Folding Bikes - My first folding

Hello everyone. I'm new to this forum, an unprofessional about bike, and a newbie about folding bike. Also, I'm an international student at US and my native is not english. So, sorry for any mistake. :D

I just purchased a Downtube VIIIFS. Honestly, yes, based on this forum. I won't go thru the story because, the same reason I didn't ask you guys before making the dicision, I think I got my answer from another post and I don't want to bother you. I decided not to wait for new 2006 model because it save me many bucks getting 2005 one from ebay. (Money is the biggest issue for me, 300$ is not big but HUGE money.)

My quesion for now is, I've heard from someone (sorry I don't remember your name, I'm really bad at it) that I should bring it to a bike shop (or something you call LBS? I don't know what does that mean). How much does it cost? To tell you the truth, it's not normal in my country to bring a bike that have nothing to do with the shop. Is it common here in US?

Thank you in advance for any answer.

Hypernova

PS. @ Yan. Please pack it as best as you can. I hope it'll be perfect out of the box. :p

Hypernova,

Welcome to the forum and don't worry about your English. Most people here will understand your post or will let you know if they don't so you can try again.

I was the one suggesting taking any new bike to a bike mechanic if you are not a mechanic yourself, and the reason for that is just safety. There are some horror stories from Mal-Wart department stores selling bikes that were assembled by employees with no mechanics background resulting in accidents and injury. That's not the case from Downtube, the bike comes in ride-ready, but it just doesn't hurt to have it checked.

LBS means Local Bike Shop, and here in the US is a common thing to take a bike to a shop where you did not originally get it from. I suggested a bike check-up/tune-up that depending on what state/city you are, may range from US$10 to US60. They lube the brake cables (shipped dry by distributors, including Downtube), they tune the gears and brakes, they check for lose nuts and bolts and pretty much make the bike safe for those that cannot do the mechanics by themselves.

There are controversies though, some people think it is a waste of money. It is up to you to decide, I can only recommend.

Rafael

Welcome Hypernova, to the world of folders!

Don't worry about your English not being perfect. When I was teaching children in the local elementary school in my city, they were far worse at it and got away with it by well meaning, yet overprotective politicians and others. The best way is to try, make mistakes and then feel free to learn from each mistake instead of glossing over them.

As for bicycles, I take my 3 bikes to any bike shop that will give me the best service. My bikes are not very popular here in the United States as each one has a internal hub gear system (gears sealed inside with no parts basically outside) installed instead of derailleurs (that exposed long arm that moves side to side when you shift a gear up or down). I do not have any personal experience with Downtubes, yet my first folder-a Dahon-was considered to be inexpensive enough to push me into the world of folders.

I am sure you will find like I do that once you have one, one will not be enough and you will be purchasing more folders to ride more and riding regular non-folding bikes less.

Welcome. Hope you enjoy the bike!
This to everyone on the forum - Acronyms!
Why use LBS when Local Bike Shop is so easy to type? I understand the use of acronyms in molecular biology and such but why use them for normal phrases when it just confuses people who aren't 'in the know'. It is my pledge from now on to endeavour not to use them unless absolutely necessary...
:)

Welcome. Hope you enjoy the bike!
This to everyone on the forum - Acronyms!
Why use LBS when Local Bike Shop is so easy to type? I understand the use of acronyms in molecular biology and such but why use them for normal phrases when it just confuses people who aren't 'in the know'. It is my pledge from now on to endeavour not to use them unless absolutely necessary...
:)But without the use of acronyms, what device will I use to appear aloof and alienating? :rolleyes:

Welcome, Hypernova. I look forward to hearing how well you like your Downtube.

@ Hypernova, welcome to this little refuge for Small Wheeled, Folding Fanatics. I think you have made a great choice witht the Downtube and i fully understand your money situation as i share it. I too went for a cheap folder first time around, but luckily cheap does not mean bad these days providing you do your 'homework, which it seems you did. Your english is fine, i understand what you wanted to say which is actually more than i can say for some native speakers ha ha.

@ Pixel, hmm i don't know, normally i hate elitism and unnecesary acronyms, but LBS seems to one of the very few (only?) one used on all the boards here that are not technical specific and i find it quite usefull. I guess sometimes i am a lazy typist, i do use abbrev. some times :) but i try to write so people can understand me. Plus if it wasn't for the LBS thing the Sydney Gem 'There is a lot of BS in LBS' would never have seen the light of day. :)

PS. @ Yan. Please pack it as best as you can. I hope it'll be perfect out of the box. :p

The bikes are packed overseas, and shipped out of a local warehouse. I hope yours is perfect out of the box....however that is not likely. Please contact me if you need help with anything!


Thanks,
Yan

Oh, thanks for all reply. And for Rafael, thank for your suggestion. I think I'll do it. However, are you think that I should learn about how to maintainance a bike a little bit? I think it's the same as computer, the one in hands of a good user is completely different from another that in hands of new user. If the answer is yes, where should I start? ( I think at least I shold know about how to check the break and nuts and bolt, for my own safty)

Eventhough I just learn that this world has something called internal hub gear for bike :P I have to say I'm really interesting in it. Since sometime I might want to bring my bike with me when I go back to my coutry on the brake. However, look like it's only the future, since I've already spent beyond my parents' limited now T T.

I am not a bike mechanic, but I learned a lot and here is my "formula":

-Learn the names of the bike parts and bike components. You can do that by searching online;

-Try to understand the most complex parts of the bike and how they work (deraileur and cables, different types of brakes, hub, stem/fork junction and BBs from all rotating parts including crankset;

- Once you know what is what, spend the rest of the year reading, making notes, learning, digesting and asking questions about EVERYTHING you read on this site:

http://www.parktool.com/

After that, I can assure you that you will know more about bike mechanics than some people that do that for a living. And the best art, US$0.00 :)

Make sure you cross check everything that you may have a question at the Bike Mechanics forum. They are very savy and will be glad to help you.

Good luck,

Rafael

Hi again everyone.

Well, actually I just hope that Yan will read this and help me. It's about a week now but I still didn't get my bike. I sent a messages through ebay but just hope that you can tell me what's going on.

Hypernova

Oh, I got a message now and the track number tell me that it'll delivery tomorrow. UPS flat shipping is much slower than I expect but nothing to blame you Yan. Thanks for fast respone.

Hey Hypernova, if you feel like it, i would love to read a review on the bike, especially as you are relative novice to bikes and folders, you insights could be very interesting. Thx!