Anyone carry a folding bike in their LEAF?

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edatoakrun

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2010
Messages
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Location
Shasta County, North California
I've been thinking one could come in handy for getting around during those long waits for L2, until the DC infrastructure gets built.

Obviously, one that folds small enough to fit (mostly?) in the trunk well limits the design possibilities, as in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-HTht14DrM&feature=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This (electric) one actually looks like it might also fit in the trunk well.

After years of fund-raising and development, the “Electric Swiss Army Bike” Voltitude is ready for full-scale production. The first batch of the bikes are being built now, and initial orders should be shipping before the new year!

With a 15 mph top speed and a 25 mile electric-only range (add “as far as you can pedal” to that for a total range), the little electric moped takes Swiss Army knife aesthetics and adds a fair bit of Swiss Army durability in the form of stainless steel and billet aluminum construction. The steel and aluminum frame is complimented with high-quality pedals, seat, and handlebars, as well. The bike’s makers haven’t cut corners, in other words, so you can expect a riding experience filled with high-end precision.

This is about as high-end as folding electric bicycles get, people. If an electric Swiss Army bike is your bag, then this is your bike...

http://gas2.org/2012/09/10/2013-voltitude-electric-swiss-army-bike-gets-real/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Actually.. I've been wanting some sort of compact/foldable bicycle that I could put in my Leaf. I like to go to the park to take walks (for exercise) and I'd really rather be riding a bike. But there isn't any easy way to fit a bike in the Leaf. And I won't so much as put a bumper sticker on my car, so a bike rack is out of the question. But I'm not sure this is what I'm looking for. It doesn't have to be an "E-Bike"
 
adric22 said:
Actually.. I've been wanting some sort of compact/foldable bicycle that I could put in my Leaf. I like to go to the park to take walks (for exercise) and I'd really rather be riding a bike. But there isn't any easy way to fit a bike in the Leaf. And I won't so much as put a bumper sticker on my car, so a bike rack is out of the question. But I'm not sure this is what I'm looking for. It doesn't have to be an "E-Bike"

They start at $170 ("Tokyo"-$198 including shipping).

"Out of site" is a high priority for me, which leaves conventional bikes, inside or on a rack, out of the question.

http://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I just checked the dimensions, and it looks like it should fit in the trunk well, and sit only about 1" higher than the "hump".
 
Bob Eng (don't remember what his handle is on here) has a Dahon. He says it fits good, and offered to fold it up one time and show me. Unfortunately, I was trying to be considerate of his time (he was getting ready to leave the meeting we were attending) and I told him it wasn't necessary. I wish I'd taken him up on the offer now.

Of course, being British (or, should I say now, formerly British), my preference is for the Brompton folding bikes. No idea if they'll fit or not (though it looks quite likely) and they are kind of pricey!

http://www.brompton.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
I have two of the Raleigh foldings bikes (full size 26 inch wheels) that were marketed by Schwinn a long time ago. They work well, and came with bags to keep the dirty parts off the interior.

I also have two "GoPeds", both gas burners, but they have electric power. Very compact and easy to ride. Two fit easily in the trunk "boot".

I'm not sure how British I am now, but I do carry the UK/EU passport with my USA one.
 
The YikeBike is an impressively compact folding miniature electric penny farthing design out of New Zealand. ~$2000 for 6mi range (more with additional batteries), not the most economic range extender, but definitely a unique form of transportation.

For pure pedal power, Bike Friday makes a variety of high quality folding bikes with a high degree of customization. Made at modest production volumes in Oregon, so they aren't particularly cheap either $1000-2000.
 
KeiJidosha said:
Have a Dahon Vitesse D7HG because it was the only bike I could find that would fit in the MINI E. 7 speed Shimano Nexus internal hub and chain protector keeps it clean. You could probably fit two in the LEAF. If you want electric, try the Vitesse D7 and a BioniX hub motor.

You can't fit the official MINI folding bike in a MINI e?
 
I put my folding Xootr Swift bike in the backseat of leaf all the time for rides. Works great. I needed a large folding bike because I am 6-3. This bike fits the bill. Very happy with this bike.
 
mwalsh said:
KeiJidosha said:
Have a Dahon Vitesse D7HG because it was the only bike I could find that would fit in the MINI E. 7 speed Shimano Nexus internal hub and chain protector keeps it clean. You could probably fit two in the LEAF. If you want electric, try the Vitesse D7 and a BioniX hub motor.

You can't fit the official MINI folding bike in a MINI e?
MINI folding bike is actually a MINI branded custom Dahon MU P8. I wanted the enclosed hub and chain.

mini-folding-bike-06.jpg


Either bike is a press fit in the back of the MINI E ;)
 
solardude said:
I have a Bike Friday, Pocket Llama. fits like a charm.

I have a Bike Friday Tikit with belt drive so there is no chain lube to make a mess. I bought it to take with me on business trips to ride for exercise and perhaps around construction sites. It is very easy to fold, fits under the privacy cover (may hold it up a little), and is easy to move from Leaf to office vehicle. It came with a lightweight cover that unfolds from a pouch to wrap the bike when folded.

Gerry
 
GerryAZ said:
solardude said:
I have a Bike Friday, Pocket Llama. fits like a charm.

I have a Bike Friday Tikit with belt drive so there is no chain lube to make a mess. I bought it to take with me on business trips to ride for exercise and perhaps around construction sites. It is very easy to fold, fits under the privacy cover (may hold it up a little), and is easy to move from Leaf to office vehicle. It came with a lightweight cover that unfolds from a pouch to wrap the bike when folded.

Gerry

I went to Bike Friday website and the Tikit model has a safety warning. "Bike Friday tikit stem SAFETY WARNING, Update #3 [10.03.12]:" issued. I am impressed with their openness and updates on finding a solution which is the kind of company I will give business to. I just hope no one gets seriously injured while Bike Friday develops a solution.
 
Nekota said:
GerryAZ said:
solardude said:
I have a Bike Friday, Pocket Llama. fits like a charm.

I have a Bike Friday Tikit with belt drive so there is no chain lube to make a mess. I bought it to take with me on business trips to ride for exercise and perhaps around construction sites. It is very easy to fold, fits under the privacy cover (may hold it up a little), and is easy to move from Leaf to office vehicle. It came with a lightweight cover that unfolds from a pouch to wrap the bike when folded.

Gerry

I went to Bike Friday website and the Tikit model has a safety warning. "Bike Friday tikit stem SAFETY WARNING, Update #3 [10.03.12]:" issued. I am impressed with their openness and updates on finding a solution which is the kind of company I will give business to. I just hope no one gets seriously injured while Bike Friday develops a solution.

They are working really hard to solve this issue. I received a call from someone at the factory earlier this week to ask if I had inspected my bike and what I found. I told him I did not see any cracks when I first inspected it, but I would make another more detailed inspection in accordance with their detailed guidelines this weekend. I was impressed with the company when I first learned about them and looked at some of their bikes. Watching them address this safety recall makes me even more glad that I purchased from them. Other companies could learn a lot about cstomer service from this company. Bike Friday is also very supportive of their dealers.

Gerry
 
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