KABON Folding Bike - Roadie Build

[kwantani]

Another alternative is Dahon GB-2 "foldable" gravel/road bike. It can still be folded in reasonably compact form though, though not comparable to the real folding bike, but rides like a full bike with 27.5" wheels.

https://28goods.com/en-us/products/dahon-gb-2-oba793-folding-bike-black-27-5?srsltid=AfmBOooNuIMABaUt2-kWLtTGI3bsEi-VWHvTwafI9pl-h11sHybb6y6w

[Taicho_Cyclist]

Another alternative is Dahon GB-2 "foldable" gravel/road bike. It can still be folded in reasonably compact form though, though not comparable to the real folding bike, but rides like a full bike with 27.5" wheels.

https://28goods.com/en-us/products/dahon-gb-2-oba793-folding-bike-black-27-5?srsltid=AfmBOooNuIMABaUt2-kWLtTGI3bsEi-VWHvTwafI9pl-h11sHybb6y6w

hat's a nice idea but just isn't that compact as a true blue folding bicycle and takes quite some work to get it folded.

[Taicho_Cyclist]

Here we go, it is finally completed.

At 8.45 kg, it is no featherweight but respectable in my honest opinion. The steering headtube issues resolved made it a simple close to "Project Sharkie3", especially with the nice TOSEEK stem which came in exact chameleon color of the frame which blends in nicely.

I added an outfront bike computer mount which is designed to carry the Insta360 X-Series camera for those selfie movie moments. Bike comp and GoPro underside mounts are also standard to this mount. To add scalability to the mounting options, I added a bike comp mount to the Steerer top cap which can be used to hold either the mobile phone or the bike comp. Other options possible is a powerbank for those epic rides where you need backup power for the camera, mobile phone, bike comp etc.

I am currently injured but will be patient to wait till I get all cleared to ride it out there.

Cheerio!

[Changebiker]

Wish someone can design a folding bike around the road drop bar, where the road drop bar can be folded nicely along with the bike.

Check the Dahon D4D stem which is used with the GB-2. Let's you rotate the handlebar to fit.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EwMF7t0
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIYBFjU
Here's a thread with a Brompton that sports it
https://bromptonauten.cc/threads/rennlenker.1765/

sounds like a great build, but also pricier. How did you get the fork?
Compared to this Kabon you save 100g on the seatpost and probably around 150-200g on the wheelset.

What shifter/rear derailleur do you use or do you use a Brompton solution?

I bought an older S2LX and used the titanium fork and rest triangle. The parts are also available from Brompton though, as well as from other manufacturers - which are supposed to be less stiff though. There are also cheap carbon forks on AliExpress fitting Brompton nowadays.

For the gear shifter of the 2speed, I'm using a light, minimalist lever that's meant to be a lockout for suspension forks - works well and is cheap

[MDZPNMD]

I forgot to ask.

I read that some people experienced lots of play in the folding mechanism of the airwolf YFR035.

What is your experience with the Kabon and BXT frame, any play in the folding mechanism? Any noticeable downsides of the frames QC wise? Any issues like a noisy BB?

[Taicho_Cyclist]

BXT - Carbon fiber frame bonded to alloy sleeves that form the fold joint. Nothing bad about it but being alloy, the occasional clicks when metal touched metal. I applied a thin layer of grease and pretty much solved it.

Kabon - Joint is all carbon but well constructed based on comparison to other carbon fiber folding bike like JAVA Aria version 1 (which had play and the connecting pin actually fell out). Kabon fold is kind of stiff but lets see over time as the stiff thing may not be a bad thing as it reduces the chance for play.

I have done a couple of neighbourhood rides and find it fast and solid. No click at all as I am quite sure I have covered the build properly, including the bottom bracket which is a BB68 type.

Guess Kabon is pretty much the money to buy.

[Taicho_Cyclist]

New bar tape to match the frame chameleon color effect. Also the cable housing gets a new arrangement with fine wire wrap that was a pain to do as it took 20 minutes to braid around the housings. The end result though is really well worth it.

[moalani]

Hi Taicho_Cyclist,

Awesome build! I'm planning to build a bike for a 14-month world trip, with a frame that - not folded(!) - fits into my 92x50x30 cm 140l duffel bag (along with two deflated 451 wheels) and this one fits the bill. Obviously, fork, seat post and wheels will be removed before packing.

Since you have used that frame, I have a few questions for you:

#1 Do you think the drive-side chain stay would clear a) a 175 mm crank (installed on a SRAM Dub Wide crankset) and b) a 56t chain ring? This will be paired with 12-speed 10-52t SRAM Eagle cassette / SRAM MTB rear derailleur. Yes, I'm looking for speed AND range

#2: Do you think this steerer tube can be used with the stock Kabon fork? https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005005485955879.html

#3: What nut bolt size does it use? M23?

Thanks!
Martin

[Taicho_Cyclist]

#1 Do you think the drive-side chain stay would clear a) a 175 mm crank (installed on a SRAM Dub Wide crankset) and b) a 56t chain ring? This will be paired with 12-speed 10-52t SRAM Eagle cassette / SRAM MTB rear derailleur. Yes, I'm looking for speed AND range

The crank length and chainring are not of any issue. However, the rear derailleur to run a 52T will be a long cage will be very close to the ground when engaging the larger sprockets. I am using a medium cage Sensah Empire which is pretty safe for a 11-32T.

#2: Do you think this steerer tube can be used with the stock Kabon fork? https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005005485955879.html
This steerer will fit but comes with M23 lock nut which does not fit the fork. Furthermore, the stock M20/P1.0 lock nut has a 32mm top lip which does not fit the carbon steerer mount column which has an internal diameter of 29mm (if I remembered correctly).

#3: What nut bolt size does it use? M23?
It uses a M20 Pitch 1.0 nut bolt which is a pain to find for an alternative.

[moalani]

Hi,

Thanks so much for your responses and sorry for my delayed reply.

Here are my asnwers:

#1:

Thanks for letting me know about the chain ring and crank clearance!

As for the rear deralleur ground clearance: yes, I share your concern. I have two other custom-built bikes: a Waltly titanium gravel bike with a 1x setup using said 10-52t Garbaruk cassette and a SRAM AXS GX Eagle long cage rear derailleur, plus a VeloBuild aero bike, also with a 1x setup using a Garbark 10-44t cassette alongside a SRAM Force AXS XPLR rear derailleur.

So I was able to measure the extension length of both cages when on the largest sprockets and - in theory - both would clear the ground with 451 wheels (which I will run with the new Schlwabe SX-R 30-451 race tires).

Nevertheless it's true that the 10-52t cassette might leave very little ground clearance. I'll test and see. I'm prepared to sacrifice a bit of range and go with the XPLR cassette / rear derailleur instead. 10-44t is still a wide range.

#2:

I was afraid you'd say that But that might help decide to go into the direction I had in mind anyway: going disk brake in the rear and rim brake in front, to save weight, for better front brake cabling, and to easier pack the bike.

I'm thinking about this combo:

Silverock Fork: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005009109890425.html

LitePro V Brakes: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005007176553036.html

Stem: https://vi.aliexpress.com/i/1005008269312061.html

SRAM Brake Levers (on road drop handlebar): https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/bl-900-road-a1

Shifting will be with SRAM Wireless blibs (mounted under the SRAM brake lever hoods): https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/ec-blip-b1

Do you think this stem and fork would work with the frame? I'd assume that 112 mm steerer tube length would work given a head tube length of 95 mm? Or would I need to go 122 mm?


#3:

Thanks, very good info to know!

I actually have two more questions:

#4:

I was trying to get all these answers directly from Kabon, but they don't seem to be very responsive. I contacted them via the AliExpress message center through their AliExpress store (no response), by email at kabon@kabonbike.com (no response) and via the WhatsApp number they have on their website +86 130 6688 7269 (no response).

Do you know of a better way to contact them about technical questions?

#5:

Do you know if the hole in the fork crown of the stock Kabon fork would actually allow for the installation of a caliper brake?

Thanks,
Martin

[Greenred]

Taicho and Martin, how do your foldies hold up? I'm on the edge between the BXT and the Kabon frame really. I think the BXT looks better, but am undecided. Any insights? I'd use it as a travel road bike to keep in shape with some intervals while abroad mainly

[Taicho_Cyclist]

Taicho and Martin, how do your foldies hold up? I'm on the edge between the BXT and the Kabon frame really. I think the BXT looks better, but am undecided. Any insights? I'd use it as a travel road bike to keep in shape with some intervals while abroad mainly

Hey Greenred,

My bike is still holding up well and really happy commuting between home and work place with it. I swapped the folding stem with detachable carbon stem with road handlebars for asthetics reasons and being a roadie originally.

BXT was great but Kabon takes the cake for me.

[JonnyFlyburg]

Nice project! Would love to see a picture in the folded state.

[Taicho_Cyclist]

Folded and defeated by rain.