@@hobocyclist hi andy, what would i do with my stuff like extra clothes for times its cold and any things that wouldnt be able to fit on the folding bike pr be carried on it? where do you put this extra stuff? storage? i want to go completely minimalist and have as little as possible but it seems the best way to do this is van or car life.
@@mattinfinity1623 I had a storage unit for a while, its really expensive tbh its easier just to give it up and buy it second hand later when you need it. Since most of my stuff is second hand anyway including clothes etc its no point to keeping a lot. When i worked a day job i also had an office where i stored stuff deep in cupboards that were unused (mostly food, cans of beans etc that i would heat for breakfast and lunch) You could also keep a bag of valuable things at a friends house. I’m always trying to cut down, only keeping the most useful tools that can’t be easily replaced
Brotha, I admire your courage. I love it. I am a former amateur cyclist and I appreciate to the heart cyclists enthusiast like your self. I am planning to buy a folding bike my self.
Dude, nice one. I've done bikepacking on a hybrid type roadbike/cross bike. Loved it. But had a terrible time trying to keep it from not getting stolen - begging and pleading at hostels to let me take the bike in the room with me. Last year I finally tried touring with a folding bike - 3 day trip through the Lorraine region of France, and - I loved it :-) Recently got a Brompton, and have been doing longer day tours with it - hope to take it on a longer adventure when things return to normal...
Here's how to make a 16" FB fit into a large suitcase for travel: Lose the rear brake (no more cable between frame sections) Replace frame folding bolt with a machined pin w. hole for a cotter pin. That makes the 2 frame halves separate instantly. Replace stock folding pedals with snap-off ones (eBay, etc.) to save 6-8 cm. width. Next, build a Sturmey S-2 kickshift into the rear wheel. (no cable) Now the 2 separate frame halves can be laid flat and arranged to fit flat, unlike the usual one-piece folded wedge shape. Now the bike can be stowed or reassembled in about 7 minutes. No need to disassemble the wheels, and missing rear brake has never caused me any grief. I tow the empty suitcase bungeed to a folding luggage trolley with larger 6" wheels attached on a wider added axle. (folds down a bit large, but it's the most compact bike trailer alive.) Tows stable (big wheels) and clips onto the bike's rear rack with a carabiner setup. The SA kickshift helps tow the trailer uphill with the suitcase filled. Just a thought.....
This is cool! i usually take the bike apart into small parts and pack into a tarp. All the airlines i flew on accept it as normal baggage allowance ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-plbfZzcQxTE.html
@@hobocyclist You've been lucky. Last time i flew to Amsterdam with KLM, rough handlers trashed my chainring. That was outbound. KLM's rep. refused to take responsibility or compensate. Returning, i was forced to pay 199 euros "excess baggage" because they knew it was a bicycle inside the tarp. But the measurements were within spec and under the 20 kg. weight limit, but i couldn't convince them of that. Upshot: from now on, down to 16" wheels and the above stealth solutions like a suitcase. Also it protects better against damage in handling. Also bikes are forbidden on Malaysian trains, but with no warning signs. Then if you get off in time and cash your ticket in, you only get half the price back. So be a fox, use the box, AND...never fly KLM.
I have one folding bike, not for touring. I think its main limitation is the low speed. It's unable to go fast... even to go not slow haha. Your video is great. I only ride a folding around my village to take some breeze.
Alright, this is an odd one. There's something to be said about someone who uses a bike as a medium of transport to get about and tell a story rather than owing it as some kind of expensive designer item. I must admit, I'm hugely jealous of the zeal and tenacity it takes to act on intercontinental travel on what is a very simple and what appears to be "low end" cycle. I've had many bikes and do a lot of commuting and have no negative thoughts towards anyone on a bicycle (mostly), but this is so admirable and I'm pretty confident in saying that the majority of cyclists wish they could have the attitude you have towards bikes. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that very often, especially when you get past the absolute lowest end of the scale, it becomes tremendously easy to get lost in the millions of details; groupsets, weight, aero, materials, brands, functions etc - to what is almost exclusively a bit of inert material with wheels to move you about. I appreciate the niche space you fit in the cycling community ❤
Thanks mate! Theres plenty more videos here on my channel, I've been doing this about 8 years now and still enjoy the adventures on these kind of bikes. The most fun is finding something so useful that is being thrown away or sold for next to nothing and creating value 100x what I pay for it. Bike adventures should be accessible to all & I'm glad to have put it on video (even though the quality of my camera in the beginning is on the low end). As the famous 7x Tour de France champion said -Its not about the bike ;)
You’re awesome and inspiring. I have traveled some of Germany and Paris without and find myself stuck to a certain radius of travel and experience by foot. I’m December me and my friend are heading to Japan. Your video is very encouraging and has confirmed my thoughts that biking is the way to see more and experience a world differently. Thanks
Appreciate the feedback! I hope you can find more interesting information here to help plan your folding bike in Japan! There are some very old videos on my channel of my Japan tour by folding bike, for more look at hobocyclist dot com :) All the best!
New subscriber here in Philippines sir.. I really loved folding bikes its so very useful.. You can go anywhere you want to go with less hassle... Hope forward to do what you are doing. Love it.
Thank you Andy! I am honestly thinking of getting a folding bike to ride to work (after this situation ends) and found this video. To be honest, now I feel motivated to try touring with it, looks like a good plan for sure. Cheers, stay safe.
Brompton should sponsor you as you are an excellent advocate for multi modal world travel using a folding bicycle! I really like your approach to sourcing the bikes, there are good, solid bicycles to be had at very good prices (I know because I got one). First time I saw that people actually live in intetnet cafés in Japan I was quite surprised.
Hi! I like mtb and all the trips i've done (3-5) days, was with a backpack and a little rack, no tent... This summer i want to ride "el camino del norte", it goes from France to Galicia crossing the north of Spain, arround 1000km. Since i would like to camp, cook i had to figure out how i could fit all i need to my mtb (no eyelets, no racks...). To reach 60lts i had to buy 2 panniers, do some diy to adapt a rack to my bike and pay arround 150 euros for "good quality" Material. Then I saw this video and something in me was like, "this is the damn solution roger". So here i am, 2 days later, with my 75€ steel folding bike, 6 gears, mudguards, a rear rack.... I'm happy like a child, and don't need to buy anything more since i have a good backpacks. Im super excited! Thank you for the idea and the buying tips, has been very useful!
I like your functional and economic approach to folding bike touring and camping. Your open, honest, experience derived insight is valuable to newcomers and is appreciated. Subscribed.
Thanks for giving me an alternative to buying a touring bike, happy to find that a folding bike will do the job just fine👍. Good luck on your adventures
I’m learning that you can modify your bike for what suits your personal riding needs. Thanks for the insight.. I’ve been searching for the perfect all around folding bike, and if you’re not spending your life savings on a birdy or brompton then you won’t have much luck. So thanks for sharing the knowledge!
You're a hero. Plucky and determined. See if you can visit Saigon where I now live! I have two folding bikes, one I brought here from Hong Kong. I'm 63 British - you never age if you are a folding cyclist but I don't think could do the miles you do any more! I don't know if I could camp either. But who knows. I may start doing it and rejuvenate. Best wishes! Nice thing about Saigon is that you are never more than a hundred yards away from a bike repairer or at least someone who will give it a go. The repairers are very resourceful, cheap if not free and very cheerful. It does make a change from Hong Kong!
Great city! i have visited many years ago. My friend did some bike touring around Cambodia a few years back too id love to visit that part of the world again
Hmm,this is actually interesting. In my opinion,while folding bikes are kinda twitchy in terms of handling,their minute wheels mean that anyone can rely on spinning to climb hills with a degree of ease,and to also maintain speed. Keep it running,chase your interests!
5 - 9 years ago i was a racist prick towards folding bike. I love MTB's it so happened my colleague was assembling a bike and he needs to get to a specific amount to avail a 3yr payment scheme. so he told me to get a foldie. The rest was history sold all my MTBs now i only have my foldies :)
Have you tried panniers? They can hold a lot of stuff and keep the weight down low so the handling is hardly affected. That bag on the front looks unsafe. Get a front rack and panniers. Much easier. I have a 1974 Dawes Kingpin, two 80s Velo Schauffs, 24 inch with 5 speed derailleurs, a Hercules compact, 1986, and a BSA folder 1984. Never been refused access on a bus or a train in 30 years. Keep it up lad!
I did on my BF Tikit in 2018, northern Japan. No panniers bag or racks just normal backpack on front handle, camping tent bag on long seatpost front or facing back and two bags stacked onto body tube. centre bar body. Lighter and easy boarding on train, coach... fold and carry.
I do like your videos and will watch one by one. In Europe, wonder how you charge up your devices. Is it in the public library? I must say I love your hobo style of cycling. Way to go, Andy 😍
such a smart idea! I think I would rather buy a used folding in Japan because feel they would have way better options in value/price and you can ride it around there. Then when vacation is done just pack it up with you and bring it home :)
I currently own two Bromptons, and just ordered another one direct from Brompton with rack and 6 gear. I think I have a bloody addiction on foldies. I may have to go to Folding Bike Anonymous to sort myself out.
I think about touring Iceland with my folder. Only thing is not sure if I want to use my 20 inch or 26. I'd be doing about a third of the Ring road on paved roads. Folding bikes are the best. Cheers!
Kia ora Andy. Cool video. Folders are awesome for cycle touring. My favorite is bike packing in South Korea-the Seoul to Busan route. Wonder if you’ve done the NZ Ngā Haerenga trails. The Twin Coast one is where I started. Looking forward to more.
I havent cycled all of NZ trails, a folding bike is simply not the best option for NZ trail riding. Korean people I met in Japan first showed me cycle touring set up on dahon bikes, and I have been told about good cycling in Korea. Its a must do for the future!
I really enjoyed this video :) I'd love to hear about your experiences of buying a cheap second hand bike from Czech Republic. £80 is a great price and I'd love to take a punt on a folding bike if the price is that low.
Thanks for your videos, / great info and a pleasure to watch, just got a folding bike like yours & looking to do this over the summer, can you tell me where you found your front rack? I’ve been looking for one but can’t seem to find one that’ll fit like yours. Thanks.
It came with that bike. Check out my vids about folding bike modification and front rack for more info on how to modify one, www.hobocyclist.com/viewer-purchases to see what people are buying, best of luck!
What kind of tape was used to wrap the bike and tarp? Was it sticky tape, or stretch plastic film? I guess either could be used, but the sticky tape would destroy the tarp..
Just 1 issue with folding bikes....To pedal efficiently i need a long seatpost, also causing frame stress and attachment problems. Your vid's all show a shorter seatpost adjustment. So how much of a sacrifice is riding with bent knees--can U get used to it?
i'm the same. pick a bike with large diameter seat post otherwise much stress will be put on frame if post too high or knees if too short. with a too short seat post after a very long time riding it will be hard on knees - short rides are ok. It's a matter of trying different bikes, hopefully you can find one that is suitable
Really cool man! Thanks. I started thinking about a folding back after my last bicycle tour. I started to find it quite a hassle and expensive to take my regular touring bike with me on planes, and on public transport in large parts of the world. I also like skipping parts (by train or bus) of countries that only offer boring / dangerous roads, and combining it with hiking. A folding bike seems to better suit those needs. Question: say you'd wanna hike a week or so, do you know whether it'd be possible to ship your folding bicycle in a box to your hiking destination? I guess you'd have to find a hotel or something willing to receive your bike and keep it there until you arrive?
Tim van Pelt I would leave it somewhere and travel to my destination and work my way back, I have left my bike at a backpackers for a week or so in their luggage storage.
@@hobocyclist Yeah unless you wanna hike a long stretch and continue from the place you reach. One more question about the sizes of various folding bikes and taking them on planes: it seems to me only the Brompton bikes will fold down small enough to be allowed as regular luggage (all dimensions adding up to less than 158 cm). Do you think other folding bikes which usually add up to 180cm+ (such as Dahons: www.amazon.co.uk/Dahon-D7-Obsidian-Fenders-Folding/dp/B072WC5YNS) can come down to the limit of 158 cm size if you remove the wheels and derailleur?
Tim van Pelt I have done this several times on intl' flights with my bike 20" wheels- here is the vid :) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-g2J8DXDpeCk.html
yeah i agree, if you are planning a tour with very steep hill climbs take a specially equiped bicycle.. though i have toured in Japan and Germany- some big hills on a small folding bike it is possible!
in my experience with folding bike, you have much more "power"/torque because of the small wheels. I vividly remember this occation, it was a bridge, cycling with a friend on a normal bike. And I had no probs at all (even tho I'm a ton heavier) with my folding bike. And he was struggling. Couldn't understand why, then .. ofcourse the small wheels on the bike!
Great story, I'd like to try it one day! I like this front rack, but in of your videos you told that this rack is specifically Japanese thing. Did you mange to find any alternative in Europe? We are thinking about buying folding bikes to bring them along on the road trips and it looks like a great addition.
yeah i really like the front luggage rack too, here is a video showing one i got from amazon and modified. it required some tools and drilling a few holes but it works ok. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8rzG0ItAyhY.html
Great video...Rode across the canadian rockies on a regular cycle but going to move on to a folder...1)What brand is your folder ? 2) What brand did your girl friend get from the CRep ? How is the quality of both machiens ....Thanks ...Best wishes..🚴...George
Great idea! i have this one, ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3p74V2CGkHk.html but specific disadvantages do exist compared to full size bikes, these issues need addressing!
Can you address some negatives that people mention about folding bikes? (Low speed, more resistance when pedaling, no suspension). I am thinking about touring on a folding bike but I cannot get much real world advice on the riding aspects. The portability advantage is obvious (thanks for the additional details on Japan for example) but there is little information out there on the actual experience riding one long distance.
Good comment. Yes there is downside, in fact I would recommend folding bikes ONLY if you need to fold it often (for transporting on train, car, plane etc. otherwise yes, it’s slow, yes it rides not as smooth with small wheels and no suspension. However it suits me for touring as I like slow riding, taking trains, bus, planes etc and folding the bike for storage in hotel or etc. look at my latest videos on my channel you will find much real world touring information and tips & tricks from the road! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZIpOvgMe1Xc.html
@@hobocyclist OK, scratch trailer. The following is for cheap carbon steel frames. Steering lock: drill a 4-5 mm. hole in front of headset tube and drill further into the handlebar stem thru that one hole. (be sure to have someone hold the handlebars in straight ahead posish while drilling) Then stick any small bolt or hex key into both holes, locking the steering. Don't drill all the way thru, wh. wd. weaken the structure and make 4 holes total.. Uses: U can lose the kickstand as the bike will lean anywhere without flopping around or rolling away. When partial folding (pushing the bike by the seat ) only the frame and h'bar stem are folded, w. the seat still up to roll the bike forward. The steering lock keeps the front wheel parallel to the rear one, so the bike rolls without opening at the frame and spazzing out, zigzagging, etc. Third, as a work stand : With the steering locked U can flip the bike to fix a flat and it'll stay put if wobbled. Sinking seatpost: After adjusting seatpost to desired height, drill one similar hole thru the frame seat stay and on into the post itself, somewhere below the seatpost clamp. No more seatpost shim needed, just stick something thru both holes and tighten away any wiggle with the clamp. Tape around the seatpost if finding the hole is a problem. "Keys" for steering & seatpost locks: Take apart a folding hex key set. For the steering, clip a carabiner into the 5 mm. key. For the seatpost, use the philips head key with carabiner. (the tapering end makes it easier to find the inner hole.) When unlocking either key is clipped somewhere like the luggage rack to not get lost. BTW, i'd make my own video on this if i knew how.....
hi there.. whats your typical average speed on the flat and typically how many kms would you ride a day when touring.. i have done some bike packing over the past few years.. typically 1000 to 2000km trips.. on my mtb bike with slick tyres and on these trips my rule is to cycle the entire route planned .. but have been considering doing much longer trips with a mix of cycle/public transport.. i see the benefit in arriving in a bus/train station and then heading out strait away without taxis etc and great for exploring a 30-50km radius and/or connecting thru cycling cities which may be 100kms apart etc and then public transporting again when the distances become much further between key sites etc.. cheers
Good plan! generally i'd travel 50km a day, unsure of avg speed as i've never been in a hurry.. the longest ride i did in 1 day was in Japan, 90km. my previous tours have been over 2-3 months but i'd like to do 6 months
Hello friend! It's so nice to hear your experiences. I am planning to buy a folding bicycle for touring. Can you please advice me which one to chose between 14" & 20" tyres. My height is 5'3". Thanks
best of luck on your adventures, ride a bike you like that suits your needs. this may help ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JHKtrGB5Uek.html
Good video, I have travelled with my Brompton for the reasons you give, my only problem was when I was asked by Asia Airlines what was in my bag which was obviously a bike they insisted on charging me for sporting goods even though it was within checked luggage dimensions, I will not be using Asia Airlines again.
Great job dude....I am from India....this will be a great option for touring India , except the mountains and hilly areas, I guess...but a great affordable option for a travel freak...Is it possible to ride in hilly areas...Did you try..?
Yes i have travelled over some big hills in Japan, it's hard work, especially with packs and camping gear on the bike, but it is possible! i would really like to visit India one day!
I think smaller wheels are better for hill climbs and pack away smaller ? I have loaded my brompton with more weight than I could have put on a larger bike , there's more room between handle bar and front wheel and rear rack ! brompton is also steel frame. The bikes in this video are probably even stronger than a brompton and parts are easier to find maybe when you travel to far corners of the earth. you can find 20" wheels everywhere. 16" brompton is less common.
this kind of bike is best for short rides around town, or if you are going to take longer rides where you will take the bike on trains, planes or use other transport because it folds up its handy. If you want to ride longer trips and dont need to fold and transport the bike then buy a larger frame normal kind of bike, it will be better for long trips
Xinkie Voo hi yes, it depends how steep the hills are. In Japan and Germany I climbed steep hills some above 15% gradient this required pushing the bike. Also it depends how much luggage you will carry, and how fit you are!
Thank you for sharing this!! Have you got any tip on how to prolong the life of your rims? I use a folding bike for deliveries and use the front brake most of the time and I wear through a front rim in about 5-6 months. So just wondered if you've encountered the same problem? It might just be the rainy weather in uk making the grit and dirt cling to the break pads and sand down the soft aluminium on the rims
wow! i havent ever worn out rims, but they do get damaged/bent or spokes broken so i do replace them after a while. usually i use second hand parts from 20" bikes that i find at the junkyard or online. check my video here for how i source the parts i use ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YayfUskpGO4.html
since you have experience can you please advise me for how long you can comfortably ride 20 inch bike non stop? with a family member I am planning to fly abroad for backpacking camping in the wild which could take more than few weeks, as I am planning to go farer into the wild I wonder if 20 inch foldable bike would be comfortable enough to ride lets say 2-4 hours non stop? I am a little scared to get a bigger bike into a plane as it could be too big depending on airlines and also there is a bigger chance to break bigger bikes during flights. THANKS IN ADVANCE
hey no problem! but i'm a keen rider, some folks that don't ride bikes complain after a few hours riding. do some riding in your home town to get a feel for it first however i'd say 10-20km or so a day should be easy. my avg on tour is 50km/day. max i have done is 90km-that is very hard going
@@hobocyclist thanks! we are quite fit and already are riders just of 26 inch mountain bikes, definitely we both will cruise on same size bikes, thanks a lot for your advise! :) enjoy your adventures! ^^
there are more vids on my channel, advice for buying second hand folding bikes, modifications, touring and packing folding bike for air travel. best of luck