Wanted - folder for extended trip to NZ

[stefan]

I'm planning to take advantage of my permanent residency visa for NZ and bugger off there for four months to escape the joys of the coming winter.

While I'm there I'm intending to do some brevets in the South Island, mostly 200's but I have some longer - and rather hilly - rides in my sights.

I'd been planning to buy a second hand drop-bar Airnimal Joey for the trip from my neighbour, but have just discovered that it isn't a Joey, it's a flat-barred, Rohloff-equipped, weighs a ton Rhino  . So that probably isn't going to happen.

Now I know Wilkyboy and others OTP think that a Brompton is a perfectly suitable bike for longish hilly rides, but I don't. In fact my Brommy is currently up for sale on ebay because I was planning to use it to part fund the Airnimal. So I'm looking for options - a Joey, a Chameleon, maybe even a separable Moulton. I could just pack a regular bike but I'd prefer something that fits into a suitcase rather than a bike box as there will be luggage and a grumpy teenage daughter joining me for the trip.

It also needs to fit one of these https://www.feedbacksports.com/product/omnium-portable-trainer/ because I will have two weeks hotel quarantine to survive.

Any thoughts? Better still, anyone got anything they want to sell? I'm 6 foot 1 and normally ride a 58cm road bike.

Will post a note in the "wanted" forum too, but I think this requires specialist advice

[quixoticgeek]

Would this be a good use case for a Moulton?

I agree that a Brompton is not suitable for this.

J

[stefan]

Would this be a good use case for a Moulton?

I agree that a Brompton is not suitable for this.

J

It's the perfect excuse use case for a Moulton, IMHO 

[psyclist]

The was a Korean chap who rode LEL in 2017 on a Strida. He also rode a few 200km audaxes in the south east in the months afterwards.

The Strida doesn't fold as small as a Brompton, but a dedicated bag is available that would be suitable for airline use if a little additional padding (suitably placed clothing) is used.

It is a slightly unusual riding position, but it quickly becomes second nature. I've not personally ridden long rides on one, and if I did, I would build up the mileage gradually to become used to the riding position over longer distances.

[stefan]

funnily enough I was talking with Wilkyboy just on Friday about someone riding LEL on a Strida. Wilkyboy thought that was a bit extreme, which I'm inclined to agree with 

[Paul H]

So I'm looking for options - a Joey, a Chameleon, maybe even a separable Moulton. I could just pack a regular bike but I'd prefer something that fits into a suitcase rather than a bike box as there will be luggage and a grumpy teenage daughter joining me for the trip.

In it's normal folded state I doubt you'll get an Airnimal Joey in a flight friendly suitcase, possibly with the forks out, or split between two cases, but if you look at the specific case Airnimal sell you'll see it's a good bit bigger than most airline allowances.
having said that I knew someone who flew to China and back several times with their Airnimal (Which might have been a Chameleon) in that case, with the trailer attachments and the only time it was questioned was regarding the weight rather than size.

[stefan]

Singapore Airlines have told me (after a bit of initial hesitancy) that they'll accept a full size bike box if necessary, so I don't think the Airnimal case will be a problem. And their weight allowance is generous. One of my options is to borrow a friend's bike box and take a standard road bike, but transport by car once in NZ then becomes an issue.

[Paul H]

Singapore Airlines have told me (after a bit of initial hesitancy) that they'll accept a full size bike box if necessary, so I don't think the Airnimal case will be a problem. And their weight allowance is generous. One of my options is to borrow a friend's bike box and take a standard road bike, but transport by car once in NZ then becomes an issue.

That's good. I've just had a look and the Chameleon case is a good bit smaller, you might find a standard case one fits in.  I almost bought a Joey case (The one that's flown to Chine a few times) but they're a bit of a lump and and 10kg, so I settled for a bag (I haven't flown with it).  I like my Joey, mine's more tourer than roadbike, though they're pretty flexible adaptable. 

[Defblade]

If you're going for 4 months, might it not be easier to buy something over there (and then sell it again before leaving)?
Or hire?

[stefan]

If you're going for 4 months, might it not be easier to buy something over there (and then sell it again before leaving)?
Or hire?

That was indeed my original plan. A couple of things made me re-think:

1) Quarantine. NZ is really really strict and the rules state, I paraphrase only slightly, that we might be allowed out of the hotel for light exercise, heavily supervised, but only if we don't sweat, or breathe too heavily. So my plans for going for a jog around the hotel grounds look doomed, and I am certain we won't be allowed into any gym facilities. I don't fancy the idea of staying stuck on a sofa watching Netflix with my daughter for two solid weeks, so I've got hold of a rather nifty lightweight portable bike trainer (a cross between a set of rollers and a turbo), which I can use if I also have the bike to go with it.

2) Rumours of bike shortages.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Have you contacted any of the NZ randonneuring community about local bike options first? You might be surprised what could be hired.

[stefan]

Have you contacted any of the NZ randonneuring community about local bike options first? You might be surprised what could be hired.

Good point LWaB. I’ve made a few contacts, I’ll certainly give that a go (though it probably won’t help me with the quarantine issue)

While you’re here - seems to me that QG’s suggestion about Moultons is an excellent one. Any thoughts?

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Duncan is an old friend but I only know a few other Kiwi randonneurs. You might be able to get a bike delivered to your quarantine location.

I am a fan of Moultons and regularly take my TSR in a S&S soft bag in preference to my S&S 700C Frezoni (easier to pack in a 26x26x10” bag). It is a lot easier to fit that bag into a taxi or rental hatchback than a full-size bike box. I like a Moulton’s comfort for multi-day brevets but climbing is a touch slower.

Work out how to fit your lights, bidons and brevet luggage. Airnimals and Moultons both take a little thought as most things want to occupy the same locations.

Most bikes will work well enough for randonneuring if you have decent tyres and are comfortable. Modern cartridge bearing Aheadsets make removing forks trivial but carry a travel-sized torque wrench if you have delicate lightweight kit. I prefer more forgiving/ robust kit for travel but YMMV.

[ElyDave]

So I'm looking for options - a Joey, a Chameleon, maybe even a separable Moulton. I could just pack a regular bike but I'd prefer something that fits into a suitcase rather than a bike box as there will be luggage and a grumpy teenage daughter joining me for the trip.

In it's normal folded state I doubt you'll get an Airnimal Joey in a flight friendly suitcase, possibly with the forks out, or split between two cases, but if you look at the specific case Airnimal sell you'll see it's a good bit bigger than most airline allowances.
having said that I knew someone who flew to China and back several times with their Airnimal (Which might have been a Chameleon) in that case, with the trailer attachments and the only time it was questioned was regarding the weight rather than size.

The Airnimal case for the Joey, (I have one in my shedde, the intent being to use it to pack my Joey for a trip to the Alps this year) is well within the hold luggage limits for most airlines, certainly BA, EasyJet etc.  That was part of my research before deciding on that solution myself. Singapore - if they'll take a bike box should take this case no problem.

[TimC]

If an Airnimal won't work or can't be found, the Ritchey Break-Away range certainly will. The (included) case is a fraction larger than the ICAO specification, but I've never had any airline question mine - and it's been all over the world. The bike itself, when assembled, is a conventional road or cross-style bike with 700c wheels (possibly 650b on the cross bikes), and the case is capacious enough to take most other stuff you might want to take with you.

[stefan]

ElyDave - that's good to know, thanks!

TimC - thanks for the tip. I haven't come across the Ritchey Breakaway before. Worth serious consideration - looks great

[LittleWheelsandBig]

The Breakaway system is lighter and cheaper than S&S couplers but because the Breakaway top tube is one piece (unlike S&S), the packed size is larger. The front frame ‘half’ (or wheel size) defines the minimum packed size, so removing the fork reduces the packed size.

It is a good idea to carry a spare Breakaway downtube clamp as they occasionally break, usually during assembly, rather than while riding.

[stefan]

Thanks all for the advice. I've now acquired a lovely looking low-mileage Air Friday from a fellow forumite - should fit the bill perfectly and I'm looking forward to putting it together and giving it a go.

[ElyDave]

looks kinda like the bastard child of a Joey and an early cheap full suss MTB.

Glad you found something

[LittleWheelsandBig]

More like a smallwheeled version of the Titanflex. https://youtu.be/scjmpDe7Zzk

There was a big fashion for beam bikes amongst triathletes and RAAMers before the UCI banned them in 2000. Softride, Zipp and Trek Y-foil were the big names. Small wheels weren’t UCI-legal anyway and the extra comfort was helpful so Air Fridays only stopped being made a decade or so ago.

[stefan]

looks kinda like the bastard child of a Joey and an early cheap full suss MTB.

I quite like that description  ... Should have it this week sometime, will be really interesting to see what it's like in the flesh.

LWaB - thanks for that info about beam bikes - I know the Air Friday was marketed at triathletes, not so much about the other brands, or the beam bike concept. A quick search - now that I know the jargon - suggests that beam bikes may even be re-emerging in the triathlon world ("coming back into fashion" would be putting it too strongly)

[stefan]

Well it’s here and assembled. Perfect condition, seems very nice to ride. Looks completely bonkers

[Lightning Phil]

Piccies

[stefan]

Piccies

hmm that's a challenge - hopefully this will work...

295E2337-B489-47FE-B737-AA35C39B11FF by Martin Stefan, on Flickr

[stefan]

Unpacking -

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