< $ 300 26 inch folder?

[26infolder]

Hi all,

Any ideas if that's even possible? Occassional rider, mostly city, 5'8", < 150 lbs, only keen on 26 inch bikes. Aside of the montague and dahon 26 inches, there's a "rietti army recon" - the links below - that comes up on websearches. Dodgy in that no reviews anywhere and looks heavy, but tempting at that price. Opinions appreciated.

http://www.thinkawesome.com/new63.htm
and
http://productmaxusa.com/product_info.php/cPath/26_61/products_id/775

[linux_author]

- did you note the addt'l shipping charge of US$60 on the first link?

- non-identifiable parts...

- go to Wal-Mart for a better deal...

- why not check out the used market for a quality folder in the <US$300 range?

- i'd love to see some good recommendations here, as i'm in the market, too..

- thanks for posting this question!

[26infolder]

Thanks for the comments. I agree, and hence my original credibility question.

There do seem to be interesting models on ebay (links below since you mention being in the market, and this time, with named parts.) But ebay "reviews" tend to be about the transaction, and are unfailingly positive. Logically, this should harm rather than benefit the sellers if they have a good product. Hence was hoping some test rides exist out there, or that ebay sellers get a local bike club or shop to test ride them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NR-BRAND-NEW-26-FOLDING-BIKE-WITH-KICKSTAND-18-SPEED_W0QQitemZ180023107578QQihZ008QQcategoryZ98083QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/alloy-YOUPAL-26-Folding-Bike-18-Speed-only-28-lbs_W0QQitemZ330022991941QQihZ014QQcategoryZ98083QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[matt52]

Out of curiousity only, why are you only interested in a 26" folder?

[Rincewind8]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NR-BRAND-NEW-26-FOLDING-BIKE-WITH-KICKSTAND-18-SPEED_W0QQitemZ180023107578QQihZ008QQcategoryZ98083QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

To me it looks like the fork on the first folding bike you liked to is backwards...

[Scooper]

Hi all,

Any ideas if that's even possible? Occassional rider, mostly city, 5'8", < 150 lbs, only keen on 26 inch bikes. Aside of the montague and dahon 26 inches, there's a "rietti army recon" - the links below - that comes up on websearches. Dodgy in that no reviews anywhere and looks heavy, but tempting at that price. Opinions appreciated.
The early Montague M1000 BiFrame folders are in the $300 price range used. Schwinn, BMW, and several others co-branded the Montagues.

They're sturdily built and look like a regular mountain bike. Here's the co-branded 1991 Schwinn catalog page.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/1991BiFrameCatalogPage.jpg

[26infolder]

Thanks for all the follow-ups.

- No particular reason for 26 inch, just seems a more familiar size for a newbie
- Didn't notice the backward fork in the ebay model - and probably don't know what it means
- And Montague photo much appreciated

Will report any successful finds

Cheers,

[Rincewind8]

- Didn't notice the backward fork in the ebay model - and probably don't know what it means

If I am right and the fork is installed backwards (I am pretty sure I am right), then the seller has little understanding of/experiance with bikes. That's all I wanted to say.

[26infolder]

Thanks for pointing out the backward fork issue! Being a newbie not-yet-buyer, I hadn't notice it, and didn't know what was meant either (and am learning new words each day: fork, derailleur, fillet brazing...)

Cheers,

[Rincewind8]

Thanks for pointing out the backward fork issue! Being a newbie not-yet-buyer, I hadn't notice it, and didn't know what was meant either (and am learning new words each day: fork, derailleur, fillet brazing...)

Cheers,
If you have some local bike store (LBS) that carries any type of folding bikes, it might be worthwhile to stop by, chat with the people there and test ride some of the models...

Some good reading on bicycles in general:

http://sheldonbrown.com/

[matt52]

Don't feel constrained by 26" wheels. Check out a decent 20" wheeler - you may be surprised to find you quite like it...