Folding bikes (2) in RV-6

[acroflyrgirl]

Originally Posted by Jimd

Steve,

We have two dahon folding bikes and they both fit in our 6. I cut two slots in the aft end of the canopy rails about 3" forward of the aft end. This lets me lift the canopy completely off the airplane with no tool. I don't think I could get the bikes in there otherwise. One of the best, simple mods I made.

As for the bike, make sure you get a single speed, OR an internal shift mechanism. If there is a typical chain tension arm,it will get bumped and mess up the shifting.

Jim

Any chance of seeing some pix of your mod?

We have two Bromptons and they fit in our tip up 6. I have just installed a smoke tank behind the pilot side seat so the bikes are on the right side. There is room behind my seat for overnight luggage, in two backpacks. That pretty much fills up the area, flush to the seat tops.

[DonFromTX]

As one that is always trying to conserve my energy, I have been exploring electric folding bikes to carry along. Has anyone gone this route? Here is one under consideration: https://ridegenesis.com/collections/...c-bicycle-blue

[tectweaker]

I had good luck with these - Much simpler and lighter to carry.

http://usa.dahon.com/bikes/speed-uno-2/

[Gisnar]

I have a full sized road bike that breaks in half....down to the size of the wheels.
Been very happy with S&S couplers with the advantages of having a full size bike when I get to my destination as well as almost no increase in weight and no change in ride.
http://www.sandsmachine.com/

[Steve Koziol]

Another very good option is the Xootr Swift. I have 2 that fit easily in my 9A slider. When you are looking at carrying bikes be aware of weight, how they fold up and safe rider weight. The Xootr Swifts weigh 25 pounds each, carry up to a 250 lb rider and fold by removing the seat post. So when I carry my bikes I release the quick release for the front tire, remove the seat and the handlebar. No modification is needed to my slider to get bikes in and out. Lastly I am a 230 pound 6'1" rider and have no issues. Check out the Xootr website. Best of all they are running a sale. Normally $799 but now $599. Good luck. Lots of fine bicycle options presented. The Xootr is an 8 speed bike.

Steve

[rvbuilder2002]

I have considered a couple bikes that we can transport in our RV-6A which to have much of any baggage payload left need to be pretty light.

The lightest option I have found is a new model from Bike Friday called the Pakit.
It uses a gates carbon belt for the drive so there is no dirty chains to deal with.
They claim the weight for the smallest frame size is under 15 lbs so we could easily handle carrying them, but you pay a pretty high premium for the low weight. https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-bikes/bikes/pakit/

[rv8or]

There are various bikes suggested in previous posts.
I would suggest that you try and ride the different types before buying and find one that suits you to ride and you are comfortable with.

I personally have a Brompton 6 speed with the higher handle bar post and as the bike shop owner in his perfect English understatement recommended "The firmer rear suspension rubber would be better for you Sir"
I use this bike when Im away on business and for pleasure and have 1000's of miles on it. It is pricey but has better folding and torsion rigidity of the ones I have tried.

Rob
RV3 Bought and flying
RV 8 very very slow build.

[DonFromTX]

Definitely good guidance! I used to carry two Dahons in the Cherokee, but never liked either of them. The smaller the wheels are and the gearing can make a lot of difference. The Dahon 5 speed used the same sprockets used on the big wheel bikes, which made it have 5 speeds that were all far too low, causing one to pedal like a maniac when just trying to cruise on the level.

Originally Posted by rv8or

There are various bikes suggested in previous posts.
I would suggest that you try and ride the different types before buying and find one that suits you to ride and you are comfortable with.

I personally have a Brompton 6 speed with the higher handle bar post and as the bike shop owner in his perfect English understatement recommended "The firmer rear suspension rubber would be better for you Sir"
I use this bike when Im away on business and for pleasure and have 1000's of miles on it. It is pricey but has better folding and torsion rigidity of the ones I have tried.

Rob
RV3 Bought and flying
RV 8 very very slow build.

[Jimd]

I don't know where I found out about this mod, but it is SO useful and easy! I remove the canopy for annual inspection or any other work in the cabin. When we bought our bikes, I simply lifted the canopy off the airplane and set it in the grass at the edge of the ramp while I loaded bikes. I can easily remove and reinstall by myself, but if you have a helper it makes it easier.

The notches are just large enough to clear the roller wheels on the frame and forward of the rear stop by 2.5" this is just so you can open the canopy full open and it can't lift off by itself. To remove, slide canopy to the rollers in line with notches and lift them up and slide back and rest the rollers on TOP of the tracks. It will sit there by itself, but is now loose at the front. Now grab by the from frame and rear slider block, lift the front a bit, slide aft until the slider block is free and lift away from the airframe.



There must be others that have done this mod?

Jim

[flightlogic]

I have been trying out the low cost Segway from Sam's Club. So far, so good.
Rode it from the airport to the hotel in Tucson last week. Two, easily fit behind any RV seat. 25 pounds each. Good range... did not even pack the charger.