handybike parts or foam tire

[Andy Gee]

On the disabled list in my fleet is a Handybike, a tiny clever German
foldup that never caught on. The rear wheel developed a flaw so that it
keeps getting punctured from the inside. I had it lathed out, so now it
goes 15 miles between flats instead of two, big deal.

My solution is a replacement (impossible for me to find, does anyone have a
lead on anything?) or getting the tire (6 x 1 1/4) foamed.
Airfreetires.com doesn't have anything like it; one commercial foamer is in
Tennessee and gets $199 per tire (usually tracto tires.) Is there foam in
a can? I've tried Gunk and some other stuff, no dice.

--ag

 

[C.J.Patten]

Andy,

I'm pulling a few ideas out of my hat here.

A "tractor supply" type store. We have one called "Princess Auto" that has
all sorts of "widgets" including tires of odd sizes.

Hardware store?

A bike shop that has a variety of exotic bikes - kids bikes, folders,
unicycles. I'm inclined to think this is the worst place to find these tires
though.

If I wasn't clear, I'm suggesting you find a new rim so you aren't popping
tires.

Google it. Somewhere there MUST be a wheel and tire of this size because
it's unlikely HandyBike "invented" this wheel and tire for their bike alone.
Using off-the-shelf is much less expensive.

Also: go to "bikeforums.net" in the folding-bike section and search for
Handybike. (whatever the correct spelling is). Someone there was showing off
pictures of theirs and might have a lead on parts.

Good luck!
Chris



"Andy Gee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On the disabled list in my fleet is a Handybike, a tiny clever German
> foldup that never caught on. The rear wheel developed a flaw so that it
> keeps getting punctured from the inside. I had it lathed out, so now it
> goes 15 miles between flats instead of two, big deal.
>
> My solution is a replacement (impossible for me to find, does anyone have
> a
> lead on anything?) or getting the tire (6 x 1 1/4) foamed.
> Airfreetires.com doesn't have anything like it; one commercial foamer is
> in
> Tennessee and gets $199 per tire (usually tracto tires.) Is there foam in
> a can? I've tried Gunk and some other stuff, no dice.
>
> --ag

 

[C.J.Patten]

ADDENDUM:

Isn't Handy-Bike still in business?

http://www.handybike.com/

If they are, perhaps they're the best option for parts (if none available
locally)

Chris


"C.J.Patten" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Andy,
>
> I'm pulling a few ideas out of my hat here.
>
> A "tractor supply" type store. We have one called "Princess Auto" that has
> all sorts of "widgets" including tires of odd sizes.
>
> Hardware store?
>
> A bike shop that has a variety of exotic bikes - kids bikes, folders,
> unicycles. I'm inclined to think this is the worst place to find these
> tires though.
>
> If I wasn't clear, I'm suggesting you find a new rim so you aren't popping
> tires.
>
> Google it. Somewhere there MUST be a wheel and tire of this size because
> it's unlikely HandyBike "invented" this wheel and tire for their bike
> alone. Using off-the-shelf is much less expensive.
>
> Also: go to "bikeforums.net" in the folding-bike section and search for
> Handybike. (whatever the correct spelling is). Someone there was showing
> off pictures of theirs and might have a lead on parts.
>
> Good luck!
> Chris
>
>
>
> "Andy Gee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> On the disabled list in my fleet is a Handybike, a tiny clever German
>> foldup that never caught on. The rear wheel developed a flaw so that it
>> keeps getting punctured from the inside. I had it lathed out, so now it
>> goes 15 miles between flats instead of two, big deal.
>>
>> My solution is a replacement (impossible for me to find, does anyone have
>> a
>> lead on anything?) or getting the tire (6 x 1 1/4) foamed.
>> Airfreetires.com doesn't have anything like it; one commercial foamer is
>> in
>> Tennessee and gets $199 per tire (usually tracto tires.) Is there foam
>> in
>> a can? I've tried Gunk and some other stuff, no dice.
>>
>> --ag
>
>

 

[andy gee]

Thanks for the tips and encouragement -- I'm going to try another round of
web searching. I understand that there was a great deal of unpleasantness
(John, if you're reading this, that means you) involved in the distribution
of this peculiar little bike _especially_ with regard to spare parts. None
of the LBS that carried it in NYC can do anything for me, but I'm going to
try your suggestions.

Speaking of really small fold-ups, has anyone seen the Sinclair A-Bike
anywhere in North America yet?

--ag

 

[Steve McDonald]

Andy Gee wrote:

On the disabled list in my fleet is a Handybike, a tiny clever
German foldup that never caught on. The rear wheel developed a flaw so
that it keeps getting punctured from the inside. I had it lathed out, so
now it goes 15 miles between flats instead of two, big deal.
-------------------------------------------------

You might try an extra-thick type of rim liner, which might
prevent it from being able to attack the tube. Two rim liners stacked
up might be better. You can cut them to size and use patching cement to
stick them back together in the right diameter for the small wheels. The
foamed-up type always worked for me with a problem rim. The best ones I
tried were made by Kool-Stop and they lasted for 15 years.

Steve McDonald

 

[C.J.Patten]

"Steve McDonald" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Andy Gee wrote:
>
> On the disabled list in my fleet is a Handybike, a tiny clever
> German foldup that never caught on. The rear wheel developed a flaw so
> that it keeps getting punctured from the inside. I had it lathed out, so
> now it goes 15 miles between flats instead of two, big deal.
> -------------------------------------------------
>
> You might try an extra-thick type of rim liner, which might
> prevent it from being able to attack the tube. Two rim liners stacked
> up might be better. You can cut them to size and use patching cement to
> stick them back together in the right diameter for the small wheels. The
> foamed-up type always worked for me with a problem rim. The best ones I
> tried were made by Kool-Stop and they lasted for 15 years.
>
> Steve McDonald


On the plus side, on account of the Handybike's 6 inch (you read that
correctly) wheels, one 26" rim liner should be sufficient to supply two
double thick liners and then some...

 

[Andy Gee]

"C.J.Patten" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> "Steve McDonald" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> Andy Gee wrote:
>>
>> On the disabled list in my fleet is a Handybike, a tiny clever
>> German foldup that never caught on. The rear wheel developed a flaw
>> so that it keeps getting punctured from the inside. I had it lathed
>> out, so now it goes 15 miles between flats instead of two, big deal.
>> -------------------------------------------------
>>
>> You might try an extra-thick type of rim liner, which might
>> prevent it from being able to attack the tube. Two rim liners
>> stacked up might be better. You can cut them to size and use
>> patching cement to stick them back together in the right diameter for
>> the small wheels. The foamed-up type always worked for me with a
>> problem rim. The best ones I tried were made by Kool-Stop and they
>> lasted for 15 years.
>>
>> Steve McDonald
>
>
> On the plus side, on account of the Handybike's 6 inch (you read that
> correctly) wheels, one 26" rim liner should be sufficient to supply
> two double thick liners and then some...
>
>
>

Already tried the rim liner trick. Also tried nail polish on the rim
walls; I may try that one again, three coats may work.

So far, no response from Germany and the US contact address no longer
exists.

I will make this fornicating contraption work, and then I'll probably
kill myself riding it.

I checked out bikeforums, but I am not going to seek fold-up advice from
someone who's actual handle is "dahon."

--ag