docpickles

I see Solorock all over Amazon.ca and I'm wondering if it's really so bad to go off market?

This one looks especially interesting because of the 9 tooth chainring / 52 chain wheel that's probably something like 80 gear inches on 14" wheels.

The fold is 12” x 24” x 24” for $350 that sounds like a steal.

Am I missing something? It's almost worth rolling the dice and ordering it. Almost. But I still get that instinct saying not to buy it. Maybe it's because the video on Youtube seemed a bit convoluted. But still, $350.

So if everything looks so right, why does it feel so wrong?

docpickles

Sorry they won't let me post a URL unless I've posted 10 times before

solorock dot ca /
collections/frontpage/products/pace-solorock-14-3-speed-aluminum-folding-bike

fietsbob

https://solorock.ca/ is the importer to Canada, Not the manufacturer.. that is in China..

"worth it", is your call..

docpickles

Solorock just doesn't move me. I didn't like the look of the folding demo

I have already checked out the Dahon speed (meh) and the Giant Expressway (super heavy) at a couple bike shops in my immediate neighbourhood. Years ago I tried a Brompton - they look beautiful and fold really small, with a nice long wheelbase, but the ride was kind of, I don't know how to describe it, rattley? and cruddy brakes that will wear out fast on those little wheels.

There's a company called Revelo I keep coming back to their site. They have quality components and I nice design. Kind of a tall fold.

docpickles

Aha! That makes all the difference. So they're just importers and slap their logo on it?

docpickles

Revelo:
I'm off the Solorock now and looking at Revelo. They're in Toronto so I can go in person to check them out.They have a foldie I'm zeroing in on called a Lift. It looks just right, and could fit in a suitcase, or a portage pack style backpack. It folds smaller than 31 x 23 x 14 and weighs 22lbs minus accessories.

www revelo dot ca/collections/lift-folding-bikes-2019/products/2019-lift-pro-8-speed-16-wheels

docpickles

Revelo's secret weapon appears to be a handlebar that folds sideways, that's how they get the fold so skinny. It's really nifty.

Schwinnsta

The wheel base looks very short. I wonder comfortable to ride.

docpickles

You're right that's a short wheelbase. It's a compromise I'm willing to make for the portability of fitting a bike in a suitcase!

Wheelbase on the Revelo Lift is 34 inches (860mm) so it's similar to a Dahon EEZZ (855mm) or the Strida (854mm). You're right that's about as short as it gets.

The other bikes I was interested in all had longer wheelbases: The 20" tire foldies were definitely comfortable but if I want comfort I'll stick to my road bike. The Mariner was 1025mm, the Giant Expressway was 1013mm. The Brompton was 1045mm and with the 16" wheels had a very different feel, kind of felt like a spear being thrown.

My regular road bike is actually shorter than those long foldies, I ride a Kona Door Prize (same frame as a Kona Penthouse) which is 992mm

docpickles

I test the Revelo out on Monday so I'll report back.

fietsbob

Order enough bikes from big Manufacturers and they will put your name on it..

POE seaport shipping to Vancouver BC ? it should be on the shipping carton..

Montreal or Halifax, if it came thru the Suez Canal in Egypt..

I note, Prince Rupert is the other West coast container port, from which CN Rail moves the containers, to the rest of the country..





...

tds101 

1 more post, then you can post some pictures!

docpickles

hahaha you`re right. This one will bring me to 10!

docpickles

Here's that 14" "Solorock" foldie that started this thread. Bungee strap and all. I will not be buying this one, at least not until I see the Revelo on Monday.

docpickles

Oh and here's the Revelo LIFT I'm going to check out next week:

tds101 

Check out the Greenzone folder. It's got a 3 speed internal geared hub, build quality looks quite good, it's actually a rebranded solorock, and the price is definitely nice. https://www.greenzonebikes.com/folding-bicycles?path=60

docpickles

In the end I chose a Revelo Lift. My review is here in the Revelo thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/1099812-revelo-lift-new-folder-market.html

If anyone has direct experience with that 14" bike I'm curious to hear your experience. But I just got the Lift so it's too late to add to my fleet.

BCATC

BromptonINrio

best thing about 14"....is thath in most cases possible to upgrade wheel to 16"...depending on frame clarences..

tdonline

Do not see it on their site. Assuming it's not live yet?

BCATC

I re-read the email and he didn't seem to say whether or not this will be a continuous offering or if it'd be live on their website. He mentioned having 3-4 units available. If you're interested I see no problem in shooting an email to them about it.

tdonline

Thanks. No interest in buying, just curious.

sykerocker 

That Solorock frame design seems to be the modern equivalent of the old "U" shaped folder from the 70's: A basic, cheap, bicycle who's usefulness I'd love to explore. No doubt it's an improvement over those Italian/Yugoslavian folders from 40 years ago, but I'd be curious as to how much of an improvement. The frame design layout seems to have started with the old Raleigh Twenty folder (I have one, have owned them in the past, and they're very useful folders), so I have some hope for one.

Maybe at the next bicycle swap meet . . . . . .

docpickles

The design does it's very best to be as small as possible for as cheap as possible.

Later in the video when he brings out the suitcase I'm like "Yes! Put it in the suitcase!" but he never does. So disappointing! Why show me the suitcase unless you are going to show off how cool it is to put the fodie in it! That's the clincher!

Meilancholia

A few months late but for anyone looking at the Solarock Pace, it appears that they're just rebranding a Dahon Dove Uno frame imported from the Chinese market, which retails for slightly less there (once currency is converted). If you can find it, it might be cheaper to have the Dahon imported.