Dahon build

special import from China, limited edition colour

it weighed a little under 15kg out of the box

these are the changes so far

pantour suspension hub on the front wheel

http://www.pantourhub.com/products.html

sixteen spoke super light front wheel

removed the pedals and the stand

swopped out the tyres

lost the ergo- grips

It has vertical dropouts in the rear

I am thinking about a white Industries Eno hub in black built up on a 20" BMX rim

if I can find one thin enough and light enough

The VELOCITY BMX aero rim looks like a strong contender if I can find one

http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=565

(thx Hippy Geezer)

In the meantime I am going to have a go at converting it to a single speed so I can drop the derailler

Don't know really how it rides yet

although I like the way you can change the handlebar height with the flick of a quick release

wow that front wheel looks sick.
14 spokes?
i don't want to imagine what will happen if you hit a pothole with that!

i have to say it's really nice. i met a guy on friday he's got a really similar one as well.
personally i find riding bikes with such small wheels rather fiddly (apart from BMX's)

I have never ridden anything like this before

I am kinda curious though as to how fast I can make it go

Small light wheels should accelerate well

I just need to 'feel' that 'perfect' gear

Interesting enough it comes as a 8 speed of which

the six lowest gears are pretty much useless

unless you are riding up bloody great hills

it's strange they put those gears there. they're not even good for commuters in non-pink shirts. and it's meant to look more slick and fast than bromptons with sturmey archers! singlespeed is the only option i guess.

think you can calculate gear inches and they should feel similar at least?

I look forward to the day when i see a brakeless fixed wheel folding bike. Then I might like them. But what you've done with those wheels is pretty sweet.

I saw a brakeless fixed wheel Airnimal at Herne Hill a while back.

Alternatively get one of these, it's singlespeed so it'd be easy to swap the freewheel for a fixed cog:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_222863_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_31509_crumb_33980-33957_parentcategoryrn_31509

ha! that's going to be one cool little ride by the time you're done with it. There's a whole section in Richard's Bicycle book (the section about Alex Moultons) which talks about how if you can add a little suspension to soften the ride, small wheels with very hard tyres make a lot of sense - you get low rolling resistance and, as you say, low rotational inertia. Be interested to know what the weight is after you get rid of the gears and one or more brakes!

photoben I look forward to the day when i see a brakeless fixed wheel folding bike.

natureboy ha! that's going to be one cool little ride by the time you're done with it. There's a whole section in Richard's Bicycle book (the section about Alex Moultons) which talks about how if you can add a little suspension to soften the ride, small wheels with very hard tyres make a lot of sense - you get low rolling resistance and, as you say, low rotational inertia. Be interested to know what the weight is after you get rid of the gears and one or more brakes!

For loose weight I'll cut the bars and stem
and I'll swop out the seatpost, saddle, gears, rear brake, and most likely the BB pedals and cranks
If I can figure out the chain line I fancy a set of these

If that's the sort of kit you're putting on a folder.. I look forward to seeing your 'normal' ride!

talking about the fixed airnimal, i actually just met the bike + the man himself last friday. i have to say i do like it quite well. didn't get to try riding it though.

he rides it round town with bullhorns and a front brake. he's doing the dynamo. those of you doing it will see him + the bike i'm sure.

smiling buddha, i want to see that dahon at herne hill!

there's one of those fixed too that i used to see going through chiswick last year.....same guy????

I'd be careful of those FSA cranks. I've read about problems with them - apparently the crank arm/spider connection isn't great and can come a bit loose.

Sweet. I first folding bike I've seen I like the look of.

here's another one , built by the guy himselfalso fellow londoner...

31trum(murtle) here's another one , built by the guy himselfalso fellow londoner...

man, I'd die for a 20 inch HED rim.... I've been looking but no potato

Momentum I'd be careful of those FSA cranks. I've read about problems with them - apparently the crank arm/spider connection isn't great and can come a bit loose.

I read something somewhere also

what about these

31trum(murtle) here's another one , built by the guy himselfalso fellow londoner...

nice... i've been umming and aahing about trying to build a folding fixie for a while... something like that

Are those Nitto bullhorns?

Waste of good carbon and driveline that..

it's cool, but it's not really quite foldable and the front forks have suspension! and i bet the frame must be very heavy i do think it's a bit silly putting that HED on there.

would really really like to try and see how it feels riding this though!

That HED looks ridiculous on that!

Buddha - the second pic of fsa cranks had a good review on roadcyclinguk.com if I remember rightly.

they don't make-z -em anymore ..:(

eeehhhh That HED looks ridiculous on that!

Buddha - the second pic of fsa cranks had a good review on roadcyclinguk.com if I remember rightly.

they are cheaper and all...;)

and because you got lickle wheels you can have a great big RING...

by the way, that folder is punkPixel's