Abu Mahendra

This thread is dedicated to the discussion, concerns, parts and enjoyment of 16"/ISO305-wheel folding bicycles.

I'll get the ball rolling by mentioning that I was able to mount an 11-36T cogset and Shimano Zee RD on my 305er with 1.50" nominal tires. The RD sits as low as the brake track. Sub-optimal, and lower than I'd like, but watchagonnado if you need/want the range, right? So far, no contact with the ground during riding.
.
.
22-72GI on tap with a 52T chainring.
.
.
For those looking to swap out stock tires and wheels, there is the Mialo wheelset pictured here with Kenda Kwest 45-305 / 16x1.75" nominal, 37mm profile height/40mm wide measured.
.

.
The Kwests are a scorching value at $3.25 apiece. The beefy United inner tubes inside are not bad at $1.10 apiece either. Under $4.50 for tire and tube combo.
.

chagzuki

I used to have a Dahon Curve SL and rode it quite a lot for a couple of years. I loved Big Apples in the 305 size; they're bouncy and pliant but still accelerate instantly, whereas in the 20" size they already feel a little sluggish to get moving thus mitigating some of the benefits of small wheels.

Abu Mahendra

Regrettably BAs in 305 size are not available here. The closest thing, which I have on order, is Marathon 47-305.

Abu Mahendra

305-wheel framesets

Wanna build your own 305-wheel pony rather than buy a complete bike? Here are a few options of 305-wheel specific framesets.
.
FnHon Zephyr
Zephyrs are 6061 Aluminium alloy, and come in six different colors...

.
...my favorite is silver polished
.

.
Abu's $0.02 - the 95cm wheelbase is longer than most 305er, making the Zephyr a more stable platform.
.
.
FnHon Gust
Gusts are 4130 Chromoly steel, and come now in about 10 colors and color combinations. My favorite, though, is the cobalt blue, and polished silver.

.
Abu's $0.02 - this hunk of steel feels like it's built like a tank. Its 89.5cm wheelbase, though, raises an eyebrow.

Ron Damon

Ron Damon

The Gust 16" wheelbase is 91cm.

tds101 

This person is MIA from the site and plans on never returning. Good luck with quoting him.
​​​

Ron Damon

Really?

tds101 

Got ya!

Ron Damon

I've been using Kenda KWest 45mm tires since 2018 and they have been trouble free since then. I did get one flat tire in 2018, but that was shortly after installing them so I suspect the tube came faulty or was damaged during installation. No problems or flats since then. Wear had been good. The worst thing I can say is that they are a bit loud once you get up to speed. Fantastic value at $4 apiece.


Tread after four years of use

Ron Damon

Kenda Contact 47-305

Ron Damon

CST City (alias 'Coffee Wall') 48-305

Ron Damon

FYI, I've now done two tours plus regular city riding at home in the last year with these tires, and while not the longest wearing, they roll quite well and have proven puncture proof so far. At the price, they are a no-brainer. Recommended.

Disclaimer: they appear on no website, they are not labelled or advertised explicitly for touring, come with no manufacturer warranty and are not covered by EU law or courts. 😉

Ron Damon

Ron Damon

Wear on these Kenda Kontacts after service around town and on two tours over a period of eight months.


Front, now rotated to the rear


Rear, now rotated to the front

tudorowen1

What is the Fnhon Gust like to ride with such a short wheelbase ? I have had a Brompton for many years but just two things spoil it..rear wheel punctures and the gap between the gears on the BWR hub..Just wonder if a Gust would be a good alternative..?

Ron Damon

ISO305 wheel bikes with a shorter wheelbase such as the FSIR Spin 3 (92cm) and FnHon Gust 16" (91cm) are extremely maneuverable, agile and nimble. They are particularly great in tight, urban environments, carving alleyways and splitting narrow lanes. They turn on the proverbial dime and accelerate like no other.

They can also take a wider range of fatter, taller tires - I've seen ISO305 tires as wide as 3" and pretty aggressive knobbies too - for a more plush, compliant ride or improved traction. Ride a 57-305 tire wheel, and you've got essentially the same attack angle as a 35-349 tire wheel, but now with the ability to run much lower pressure, leading to greater ride comfort, grip and decreased chance of punctures. A wider contact patch also translates into decreased wear.
​​​​​
For all these reasons, these bikes are a blast to ride despite their other drawbacks. And once you get accustomed to them, you can take them literally cross-country as I did recently on my Tour-de-Korea 2023. I love them.

The biggest gap on a 10-speed, 11-36T Shimano cogset which can be fitted without issue on these bikes with a Shimano Zee RD is the 18% jump between 11T and 13T. The 24T / 28T jump is 17%. I actually like this latter jump as it provides substantial relief when shifting on a climb. For most climbs, this is where I stay, safe in the knowledge that I've got two more gears still, if needed. I've ridden this particular cogset since 2016 so i know it pretty well. It's fine, perfectly serviceable and tour-worthy and proven. The full cog progression is: 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-36T.


10-speed, 11-36T Shimano SLX HG81 cogset in continuous use for nine years+ across three bikes, four countries, five chains and six tours.

Ron Damon

...based on an FnHon Gust 16" chromoly frameset




​​​​​​

Ron Damon

I agree about the Big Apples in 16" size. Plenty compliant yet agile. Liked them so much, in fact, that I bought two additional pairs. They sell for $10 apiece here.

Ron Damon

24/24 spoke
6-bolt
$105