Alternative folding bikes lightweight
07-22-22, 12:56 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: The Ring of Fire
Posts: 923
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 459 Post(s)
Liked 565 Times
in
354 Posts
Curiously , there aren't a lot of folding bikes with carbon frames - most likely due to the strength required for the folding mechanism. Most of the folders are with aluminium or steel frame thus adds to the weight, despite their general small sizes. 16-inch + folding bikes usually weigh more than 10-11kg at least.
So the interesting fact is that if we prefer lightweight more than foldable, we actually have to choose the bigger brother that's road bike. Any road bike with a carbon frame will be much lighter (~7-8kg) than a folding bike 1/2 of the size.
While I love how my Birdy's balance between folding size, frame stability and speed, the weight is my least favourite "feature".
It is really hard to get it under 11kg without sacrificing riding quality.
So the interesting fact is that if we prefer lightweight more than foldable, we actually have to choose the bigger brother that's road bike. Any road bike with a carbon frame will be much lighter (~7-8kg) than a folding bike 1/2 of the size.
While I love how my Birdy's balance between folding size, frame stability and speed, the weight is my least favourite "feature".
It is really hard to get it under 11kg without sacrificing riding quality.
07-22-22, 02:05 AM
#27
Newbie
07-22-22, 02:30 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,542
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 247 Times
in
211 Posts
Its easily possible to go below 10kg with the Birdy.
Its frame isn't heavy, the solution is to suppress some accessories like mudguards, easy wheels, folding pedals (fixed pedals can weight much less) and use lightweight components. Its what is partly done n the Pacific Cycles Birdy R20 11SP which is a 20"folding bike and according to Pacific Cycles weight 10.2kg with several components that can be replaced by less heavy ones.
The Brompton T-line is under 8kg and can also have its weight reduced by changing some components.
Its frame isn't heavy, the solution is to suppress some accessories like mudguards, easy wheels, folding pedals (fixed pedals can weight much less) and use lightweight components. Its what is partly done n the Pacific Cycles Birdy R20 11SP which is a 20"folding bike and according to Pacific Cycles weight 10.2kg with several components that can be replaced by less heavy ones.
The Brompton T-line is under 8kg and can also have its weight reduced by changing some components.
07-22-22, 02:34 AM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: The Ring of Fire
Posts: 923
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 459 Post(s)
Liked 565 Times
in
354 Posts
Its easily possible to go below 10kg with the Birdy.
Its frame isn't heavy, the solution is to suppress some accessories like mudguards, easy wheels, folding pedals (fixed pedals can weight much less) and use lightweight components. Its what is partly done n the Pacific Cycles Birdy R20 11SP which is a 20"folding bike and according to Pacific Cycles weight 10.2kg with several components that can be replaced by less heavy ones.
The Brompton T-line is under 8kg and can also have its weight reduced by changing some components.
Its frame isn't heavy, the solution is to suppress some accessories like mudguards, easy wheels, folding pedals (fixed pedals can weight much less) and use lightweight components. Its what is partly done n the Pacific Cycles Birdy R20 11SP which is a 20"folding bike and according to Pacific Cycles weight 10.2kg with several components that can be replaced by less heavy ones.
The Brompton T-line is under 8kg and can also have its weight reduced by changing some components.
07-22-22, 03:06 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,542
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 247 Times
in
211 Posts
Yes, lower weight means higher cost.
Brompton could easily reduce the weight of the T-line with other brake levers and calipers but these are more expensive.
Brompton could easily reduce the weight of the T-line with other brake levers and calipers but these are more expensive.
07-22-22, 03:30 AM
#32
Newbie
Its easily possible to go below 10kg with the Birdy.
Its frame isn't heavy, the solution is to suppress some accessories like mudguards, easy wheels, folding pedals (fixed pedals can weight much less) and use lightweight components. Its what is partly done n the Pacific Cycles Birdy R20 11SP which is a 20"folding bike and according to Pacific Cycles weight 10.2kg with several components that can be replaced by less heavy ones.
The Brompton T-line is under 8kg and can also have its weight reduced by changing some components.
Its frame isn't heavy, the solution is to suppress some accessories like mudguards, easy wheels, folding pedals (fixed pedals can weight much less) and use lightweight components. Its what is partly done n the Pacific Cycles Birdy R20 11SP which is a 20"folding bike and according to Pacific Cycles weight 10.2kg with several components that can be replaced by less heavy ones.
The Brompton T-line is under 8kg and can also have its weight reduced by changing some components.
But except the pedals, I think I'm not going to give up any of the above. They add so much to the experience.
07-22-22, 04:39 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,542
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 247 Times
in
211 Posts
The electronic derailleur can be lightweight if using the SRAM Red and lightweight cassette. Due to the absence of cable, your SRAM Rival is I think not heavier than the Shimano 105 of the Birdy R20 11SP.
For the brakes, TRP mechanical aren't expensive and with lightweight levers weight less than most hydraulic disc brakes excepted very high end and expensive ones.
There are lightweight removable pedals and actually, folding or removable pedals do not really reduce the folded size on the Birdy and can save a lot of weight.
For the saddle, there are comfortable carbon saddles well below 100g.
For the brakes, TRP mechanical aren't expensive and with lightweight levers weight less than most hydraulic disc brakes excepted very high end and expensive ones.
There are lightweight removable pedals and actually, folding or removable pedals do not really reduce the folded size on the Birdy and can save a lot of weight.
For the saddle, there are comfortable carbon saddles well below 100g.
07-22-22, 12:48 PM
#35
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,605
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1660 Post(s)
Liked 1,808 Times
in
1,053 Posts
07-22-22, 01:02 PM
#36
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,605
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1660 Post(s)
Liked 1,808 Times
in
1,053 Posts
Likes For tcs:
07-22-22, 03:19 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,542
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 247 Times
in
211 Posts
OK, I see your point.
The Curl of the picture has a different seatpost from the one I know. It hasn't the kind of folding parallelogram on top of its seatpost but a telescopic seatpost like the Brompton telescopic seatpost.
So, its possible to remove the top part of the Brompton telescopic seatpost like done on this version of the Curl (with the same drawback: its very easy and ultra fast to steal the saddle+top part of the seatpost).
The Curl of the picture has a different seatpost from the one I know. It hasn't the kind of folding parallelogram on top of its seatpost but a telescopic seatpost like the Brompton telescopic seatpost.
So, its possible to remove the top part of the Brompton telescopic seatpost like done on this version of the Curl (with the same drawback: its very easy and ultra fast to steal the saddle+top part of the seatpost).
Last edited by Jipe; 07-23-22 at 03:36 AM.
12-20-22, 06:10 PM
#39
Folding Bike Guy
I recently did a roundup of the lightest folding bikes, here's my summary (let me know if I missed any!):
- Hummingbird Single Speed 15.2 lbs (Carbon Fibre)
- Brompton T Line 16.4 lbs (Titanium)
- Bike Friday Pakit Mk2 16.6 lbs (Cromoly)
- Dahon K3 17.9 lbs (Aluminum)
- Helix Ultralight 19.6 lbs (Titanium)
- Kwiggle Flash 22.0 lbs (Aluminum)
- Tern Verge X11 22.5 lbs (Aluminum)
- Hummingbird Electric 22.7 lbs (Carbon Fibre)
12-20-22, 09:05 PM
#40
QR-disc must die!!!
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Posts: 703
Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 397 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 199 Times
in
147 Posts
I recently did a roundup of the lightest folding bikes, here's my summary (let me know if I missed any!):
- Hummingbird Single Speed 15.2 lbs (Carbon Fibre)
- Brompton T Line 16.4 lbs (Titanium)
- Bike Friday Pakit Mk2 16.6 lbs (Cromoly)
- Dahon K3 17.9 lbs (Aluminum)
- Helix Ultralight 19.6 lbs (Titanium)
- Kwiggle Flash 22.0 lbs (Aluminum)
- Tern Verge X11 22.5 lbs (Aluminum)
- Hummingbird Electric 22.7 lbs (Carbon Fibre)
Also, you could probably usurp the entire list with just single-speed bicycles. They should be relegated to a list of their own, rather than compared to multi-geared bicycles.
12-21-22, 12:10 AM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: The Ring of Fire
Posts: 923
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 459 Post(s)
Liked 565 Times
in
354 Posts
I recently did a roundup of the lightest folding bikes, here's my summary (let me know if I missed any!):
- Hummingbird Single Speed 15.2 lbs (Carbon Fibre)
- Brompton T Line 16.4 lbs (Titanium)
- Bike Friday Pakit Mk2 16.6 lbs (Cromoly)
- Dahon K3 17.9 lbs (Aluminum)
- Helix Ultralight 19.6 lbs (Titanium)
- Kwiggle Flash 22.0 lbs (Aluminum)
- Tern Verge X11 22.5 lbs (Aluminum)
- Hummingbird Electric 22.7 lbs (Carbon Fibre)
Any serious list would take stock of, as Nyah wisely counseled, of bikes built on the basis of the affordable, quality FnHon and LitePro framesets.
Likes For Ron Damon:
12-21-22, 08:30 AM
#42
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,605
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1660 Post(s)
Liked 1,808 Times
in
1,053 Posts
12-21-22, 08:38 AM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: The Ring of Fire
Posts: 923
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 459 Post(s)
Liked 565 Times
in
354 Posts
Yeap... Nine out of ten in that list are out of reach for most people. The K3+ sells for about $570 in Indonesia. Incidentally I rode one just yesterday. I was looking around a bike shop in Georgetown (the one in Penang, Malaysia), and the attendant asked me, 'do you want to ride it?'.
Likes For Ron Damon:
12-21-22, 11:40 PM
#44
Folding Bike Guy
Thanks, Nyah, great point on the Fnhon 
And yes I did think about the single-speed vs geared comparison being somewhat unfair, I also thought the same could be argued for wheel size but I do like your suggestion of separating out the single-speed options.
Best,
Mark
And yes I did think about the single-speed vs geared comparison being somewhat unfair, I also thought the same could be argued for wheel size but I do like your suggestion of separating out the single-speed options.
Best,
Mark
12-22-22, 07:00 AM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,542
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 247 Times
in
211 Posts
For a good high end bike like the titanium Brompton T-line, there are enough people having enough money to buy it to have all bikes Brompton is able to produce sold and this even if the T-line is only available in a limited number of countries worldwide!
12-22-22, 07:19 PM
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 630
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 230 Post(s)
Liked 146 Times
in
96 Posts
I recently did a roundup of the lightest folding bikes, here's my summary (let me know if I missed any!):
- Hummingbird Single Speed 15.2 lbs (Carbon Fibre)
- Brompton T Line 16.4 lbs (Titanium)
- Bike Friday Pakit Mk2 16.6 lbs (Cromoly)
- Dahon K3 17.9 lbs (Aluminum)
- Helix Ultralight 19.6 lbs (Titanium)
- Kwiggle Flash 22.0 lbs (Aluminum)
- Tern Verge X11 22.5 lbs (Aluminum)
- Hummingbird Electric 22.7 lbs (Carbon Fibre)
There is the Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Super Pro (8.5kg) (451) but its again expensive (and is it considered 'folding').
Tyrell IVE (18" ) is 11kg stock and can be made under 10kg with changes to seatpost, saddle, wheels, tires.
Actually, the list should also list wheel size. Big difference in speed and roll over.
Likes For pinholecam:
