hi guys

iam staying in PJ near University LRT

any of you guys have like touring on bike in this area or any places you are aware of ??

i remember i used to see some group cycling every saturday last year , but now none

any idea?

Tomorrow's ride https://www.facebook.com/events/893968050630707/

thanks.

the box for 20inch foldie is almost twice the thickness of road bike, but length is almost half?
and a bit taller...

so i think the vol will almost be the same maybe a bit less? or more...

can measure the box at the LBS first... then will know the exact vol

thanx dude

but this is crazy

126km !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought you said "touring" ma....

group buy? I'm interested on that Java fit.. sadly can't find the XDS (particularly 660, 670, 630) over in taobao..

yeah bro

but something logical to have fun
not something to kill for me the whole weekend and the week after by laying in bed

xds is local brand...

tht tony oni sell java, no dahon...

the dahon worth buying in china is the ubi wan , and formula s something.... jifo....

This post has been edited by H2D: Jul 11 2014, 11:24 PM

if u buy from bike shop, u will be able to check properly all parts is ok, get it set-up before taking it home.

now buy from this groupon, u have to email tht fler, ask him whether the bike will be set-up/tuned,
and checked for defects before sending it to you.

now these cheap bikes, the factory mostly cincai assemble it, and some/alot have some defects here n there.

if u don't mind the hassle of returning the bike for warranty,

some joints a bit loose, creaking a bit or alot here n there...

the seat post is very tight n difficult to lower or the joints very diff to tighten..

so what r u gona use it for is the big Q.....

sure the bike can be used as long as no parts are broken...

and u make sure tht small parts at the joints are not rusted etc...

this type of joint are mostly found on low budget bikes.

Did you bought a dahon from taobao?
Can share link for the dahon bike? if u still have

obiwan or formula s , codename in China is Obi Wan P18 (AAA083) , Formula S18 (KAA084)

a lot of sellers on taobao..

You must mistaken the term "touring" ... perhaps you are referring to "fun ride" instead.

extracted from wikipedia ....

"Bicycle touring generally means self-contained cycling trips over long distances, which prioritize pleasure, adventure and autonomy rather than sport, commuting or exercise. Touring can range from single day rides to multi-day trips, or even years at a time. Tours may be planned and organised by the participant/s for themselves or organised for a group by a professional holiday business, a club, or a charity as a fund-raising venture."

This post has been edited by outdoorxplorer: Jul 12 2014, 12:00 AM

no , just browsing, but this seller is popular....

http://17qc.taobao.com/index.htm?spm=2013....444365.2.0xOt2e

he can double pack the box with strap summore... mebe nid to pay a bit more i think...







This post has been edited by H2D: Jul 12 2014, 12:10 AM

yes a lot, but nid to find reputable wan, and those in GD cos agent is in GD,

shipping in china can be less...

This post has been edited by H2D: Jul 12 2014, 12:14 AM

budgee budgee, so have you found your elusive bike? I like your elusive bike. I want one too.

Care to share? If not, would you recommend the model which you think is the closes to your elusive bike?

anyone going for the Melaka Century Ride?

http://bikeaway.com.my/announcement/view.cfm?AID=25

btw guys....can one tell me is there a difference between a metal disc brake compare to the normal pad v brake?

my elusive bike?




What is a good foldable bike for me? It's just my own opinion, so you are free to disagree.


And Why did I choose it?


1. Cycling comfort - this is important.

The feel on the bike should be one where the feel resembles a bigger road bike, in terms of saddle height, handlebar height.

Here most foldable bikes should be able to give you this. The saddle height and fore and aft can be adjusted to different rider height.
Handlebar height is also very crucial for me. It cannot be too low otherwise I will suffer from pain in the elbow from the jarring from bumps and potholes. I got to sit relatively upright which is the most comfortable position for long distances.

My bikes: Tern, XDS 16 inch, FNHON 16 inch are all aluminium so the ride is quite jarring, can feel the bumps quite harsh on the hands and seat. Meanwhile the brompton is made of steel which has the effect of flexing so will give a more comfortable ride over the same stretch of uneven road comparatively.

Winner: Brompton 16 inch (tern P18 is a close second) Brompton has got different handlebars for sporty ride, for long distance rides, for town rides. Just change the handlebars and the whole bike will feel different, this I found out.



2. Compact folding size (can be put into luggage bags for travel on trains, airplanes etc)

My 3 bikes: Tern 20 inch, XDS FA 16, FN HON 16. only the 16 inch wheels are compact, but both the 16 inch bikes are not so easy to transport or push around.

Winner: Brompton 16 inch - the best compact size. Can fit into small cars, under the staircase, under your bed, etc



3. Portability in moving bike on platforms/ terminals
The bike once folded should be able to be pushed around inside train stations or apartments or office buildings.

Tern P18 (big fail because once folded, it can't stay very stable, may tilt over anytime. You want to push it around train station, hah, tried but very uncomfortable)

All time winner: Brompton (the best in terms of design, can push the bike like a shopping cart, buy the front loading brompton front bag) The brompton can stand on its own without falling over.

(The stable small pulley wheels make sure its stays upright. - get the brompton with the rear rack with wheels)



4. Gearing ratios (the gears should be able to give you good climbing ability and good level road speeds... downhill you should be able to crank the pedals as well to further increase speed to save travelling time.

My 3 bikes: Tern, XDS FA16 (big loser), FNHON (ok only)

Co-Winners: Brompton, Tern P18



5. Frame sturdiness and confidence in bike at high speeds
A foldable bike is actually made of two different metal parts connected somewhere in the middle. This means the weakest part is in the joint. If the clamp is not strong enough, guess what, it will mean you are in danger of crashing when you are riding fast when the clamp accidentally opens up.

My bikes: Tern (ok only as the clamps have a pin to lock into place. But this pin can be broken if you force the clamp to open without shifting the pin aside, ouch ... design is not good) XDS and FNHON (just a plastic to keep the clamp in place. er... not good design at all, once a bag which was hanging on the handlebars accidently opened the plastic and the clamp opened up while I was riding! lucky wasn't going fast otherwise, I will be missing my two front teeth.

Winner: Brompton ( the designers used a large turning screw to clamp the joints into place ... the best safety clamp, the clamp will not accidently open up)



6. Chain and deraileur
The rear deraileur and front deraileur makes a big impact on how the bike performs.

Tern got both front and rear deraileur.. why is an issue? the front has got two gears (unnecessary extra weight). Change to bigger and smaller is like a road bike but this is a foldable, which do not have a lot of frame size.

XDS (lose because the front crank cannot be too big otherwise the pedals will hit the ground when you are tilting the bike into a corner. Way out is do not pedal when you are turning corners. But the small front crank makes me seem like cycling air when I want to go faster than 15 kph. I just can't pedal at all when going downhill.

Winner: brompton. Only have one front gear, large enough for the gears.


Tern: The rear deraileur is from a mountain bike, Shimano Tiagra, which will be quite low, almost touching the ground. Disadvantage with this is that it may hit some objects with jut out. Once I rode over a bump with evenly spaced rubber mounds and the rear deraileur hit one. Lucky wasn't damaged. Also too low near the ground will pick up a lot of dust and sand when riding.

Winner: Brompton. They designed the rear deraileur to be far above the ground, to protect it.



7. Weight:

The bike weight should be light enough so that you can cycle uphill without too much effort.
Winner: FNHON at 8.8 kg. Brompton loses as its about 9 to 10 kg.


8. Design and thoughtfulness in designing a foldable bicycle.

No need to talk too much, winner: Brompton. Indeed a lot, a lot, a lot of thought has been put into designing the brompton. The way it folds and stay folded. The Tern once folded can still accidentally come apart, because they use magnets...! apa lah?? magnets to hold the bike weighing about 10 kg together?

Take a look at the folded brompton. Check out where the normally black and dirty chain is. It's cleverly hidden between the two tyres. This means you can't dirty your clothes or other people's clothes with the chain, crank or deraileur if you were to carry it or lug it on board a public train. Thoughtful indeed.

Check out the two different pedals of the brompton.

----------------------------------

So overall winner is Brompton! But while its a winner, there are some things to watch out for.

Wheels are not easy to take out. In case of puncture, the sturmey archer hub cable needs to be disconnected, and no quick release. Solution: buy the puncture resistant Schwalbe Marathon Plus.

Price! Its not cheap, and that's why I am saving up every month to accumulate enough. Still do not have the Brompton yet. Got to place an order at the end of the year and then hope to get it in about 4 months time.
It's a exclusive product so do expect the exclusive prices for the brompton accessories. Unless you can find compatible bags or frame mounts.

Theft: can't leave an expensive bike like this anywhere, so got to bring it everywhere I go... sometimes, its just better to use a cheap bike and lock it up somewhere in the shopping centre car park. can't do that with brompton. Solution: buy a second cheaper bike for those quick rides to the nearby shops.


Handlebars cannot be easily changed. Got to choose which one you want and stay with it. Solution buy 3 bromptons to have 3 different handlebars ...

------------------------------------

By the way, I do not work for any bicycle shop or own any bike shop. still just a working coolie out to scrape out a living, but appreciate good design when I come across it.

-----------------------------------

In the end, you have to ask yourself what are your objectives for getting a foldable bicycle. Just ask these questions and you will find the folder of choice within your budget.

1. Folder just so to get it in car boot, exploratory cycling in remote towns, parks and then back home by car, weekend rides
2. Compact folder, and mix it with using public transport to get around, daily transportation. This is for serious savings of petrol, car parking, avoidance of traffic jams
3. Folder just to get it in car boot going for rides to see the clock timing for fast rides, and then back home by car, normally weekend rides or challenge rides
4. Folder that is used for long distance touring, mixed with public transportation by bus, train in unfamiliar routes
5. Folder that is used for occasional rides to the shops, leisurely slow riding style
6. Folder to join cycling groups
7. Folder to go into off road, rough terrain.





This post has been edited by budgee: Jul 13 2014, 05:29 AM

Actually about a week ago, I've decided on Brompton. Checked price based on the price list during the launch few mths back, thought it will cost about RM5800 with the specs I want.

Then I checked with the 2 shop that has Brompton, only realise you need to wait 4 mths if you want to custom spec it. If I want it immediately, need to just get whatever spec they have.

They actually have one very close to what I want, but its priced at RM6890!!! That's RM1k extra from the price list just a few mths back.

Because of that, I start searching again, which is why I was very curious of what your elusive bike is. Mana tahu, back to Brompton....

Anyway, thanks for confirming my months of research of which folding bike to get.

what kind of brompton u want? share abit.. Outdoorexplorer might be interested...