Folding Bikes - Can you help me in choosing my first Folding Bike

Hello all,

I just joined this forum and definitely has a lot of information. I've spent a couple of hours just going through several different threads in this sub-forum alone and I'm sure I could spend a whole lot more! There is a world of info here.

Anyway, I could use your help in deciding which bike I should purchase.

Here's what I would like:
- Price Range - around 300 EUR possibly up to 400 EUR
- Size - not sure 17" or 20" (what should I be looking for here?)
- Use - I'll be using it mostly for recreational purposes. Riding on the weekend mostly.

Why a folding bike? Due to my work nature I'm currently based in France and may move to another country soon. I would like to have a bike I can transport easily and a folding bike seems to be the best option.

Can you give me any suggestions and where I can buy them (on line store vs. "real" store?)

Can you give me any suggestions and where I can buy them (on line store vs. "real" store?)[/QUOTE]

You mentioned the Euro as your currency so where are you in Europe? For the amount you want to spend, perhaps you would be suited for a Dahon or Downtube which is only available on line or e bay. I bought my Dahon on line and very much satisfied with it, the price was just about right since I am new to folders. I considered the Downtube too for it's good price but I picked the Dahon due to it's extensive review coverage on this forum. I might get another folder and it could be the 16" model. The Downtube Mini looks very nice and priced reasonably.

[/QUOTE]You mentioned the Euro as your currency so where are you in Europe?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your reply. Currently I'm based in France but I am from Portugal and travel frequently to Portugal so I could buy it there and bring it to France. I have seen a Dahon sales rep in Portugal www.biclas.com. Where did you buy online?

Once again thanks!

You mentioned the Euro as your currency so where are you in Europe?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your reply. Currently I'm based in France but I am from Portugal and travel frequently to Portugal so I could buy it there and bring it to France. I have seen a Dahon sales rep in Portugal www.biclas.com. Where did you buy online?

Once again thanks![/QUOTE]

When the LBS were out of stock, I bought mine from this on line store:

http://brandscycle.com/index.cfm

other on line store is:

http://store.nycewheels.com/dahon-folding-bike.html

or from this brand they sell direct:

http://www.downtube.com/ss-index.html

Good luck in your search and have a safe ride always.

nesmail:
Like wrafl, I bought my D7 from www.brandscycle.com as well. Not sure about their shipping overseas, but they were excellent to deal with.
Cheers

After reading a lot through the several threads and then re reading some more I finally have it down to 2 options. Curve D3 and Speed D7. I'm leaning towards the Speed D7 becuase its within my price range (at least in europe) and serves my purpose. I'm go to try one on thursday.

I'd like to hear from anyone who actually owns one. Major pros and cons?
Thanks

Nesmail,

if you end up buying the Spped D7, be prepared to spend some time fitting it inside luggage if you plan on taking airplanes. Folding bikes are not "fold and go" for airplane travels with just a few exceptions.

Let us know what you end up with. Boa sorte na sua escolha.

14R.

After reading a lot through the several threads and then re reading some more I finally have it down to 2 options. Curve D3 and Speed D7. I'm leaning towards the Speed D7 becuase its within my price range (at least in europe) and serves my purpose. I'm go to try one on thursday.

I'd like to hear from anyone who actually owns one. Major pros and cons?
Thanks

If you go with a D7, not a bad choice at all. Price reasonably and can perform. Just came back from a 60.4 mile ride and I didn't realize it's feasible to ride that distance on folder.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to the shop on thursday and they have both the speed d7 and the curve d3. I'll try both of them and I'll make my decision. I need the bike yesterday. I'm get a bit anxious just reading the threads and not riding the bike :D I'll let you guys know what I decided and I'll post some pics!


Boa sorte na sua escolha. Where did you learn portuguese.... or is that google language tools :) Thanks for the message

Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to the shop on thursday and they have both the speed d7 and the curve d3. I'll try both of them and I'll make my decision. I need the bike yesterday. I'm get a bit anxious just reading the threads and not riding the bike :D I'll let you guys know what I decided and I'll post some pics!

Where did you learn portuguese.... or is that google language tools :) Thanks for the message

Looking forward to your posts and the pictures. Enjoy the new bike and always ride safely.

Where did you learn portuguese.... or is that google language tools :) Thanks for the message

I'm from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. For the last 10 years I live in the USA, but Portuguese is actually my first (and only decent) language. Everyting else I just pretend really well that I can speak/read/write.

Nesmail-
Like I mentioned, I bought the Speed D7 (the '06 model) and couldn't be happier. Great price for an all-around great bike. It has the benefit of being a compact folder, but the wheel base is just a bit larger to give me the ride closer to a full size bike. Actually, the first time I saw the Speed D7 was in Brazil (a sports shop just outside of Sao Paolo).

I'm from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Passei 5 anos pulando no Carnaval de Salvador com Chiclete!!

2 more days till I test the Speed and the Curve. I'll let you guys know what my decision.... probably on Monday after I ride it on the weekend! :D

Good luck and may the best bike win....

(Speed, Speed, Speed, Speed.....);) :D

Passei 5 anos pulando no Carnaval de Salvador com Chiclete!!

2 more days till I test the Speed and the Curve. I'll let you guys know what my decision.... probably on Monday after I ride it on the weekend! :D


We are excited to know so keep us updated.

From the Speed P8 fan club: give one a try- I noticed a decided difference between the D7 I had and my now favorite P8.

Thanks for all the feedback and help. In the end my decision went for the Speed. I preferred the 20" wheels and the price :p

The Speed turned out to be 100 eur cheaper. I also ended up getting the Airporter from Dahon. Its a bit bulky to carry around but it certainly does the job in terms of keeping the bike safe during transportation. I travelled from Portugal to France with it and no worries at all - the Airporter is so big that I was able to fit some clothes in with the bike.

I've been relally busy with work but I'll post pics this weekend for sure!

Once again thanks for all the advice

Good choice (both Bike and Chiclete com Banana em Salvador).

Can't wait to see the pictures.

:o But which Speed? The D7 or P8???

:o But which Speed? The D7 or P8???

Ditto. Good Dahon model for starters. I'm surprise how robust the Speed 7, getting up to 700 miles on mine since acquiring it in April. Ride safe and please post some pictures.

Well here it is! I wento with the Speed D7. I rode it this weekend for about 10km and it was great. It does feel quite different from a typical 26" bike but I really enjoyed it. I also got quite a few comments from some people admiring the bike.

I'm still having a bit of trouble folding/unfolding. Takes me about 40 secs but I guess its just a question of practice.

Once again thanks for all the advice

Very nice, neat looking bike! Parabens!

Dahon Speed Pro...simply awesome. Bone-jarring, but awesome.

Fantastic bike isn't it? I'm beating the hell out of my Speed 7. Just finished a 66 mile ride, the most I have ever ridden on any bike.

Fantastic bike isn't it? I'm beating the hell out of my Speed 7. Just finished a 66 mile ride, the most I have ever ridden on any bike.

66 miles! That's a lot of mileage! I think I'll need a more comfortable saddle to do that kind of mileage :D

I think I'll need a more comfortable saddle to do that kind of mileage :D

You have to make modifications for comfortable distant rides. I replaced the seat post with a suspension seat post and a Serfa comfort saddle. It made a huge difference in the ride. Other folders have done centuries but I haven't found one post relating to a Speed 7 going that distance.

You have to make modifications for comfortable distant rides. I replaced the seat post with a suspension seat post and a Serfa comfort saddle.

Hey wrafl,

can you post a pic of your bike? Where did you get the seat post with suspension and the saddle? Were they easy to replace or did you take them into a shop?

I'm loving this experience and its great to be able to exchange ideas with other folders.

Hey wrafl,

can you post a pic of your bike? Where did you get the seat post with suspension and the saddle? Were they easy to replace or did you take them into a shop?

I'm loving this experience and its great to be able to exchange ideas with other folders.

I purchased the suspension seat post and comfort saddle from the LBS. You may want to check with the place where you bought your Speed 7 if they carry the above items. Good luck. I don't have a pic to share sorry about that.