Rudge Folding MTB – anyone heard of them?

A friend has dug an old Rudge folding bike out of his garage and would like refurb it ready for use.

I’ve never heard of them, does anyone have any knowledge about them?

Assuming all bits work ok is it worth spending time on it? is the folding element any use?

Looks like they fold neatly to go on the train;

more details on them here: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/207318/%5B/url%5D

I love the ‘Dibs on the back half if you split’ comment 🙂

Which one? There was the BiFrame, with 26″ wheels, it was pretty decent. THere were also a bunch of rebadged Dahons, they were a bit naff.

I think its the Bi-frame with the 26″ wheels

mangoridebike – Member
A friend has dug an old Rudge folding bike out of his garage and would like refurb it ready for use.

I’ve never heard of them, does anyone have any knowledge about them?

Assuming all bits work ok is it worth spending time on it? is the folding element any use?

I have one. Folds ok.

Wouldn’t describe it as a great mtb though. 🙂

They licensed the design from Montague.

We have a 26in Bi-frame down at the recycle charity workshop, it’s in good condition but a curious thing…

If you remove the wheels the rear triangle folds into the front triangle, and with a bit more judicious turning of bars and stuff you could probably get it into a large suitcase, but its a big faff.

Thanks for the info everyone

Its useful to know as it will likely come down to the balance of cost to replace worn components vs cost of a replacement bike.

Apparently the folding element appeals so its good to know it is effective 🙂

There were also a bunch of rebadged Dahons, they were a bit naff.

and there were a bunch of good Dahon folding bikes, for balance.

I had a Zero-G which was pretty light although I only commuted on it – I think the design was from Joe Murray, or had influence.

They was also the Flow, which was a breakaway design :

and the full suspension Fuego :

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/bike-full/dahon/fuego/prd_414768_95crx.aspx

which were also Joe Murray designs.

The Dahon Flow was a Ritchie design AFAIK. Good bikes.

The Dahon Flow was a Ritchie design AFAIK. Good bikes.

Ritchie did the road bikes, whereas Murray did the mtbs, according to :

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/first-ritchey-now-dahon-teams-up-with-joe-murray/03519

if it was a Ritchie design, then he is blatantly ripping off Joe Murray geometry there.

The breakaway bits were probably Ritchie though.