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Need a light and fast one
I’ve not been on this forum for ages so it’s nice to be back. I’m looking to get a new folder for some early morning quick rides around my neighborhood before work. I’m up at 5 running but now have knee issues so I want to ride. I have a single speed full size bike and a Dagon Mu Uno. I love the Mu but it’s not really a performance bike.
I’d really like something light and agile at this point. I only have time for about six or eight miles before work. I have to be at school around 7, so sprinting around the block is pretty fun and will make me feel like I’m doing something. Walking just isn’t satisfying for me at 5 in the morning! I didn’t think I would spend much but now I’m thinking I would if it’s a good bike and I have fun. I’m 5-3 and a hundred pounds if that helps to know. I refer to myself as an aging athlete… 60 year old scrappy gal. Oh and I’m in the USA. Any suggestions? |
You can look at these
https://www.ascent-bikes.com/mini-velo https://www.birdybicycle.com/pages/about-birdy |
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You noted that both of your bikes are single speeds, so I assume you live somewhere flat. There are a ton of great options out there, and a ton of price categories. Are you looking for something very compact?
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Originally Posted by Pinigis
(Post 22427042)
You noted that both of your bikes are single speeds, so I assume you live somewhere flat. There are a ton of great options out there, and a ton of price categories. Are you looking for something very compact?
I bought an Origami Wasp but gave it to my nephew to keep in his car. He fell in love with it during the pandemic when we'd sit outside and visit. He'd ride away and I wouldn't see him again for an hour! |
WOW... These bikes are nice!!!
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Don't forget the Pocket Rocket.
Not the cheapest bike on the market, but it could well fit your niche for a fast folder. Bike Friday builds semi-custom to size. https://bikefriday.com/wp-content/up...21/12/PR-1.jpg They do regularly pop up on the nearby Craigslist. I'm not quite sure which model this one is. It looks like it has the 406 wheels rather than the 451 wheels. Comes complete with suitcase trailer. It could use a good tuning. https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/...450574579.html https://images.craigslist.org/00a0a_...2_1200x900.jpg Odd, they've changed the front brakes between different photos. https://images.craigslist.org/00J0J_...2_1200x900.jpg |
Originally Posted by CliffordK
(Post 22427162)
Don't forget the Pocket Rocket.
Not the cheapest bike on the market, but it could well fit your niche for a fast folder. Bike Friday builds semi-custom to size. https://bikefriday.com/wp-content/up...21/12/PR-1.jpg They do regularly pop up on the nearby Craigslist. I'm not quite sure which model this one is. It looks like it has the 406 wheels rather than the 451 wheels. Comes complete with suitcase trailer. It could use a good tuning. https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/...450574579.html Odd, they've changed the front brakes between different photos. |
Originally Posted by DLBroox
(Post 22427144)
Miami. As flat as they come! And compact isn't a big issue for me. I'll fold it to keep it in my apartment, but I don't plan on traveling with it.
I bought an Origami Wasp but gave it to my nephew to keep in his car. He fell in love with it during the pandemic when we'd sit outside and visit. He'd ride away and I wouldn't see him again for an hour! |
Vilano
Originally Posted by DLBroox
(Post 22427144)
Miami. As flat as they come! And compact isn't a big issue for me. I'll fold it to keep it in my apartment, but I don't plan on traveling with it.
I bought an Origami Wasp but gave it to my nephew to keep in his car. He fell in love with it during the pandemic when we'd sit outside and visit. He'd ride away and I wouldn't see him again for an hour! |
I was going to mention BF as well. I have a Crusoe and it's a very zippy feeling bike. They don't make the Crusoe anymore, but it's similar to their road frame, but with flat bars, V brakes, and 406mm wheels.
It's a bike that prioritizes ride quality and fit over a quick fold.
Originally Posted by DLBroox
(Post 22427249)
I've been eyeing those. I always thought they were too expensive but now I'm thinking I might really want to spend a few bucks to get a really nice bike.
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Unless you want drop bars, consider the Bike Friday pakiT. I love mine. It's very lightweight, actually folds quickly to drop in a car trunk (bike one way, uber home, for example). You can even get it with belt drives (no chain mess) and internal hubs (minimal maintenance). It's fast and cute and I'm 5'4" and the small size frame fits me really well (you'll be fine), unlike the brompton which had too much reach for me. Here's a pic of mine:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d83e182fc.jpeg |
Originally Posted by jdogg111
(Post 22427361)
vilano vilana, 21 lbs, single speed, 349 bucks on amazon
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Originally Posted by birdmove
(Post 22427853)
That should say, Vilano Urbana. Single speed, 21 pounds, coaster brakes. Not for heavy riders though.
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A single speed bike, even on flat terrain, isn't very fast and cannot compete against a bike with multiple speed.
Note that most internal gear hub have a lower efficiency than a derailleur system (excepted the Rohloff hub) what make the bike slower. |
Originally Posted by Jipe
(Post 22427948)
A single speed bike, even on flat terrain, isn't very fast and cannot compete against a bike with multiple speed.
Note that most internal gear hub have a lower efficiency than a derailleur system (excepted the Rohloff hub) what make the bike slower. |
Originally Posted by DLBroox
(Post 22427144)
Miami. As flat as they come! And compact isn't a big issue for me. I'll fold it to keep it in my apartment, but I don't plan on traveling with it.
I bought an Origami Wasp but gave it to my nephew to keep in his car. He fell in love with it during the pandemic when we'd sit outside and visit. He'd ride away and I wouldn't see him again for an hour! |
Originally Posted by Pinigis
(Post 22427330)
You can upgrade to the Lotus now! It is much faster and the same weight.
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Originally Posted by DLBroox
(Post 22428405)
It's a nice looking bike. At more than half the price of a Bike Friday. You think it's possible to run with drops on that bike?
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Dahon Mu D11, Tern Verge P10 would be the mainstream suggestions.
For a walk on the wild side, there's the Dahon K3 Plus. Upmarket would include the Brompton P and Hummingbird. |
I think I decided I’d like 20 inch wheels. The Dahon Mu D11 is in the running. I just watched a video on the Bike Friday pocket rocket “fold” and that might be a deal breaker. The Origami Lotus looks nice but it’s 16” wheels and I wasn’t in love with the Wasp so I don’t know about that bike. But it’s a pretty sweet looking bike. Same with the Dahon K3 and the 16 inch wheels.
That Hummingbird…if I had 6 grand that’d be a cool bike to own for sure! Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. It’s been fun tracking them all down. Keep them coming! |
Have you considered looking for something second hand?
A Xootr Swift might fit your need for speed well. Unfortunately it's been out of production for the past 5 years or so. These do come up for sale second hand from time to time though. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6cf2761809.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f13bf6a5b0.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e87df68b7b.jpg Snapped this pic of mine yesterday on a ride up from my village Orgiva into Sierra Nevada National Park. I got to where there was some spotty snow at Puente Palo 1335 meters or so above where I started in Orgiva (about 4380 feet of climbing). More than half the ride was unpaved. I'm training to get in shape for a ride on Xootie from the beach on the coast near Salobreña up over the mountains at La Veleta which is the highest paved road in Europe (3380 meters) then down the other side ending up in Granada in a single day. If I don't drop dead on arrival I'll celebrate with a thirst quenching beverage at on of the fancy places under La Alhambra. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b478990bae.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...17e44b99ef.jpg I love my Swift. It's a no-******** wonderful fast bike and it cost me a fraction of some of the other high performance fast folders. It's like my road bike got married to my best BMX racing bike I ever had growing up and they had a beautiful clever child together. The ride is very stiff. It's absolutely gorgeous. If you can get your hands on one, highly recommended. |
Originally Posted by joey buzzard
(Post 22428946)
Have you considered looking for something second hand?
A Xootr Swift might fit your need for speed well. Unfortunately it's been out of production for the past 5 years or so. These do come up for sale second hand from time to time though. Snapped this pic of mine yesterday on a ride up from my village Orgiva into Sierra Nevada National Park. I got to where there was some spotty snow at Puente Palo 1335 meters or so above where I started in Orgiva (about 4380 feet of climbing). More than half the ride was unpaved. I'm training to get in shape for a ride on Xootie from the beach on the coast near Salobreña up over the mountains at La Veleta which is the highest paved road in Europe (3380 meters) then down the other side ending up in Granada in a single day. If I don't drop dead on arrival I'll celebrate with a thirst quenching beverage at on of the fancy places under La Alhambra. I love my Swift. It's a no-******** wonderful fast bike and it cost me a fraction of some of the other high performance fast folders. It's like my road bike got married to my best BMX racing bike I ever had growing up and they had a beautiful clever child together. The ride is very stiff. It's absolutely gorgeous. If you can get your hands on one, highly recommended. |
If a small folded size and quick and easy folding is important for you, you might consider the Birdy R20 11sp
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Other than the pakiT, none of the BF bikes are made for quick folding - they're made for packing. The Xootr swift is great but it doesn't really fold small, either. The Birdy fold is closest to the brompton fold in terms of convenience and it rides really well. Or - you could try to get your hands on a Helix. https://helix.ca
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