Folding bike for heavy weights
#26
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The Euromini Forte was just released quite recently, so no reviews are available. And I'll be honest with you and say I'm definitely getting a Forte, but it won't be until springtime. I need surgery on my knee, so I'm out of commision until the new year (2019).
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#27
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I'll keep an eye out. It's a little heavier than the Friday, but for the price difference and the intended use, I don't see a problem there.
I'm looking at Feb, if this new job works out. I just want to know I can fit it into airline check-able luggage.
I'm looking at Feb, if this new job works out. I just want to know I can fit it into airline check-able luggage.
#28
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The wheels will handle a big guy. However the cranks look low end. I would expect Euromini to have issues with cranks/ BB's & frames.
I would wait on buying this bike. I stayed away from the big rider market to minimize risk. It is very hard to test bikes for big riders....I find it unlikely that a new company did their due diligence.
Thanks
Yan
I would wait on buying this bike. I stayed away from the big rider market to minimize risk. It is very hard to test bikes for big riders....I find it unlikely that a new company did their due diligence.
Thanks
Yan
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Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
#29
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When I got my Paratrooper, it had some really substandard parts. A biggie was the crankset. Fortunately, it has a common square taper BB, so I replaced the junkset with a Hussefelt downhill crank, and DH flat pedals.
As for the folding bike... as I'm fairly rapidly losing weight, and probably not going to need it until Spring anyway, I think I'll hold off. I may be able to pick up one of the more common 'tried and true' models out there.
I do see some Fridays and a few other decent ones for sale now and again used... though buying a used bike isn't really my favorite thing.
As for the folding bike... as I'm fairly rapidly losing weight, and probably not going to need it until Spring anyway, I think I'll hold off. I may be able to pick up one of the more common 'tried and true' models out there.
I do see some Fridays and a few other decent ones for sale now and again used... though buying a used bike isn't really my favorite thing.
#30
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The wheels will handle a big guy. However the cranks look low end. I would expect Euromini to have issues with cranks/ BB's & frames.
I would wait on buying this bike. I stayed away from the big rider market to minimize risk. It is very hard to test bikes for big riders....I find it unlikely that a new company did their due diligence.
Thanks
Yan
I would wait on buying this bike. I stayed away from the big rider market to minimize risk. It is very hard to test bikes for big riders....I find it unlikely that a new company did their due diligence.
Thanks
Yan
The euromini site still has 6160 listed as a frame material which as far as I know doesn't exist. I suspect that is 6061 and they have jumbled the numbers. If i was designing a strong folding bike that allowed heavy riders to ride it, it would be a high tensile steel frame. 36 spoke wheels with double wall rims and a freehub based drivetrain. I think it would be more comfortable, give a warning before frame failure, soft feel etc and does it really matter if its 2kg heavier if the person riding it is carrying maybe 50kg of extra weight anyway. I might go for mechanical disc brakes either both wheels or possibly on the rear only if it looked like the front wheel disc would be prone to bending. Like you I just can't really see how they made the Forte 300lb capable except for the frame itself.
#31
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I have a friend that weighed 300lbs. He bent a BB axle on his first ride...he rode the bike for a minute or two. I found it amazing that his weight did the damage so fast.
I see this bike as a high risk proposition for Euromini. I think it is very likely not to work.
Thanks
Yan
I see this bike as a high risk proposition for Euromini. I think it is very likely not to work.
Thanks
Yan
__________________
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
Last edited by downtube; 12-01-18 at 08:44 PM.
#32
Schwinnasaur
I wonder if a Raleigh Twenty would fill the bill. It is a stiff frame with hi-ten steel. Steel rims, which are negative but strong. They can be found for cheap. The front axle was only 5/16".
#33
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As much as I love the Raleigh Twenty the brakes on them were terrible and for a heavy rider to ride one it would be even worse and in my opinion unsafe. I think it's not a bad option as long as you figure out how to improve those brakes. Modern V brakes are far superior and disc brakes go beyond those. I guess its not just the brake mechanisms but those rather slippery chrome steel rims as well.
#34
Schwinnasaur
As much as I love the Raleigh Twenty the brakes on them were terrible and for a heavy rider to ride one it would be even worse and in my opinion unsafe. I think it's not a bad option as long as you figure out how to improve those brakes. Modern V brakes are far superior and disc brakes go beyond those. I guess its not just the brake mechanisms but those rather slippery chrome steel rims as well.
#35
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Sounds like a good solution. I must admit I love to see older bikes in use today. A small victory against our wasteful society. I saw a similar age Dawes Kingpin outside a shop a few months ago. The bike looked heavily worn and it was great to see it still in use. Must have been around 40 years old. I can't remember now if it was a folding or shopper type version.
#37
Schwinnasaur
#38
**thusi*st
Perhaps stated elswhere.
Dahon Curve is rated to 280 lbs.
Dahon bikes with Delta Line are rated to 250 lbs.
Also a nice one from the Czech museum that is at least a century old.
Lots to this subject for sure.
I have added a few now and they really do strengthen the bike.
Dahon Curve is rated to 280 lbs.
Dahon bikes with Delta Line are rated to 250 lbs.
Also a nice one from the Czech museum that is at least a century old.
Lots to this subject for sure.
I have added a few now and they really do strengthen the bike.
#39
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Brompton is 241lbs.
One option is to get the Brompton and have the wheels rebuilt with stronger rims and spokes.
Surprisingly the Greenspeed Magnum Trike has a limit of 450lbs and I believe they now have a folding model.
#40
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Perhaps stated elswhere.
Dahon Curve is rated to 280 lbs.
Dahon bikes with Delta Line are rated to 250 lbs.
Also a nice one from the Czech museum that is at least a century old.
Lots to this subject for sure.
I have added a few now and they really do strengthen the bike.
Dahon Curve is rated to 280 lbs.
Dahon bikes with Delta Line are rated to 250 lbs.
Also a nice one from the Czech museum that is at least a century old.
Lots to this subject for sure.
I have added a few now and they really do strengthen the bike.
The Curve is rated for 220lbs: https://dahon.com/bikes/curve-d3/
Brompton is 241lbs.
One option is to get the Brompton and have the wheels rebuilt with stronger rims and spokes.
Surprisingly the Greenspeed Magnum Trike has a limit of 450lbs and I believe they now have a folding model.
Brompton is 241lbs.
One option is to get the Brompton and have the wheels rebuilt with stronger rims and spokes.
Surprisingly the Greenspeed Magnum Trike has a limit of 450lbs and I believe they now have a folding model.
Dahon Curl i3
Dahon Curl i8
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Last edited by tds101; 12-13-18 at 09:45 PM.
#42
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And I mentioned that an error was made, It's the "Curl", not "Curve". Here's Dahon's posted info on the bike,...
Dahon Curl i3
Dahon Curl i8
This information is from DAHON'S website, NOT 3rd party. 130kg (286 lbs) is stated on the Curl i8. I have no idea why it's not shown on the Curl i3.
Also, FYI, ThorUSA is the North American representative/distributor for Dahon,...so the site is NOT 3rd party.
Dahon Curl i3
Dahon Curl i8
This information is from DAHON'S website, NOT 3rd party. 130kg (286 lbs) is stated on the Curl i8. I have no idea why it's not shown on the Curl i3.
Also, FYI, ThorUSA is the North American representative/distributor for Dahon,...so the site is NOT 3rd party.
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Last edited by tds101; 12-14-18 at 12:41 AM.
#43
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And I mentioned that an error was made, It's the "Curl", not "Curve". Here's Dahon's posted info on the bike,...
Dahon Curl i3
Dahon Curl i8
This information is from DAHON'S website, NOT 3rd party. 130kg (286 lbs) is stated on the Curl i8. I have no idea why it's not shown on the Curl i3.
Also, FYI, ThorUSA is the North American representative/distributor for Dahon,...so the site is NOT 3rd party.
Dahon Curl i3
Dahon Curl i8
This information is from DAHON'S website, NOT 3rd party. 130kg (286 lbs) is stated on the Curl i8. I have no idea why it's not shown on the Curl i3.
Also, FYI, ThorUSA is the North American representative/distributor for Dahon,...so the site is NOT 3rd party.
#45
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https://swiftfolders.com/swift/Perspective.html
https://swiftfolders.com/swift/Purchase.html
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#46
Full Member
Peter is the original inventor of the Swift, and the only place to get them from.
The parts are all stock, so you won't be stuck without aftermarket support.
Xootr stopped selling them after a family tragedy involving the guy championing the project.
If I'm not mistaken, I think that Peter can get the frames in Al, Steel, or Ti (very limited).
Also, sometimes you get lucky with Craigslist.
I'd been thinking of selling mine....but something always tugs at my heart to keep it.
It's a great bike for tucking behind an apartment door, away from grabby roommates...but not the smallest fold.
The parts are all stock, so you won't be stuck without aftermarket support.
Xootr stopped selling them after a family tragedy involving the guy championing the project.
If I'm not mistaken, I think that Peter can get the frames in Al, Steel, or Ti (very limited).
Also, sometimes you get lucky with Craigslist.
I'd been thinking of selling mine....but something always tugs at my heart to keep it.
It's a great bike for tucking behind an apartment door, away from grabby roommates...but not the smallest fold.
#47
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The Curve is rated for 220lbs: https://dahon.com/bikes/curve-d3/
Brompton is 241lbs.
One option is to get the Brompton and have the wheels rebuilt with stronger rims and spokes.
Surprisingly the Greenspeed Magnum Trike has a limit of 450lbs and I believe they now have a folding model.
Brompton is 241lbs.
One option is to get the Brompton and have the wheels rebuilt with stronger rims and spokes.
Surprisingly the Greenspeed Magnum Trike has a limit of 450lbs and I believe they now have a folding model.
It still feels to me that a 20" steel folding bike might be a good solution. 20" wheels in my experience are super strong even some of the cheaper ones as long as a double wall rim and the simple high tensile steel frames seem very good too. A shame they are often fitted with junk components though that need upgrading. You pretty much need to change the wheels and drivetrain for something stronger. Sometimes the best course of action is to buy 2 bikes a low end steel folding bike and a higher end aluminium framed bike with a freehub drivetrain and decent double wall rim wheels and then mix the components so you end up with a steel folding bike with better components. Then you have a second folding bike to sell on with the lightweight aluminium frame but low end components.
#48
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Is that the known issue with Bromptons that the wheels can't handle higher weight? I guess even if the frame could fail being steel you will likely get some indication of failure before it actually fails.
It still feels to me that a 20" steel folding bike might be a good solution. 20" wheels in my experience are super strong even some of the cheaper ones as long as a double wall rim and the simple high tensile steel frames seem very good too. A shame they are often fitted with junk components though that need upgrading. You pretty much need to change the wheels and drivetrain for something stronger. Sometimes the best course of action is to buy 2 bikes a low end steel folding bike and a higher end aluminium framed bike with a freehub drivetrain and decent double wall rim wheels and then mix the components so you end up with a steel folding bike with better components. Then you have a second folding bike to sell on with the lightweight aluminium frame but low end components.
It still feels to me that a 20" steel folding bike might be a good solution. 20" wheels in my experience are super strong even some of the cheaper ones as long as a double wall rim and the simple high tensile steel frames seem very good too. A shame they are often fitted with junk components though that need upgrading. You pretty much need to change the wheels and drivetrain for something stronger. Sometimes the best course of action is to buy 2 bikes a low end steel folding bike and a higher end aluminium framed bike with a freehub drivetrain and decent double wall rim wheels and then mix the components so you end up with a steel folding bike with better components. Then you have a second folding bike to sell on with the lightweight aluminium frame but low end components.
#50
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That's the one I keep coming back to.
However.... if, after a year of working my new job, I decide to strike out on my own, I won't be doing any flying, and my Paratrooper will be fine. I'll just have to see when the time comes.
However.... if, after a year of working my new job, I decide to strike out on my own, I won't be doing any flying, and my Paratrooper will be fine. I'll just have to see when the time comes.