Folding Bicycle Questions

[Yetti]

Moots will put the couplers on a frame for you.  http://moots.com/our-bike/#options-2/

[N601RX]

O.K., so now we know all about folding bikes, great thread by the way.  Does anyone know if there is a motorized folder for those of us too old (or just tired!) to use a conventional bike?

I have a GO DEVIL. Pretty neat.

[kmyfm20s]

Now if only we can get a motor on one of those!

Got it, I have this bike and it's great! I have got it through the baggage door but only did it once. It was kind of like putting a round block in a square hole. Now I just leave the back passenger seat out and put it there.

http://www.westmarine.com/bikes/prodeco-technologies--mariner-2013-e-bike-38v-250w-6ah--14466460

[mulro767]

Bought my Dahon Speed Uno specifically for my Mooney. It folds and fits easily through the baggage door. It's a 20" wheel single speed with back pedal break so takes some getting used to at first. But it cuts down on the weight (24 lbs. compared to most between 30-40). Great for beach trips. Not for hills unless you like a good workout.

http://www.usa.dahon.com/mainnav/bikes/single-view/bike/speed_uno.html

[Cyril Gibb]

My significant other and I cycle a great deal.  Usually around 3-4000 Kms per year.  I didn't see a specific answer re:2 full size road bikes (sans wheels) in a M20F.... anyone already tried that?

If nobody has tried, I'll bring one of my bikes to try tomorrow and report back.  I certainly hope they fit 'cause that's a mandatory requirement. 

I'm not prepared to have someone saw our Ti bikes to add couplers.

[Hank]

Erik is the bike man—if anyone knows, he will. You may want to remove [or fold down] the back seat.

[aviatoreb]

My significant other and I cycle a great deal.  Usually around 3-4000 Kms per year.  I didn't see a specific answer re:2 full size road bikes (sans wheels) in a M20F.... anyone already tried that?

If nobody has tried, I'll bring one of my bikes to try tomorrow and report back.  I certainly hope they fit 'cause that's a mandatory requirement. 

I'm not prepared to have someone saw our Ti bikes to add couplers.

 

I'm still waiting for someone to make an STC for a big oversized sized S&S coupling so I can have my airplane sawed in two for easy loading.  Like right behind the wingsl.  Something like this:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_aircraft#mediaviewer/File:An-124_ready.jpg

(that plane looks like its easy to get your bike in...)

 

Maybe with the certified-experimental rules coming we can get a cut-in-half airplane mod for our Mooneys.

(Just in case someone didn't catch it - I'm kidding...)

 

I have an M20K which isn't that the same size body as the M20F?  My rear seats are not fold down but are quick removal mod - so with them out there is plenty of room for two full sized road bikes.  With wheels off, pedals off, and seat post off (all that can be done in about 1-2 minutes) and then wrapped in a BBQ canvas bag you get at walmart (keep the plane clean) they are not difficult to load in through the front door.  Make sure to scooch the copilot seat all the way forward then I use a bungy cord to keep that front seat in the folded down position.  Makes it much easier that way.

 

To tell you the truth if I am carrying just one bike - my own for example as I do sometimes if I am going on a several day work trip - I won't even bother to break apart my S&S coupling bike because it is just not very hard to load into the airplane as described above - one is easy.  I also sometimes travel on some weekday afternoons to a time trial race in the state somewhere (Syracuse, or Plattsburgh, etc) which is like 20-30 min by mooney or 2-2.5hrs by car. (and its fun to ride from the airport to the tt for a warm up).  That's with my TT bike and my tt bike has aero tubes so it does not break down. 

 

Actually - if I am traveling solo with a bike - I don't even bother taking out the rear seats.  Just a frame with wheels off, seat post off and pedals off leans in the back seats nicely - yes using up the entire back including up to the the frame leaning from the floor behind the pilots up toward the ceiling in the baggage area - but no worry if I am solo.

 

Don't forget wheels in wheel bags.

[Marauder]

My significant other and I cycle a great deal. Usually around 3-4000 Kms per year. I didn't see a specific answer re:2 full size road bikes (sans wheels) in a M20F.... anyone already tried that?

If nobody has tried, I'll bring one of my bikes to try tomorrow and report back. I certainly hope they fit 'cause that's a mandatory requirement.

I'm not prepared to have someone saw our Ti bikes to add couplers.

That's what I am looking for as well Cyril! I have an F and wonder if I can get 2 full bikes inside. My is a 60 and I think my wife's a 58. Report back if you try it. I may just try that today as well!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[aviatoreb]

Erik is the bike man—if anyone knows, he will. You may want to remove [or fold down] the back seat.

 

Your confidence is flattering...but misplaced? :-)

[Hank]

You have how many bikes? And you take them with you in your plane how often?

 

I have two bikes; neither has been in my plane. One's an old Walmart special for pedaling around the neighborhood with my wife, one's a street bike that I just bought and haven't ridden yet due to shoulder issues. Neither has been, or will go, in the Mooney.

 

Granted, you can only ride half the year due to snow . . . 

[slowflyin]

My wife and carry two Citizen bikes using the Citizen bike bags.  One in the luggage compartment and one in the back seat seems to the be the best fit.

[Cyril Gibb]

Just got back from the hangar... my bike with the wheels off fits easily in my M20F even with the seat/post and pedals still installed.

To prevent tangles, I'd remove the pedals and seatpost before putting a second bike in.

I just laid it on top of the back seats extending into the baggage area.  Lots of space between the bike frame and the front seats.

Our paniers would fit in the baggage area below the level of the frames with no problem.

 

Much more space than I expected.

[ChristianGodin]

I also have 2 bromptons and I confirm, it fit in by the J door.

[Cabanaboy]

Citizen Bikes !

 

http://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=10

 

$169, works great, i can fit one in baggage area, other has to go in back seat.

[DaV8or]

Got it, I have this bike and it's great! I have got it through the baggage door but only did it once. It was kind of like putting a round block in a square hole. Now I just leave the back passenger seat out and put it there.

http://www.westmarine.com/bikes/prodeco-technologies--mariner-2013-e-bike-38v-250w-6ah--14466460

 

One concern might be flying with that big Li-ion battery. I doubt it is of the highest quality and these types of batteries have been known to start some pretty hot fires. Check out Boeing and their 787.

[DaV8or]

Bought my Dahon Speed Uno specifically for my Mooney. It folds and fits easily through the baggage door. It's a 20" wheel single speed with back pedal break so takes some getting used to at first. But it cuts down on the weight (24 lbs. compared to most between 30-40). Great for beach trips. Not for hills unless you like a good workout.

http://www.usa.dahon.com/mainnav/bikes/single-view/bike/speed_uno.html

 

Take this bike and replace the front sprocket for a 36T and then replace the rear hub with the 3 speed Shimano coaster brake hub and it would be ideal for me. A little bit of lower gearing for middle age slackers like me. I love the simplicity of coaster brakes. Takes me back to my childhood.

[ELT]

Hi Ottorecker,

How did you get 2 Tokyo Bikes in the rear baggage of a C?  I got one in the rear baggage with considerable effort.  I guess my E shrunk last time I washed it.

 

Explanation and pix would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,

Eddie

[StinkBug]

Anyone tried any of the cheapo bikes on ebay? That Dahon looks perfect for me, but for very occasional use I'm not too interested in the price. I can buy 4 of these for cheaper than one Dahon. 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311212406736?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[ArtVandelay]

Anyone tried any of the cheapo bikes on ebay? That Dahon looks perfect for me, but for very occasional use I'm not too interested in the price. I can buy 4 of these for cheaper than one Dahon.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311212406736?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Yes, they are ok, but inspect carefully, it took 3 tries to get one that wasn't damaged, they aren't quality metal, mine rusted when exposed to the elements.

[aviatoreb]

Anyone tried any of the cheapo bikes on ebay? That Dahon looks perfect for me, but for very occasional use I'm not too interested in the price. I can buy 4 of these for cheaper than one Dahon. 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311212406736?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

I wouldn't do it - not "air worthy".  I have seen all sorts of bike stuff break on people - and when your bike breaks and you are going 20mph or more down a hill - you loose teeth.