Folding Cycles and their Rider Weight Limits

I would think that the fast spin up of small wheels would be an attractive proposition to fixed and ss riders.

Not necessary with fixed wheel due to the flywheel effect that push the pedal round.

With a smaller wheel - less flywheel effect thus required more power input.

Not necessary with fixed wheel due to the flywheel effect that push the pedal round.

With a smaller wheel - less flywheel effect thus required more power input.
Not true, in fact its the opposite, i.e. the smaller, lighter wheel requires less energy to accelerate (also due to less drag from air resistance), whether from rest or from a medium speed to a higher speed. However it is true that the smaller, lighter wheel loses speed again more quickly due to lack of flywheel effect, e.g. when you start climbing a hill, or when braking. If flywheel effect was such an advantage you would all be running the heaviest wheelsets you could build, but something tells me that is not the case...

I'm sorry where are the carbon race geometry folders? I only see the get off the train and plod about town ones.

Velocio explain it better than me;

It can be made fixed (fixed rear triangle), but as the wheel is smaller the flywheel effect is dramatically reduced and you have to put more effort into keeping moving. The dead spots on the pedals become more pronounced and whereas a large wheel would push the pedals through the dead spots the smaller wheels don't. It ends up feeling very weird.

So... can be made fixed, but doesn't make a good fixed.

I'm sorry where are the carbon race geometry folders? I only see the get off the train and plod about town ones.

Not carbon though;

Velocio explain it better than me;Quote:

  Originally Posted by **Velocio** [![](http://static.lfgss.com/images/londonfgss/buttons_lite/viewpost.gif)](http://www.lfgss.com/thread41302.html#post1327849) 

*It can be made fixed (fixed rear triangle), but as the wheel is smaller the flywheel effect is dramatically reduced and you have to put more effort into keeping moving. The dead spots on the pedals become more pronounced and whereas a large wheel would push the pedals through the dead spots the smaller wheels don't. It ends up feeling very weird.

So... can be made fixed, but doesn't make a good fixed.*

Interesting and a different issue about which I have no knowledge, but then surely also a problem with very light 700c wheelsets? However, logically this would not be an issue with single speed (and plenty of small wheel single speed bikes have been built over the years).

That Airnimal certainly looks the business but looking at the folding instructions it looks like a disassembly job. Not strictly a folder then really.

Not carbon either - but available in a 17.3lbs version apparently...

I'm wondering how many of you have not actually visited the first page of this thread? Nearly all these bikes are listed, but in respect of this forum's origins, mainly (but not exclusively) single speed versions are highlighted.

Not carbon either - but available in a 17.3lbs version apparently...

Another Bike Friday is the Tikit:

which is allegedly the fastest fold:
YouTube - Bike Friday tikit - 05 - The fastest folding bicycle

That Airnimal certainly looks the business but looking at the folding instructions it looks like a disassembly job. Not strictly a folder then really.

I would still class the Airnimal as a folder, one of my colleagues has one and I've watched him break it down several times, in fact I've even raced him with folding my Brompton,and he's pretty much the same speed. The only non fold bit is the quick release front wheel..
I <3 my Brompton though.

Montagu Boston - short video clip

Montague Boston - YouTube

I've been riding my Kansi Twenty1 for a few months now, enjoying the occasional skid out but it's not for wet weather. Much prefer the folding style, faster and easier than Brompton.

The Montague has been around for a while, not really worth it when a normal singlespeed is enough.

If someone wants to fold up their bike and take into their office, and leave it under their desks, or next to, then folding bikes are ideal. I grant you that Bromptons seem to be perfect to me for that purpose, but some may not like the mini-sizing, and prefer something more like what they have been accustomed to. Not for me Ed, but obviously for somebody, otherwise they wouldn't sell any.

Decathlon Sports are currently selling the B'fold SS for 150 notes, 100 in some places, similar look to the Mu Uno but 4 odd kgs heavier, but then it is a quarter of the price.

Soon I'll be looking for 2 lightweight, no frills, cheap foldies. They're to go in the back of a campervan so I do want them light.
Any suggestions? Obvs I'd love a Brompton but it needs to be < £200

Speak to coppiThat, he always finds cheap Bromptons, and better yet, pre-owned Moultons.

sub £200 brompton / moulton?
Surely not!

How much does a Brompton weigh?

Was looking at the Ridgeback Envoy because I can get it cheap ish, but it's 12.5kgs.
Would like lighter.

Light and cheap = Dahon.

Cheapest one is £300.
I want to pay less than £200.

http://www.bikesandprams.co.uk/section.php?xSec=234I

Cheap options. Though I'd go for a secondhand Brompton if possible.

Thanks.
I can get a Ridgeback for about £180 though.

Seems unlikely that I'd get 2 bromptons for less than £200 each. I really can't extend the budget sadle. It's always worrying buying them second hand though.

Fitzrovia are selling a Bronx for 180 and a really crap folder for even less. I have a moulton you can borrow for free.