Folding Bikes - My New DOWNTUBE FS 9 Speed

Hey All!

Got my Downtube FS 9 Speed a few weeks ago but haven't really had the opportunity to ride quite yet. All on account of snow and ice. Figure I would wait till more Spring like weather to break this new girl in. But what's a guy to do till then?

Well, aside from surfing this forum for anything and all about Downtube bikes and Ebay for upgrade goodies I started some simple add-ons.
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7008/dsc03449vi9wm4.jpg
Carbon Road Seatpost, Rear LED light....
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2884/dsc03443vg1.jpg
Front LED light and a Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Computer...
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1431/dsc03450au9.jpg
...and some Carbon Fiber Bar Ends.....for now...:D
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/1595/dsc03438kt2.jpg
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/372/dsc03439rc3.jpg

I'll be back with more in a few short weeks....stay tuned:beer:

Norman

Nice pics! I ordered a downtube, front suspension and it will be here Monday. Snow in the forecast here, too, so I may have to wait also.

Very trick seating arrangement. :love:

Nice bike and nice add-ons! Enjoy it when you can...hopefully soon!

Nice looking bike. Hope you have tons of fun on it. It's a great bike.

This never really got answered in my post, but does your stem have some play at the folding part when tightened down? I found that the bolt holding both parts is smaller then the hole by only a few thousandths, but enough to be noticiable. This is not the same as flexing. I limited the movement by putting a brass shim around that bolt to take up the slack. Just curious as the Downtube 9 is my first folder too.

This never really got answered in my post, but does your stem have some play at the folding part when tightened down? I found that the bolt holding both parts is smaller then the hole by only a few thousandths, but enough to be noticiable. This is not the same as flexing. I limited the movement by putting a brass shim around that bolt to take up the slack. Just curious as the Downtube 9 is my first folder too.

Hey YOUTHCOM.

I've found a bit of play in both hinge when unfolded. However if I was to crank down on the bolts it tends to bind the hinge, making it not so smooth to fold. With the securing clamp it's all solid, no play. I suppose the wee bit of play if needed for smooth and easy folding.

Norman

Have the black one. Wonderful ride you will love it. It's the best folder I've ever seen and used at its pricing point. I love your mods, simple but tasteful and sophisticated. Carbon Road Seatpost looks fantastic, very smart acquisition.

Hey YOUTHCOM.

I've found a bit of play in both hinge when unfolded. However if I was to crank down on the bolts it tends to bind the hinge, making it not so smooth to fold. With the securing clamp it's all solid, no play. I suppose the wee bit of play if needed for smooth and easy folding.

Norman


Hmm maybe yours is a bit different. I find on mind that you can't really overtighten that bolt because it's not like a screw & nut, but rather a fixed length pin with an internal thread. I can't tighten mine enough to bind it as it just bottoms out at the head & the pin is about the width of the hinge. Pictured is the shim inserted to take away some of the play I mentioned.

http://www.animerunner.com/misc/downtube9_steererbolt.jpg

Btw, have you done a before & after weight comparisons with your upgrades so far? Looks like at least a 1lb savings there.

Hi Archer. What was the size of the seatpost you managed to procure? I was wondering what is the size of a seatpost on the DT FS. Might upgrade myself too.
Thanks

Hmm maybe yours is a bit different. I find on mind that you can't really overtighten that bolt because it's not like a screw & nut, but rather a fixed length pin with an internal thread. I can't tighten mine enough to bind it as it just bottoms out at the head & the pin is about the width of the hinge. Pictured is the shim inserted to take away some of the play I mentioned.

http://www.animerunner.com/misc/downtube9_steererbolt.jpg

Btw, have you done a before & after weight comparisons with your upgrades so far? Looks like at least a 1lb savings there.

Hey YouthCom.

I never unscrewed the bolt out till I saw your Pic. This is what mine looks like....
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/653/dsc03478ie6.jpg
I guess it's just like yours with the exception of no noticeable play when locke down. Maybe a change of tooling during production? But you've came up with a nice and clean solution.

No, I haven't weighed the bike since the carbon fiber upgrade. I don't think I've really reduced much. Especially with the new stuff I will be adding later. That will more than make up what little the CF stuff has taken away.:p

Norman

Hi Archer. What was the size of the seatpost you managed to procure? I was wondering what is the size of a seatpost on the DT FS. Might upgrade myself too.
Thanks

Hi Mulleady.

The Downtube FS seatpost is marked 30.4mm. My Carbon Seatpost is a 27mm. I shimmed it with a 27 to 30mm shim.
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7873/dsc03479vx1.jpg

HTH.:D

Norman

Thanks to all for the compliments, guys! Wait till I get the rest of my goodies. Woo-Hoo:beer:

Norman

Nice bike Archer, there are now 4 DT owners in our Area. I have the previous FS and am seriously jonesing for some riding again.

If you are downtown, drop me an line, we can ride our twins (mine is also orange). If we can get KABIR down from Kitchener we can all take a ride together!?

Awesome!! Sounds like a plan PYSKOOCYCLE. But give me a bit of time to get back into shape:lol: I haven't ridden since last summer and all those late night Nacho Binges have taken their toll. Now we all know why I gotta sell the SmartCog KOMA 3 Speed. Pray I don't exceed the weight limit on the DT, too:roflmao:

We'll get in touch when the weather warms up!:beer:

Cheers,

Norman

Wait till I get the rest of my goodies.

What are you planning to do?

What are you planning to do?

....Something Wicked this Way comes....

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7154/pnsrj2.jpghttp://img136.imageshack.us/img136/3226/dsc03487mm0.jpghttp://img240.imageshack.us/img240/8027/dsc03482qq8.jpghttp://img137.imageshack.us/img137/295/dsc03480xy8.jpg

Norman :eek:

not exactly in the best shape myself...

can't wait to see the finished project, let's hope this icy winter abates soon enough...