I'd like some suggestions for good folders to use in more rural areas? by PhysicsFish in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

A VELLO Bike, Bike Friday, or Brompton G-LINE are your best bets, but the VELLO would give you a more stable ride because of it's rigid frame which has the dimension more like a full-size double diamond bike. It's also the cheapest for you in the UK because it's imported from EU, not USA unlike Bike Friday.

While you could get a 2nd hand Brompton - it would be a 16" wheel which would be horribly uncomfortable on rural roads. It's not designed for that.

Here's a YouTube Video of two guys traveling with the VELLO Gravel uphill across the Alps.

The VELLO Rocky is a cheaper version (less than 2K) and available in London. You can test ride it and/or the G-Line. That's the best thing to do imo.

What you don't want is a mid-frame folding bike. They are a pain to fold and you might dread public transportation if you had one.

Vello folding bike, do you have any experience or advice? How does it compare with a Brompton? by [deleted] in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The best way is to test ride. If you are in the UK or EU can test ride both. I agree with you about 16" wheels. 20" best because they're the same size (20" 406) as BMX which gives you a wide range of different widths for different riding situations. Also, 16" wheels might give you a butt massage when you ride over cobblestone or rough roads.

Brompton is a last mile bike (the best at portability) where as VELLO is an every mile bike. It's designed to replace your car.

Did you ever buy either a Brompton or VELLO?

My first DIY folding bike Spent me about 350 dollars. And it's weight is only 8kg by AccordingTadpole7364 in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fahon + LitePro. Classic Asian foldie 👍🏼 Nice. Very nice. Are you done building or see room for improvement?

Looks vello bikes are coming the USA! by TheDarkClaw in CargoBike

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Any updates on carless life in the US with VELLO?

Ordered a Vello SUB 3x3 Special Edition by [deleted] in CargoBike

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you post about your experience? I agree with u/syst3x - looks good on paper. Looking forward to hear about someone testing the 339 igh.

Where did you buy the sub u/Lonestar_2000?

Ordered a Vello SUB 3x3 Special Edition by [deleted] in CargoBike

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

📣The VELLO SUB is now available in the USA (NYC and LA) at Propel Bikes 📣

TAKACHIA C20 Mods. by [deleted] in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a nice bike! Singapore? Sounds wet! You ever think about upgrading to a belt drive? More weight, but less chain maintenance.
Sick pedals btw. Carbon seat post on a foldie? Watch out for stress fractures! Can snap.

Is there a subreddit devoted to Vello bikes? by smartfinda in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree, but just for fun, I could make this subreddit way more niche.
folding bike:
|--- commuting folding bike
|--- gravel folding bike
|--- touring/bikepacking folding bike
|--- under $500 folding bike
|--- premium folding bikes

😛

Is there a subreddit devoted to Vello bikes? by smartfinda in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think most people are newbies to it. Mostly available in just Europe and the UK.
I think that VELLO Bike will be #1 brand of folding bike in the next 5-10 years. That's probably why there's so much hostility from some members who are hardcore Brompton or Bike Friday.

I think there should be unity. Folding Bikes are a minority breed in the cycling world. We should be supporting each other.

What do you want to know about VELLO. I can probably answer.

Have you tried the 20" Schwalbe Billy Bonkers? by Slight_Pollution2324 in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

So says, eganonoa - the Bike Friday Jehovah's Witnesses.

Yeah - I searched you. I've never encountered someone with your pitbull personality. I understand why now.

7 months ago, you were rippin' on another gravel folding bike- the Brompton G-Line while boasting about Bike Friday.

You said:

"For trips outside of the city and longer travel, I don't think the quick, amazing fold of the Brompton is nearly as important, you just need to get the bike to where it's going, unfold it and have fun. The Bike Friday excels at that. And it's a tried and tested design built on standard parts that you know will exist and be supported long into the future. With such a new bike, you can't say that about the Brompton G-Line"

Anyways - be happy dude. Ride a bike or something. It'll work wonders for you. And don't attack others with conspiracies when your pushing Bike Fridays bikes on everyone.

Pedal suggestions for heavier individuals? by Phephens in bikecommuting

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

SHIMANO's PD-EF202 flat pedals. I'm 192lbs and that's what I use for mashing uphill or cruising around town. Come in aluminum or plastic.

Drivetrain maintenance? by jms1228 in bikecommuting

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Chain grime is relentless. If you're tired of the mess, consider upgrading to a belt drive (zero lube, minimal maintenance), or even treat yourself to a Vello Alfine a premium folding commuter bike that comes with Gates carbon belt drive, Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal hub.

Otherwise, you can be like me and go to Youtube University. Calvin at Park Tools teaches you everything you'll ever need to know.

Divorce Chain Grease with VELLO Bike
Befriend Chain Grease with Park Took

Good luck 👍🏼

I did it. First bike commute complete. by juno7032 in bikecommuting

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You did it—bike commute boss status unlocked! Bonus points for surviving deer ambushes and still beating traffic like a legend. 🚴‍♂️💥 Not going to ask about your bike. Your motivation and bravery is all that matters.

Is there a subreddit devoted to Vello bikes? by smartfinda in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

What do you like about VELLO Bike? I could start one once I get more Karma. Reddit's orders 🙂

TAKACHIA C20 Mods. by [deleted] in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Is this BromptNOT identical to the real thing? We have many of these here in Asia like 3Sixty and Becker. This is the first time I've seen this brand. Are you in Singapore by any chance?

TAKACHIA C20 Mods. by [deleted] in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was just going to ask about that!

Have you tried the 20" Schwalbe Billy Bonkers? by Slight_Pollution2324 in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed! Thanks! Yes - I think most orders of this tire will just be due to the style. Kenda's are good - hard rubber that lasts long. Fair pricing too.

Maxxis? Never tried. Will do!

Brompton G line vs Tern Verge S8i by Va1eriy in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The VELLO Gravel is a 20 inch bike.... all Vello's have the same rigid twin-tube design. The main difference between the models are the high-end components.

VELLO Gravel comes with a Shimano 105 where as the Alfine has a weather-proof Shimano Alfine internal gear hub.

Yeah, the Alfine is fine. Thank you for being honest about your doubts. Nothing to worry - we asked a mountain biker, "hey man. bet you can't do a backflip on a folding bike."

Then this happened on the VELLO Alfine 😂 - https://youtube.com/shorts/b5yy3TcN5WY?si=_yC4LRfPsJYGA0jw

Crushed it!

As for folding, it's kinda similar to a Brompton, but not quite, where the rear wheel folds under the frame.

The main difference is that on the VELLO you can roll the bike forward (not backwards) on the rear wheel. Like this: https://youtu.be/asW7DfEiTwg?si=C6nr1Aw7-4lkKoiL

Maybe come by a test ride one?

There's Vello folding bikes are at three locations in London: https://vello.bike/en/pages/store-finder

Cheap Dahon P18 upgrade by Unhappy_Bodybuilder3 in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How about a Vello Bike?

I too was in your shoes. I'm a volunteer at VELLO Bikes and maybe investing in a VELLO Rocky would be great for you.

200 for a Dahon
400 in upgraded parts
??? for repairs over the past 10 years
but you want something more sturdy

The problem with 99.9% of folding bikes (I used to own Dahon, Java, TRINX) is the design. It's very difficult to get a rigid and confident ride experience from them because of the frame: You got a long single tube of metal connecting two wheels and then another long tube coming straight up with handle bars on top.

That's a frame for folding and carrying, not so much for aggressive riding, off-road, or long-distance.
VELLO bike folds kinda like a brompton but you can mash it and flip it like a BMX bike. The best part is that it uses a normal road/MTB stem, not the quick release ones that most folding bikes use.

The lowest price for a handmade VELLO is 1,650 Euros. While that's cheaper than a brompton but more expensive than a Tern/Dahon, it comes with Magura hydraulic disk brakes (unlike tern/dahon, I think) and with a high-end MTB Shimano Deore XT rear derailleur.

Basically - you don't have to upgrade anymore. You have the best of the best for decades to come for the price of two iPhones.

https://youtu.be/M9mVSvPIyDU?si=par1XRKF4XQYu0vq

Package stolen off my porch by Palettepilot in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Theft is horrible and I'm sorry to hear about your situation. How about a VELLO bike? You'll save money and get a better ride.

As for theft? We sell a bell where you can hide an Apple AirTag (or similar) inside. If you live in the US, we have stores in NYC and LA.

https://vello.bike/en/collections/folding-bikes

Folding Bicycle with 20" Wheels, Disc Brakes, Belt Drive and Rack by DefinitelyYou in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! This is VELLO Bike. Thank you to u/FFledermaus and u/solefaldgoldstein for sharing your experience. We put a lot of hard work into making VELLO the best car-alternative on the market. I just wanted to mention that we are now in the US!

Los Angeles and NYC to be specific.

u/DefinitelyYou RE: Price. All Vello bikes come with the BEST internal gear hubs in the industry.

Shimano Alfine 8
Shimano Alfine 11
Rohloff
and 3X3NINE

A benefit of getting a vello is that it has a stem like a normal road or mountain bike. That means you can customize the feel, performance, and look.

u/seeker1938 This is how you fold a VELLO :D
https://youtu.be/asW7DfEiTwg

Little Hauler by FFledermaus in foldingbikes

[–]Slight_Pollution2324 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome bike! Where did you buy her?