Harhir

I thinking of getting a folding bike for the occasional use. But the bike needs to support around 300lbs. And NO ebike. Just a 5-9 speed pedal bike. Looks like both the Dahon HIT and Zizzo Forte would fit that bill.
I have seen mixed reviews on both but not really long time reviews. Especially no reviews from tall and heavy riders. I am 6'3" and close to 300lb. Any preference which one is better? People seem to complain about the low end drive train components on the Zizzo Forte. But I have not seen any reviews on the Dahon branded drive train components on the Dahon HIT.
There is also Bike Friday Diamond Llama but this is out of the price range I want to spend.

Also I don't really want to buy a new bike. Does anyone know of any other older folding bikes which can support up to 300 lbs? Most of the folding bikes max out at around 220-240 lbs. I don't mind buying a fixer upper if it supports the heavier weight.

Thanks

arex

As someone about your size, I can vouch for the old Raleigh Twentys being able to handle 300#. However, they're only 3-speeds, unless you're willing to do some modifications. However, you'd be surprised at how far 3 speeds will get you.

PhilFo 

You can customize a Raleigh Twenty to your heart's content. The biggest headache is the very wide bottom bracket, but once that is sorted (if one chooses to do so) stick a nice IGH in there and have fun. I have two R20s, one is largely restored (but becoming more and more custom slowly), the other is completely custom. It's got a set of new production Sturmey drum brake hubs; dynamo in the front, 3 speed in the rear. these days I'm wishing I went with the 5 speed, but I got the 3 speed hub super cheap. I swapped out the original Raleigh crankset for a Williams cottered unit, with the forward compatibility of using a newer 3/32 chainring if I choose to switch things up.
Anyway, the Raleigh Twenty (or any of the old identical TI derivatives) are extremely sturdy and worth it to find one to really deck out as your own.

Harhir

Thanks everyone. I keep an eye out for one these. What would be the "TI derivatives"? I am not that familiar with Legacy US brands. Thx

PhilFo 

TI was Tube Investments, who owned many different British (and the commonwealth) bicycle companies in the late 40s into the late 80s. Raleigh made the most Twentys, but you can also find them (exact same bike) under the name BSA, Phillips, and a few other brand names. The late Sheldon Brown wrote a lot about them and how to customize them here: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/raleigh-twenty.html
I purchased my first from the big auction site, then literally a month later, another fell at my doorstep. The frames are very heavy duty (and reasonably heavy) but once they are set up, they ride so nicely. There's a few threads about Raleigh Twentys here in the folding bike subforum.

arex

arex

One caveat about Raleigh Twentys is that they're all 40-50 years old. Not a dealbreaker, they're worth rebuilding, but just so you know that you're not buying one "off the shelf".

Harhir

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate all the details. And yes Sheldon Brown's website is a treasure trove.

CliffordK

Bike Friday does semi-custom made bikes here in the USA. Including a cargo bike and a tandem bike based on 20" wheels.

https://bikefriday.com/

They aren't cheap, but you should be able to get one built to your specs.



Their Diamond Llama is rated up to 330 lbs.
https://bikefriday.com/product/bike-...a-folding-bike



Their All-Packa looks similar, but only rated to 220 lbs. But, the company might be flexible with the design if you needed.

Harhir

Yes I have seen the Llama as well. But at $2K it is way more what I am willing to spend for a bike that will only get used once a while.

CliffordK

Used Bike Friday bikes show up regularly on Craigslist around here. However, I've only seen one with the double tube frame design, and I didn't realize it was the Diamond Lama at the time. And there would be no way of knowing whether it was the heavy weight version unless the original vendor mentioned it.

Still, the vintage bikes mentioned above may fit your needs including budget better.

Harhir

Thanks. I always scan the local CL or FB market place adds for interesting bike finds. Bike Friday bikes are rare here. Dallas is not a hot spot for commuter bikes. But occasionally one can make a good deal. I have bough several older bikes in the past and fixed them up. This is fun as well.
There is currently an older Bike Friday Sat R Day (folding recumbent) for sale for $250. But I already have too many recumbents and a folding recumbent is not that compact as I like it to be.
I really need to get my weight down so that I can treat myself with a Brompton. lol. I just love their clever folding design.