JZ88 is featured in This month’s issue of Shape magazine, along with other brands including Puma, Brompton, Birdy and Dahon. If you are looking for a folding bike, the short and sweet article with clean pictures is a useful quick reference.
Category Archives: folding bikes
Fold It And Ride It
http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1933
Update <2008-12.15>
The size limited for folding bike dimensions has been enlarged to allow practical all the folding bikes listed her: at the bikes so
A six month trial to bring foldable bicycles on trains and buses
1 The Land Transport Authority (LTA), SMRT and SBST will launch a six-month trial to allow foldable bicycles on board trains and public buses during off-peak hours.
3 This trial is one of the several initiatives announced during the Land Transport Review to meet the transport needs of diverse groups of people. It recognises the increasing trend of people cycling for sports and recreation, cycling around the neighbourhood, or cycling to key transport nodes like MRT stations.
It is encouraging to read the views of the SMRT and SBS Transit:
7 Ms Kang Huey Ling, SMRT’s Director, Station Operations, said, “We are happy to work with LTA on this trial. At SMRT, we support cycling as a viable travel option by linking cycling with public transport. We encourage passengers with foldable bikes to be considerate to their fellow passengers so that everyone can enjoy a pleasant travel experience.”
8 Mr Gan Juay Kiat, Chief Operating Officer, SBS Transit Ltd, said, “In supporting this trial, we hope to help a new group of commuters to use public transport as they pursue healthy and fun living. It is a move that is in line with SBS Transit’s green charter in supporting healthy and green living. We hope that through this trial, all commuters will learn to be more accommodating and share the limited space available on board buses and trains with one another. While we support the trial, we are also mindful of potential implementation problems. For instance, onlstance, only foldable bicycles le bicycles of a certain size are allowed on board our buses and trains. Commuters with bicycles that are larger will not be allowed on board. Cycling enthusiasts may also be turned away when the bus is crowded as bringing a bicycle on board during such instances may pose a safety hazard to all passengers. In cases like these, disagreements may occur and we seek the co-operation and understanding of all passengers so as not to cause unnecessary service delays and inconvenience to others.”
GENERAL GUIDELINES
a) Cyclists are responsible for the safe carriage of their foldable bicycles and must stay in the vicinity of their foldable bicycles at all times.
b) Foldable bicycles should be folded at all times in the MRT / LRT stations, bus interchanges / terminals and on trains and buses.
c) Foldable bicycles should not exceed 114 cm by 64 cm by 36 cm when folded.
d) The wheels of the foldable bicycles should be wrapped up if they are dirty or wet.
e) Protruding parts likely to cause injury or dirty/damage property to be covered up.
f) Foldable bicycles should not block the aisles and doors or impede commuter movement at any time.
g) Foldable bicycles should be carried in an upright position.
h) Only two foldable bicycles are allowed on each bus at any one time.
i) When travelling by SMRT / SBS Transit station staff and bus drivers may disallow foldable bicycles if the actual situation within an MRT/LRT station, bus interchange/terminal or on board a train/bus does not permit foldable bicycles to be admitted safely and without inconveniencing other commuters.
Cyclists of foldable bicycles may approach SMRT / SBS Transit staff if they require any assistance.
The public can share their views on this trial by contacting LTA via 1800 2255-582 (1800 Call-LTA), feedback@lta.gov.sg or SMS 77582 “77LTA”.
Why JZ88 bicycle frame is made of steel, not aluminium?
I’ve been ask several times this question. I am not a material engineer and only vaguely know that the slim design of JZ88, if made of aluminum, won’t be strong enough. But here is an interesting article “Metal matters” which helps to explain the difference of steel and aluminum, and other material.
“To compensate for this lack of stiffness, aluminum bikes almost always tend to use larger diameter and thicker walled tubing than steel bikes. By the time you dimension up an aluminum bike to gain the required stiffness and structural integrity, you really start to approach the weight of a well made steel bike.”
“To keep costs down and to produce an acceptably lightweight bike, manufacturers use aluminum in their construction rather than steel.”
I think the bottom line is, to try it yourself and to made your decision based on personal experience rather than just hearing what other said.
A graphical study of “MRT fit” for popular folding bicycles
Update <2008-12.15>
Since May 2008, the size limited for folding bike dimensions has been enlarged to 114cm X 64cm X 36cm when folded. Practically all the folding bikes listed here can travel on trains all day on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. On weekdays, foldable bikes are allowed on board from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and then from 7.30pm to the end of service.
JZ88 can travel anytime if it is in a bag since it is smaller than the regular luggage size limit (81cm X 58cm X 30cm) when folded.
——————————————–
TOTOBOBO Anti-pollution mask for cyclist
World’s first respirator for Adult & Children
www.totobobo.com
——————————————–
I was triggered by a recent reply from SMRT regarding the use of folding bike (attached below). It was mentioned that the SMRT luggage size limit is 81x58x30cm. I conducted a graphical study to find out how well are the popular folding bikes fitting this MRT-size-limits.
I put the dimension of the bikes on the top-left corner of each picture, the depth is in italic text. The red dotted box indicates the size limit of 81cm x 58cm. The folded bike pass the test if it fits within the red-box. As can be seen JZ88 and Brompton easily pass the test. Dahon Curve can be consider to pass marginally. Dahon MUSL seems a bit too bulky but I have not tried to bring it into MRT. Strida is clearly too tall. However, I tried once to push the Strida into MRT and nobody stopped me. I was very careful not to cause any hassles to other passengers and the small footprint of the Strida (upright position) is quite acceptable actually, and of cause the SMRT staff were being friendly too 🙂
SMRT replies on bikes and dirty buses
Straits Times Tuesday, December 25 2007, H6 “Forum”
Kuek Chor Ling (Ms), Manager Corporate Marketing and Communications SMRT Corporation
Quote here the part relates to bikes on MRT-
“I REFER to the letters, ‘Allow folded bikes on buses and trains’ by Ms Ng Lai Yien (ST, Dec 17), ‘Allow bikes on trains and build more skate parks’ by Mr Freddie Wee (ST Online Forum, Dec 19) and ‘Study issue carefully before making decision’ by Mr Tan Tuan Khoon (ST Online Forum, Dec 19).
We would like to clarify that large and bulky items such as bicycles are not allowed into our MRT system, as they may cause damage or injury to passengers.
Furthermore, during an emergency where passengers need to be evacuated quickly and safely, the presence of large items could be a possible obstruction.
However, we do allow foldable bicycles without protruding parts during off-peak hours.
The foldable bicycle must be packed in a bag not larger than 81cm by 58cm by 30cm.
Similarly, folded bicycles are allowed on SMRT buses. However, our Service Leaders can use their discretion to stop any passengers carrying bulky items from boarding the bus if they cause discomfort and inconvenience to our passengers.
We thank all the writers for sharing their feedback with us.”
————————————————————
Other related posts/links:
– How to bring a folding bike into MRT!
– Traveling with folding bike
– Try Jz88 folding bike, 7 days for S$20
————————————————————
How to bring a folding bike onto MRT?
————————————————————
Other related posts/links:
– Bicycle? no, it’s a shopping trolley!
– Traveling with folding bike
– Jz88 folding bike home
————————————————————
I enjoy taking the MRT but hate waiting for buses. However, many places I need to go is just too far away from the MRT stations and require a connection bus service. If I have my bicycle with me I can easily cycle there without waiting. I start to explore the “MRT+Folding Bike” method a few years back and since then helped others to do the same.
There are 3 ways you can bring a folding bike onto MRT:
1) In a carrier bag
2) Carry the bike fully collapsed
3) Roll it in as a trolley
Regardless of which method you choose, you may push the bicycle as far as it is acceptable by others to save time and effort. For JZ88 users, this means you may take the escalator (e.g. City Hall MRT, from grand level to B1) with the bike unfolded. Do make sure you and your bike stand on the left hand side, leaving enough clearance for others to pass. You really only need to “transform” the bicycle before entering the ticket concourse.
1) In a carrier bag
Beginners prefer this method.
Advantage: the package does not look like a bike any more, it transformed into a “luggage”. For JZ88 folding bicycle, it becomes a luggage within the size limit of MRT.
The downside is the extra time required to pack and unpack the bike at both end of your MRT journey. You also have to carry the load everywhere you go in the MRT station.
2) Carry the bike fully collapsed
If you start with method (1), sooner or later you will discover it is too much trouble to pack and unpack the bike each time in front of the MRT station. Even though it is just a 20 seconds affair each time.
The disadvantage of carrying the bike “naked” is now the bike is visible to all, including the MRT staffs. However, I never heard anyone got rejected JZ88 into the MRT. Perhaps the “toy like” appearance and the compact size helps. After all, it is still within the size limit set by the MRT.
Tips: lock the saddle with the nose pointing slightly left and use the nose as the handle to carry the bike. Gravity force will help to keep the bike in folded condition.
3) Roll it in as a trolley
This is really for the experienced user, the so called “trolley mode“. The big deal here is the fact that you no longer need to carry the bike.
BONUS: you can use the “trolley” to carry extra load if you have the front pannier attached. And the whole thing is self-standing.
However, the handling does take a bit of training and practice.
Tips 1: when you need to turn, imagine the handle bar is fixed, e.g. swing the whole handle left to turn right. If you turn the handle bar alone, the wheels will jam together or move apart.
Tips 2: the trolley-mode is also “escalator friendly”. I push the trolley to the left hand side and keep the right side of the escalator clear for others to pass.
Tips 3: if you see the train is crowded as it approaches, fold down the handle bar and detach the front pannier (if you have it). Bring the completely folded bike and the pannier separately into the train cabin. stack the pannier on top of the folded bike to reduce foot print.
If the train is really too packed, wait for the next train as you would normally. The fundamental here is to be considerate to other users. Once you put this principle in mind, you will enjoy the best of both world – clean, reliable and efficient of long distance travel by MRT and the ultimate door-to-door personal mobility of folding bicycle.
Curious? Now you can“ try it risk free for 2 weeks”
————————————————————
Other related posts/links:
– Bicycle? no, it’s a shopping trolley!
– Traveling with folding bike
– Jz88 folding bike home
————————————————————