Folding Bikes - Source for folding pedals and 20" tires

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da07079
03-16-08, 09:47 PM
I just got my first folding bike (Dahon Boardwalk 6 off Craigslist) and I need to replace the tires and one of the pedals.

Can anyone recommend a source for folding pedals and tires?
I live in Northern NJ and commute to Manhattan. Internet shops are OK too.

Most of the 20" tires I see seem to be knobby BMX tires. Since I'll be riding exclusively on the street, I assume I'll want a smooth tire. I would be inclined to look for a high pressure tire, but maybe I shouldn't since the bike has no suspension. Suggestions are welcome.

Is there anything I should look for (or avoid) in folding pedals?


simsles
03-17-08, 01:37 AM
In my experience most folding pedals have a limited life since the two bearings (or in the case of the Brompton folding pedal only one) are too close together, resulting in increased wear.
An alternative which has the two bearings well spaced is the removeable pedal made by MKS. These can be removed and re-fitted in seconds and have another advantage as an anti theft device. A bike with no pedals is not going to be ridden away very quickly.
Here in UK there is a good choice of 20" tyres, both smooth and knobbly.

cyclistjohn
03-17-08, 03:05 AM
...
Can anyone recommend a source for folding pedals and tires?
I live in Northern NJ and commute to Manhattan. Internet shops are OK too.

Most of the 20" tires I see seem to be knobby BMX tires. Since I'll be riding exclusively on the street, I assume I'll want a smooth tire. I would be inclined to look for a high pressure tire, but maybe I shouldn't since the bike has no suspension. Suggestions are welcome.

Is there anything I should look for (or avoid) in folding pedals?

Here's a list of some available, so you could use it to find stockists:

http://www.bikesthatfold.com/content/view/28/

As simsles mentions, there are lots of tyres available here; one source is a UK division of Wal-Mart®, so you may find your local store has them! They're just a nylon, smoothish tyre but have been ok so far on my bike.

HTH


mulleady
03-17-08, 04:21 AM
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1pr-FD-6-BICYCLE-PEDALS-ALLOY-MKS-FOLDING-PEDALS-9-16th_W0QQitemZ200206012702QQihZ010QQcategoryZ36137QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247Q QcmdZViewItem

Great pedals, Japanese made, if you can find stockist in US. Upgraded both my folders with these. you probably need to buy replacement in pairs. These make a huge difference to pedalling and are very very strong with a great press and fold and they click beautifully back into place when unfolding too.

mulleady
03-17-08, 04:26 AM
For all-round urban and major puncture resistance try looking for a pair of Schwalbe Marathon 20" like these below. They are perfect balance of protection and good rolling on urban commutes:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-X-SCHWALBE-MARATHON-20-X-1-50-TYRE-TUBE-FOLDING-BIKE_W0QQitemZ130115050143QQihZ003QQcategoryZ27954QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247Q QcmdZViewItem

JugglerDave
03-17-08, 07:01 AM
I had good service with wallbike when ordering my Marathon tires for my non-folder. In fact, I am thinking of upgrading the stock Kenda Kwest 60psi tires on my Downtube NS with the Marathons which have a max 100psi for the 20x1.5 size. That would help with rolling resistance at the expense of ride harshness. The cost ($30 each plus shipping) is the major impediment.

The Kenda Kwest is a good tire and it is $15 each. There is also a high-pressure (to 100psi) version of the same tire for $20 each, but I haven't heard any reviews on them.

Bacciagalupe
03-17-08, 07:57 AM
Gaerlan Cycles.

brakemeister
03-17-08, 08:13 AM
and what about a total self promotion here ...
I do have the tires and all Dahon folding pedals as well as the MKS ones
The Dahon ones are 36 dlr for the Prolite and 32 dlr for the suntour... email me if you need help
Thanks Thor

youthcom
03-18-08, 01:24 AM
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1pr-FD-6-BICYCLE-PEDALS-ALLOY-MKS-FOLDING-PEDALS-9-16th_W0QQitemZ200206012702QQihZ010QQcategoryZ36137QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247Q QcmdZViewItem

Great pedals, Japanese made, if you can find stockist in US. Upgraded both my folders with these. you probably need to buy replacement in pairs. These make a huge difference to pedalling and are very very strong with a great press and fold and they click beautifully back into place when unfolding too.

That's good to hear as I'm expecting to get that MKS folding pedal later today to replace the very crappy folding pedals(exposed ball bearings that disintegrate) that came with my 08 Downtube 9.

Pedals ordered online for $32 at:
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=7058

mulleady
03-18-08, 03:55 AM
$32 wow! Cost me £30 Sterling!

mulleady
03-18-08, 03:56 AM
but that was for a pair so I presume it's $32 for a single pedal? Just copped it!

mulleady
03-18-08, 03:58 AM
da07079 (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=67161) Stelvios are smooth tires bit be warned a lot of forum members have had puncture problems at the expense of performance. The Schwalbes are a perfect compromise for your folder and are not rough BMX tires.

da07079
03-18-08, 04:32 PM
Thanks everyone.

youthcom
03-18-08, 04:55 PM
but that was for a pair so I presume it's $32 for a single pedal? Just copped it!

A pair.

The tumbled shiny cast aluminium looks kinda cheap, the bearings aren't sealed, & it doesn't seem very serviciable(maybe if you knock out the two roll pins), but it's only $32 & "Made in Japan!" Came with a hex wrench since there's no flat to grab on the spindles. Attached reflectors are Cateye brand. The folding mechanism feels fairly solid & safer the the Downtube supplied pedals which fold by pushing the cage in ( more susceptible to accidental folding) whereas these are folded by pressing a button inside the cage.

http://www.animerunner.net/misc/mks_fd6_foldingpedal.jpg

bhkyte
11-05-08, 05:17 AM
i have alloy "wellgo fp5" pedals fitted AS STANDARD on my older downtube ns8. These so far have been the best pedals i have used for preformance and durability.but not the easiest to fold as it reguires pulling a small sprung tab as the pedal is folded.not as easy with one hand as others, but ok.

GTALuigi
11-10-08, 11:31 PM
wow interesting topic

i was having the exact opposite problem, trying to find good Off Road tires in 20"
all i was able to find was tons of road tires, and racing tires for 20"

Anyways for Road / Race i use the original Kojacks, for All Terrain i use Moe Joes, for Winter i use Marathon Winter.

werbin
11-11-08, 08:15 PM
Look here for 20" tires.
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/rhzz/recumbent_tires/products.htm
I got the Schwalbe Stelvio Kevlar. Great riding tire. The Kevlar seems to help protect it from flats.