Allan in T.Dot

I am coming from a traditional mountain bike so I am used to the forward flexed (versus upright) posture. I am looking into folding bikes atm. for ease of multi-modal transportation to work. I am always concerned about seated posture so that it is not a huge adjustment but also allows for a lower centre of gravity that I am used to but also gives me a bit more leg room (I'm 6'2"). It is my understanding that folding bikes don't have the traditional stem but the handlebars are typically rotated around during the folding process. Would y'all recommend switching the handlebar with one that allows for a more flexed seated posture or even using bar ends? A quick google search and the example I can give is a Spank Spike 800 race bar for reference.

Fentuz

I use a 54 flat bar with ergon gp2 grips on my folder.
i have a 44/25deg flared on my gravel which similar wrist width.

I used to ride a folder with 48 bars as it was easier in traffic.

cat0020

I'm about 5'10", been commuting on folding bikes since 2013 or so.
The solutions that I've been using to convert folding stem with usage of regular ahead stem has been long in the trials.
My first was a Bike Friday Tikit with 130mm stem:


Then a 16" Citizen Tokyo with 135mm stem:


Tokyo #2:


Currently, I've been riding a $145, 20" Sundeal folding bike with disc brakes that seems to have unusual long reach.

Allan in T.Dot

Interesting! I'm not a fon on the flared handlebars as it puts me too low and I don't feel as if I have the same control. Same with the Ergon GP2 grips or the like.

Allan in T.Dot

Very interesting. There is no way I can afford a Bike Friday bike. What I didn't know was that you can put a stem on a folding bike - it doesn't interfere with the folding process?

Fentuz

i mentioned the flared bar from the gravel as reference. So i run the same stem length on gravel and dahon mini velo but the flat are 54. More it not good less does not give as much control.

on current dahon folder, 54 too; more would allow too much torque on the stem hinge.
for confort setting, I run a syntace stem like dahon speed pro/pro TT or tern verge x11 but there are alternative like this:
https://foldingbike.biz/epages/7665e...STROTATESTEM26

cat0020

Few different tiller I've tried..

One on the right is the one I've used for Aheadstem conversion.
Once the tiller is folded, the bike still folds to a compact size for storage or transport,
As long as you're not try to walk the bike half-folded with seatpost extended to steer the bike, which I do sometimes..
I tend to keep the handlebar width at minimum to allow better travels between car mirrors in NYC metro traffic.

I've also extended the reach of my micro folding ebike:



I also tried the adapter option, but it didn't offer enough extension for my needs.