pmhlb

Hi,
I am looking to buy a new bike that is
~ lightweight (to put on a bike rack)
~ easy to maneuver
​​​Maybe because I am heavy (or because I am 71), my local bike shop guy is discouraging me from considering those cute bikes with 20" wheels (e.g. Zizzo Urbano) -- in favour of a Norco Scene step-thru. He thinks he could swap the 26" wheels for 24" wheels (to accommodate my short legs) because the bike has disc brakes. HAVE ANY OF YOU EVER DONE THAT?
PS I plan to build up the strength to get an electric bike at some point -- and transport it around on a bike rack.
Edit: I am 5 ft tall

veganbikes

We have no idea how big or small you are but I would look at the Specialized Como SL or Vado SL which will get you electric, reasonably lightweight and full sized wheels. Add in a nice rack like the Thule Easyfold XT or EPOS you can wheel it up the rack and use the walk assist to help you so no need to lift.

I wouldn't generally recommend a 20" bike unless I was really really small like a child or was riding from my boat, plane, train or bus often and needed a folding bike. For daily riding it is not really as ideal and if you are a really heavy rider a folding bike usually won't be rated to hold higher weights and with a lot of the online brands and lower cost stuff it is even more of a gamble. If you need something special for you because you have a more unique body you could also talk with Lennard Zinn at Zinn cycles and he and his team can build you something out of titanium and even electric as well with the Bosch system (and potentially it is through Schwift/VPL who might also be able to get the lighter weight Bosch SX stuff).

zandoval 

Just get yourself a cheap hybrid, full size aluminum or steel, and ride, ride, ride.

Latter on you will find the one ya want for sure...

CrimsonEclipse

Why not a 20" wheel step through electric bike?
The Folding and/or Electric bike section of this forum have a considerable cache of information on such things.

Fredo76

If your local bicycle shop is willing to set up that arrangement (Norco Scene with 24" wheels) for you to try out, without a commitment, that would be a pretty accomodating shop, suggesting a good engineering solution, and I would consider trying it out that way.

tds101 

Go into the Folding Bikessection of the forum. There are all different kinds of folding bikes that you could purchase, from cheap bikes to roadie quality (believe it or not). And there's nothing wrong with the Zizzo Urbano. It's a decent quality, low-cost folder. Especially if you're not interested in spending a ton of money (personally, I'm a bit thrifty at times).

Now, swapping the wheels out from 26" to a 24" doesn't sound like the smartest thing to suggest in my opinion. The bottom bracket height will be lowered, and this will make pedal strike a very real possibility. The exception are bikes designed to accommodate multiple wheel sizes, but at 26" I highly doubt that's a consideration of this bike. It's also more than DOUBLE the cost of the Zizzo Urbano. Then a wheel swap will add additional cost. Unless you're getting a great deal, I'd pass. (Zizzo Urbano $399, and can be found on sale at different times. Least expensive Norco Scene is currently $799).

PS: The 8 speed Zizzo Liberte is on sale at Costco, and it's quite a nice folder. A few people in the Folding Bikes section have it, and all of them love it

Now, for a heavy rider, there's the Zizzo Forte, or the Origami Bull. The Zizzo Forte supports riders up to 300lbs, and the Origami Bull supports up to 360lbs. BOTH come with a rack and fenders. The Origami Bull also includes disc brakes and has 9 speeds instead of 7. BOTH have excellent customer service, and are located in the USA.

Smaug1

Usually, it goes the other way: heavier/older people re-enter with an eBike and sometimes never go back to a regular bike.
I got into eBikes in a big way last year; it's just so easy to ride them. You can do as much or little exercise as you want. Be prepared not to get respect from others, though.
For your situation, I was going to recommend a Lectric XP Lite. It's the lightest folding eBike currently made in this price range. 20" wheels have nothing to do with age or weight, but everything to do with portability. It's still heavy though to load into a car at 46 lbs.
Only problem is that it is a single speed, so will not be very rideable without power, as it's geared for 15 mph. (can't climb hills at all)

I think if I were 5' tall, 71 and heavy, I would look for a lightweight conventional eBike and plan to spend some money on a trailer hitch-mounted rack for your car. The kind that supports the bike beneath the tires rather than hanging from the frame. With that style of rack, you won't have to lift it far.

On the other hand, if you're not planning road trips, eBikes really can extend your range. You might find yourself just riding everywhere locally.

Aventon Pace 500 in the regular size with step-through frame says it will fit riders down to 4'11" tall, and if you're not totally lazy nor going top speed all the time, you'll get 50 miles on a charge.

t2p

maybe a small / extra small hybrid would be an option (similar to pictured above)

Camilo

Get a hitch receiver installed on your car and get a hitch mount tray type bike carrier. You will never regret the investtment.. After decades of using evry type of rack - roof top, trunk/hatch back, hanging, tray type, the hitch mount types are by far and away the most convenient and requre the least physical strength to use.

cyccommute 

I got my wife a Specialized Sirrus 2.0 in XXS last summer. It’s not a bad size but it was still just a little too tall.



I swapped out the wheels to 26” and replaced a bunch of other parts to bring the weight down a little. With the rack, it weighs in at 24lb and fits her nicely.