What is the best bike shop online for folders?

[Marleetet]

I have searched the forum for this type of tread and was unable to easily find one.

I am looking at dolling up a DT Mini and a DT FS. The online bike stores that I have been able to find, make it a real pain in the arse to see if they have the right size fenders, stems, posts, tires, etc. I went to Bike Nashbar, to help support the Bike Forum, but that was pretty disappointing.

Any suggestions on a really good comprehensive bike shop is welcomed.

Marman

[Leisesturm]

Nashbar and Performance Bike Shop fill in each others blanks very well and serve as the go to online source for a great many people. The one time I tried another shop (based in Pompton Plains, NJ) I had a very mixed experience. Most of the bike shops on the internet are simply local bike stores that are using the insane visibility offered by the Web to attract clientelle far and near. Many are not up to the task of serving a customer base in the thousands vs hundreds. Folders are a very niche item and Nashbar/PBS don't claim to be specialist bike suppliers. The Topeak Defender stands out among others as the fender I will be looking for when I get my DTFS. Rather than invite confusion from all the conflicting opinions you will receive when asking a question this subjective why not work with Google and search on the items you are looking for and then once you have some makes and models go looking for local sources and mail order sources that impress you by appearing comprehensive and service oriented like Harris Cyclery.

H

[pm124]

I've recently done a lot of research on this very question. Ebay for Downtube. Thorusa for Dahon. NYCEwheels for Birdy. But I recommend your local bike store if you have access to one. Folders are complicated and you local bike store will be there for free service if anything goes wrong. I had a terrible experience buying out of town. I received a damaged bike and the manager wouldn't call me back to remedy the situation! (That was at Brands.)

[maunakea]

'bent shops, like hostelshoppe.com ($$$), tend to have some things that will work on 20" folders, since some 'bents use 20" front wheels. I've found bikepartsusa.com to have lots of 20" stuff. e.g., http://www.bikepartsusa.com/view.asp?f_c=Tire&f_c2=20+inch
The 20" stuff at NB and PB is mostly BMX related, but occasionally parts that work well on folders are on offer, e.g., Pyramid 20"x1.3" tubes on NB.

[pm124]

Hey, has anyone ever ordered a Birdy Monocoque from Japan? The prices there are very low in US dollars (about $1,100). I don't speak Japanese, but would love to have one shipped. In Japan, Birdy bikes are distributed by Bianchi. http://www.rakuten.co.jp/trycycle/377379/421004/808345/

[stargazer48]

Performance and Nashbar fill a nitche for non-proprietary inexpensive discounted parts including price matching or 10% discounts with a very liberal return policy.

[Marleetet]

Thanks-

I was just hoping for a West Marine, Defender, Boats US etc. (anything nautical- they have it) for bike parts. I already bought the DT's from DT, but they don't even have anything for smaller bikes. Most of the sites I have been to don't even carry 16" tires. The worst is that you have to look through every last tire they sell to find that out. And looking for a stem that is raked forward, appears to be a custom build. Bike Nashbar has "1" kickstand- ONE!

As for my local bike shops (only two in 100 miles), they have no interest in stocking parts or ordering up folders. If I find a part, they will order it for me through their distributors, and only if the distributor carries it.

With so many bikes in the world, I just figured that there would be some real dedicated, well stocked places to deal with.

Mark

[trentschler]

Try Calhoun Cycle - http://www.calhouncycle.com/ - they have lots of small-wheel stuff.

[BigMacFU]

Just search sites that have bmx sections, they cater to the 16 and 20" crowds. I've got Freddy Fenders on my DT 20", bought Harris Cyclery Trekking/Touring European Handlebars, MKS FD-2 Pedals, Powergrips toe clips, Shimano XTR GS Rear Derailleur, Schwalbe Marathon 306 2006 Tires, Specialized Airlock Tubes. The key is to just double check the tire size on tire related replacements. Otherwise, Yan did an awesome job making sure everything was regular bike size, so there is nothing proprietary to DT's. The only thing, if you want a Thudbuster, there's a great hack for it, check the DT thread to get the right seatpost height. Other than 20 or 16" wheels and seatpost lengths, you're in great shape.

[LWaB]

Avon Valley Cyclery is well stocked for folding bikes and online. You didn't say you needed a particular country...

[Marleetet]

Avon looks pretty good- but I need something in the U.S.-

Thanks anyway.

Marl