Radiant foldingbike. Should I buy?
#1
Radiant foldingbike. Should I buy?
Am thinking of buying a Radiant foldingbike from the 1970 ies. Should I buy? What can you tell me about BB, weight, handeling, folding, gears and so on?
#2
Smiling and Waving
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Merrickville,Canada
Posts: 364
Bikes: -
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
There were alot of different manufacturersof folding bikes in the 70s.You're going to have to give us more to go on.Do you have a pic(sorry EastHill)Do you know what any of the components are?
#4
Smiling and Waving
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Merrickville,Canada
Posts: 364
Bikes: -
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have one very similiar.They are decent little bikes.Sturdily made,but not very light.
The one in the pic is a single speed w?coaster brake(pedal back to stop).It looks to be in great shape.
I think the BB is the two-piece "Thompson style"(future note...always take pics of the drive side)if it's like my Hawk.Nothing wrong with it,I have a few bikes with that BB and have had no problems.
How much are they asking for it?
The one in the pic is a single speed w?coaster brake(pedal back to stop).It looks to be in great shape.
I think the BB is the two-piece "Thompson style"(future note...always take pics of the drive side)if it's like my Hawk.Nothing wrong with it,I have a few bikes with that BB and have had no problems.
How much are they asking for it?
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Vancouver, Washington and Ocean Shores, Washington, USA
Posts: 1,319
Bikes: 2 - 2007 Custom Bike Fridays, 2 - 2009 Bike Friday Pocket 8's, Gravity 29'er SS, 2 - 8-spd Windsor City Bikes, 1973 Raleigh 20 & a 1964 Schwinn Tiger
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm sure my wife would go for one like that to ride to the store, as I do with my 2005 Dahon Single-Speed.
#6
I like the frame alot! Great idea, made me in a good mood looking at it. Think I would make it at least 3 hub gears if I buy.
This is sellers picture. Looks like same type of BB as the one I am struggeling with at present, an old Polish one. Do not like the BB, but like the bike alot. Is there alot of power lost in the PP, or is it ok in use? Would not be a "roadster folder" for me if I buy and upgrade it, but do not want a bike that is better to carry than to ride..
I am tall and heavy, 173 cm, 100 kg. Would I look like "a bear on a bike" as somebody on the BF said? That on made me think you see My son is tall for his age, and I think he is going to keep being tall (185 cms fully grown maybe?)
He wrote it is "as new". Looks like it is. I need to drive 140 kms to see and buy it, he asked approx £100.
I like bikes, that is a problem. Should only buy if I like riding (not just looking at) it alot, so I do not start looking for a new one at once. My head is telling me this bike is "no challenge" since it is in good condition and not much to do about the BB, but then I should do more riding and less working on bikes.
This is sellers picture. Looks like same type of BB as the one I am struggeling with at present, an old Polish one. Do not like the BB, but like the bike alot. Is there alot of power lost in the PP, or is it ok in use? Would not be a "roadster folder" for me if I buy and upgrade it, but do not want a bike that is better to carry than to ride..
I am tall and heavy, 173 cm, 100 kg. Would I look like "a bear on a bike" as somebody on the BF said? That on made me think you see My son is tall for his age, and I think he is going to keep being tall (185 cms fully grown maybe?)
He wrote it is "as new". Looks like it is. I need to drive 140 kms to see and buy it, he asked approx £100.
I like bikes, that is a problem. Should only buy if I like riding (not just looking at) it alot, so I do not start looking for a new one at once. My head is telling me this bike is "no challenge" since it is in good condition and not much to do about the BB, but then I should do more riding and less working on bikes.
#7
Smiling and Waving
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Merrickville,Canada
Posts: 364
Bikes: -
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Check to make sure that the BB is free and easy rolling.Would be better with Sturmey Archer or Shimano 3speed hubYou'll need to find a hub with the coaster brake.I just noticed that there's nowhere to attach a rear brake on it.The frame design doesn't allow for a rear cabled brake.
Last edited by thebikeguy; 03-03-08 at 04:58 PM.
#8
I`we got 3, 4, 5 and 7gear hubs lying around, could build a wheel for it if I like riding it (I like looking at it alot!).
About the BB. Asked around (e-mailed) to two bikeshops that I was hoping could help with a new hubsystem. They could only help with repairing the old system, or try threading the hubs house (asked becouse of a different bike I am working on now) and use a shimano hub.
Then somebody in this forum posted a link today. If you go to this webpage and take the time to read he is telling us about a replacement that does not need threading, just replace, put alu cranks and ride. Now I am happy!! Try out this link.https://www.rhizomes.nl/twenty.html
About the BB. Asked around (e-mailed) to two bikeshops that I was hoping could help with a new hubsystem. They could only help with repairing the old system, or try threading the hubs house (asked becouse of a different bike I am working on now) and use a shimano hub.
Then somebody in this forum posted a link today. If you go to this webpage and take the time to read he is telling us about a replacement that does not need threading, just replace, put alu cranks and ride. Now I am happy!! Try out this link.https://www.rhizomes.nl/twenty.html