Fiamma Bike Carrier - Do Folding Bikes Fit?

[interstateflyer]

I'm considering purchasing a Fiamma Bike Carrier and would like to carrier a folding bike with 20 inch wheels along with a conventional 29 inch tire mountain bike.

Has anyone carried a folding bike on their Fiamma?

[SeaLevel]

I don't own one, but from the research that I've done, I'd be surprised if you could fit both the folding bike and another one at the same time. The weight might also be an issue. They are rated for 75lbs, but I wouldn't advise trying to carry near that, since the support arm brackets seem susceptible to breaking when you try to carry too much weight.

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

I don't own one, but from the research that I've done, I'd be surprised if you could fit both the folding bike and another one at the same time. The weight might also be an issue. They are rated for 75lbs, but I wouldn't advise trying to carry near that, since the support arm brackets seem susceptible to breaking when you try to carry too much weight.

My mountain bike and folder are 27 pounds each. So weight is not an issue.

I'd like to hear from someone who has actually carried this combo. I'm most interested in how the arms might attach to the folder, specifically on a Bike Friday.

Thanks.

[pmclemore]

If nothing else, the folding bikes should fit unfolded, I imagine.

Pat

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

If nothing else, the folding bikes should fit unfolded, I imagine.

Pat

Yes. That's the idea.

[gandttimes]

I have a bike Friday and friend has a flamma. Looking at it the other day it seems that the troughs would hold the wheels fine. Not sure where the straps would end up.


George

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by gandttimes

I have a bike Friday and friend has a flamma. Looking at it the other day it seems that the troughs would hold the wheels fine. Not sure where the straps would end up.


George

I believe that the trough wheel straps would fit fine.

The big question in my mind is the carrier's top attachment arm that is normally secured to the bike's top tube. I may have to buy or fabricate longer attachment arms since the Bike Friday top tube is slanted and lower than most bikes, and would be too far away from the top of the carrier where the attachment arms are clamped.

[Claudiaj]

I took the Fiamma Bike Rack off and am now storing my bikes in the truck. Why? Dust and debris trashed the bikes. Covers don't work as they cover up the rear lights. Also one of the brackets broke and it cost $82 to replace it. Good thing I didn't lose the bikes. Total weight of bikes was less than 60 LBs. Two bikes fit OK with a lot of adjusting. Yes the rack is still for sale on Craig's list.

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by Claudiaj

I took the Fiamma Bike Rack off and am now storing my bikes in the truck. Why? Dust and debris trashed the bikes. Covers don't work as they cover up the rear lights. Also one of the brackets broke and it cost $82 to replace it. Good thing I didn't lose the bikes. Total weight of bikes was less than 60 LBs. Two bikes fit OK with a lot of adjusting. Yes the rack is still for sale on Craig's list.

Which bracket broke on your's?

[SeaLevel]

This is the one that keeps being mentioned as a weak point, which is why I mentioned watching the weight:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...ke-131895.html

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

This is the one that keeps being mentioned as a weak point, which is why I mentioned watching the weight:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...ke-131895.html

I installed a Fiamma Bike Carrier on my past two Airstreams. I took the second one to Alaska last summer. It endured 4 months of washboard roads/gravel/asphalt, loaded with two mountain bikes..

I made sure that the bracket arms were installed completely perpendicular to the bracket on the AS to avoid stressing the top/bottom parts of the bracket. I believe that the bracket arm could work against the bracket and cause failure of the cast bracket if not perpendicular.

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

This is the one that keeps being mentioned as a weak point, which is why I mentioned watching the weight:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...ke-131895.html

We have a Fiamma on our 20 and it has worked for us...tho getting in the rear exterior storage has triggered a re-eval of what is stored in there.

I seem to remember (subject to senior brain caveat) in the above thread towards the end (???) was some discussion re extending the length of the top arms to accommodate a different top tube of the bike.

Bob

[dasams]

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

I'm considering purchasing a Fiamma Bike Carrier and would like to carrier a folding bike with 20 inch wheels along with a conventional 29 inch tire mountain bike.

Has anyone carried a folding bike on their Fiamma?

Sorry I don't have that combo but I have a Fiamma that carries my CX bike. I don't see any reason why you can't put the mtn bike on the outside and bungie or clamp the unfolded bike friday on the inside. The Fiamma comes with two attachments bars and one is short while the other is long. Perhaps you can get two of the long ones? I have no doubt that you can make it work.

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by dasams

Sorry I don't have that combo but I have a Fiamma that carries my CX bike. I don't see any reason why you can't put the mtn bike on the outside and bungie or clamp the unfolded bike friday on the inside. The Fiamma comes with two attachments bars and one is short while the other is long. Perhaps you can get two of the long ones? I have no doubt that you can make it work.

Found a Fiamma carrier at my local Airstream Dealer. They are out of stock at Airstream.com.

I was able to buy a longer bike block (attachment arm) from GoWesty today. Everything looks like it will fit nicely.

BTW....Fiamma USA in Orlando experienced a workplace shooting on June 6th and are still not doing business with the public. GoWest.com has a limited number of Fiamma parts.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Claudiaj

I took the Fiamma Bike Rack off and am now storing my bikes in the truck. Why? Dust and debris trashed the bikes. ....

+1. My whole motivation for buying a folding bike in the first place was interior storage. I modified our closet by installing pilaster strips and a shelf, and building a shim for the bike so that the closet door would clear it and close completely. This fitting was fully possible, and we have an older model Airstream Interstate (van conversion) which is one of the smallest rigs out there.