Make a folding bike from a non-folder?

Chips_Mahoy · Jan 31, 2013

Anyone here done it? Seen it done? Heard if it? I'm looking for a folding bike but most are way out of my budget. I've got a bunch if extra bikes with no real purpose so I've been wondering if I could turn one if them into a folder. Thoughts and input?

kingfish254 · Jan 31, 2013

If you are talking about diamond frame or canti bikes, it would be pretty tough making the multiple hinges line up and function.

Here is an old Auto-Mini up in Chicago at a pretty good price.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/3552047257.html

Couple of german folders
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bik/3563218119.html

and here
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/3537424536.html

If you want a newer one Citizen makes a decent entry level Miami. It's not a Dahon, but it is decent quality.
http://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.asp? ... oduct_id=1

Chips_Mahoy · Jan 31, 2013

I had just looked at those prior to posting. That's kinda what got me thinking about it. I know there's some engineering issues to work out but I'll figure that out when I get there.

yoothgeye · Jan 31, 2013

Do you want it to "unfold" after it folds?

Chips_Mahoy · Jan 31, 2013

yoothgeye said:
Do you want it to "unfold" after it folds?

Sometimes.....

What's got me thinking of this is when I recently went to Chicago and got to meet Skip, he invited me to ride with them sometime. I take the train from my area to Chicago and want to be able to take a bike with me. All trains allow collapsible bikes but only some allow full size. So I want to be able to take a bike or two on the train with me so I'll have a Rat to ride of my own.

deven_science · Jan 31, 2013

I attempted to build a foldable out of a kids bike frame. I extended the seat post, handlebars, and added a hinge. It was an epic fail. Wasn't rideable.

Not to say that it's NOT doable, but it was out of my skill range.