tweaks.

Dahon Speed D7 by kittyz202, on Flickr

Since then, it's been to the summit of Kingsbury Grade

Dahon Speed D7 at Daggett Summit by kittyz202, on Flickr

Kingsbury Grade 9% grade sign & Dahon Speed D7 by kittyz202, on Flickr

Dahon Speed D7 with mountains in background 7-9-11 by kittyz202, on Flickr

Geiger Grade

Dahon Speed D7 at Geiger Summit by kittyz202, on Flickr

Monitor Pass

Dahon Speed D7 at top of Monitor Pass 8-6-11 (other side of road) by kittyz202, on Flickr

Dahon Speed D7 at top of Monitor Pass 8-6-11 by kittyz202, on Flickr

view from top of Monitor Pass by kittyz202, on Flickr

and Mt. Rose.




After suffering up Kingsbury Grade and Geiger Grade with stock gearing, I put a mtb crankset on, which helped immensely on Monitor Pass. The stock chainring is a 52. This crankset is a 47-37-27 (odd tooth numbers, huh?). Since the Dahon's drivetrain isn't designed for any kind of front shifting, I shortened the chain and put it on the middle ring.


I have ride videos and Garmin data of all the climbs mentioned on my YouTube channel.

[shootingstar]

Well, luv2climb you certainly gave us many examples.

I can understand if one rides with a group that tends to be fast, to want to use a bike with larger wheels.

However if it's going on trips with one other person or solo around town, even your own trip, there's no point getting overly concerned about getting a bike with bigger wheels at this time.

Take your time to get into cycling regularily, often and build up the total mileage, then you will understand your cycling nees re: type of bike.

I miss my folding bike..it's in a different city. (I have to have a bike in current city and my 2nd home city to save delivery costs of bike.) And yes, I did several 100+ km. trips each on the folding bike with loaded panniers.

[Sardine]

l2c, I like the picture of the trike with the Dahon in it!

[OakLeaf]

Dang, you do love to climb! What a great series of pictures, and yeah, I too especially love the pictures of taking the bike home on the trike.

But couldn't you find a single crank to fit?



ETA - you could always shift the front with your hands the way my grandfather used to before ol' Tullio invented the derailleur - provided your RD cage is long enough to take up the slack.

[jyyanks]

Thank you for the sage advice. Luvtoclimb-your pictures are amazing and inspirational. I love seeing your folders, the vintage is a beauty! I will continue riding my folder recreationally and keep an eye out for sales in the winter or the spring. Maybe by the springtime, i will have a full size bike and can join a club then. For now, I will just continue to putz around on the local trails and build up stamina. Thanks for the encouragement.