Off road folder 20 inch wheels?
04-14-19, 06:44 PM
#1
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Off road folder 20 inch wheels?
I know there’s a thread on the Downtube 16” for light off road use but I didn’t want to hijack it with a similar question about the Downtube P8. I’m 5’3” and a hundred pounds riding on flat Miami streets. I’d like to go on some bumpy, gravely roads and over some tree roots. But not mountain bike trails.
I have a Mu Uno but worry it’s not a good bike for that so I stay on the street or bike paths with it.
Any suggestions on a folder that can do it? The Downtube full suspension would seem like a decent choice considering the price. I’ve read the fold isn’t great but I just need it to fit in a corner of my small apartment.
I have a Mu Uno but worry it’s not a good bike for that so I stay on the street or bike paths with it.
Any suggestions on a folder that can do it? The Downtube full suspension would seem like a decent choice considering the price. I’ve read the fold isn’t great but I just need it to fit in a corner of my small apartment.
04-15-19, 01:09 PM
#2
Banned
Bike friday has a few 20" wheel bikes , that could be fine on unpaved surfaces
They are made in Oregon in USA, not imported they are the only one made to fit the rider
both size and parts pick . is an individual choice .. so you can get a bike that fits .. You.
rather than getting a bike mass produced, that you adjust to fit tolerably .. which is what you have ...
My Bike Friday Pocket Llama.. will take a 20" - 1.75" wide tire... I can ride it past the ends of a paved road,
But it is not going to plough over larger obstacles like a 29er wheel ..
there is the montague often spoken of here, it's a bigger wheel bike with a frame that folds ,
but again it is a one size frame, so yat may not fit a smaller rider.
a bike is even made for those Shorter than you
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-b...t-folding-bike
They are made in Oregon in USA, not imported they are the only one made to fit the rider
both size and parts pick . is an individual choice .. so you can get a bike that fits .. You.
rather than getting a bike mass produced, that you adjust to fit tolerably .. which is what you have ...
My Bike Friday Pocket Llama.. will take a 20" - 1.75" wide tire... I can ride it past the ends of a paved road,
But it is not going to plough over larger obstacles like a 29er wheel ..
there is the montague often spoken of here, it's a bigger wheel bike with a frame that folds ,
but again it is a one size frame, so yat may not fit a smaller rider.
a bike is even made for those Shorter than you
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-b...t-folding-bike
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-31-19 at 12:08 PM.
04-15-19, 04:40 PM
#3
Senior Member
I'd look into this thread, so not all posts there have to be rewritten once more 
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...20-folder.html
Maybe one or more of i.e. these threads provide even more info:
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...rt-person.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...in-trails.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...-am-i-mad.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...hard-case.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...-ride-one.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...stream-xp.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...ce-please.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...ional-mtb.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...ike-tyres.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...20-folder.htmlMaybe one or more of i.e. these threads provide even more info:
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...rt-person.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...in-trails.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...-am-i-mad.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...hard-case.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...-ride-one.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...stream-xp.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...ce-please.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...ional-mtb.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...ike-tyres.html
04-15-19, 08:18 PM
#4
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04-17-19, 12:06 AM
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I've done a fair bit of trail riding on a 18" Tyrell Ive.
1.65" tires was the largest I can fit and generally this is ok unless the ground is very loose gravel, or sand/snow.
Roots, rock gardens and wash board surfaces will be a major problem as its hard for the small wheels to roll over them.
A 20" bike will certainly be better, but I'd say not by much (and don't expect miracles vs even 26" rigid mtbs with >1.85" tires. (wrt trail riding)
The Dahon Jetsteam is the main one to consider for a 20" wheeled folder.
The problem with larger wheeled offerings is that they are all biggish even after the folding and more clunky to handle folded.
I did end up selling my Tyrell Ive in favor of getting a 650b folding gravel bike.
1.65" tires was the largest I can fit and generally this is ok unless the ground is very loose gravel, or sand/snow.
Roots, rock gardens and wash board surfaces will be a major problem as its hard for the small wheels to roll over them.
A 20" bike will certainly be better, but I'd say not by much (and don't expect miracles vs even 26" rigid mtbs with >1.85" tires. (wrt trail riding)
The Dahon Jetsteam is the main one to consider for a 20" wheeled folder.
The problem with larger wheeled offerings is that they are all biggish even after the folding and more clunky to handle folded.
I did end up selling my Tyrell Ive in favor of getting a 650b folding gravel bike.
05-31-19, 04:29 AM
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. . .
there is the montague often spoken of here, it's a bigger wheel bike with a frame that folds ,
but again it is aone size frame, so yat may not fit a smaller rider.
a bike is even made for those Shorter than you
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-b...t-folding-bike
there is the montague often spoken of here, it's a bigger wheel bike with a frame that folds ,
but again it is a
a bike is even made for those Shorter than you
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-b...t-folding-bike
Frame Sizes
• Small – 16″: For riders 4’8″ – 5’2″
Standover height is 28.5″
• Medium – 18″: For riders 5’3″ – 5’10”.
Standover height is 29.50″
• Large – 20″: For riders 5’11” – 6’4″.
Standover height is 29.50″
If going Montague, should pick the ones with lockout on the suspension fork, for all the road\flat\gravel.
Standover height is 28.5″
• Medium – 18″: For riders 5’3″ – 5’10”.
Standover height is 29.50″
• Large – 20″: For riders 5’11” – 6’4″.
Standover height is 29.50″
05-31-19, 06:23 AM
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I was going to suggest trying a pair of Schwalbe big apples on your uno.
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05-31-19, 11:24 AM
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I know there’s a thread on the Downtube 16” for light off road use but I didn’t want to hijack it with a similar question about the Downtube P8. I’m 5’3” and a hundred pounds riding on flat Miami streets. I’d like to go on some bumpy, gravely roads and over some tree roots. But not mountain bike trails.
I have a Mu Uno but worry it’s not a good bike for that so I stay on the street or bike paths with it.
Any suggestions on a folder that can do it? The Downtube full suspension would seem like a decent choice considering the price. I’ve read the fold isn’t great but I just need it to fit in a corner of my small apartment.
I have a Mu Uno but worry it’s not a good bike for that so I stay on the street or bike paths with it.
Any suggestions on a folder that can do it? The Downtube full suspension would seem like a decent choice considering the price. I’ve read the fold isn’t great but I just need it to fit in a corner of my small apartment.
05-31-19, 12:13 PM
#10
Banned
OK ( re # 7) bike friday has 8 all reach differences , the seat and handlebar masts are additional sizing customizations..
....
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-31-19 at 12:17 PM.
06-01-19, 05:00 AM
#11
Stardust
the best story of someone whose keen to discover how much a folder would hold in true offroad, is Debcar Blog!
this guy made 50 epic trails in usa with a dahon jestream 20"!
its truly epic story...also brakeages and diy fixes
DEBCAR Story
this guy made 50 epic trails in usa with a dahon jestream 20"!
its truly epic story...also brakeages and diy fixes
DEBCAR Story
06-02-19, 08:14 AM
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06-02-19, 09:44 AM
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My mountain bike riding was done in the days when bikes were rigid, no shocks at all. A 20" could be used off road but I can't imagine it would be a lot of fun. Something you can do for a bit and tolerate, but definitely not something you would want to do regularly. It's all about the right tool for the job. If you're going to ride rutted rocky places, get a bike specifically to make that a pleasure, not just bearable. Just like I wouldn't want to use a mountain bike for multi-modal, lol.
06-03-19, 11:03 AM
#14
Banned
BMX is off road on 20" wheels , Motos are massed starts , just like the motor bikes..
2 Olympics have now had a BMX medal race series ..
(though those tracks were groomed for equal conditions for all races)
...
2 Olympics have now had a BMX medal race series ..
(though those tracks were groomed for equal conditions for all races)
...
