Please assist-folding bike for 50+ ?

[PattiJ39]

I am buying my first bike in thirty years. I am looking at either the Dahon Mariner or the Giant halfway. The giant halfway is about $70 more, but if it offers a smoother ride that would be worth it. I am 52 years old and have not ridden a bike in thirty years. To me they both looked very similiar. Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks You,

Pat

[SesameCrunch]

Pat:

In order for us to help you better, please tell us what you want the bike for. What kind of roads/distance will you be riding? Why do you need the folding - commute, storage, travel, etc? How tall are you?

Otherwise, you'll get lousy answers....:)

[mulleady]

Hi Pat, welcome to the forums.

I do not think your choice of bike should be based on age actually. More on your height, weight and personal preferences.

Whatever the case I'd recommend looking across a wider choice. The Downtube from www.downtube.com with the hub gears is a great bike. The Dahon D7 is a very good entry level bike as well. You do not need to outlay more than $400-450 for a bike that suits your needs.

[PattiJ39]

Pat:

In order for us to help you better, please tell us what you want the bike for. What kind of roads/distance will you be riding? Why do you need the folding - commute, storage, travel, etc? How tall are you?

Otherwise, you'll get lousy answers....:)

I wanted a folding bike so that I can take it with me. I have a boat so that is why I was thinking about the mariner. I am also a little nervous about a bigger bicycle so the compact size of the folding bike seemed easy to get started on. Plus I can just stick it in my trunk and take it with me. I travel a lot for a living mostly by car and thought it would be nice to keep in the trunk and ride the bike instead of just sitting in my hotel room at night. The most important think for me is comfort but I also want it to be foldable.

[mulleady]

I wanted a folding bike so that I can take it with me. I have a boat so that is why I was thinking about the mariner. I am also a little nervous about a bigger bicycle so the compact size of the folding bike seemed easy to get started on. Plus I can just stick it in my trunk and take it with me. I travel a lot for a living mostly by car and thought it would be nice to keep in the trunk and ride the bike instead of just sitting in my hotel room at night. The most important think for me is comfort but I also want it to be foldable.

Pat this would be a great bike for you and the seller will ship to the US. It is cheaper than the Brompton but just as good. See:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Merc-3spd-long-wheel-base-folding-bike-inc-accessories_W0QQitemZ360042964306QQihZ023QQcategoryZ33503QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[jur]

Hi Pat! Welcome here.

How tall are you? Also bear in mind most folders have a weight limit.

From your use of the word 'trunk' I'm guessing you are in the US. So you could also look at the Downtube range, I can recommend especially the Mini since I have one.

[mulleady]

I concur with Jur the Mini is a great buy in the US and features a very good 8 speed hub gear. Jur has even ridden this bike offroad and not many 16" folders can do that very well.

[invisiblehand]

From your use of the word 'trunk' I'm guessing you are in the US. So you could also look at the Downtube range, I can recommend especially the Mini since I have one.

Is that right? "Trunk" is a US term?

The downside to a Downtube would be LBS support and test riding.

Pat ... where are you? There are several areas with shops that strongly support folding bikes. Given that you are "new" to cycling, it might be helpful to develop a relationship with a local shop.

-G

[msincredible]

Is that right? "Trunk" is a US term?

In the UK, you'd be putting the bike in the boot.

[PattiJ39]

Wow, you are all so wonderful. Thank you for all the web sites ad info. I did not know that in other countries you do not refer the place in a car where you can store things as a trunk. I wonder what it is called. I live on Long Island, NY in the USA. Does anyone have a giant bike or any info on them. There is a Dahon dealer and a Giant dealer a few miles from me. As I am such a newby when it comes to bicycles I think I should buy from alocal store so that I can get support from the store. Any info on either of these two folding bikes. The Dahon mariner or the Giant halfway?

[cheeva]

wow, the people on this subforum are a lot nicer than the ppl on SSFG......im jealous

[msincredible]

Having a supportive LBS (local bike store) near you is a good idea. Can you get test rides at both places and see which bike feels better to you?

[Dahon.Steve]

As I am such a newby when it comes to bicycles I think I should buy from alocal store so that I can get support from the store. Any info on either of these two folding bikes. The Dahon mariner or the Giant halfway?

I would stay away from internet dealers until you become more familiar with bikes in general. It's very important that you have support from a local bike shop that will support your bike with parts and service. Since you like the Halfway, get that bike instead of the Dahon. It's a quality bike and you can't go wrong. Don't forget to get a helmet and invest in a rear view mirror. My favorite is the Take A Look mirror that mounts on your glasses. It can save your life!

There are some on this forum who have the Halfway but their complaints are due to the fact it's not the smallest folder out there. Since you don't need to bring it inside a bus or a packed train, the Halfway should do very well.

The best feature of this bicycle is that you can change a flat tire very easy.

[chainstrainer]

If the Dahon Mariner D7 is one you're considering, it seems like a perfect match for you seeing as it was designed for boaters. The Giant Halfway looks very similar but there is not much info on its fold size. Though both are aluminum frames (good for marine conditions) the Halfway is a couple pounds heavier than the Mariner D7. As to comfort - only you can judge that for yourself by test-riding both. You're lucky to have the opportunity to do just that. Let us know what you settled on and why.

[BB49]

If you have been away from biking for a while, you might find any folding bike to be geared too high for you on hills. This can typically be easily changed, either when ordering your bike, or later at a LBS.
Low to mid twenties for gear-inches is good to have on the low end. If you will want more high end after lowering your gears, get at least an 8 speed. An internal gear hub is easier to live with. A 16" wheel bike will fold much smaller than a 20" wheel bike. Dahon and Downtube are good mid-priced bikes.

[deraltekluge]

Is that right? "Trunk" is a US term? There are quite a number of differences between English and American. Here's a list of automotive terms:

http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/speedway/9311/diction.html

[mulleady]

I would stay away from internet dealers until you become more familiar with bikes in general. It's very important that you have support from a local bike shop that will support your bike with parts and service.

Sorry Stevedahon, I disagree that you have to visit a LBS to make a bike purchase. There are great Internet dealers and poor local bike shops and the converse. Downtube is a very good Internet dealer with quality bikes for the price and they provide good support. Have you ever rode one or read the threads on these bikes? It doesn't matter whether Pat is 1st time or a veteran on the forums, if she buys online then she can have the bike tuned by a good local bike shop that services bikes, if the price and specification are right. The main advantage in using an LBS is one that offers test rides, if they don't then it's pointless. If they do and Pat feels more comfortable with a test ride, then fair enough.

I bought my first folder from Downtube on the basis of this sub-forum and the spec of the bike. It worked out fine and Yan from Downtuve has a very fair returns policy so you can trial never mind 'test' the bike. On that basis the Downtube Mini is a very good contender for Pat because it rides well and folds very small. Another contender that rides well, folds small and is competitively priced is the Dahon Curve D3 3 speed. See:
http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2007/09/dahon-curve-d3.html and also
http://nycewheels.com/dahon-folding-bike-curve-d3.html

Pat if your local Dahon dealer will do test rides (willingness to varies in the UK) then try out the D3 if they have it in stock. Good folder and also value for money. Don't write off the Downtube Mini. Great review on this forum of it See:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=218634&highlight=downtube+brompton+vs+mini
Given your preferences stay with the very compact folders.

PS The Brompton is a very good folding bike but much more expensive as a first time purchase unless you aren't constrained by or budget conscious. Let us know how you get on and good luck. Whatever you decide on we all agree you will never look back with a folding bike. 'Once in the fold you will be sold!' :-)

[somnatash]

... The most important think for me is comfort ...

Hi Pat!
I don't know your fav bikes personally. In "yacht" a boat magazine I read that the giant got good notes but the ride is a little harsh and you sit quite forward...that doesn't sound too comfortable to me. If you are after comfort then I propose you look for:

the right geometry you just have to test it! Be sure to find a patient dealer who doesn't try to make a quick deal on you newbie but who really takes the time to adjust the bike rightly for you. Perhaps rent a few bikes for a weekend maybe. A few points: an upright position is in general more comfortable for a not trained rider, providing that there is rear suspension. And its safer in traffic. Have the bottom bracket rather a little to the front compared to the seat than just down (low seat post angle) can provide you with more safety and comfort because you will be able to put your feet down to the ground in an emergency stop and still have enough length to the pedals while riding.

weight = the lightest folder is the one which is most comfortable to carry and lift into the trunk, also less power is needed to ride. This "comfort-point" stands contrary to other comfort points:

suspension = adds weight but protects bones, discs and nerves for a more relaxed ride. Look for at least the possibility to add good quality suspension for example:
balloon tyres can give a good overall suspension
rear suspension or a telescopic seat post so you can put a suspension seat post as upper part (e.g. airwings or cane creek thudbuster).
front suspension: suspension fork or pantour hub or suspended steering stem. Dahon sells nice pantour hubs which give front suspension, maybe you can have that as an upgrade with the mariner.maintenance = good quality components with low maintenance needed will bother you less which is not only comfortable but a safety feature. I agree with previous posts that internal hub gears are a bit more comfy on a folder then the derailleur gears of your fav bikes.

Look especially on the points that "touch your body". The saddle, the grips, the brake levers and pedals. There are special "comfy" grips on the market which provide support like ergon or biogrip. I sometimes have problem in my finger joints and because of that I prefer hydraulic brake levers, they give the softest feel. Very personal choice is the saddle as "every butt is different". A good LBD should be able to let you try some. So don't be misled by components which can be changed eg. you feel more comfy on one bike than on the other and in the end it was only the more appropriate saddle but the other would have been the better folder for you. I hope all this partly costly considerations here don't discourage you. Its by no means necessary to go for all that. Perhaps its also a good way to just purchase a rather cheap folder to just see how biking feels
Good luck!

[mulleady]

Hey Somnetash,

Sorry to go off topic for a sec but how long did Ben at Kinetics give you in terms of order to fulfilment?

thanks!

[somnatash]

Hey Somnetash,
Sorry to go off topic for a sec but how long did Ben at Kinetics give you in terms of order to fulfilment?
thanks!

I sent you a private note;-)

[geo8rge]

My opinion:

If you are going to ride on unpaved boat yard lots you need 20" wheels. 16" will probably not work. If you will ride on pavement 16" is Ok. Strida 3 is a 16" bike that could work for you.

As to gearing you could chose:
1) single speed. Least expensive and best on level ground.

2) Derailer bike. The bikes you suggested use derailers. derailers require adjustment and can be damaged. This might be a pain on the boat, on the other hand boat yards are filled with handymen.

3) Internally geared hubs. More expensive but require much less maintenance than derailer but are more expenive. consider the Dahon Vitesse D7 HG.

[PattiJ39]

OK so far this is what I have found.

Dahon mariner cost about $379.00 but the seat needs to be changed so that would add an additional $45.00 and it does not come with a travel bag an additional $59.00. The Dahon dealer offers a one year warranty. The Dahon is all brushed aluminum, probabley better against rust, but both say rust resistant not rust proof.

Giant Halway cost about $459 but can upgrade the seat for $20 and it comes with a carry bag.
The Giant dealer offers a lifetime warranty with free tune up after first year. The Giant halfway is mostly aluminum but has a stainless steel handle bar.

This is turning out to be a difficult choice, I like the ride of the Giant better and the people at the Giant dealership seem very helpful, I would prefer to buy from them. But the Dahon is all brushed aluminum, and the ride is almost the same. No decision on my part yet, so keep the info coming you have all been so helpful.

[mulleady]

Patti the Giant is a good quality folding bike no doubts and that's a very good price including a bag by any standards for a solid folder, good warranty too. If it folds compact enough for your needs then Geo8rge's point about 20" wheels in some boatyards is very relevant. 20" wheels will prove more versatile and strong for both road and off-road riding. If it was a straight off the boat on to smooth paving and road only then 16" wheel folders would have been worth considering too.

The more information you gave and the fact you liked the Giant's ride really swings it. Wow it's practically the same price in Great Britain pounds at £399! See http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/giant.htm

Very versatile looking bike I have to say and it looks nice too. if you also like the local dealer then you are on to a winner. Wish you luck whatever you go for and welcome to the world of folding bikes. There is no going back once you have caught foldinitis lol!

[Northshore Man]

Patti:

I have commuted on my Giant Halfway year round for 2 and a half years. It has been a great bike. The only rust I have noticed is on a few nuts. The frame and handlebars do not rust. The Halfway folds flatter than the Dahons, but is not a compact fold. For my needs the fold works great, I commute with it on a commuter rail train. If you are happy and comfortable with Giant dealer then I would get the Halfway. The Dahon Mariner is a good bike also, though I think the Halfway is a little better. The Halfway has better tires(higher pressure). Overall the quality of the Halfway is very good.

David

[14R]

I had a Giant Halfway as my first folding bike. The reasons I got it were very similar to the OP here (good customer service at LBS, liked the way the bike rides, the bike looks cool, etc..).

After a friend of mine purchased a Downtube Full Suspension I had the urge to sell my Halfway as quick as possible. In fact, as time went buy, I realized that the Halfway was by far the worst folder I ever had a chance to ride.

Besides the riding quality, the Halfway is impossible to upgrade, it comes with below average, obsolete braking technology and if you have a flat tire, be prepared to spend a lot of time to fix it ( the concept of the cantilever, single sided fork and rear frame is nice, but in practice, you can only fix a flat after removing the brakes, fenders and spending a lot of time dealing with it). I would consider a Downtube if I were you (and that's based on riding all the bikes mentioned here and owning 2 Halfways, 1 Mariner and 3 different Downtube models).

On another subject, why the seat upgrade for the Halfway is US$20.00 and the upgrade for the mariner is US$45.00?

Good luck on your final decision,

14R

[mulleady]

I would have to defer to 14R's superior user based experience here. The Giant certainly looks nice. However I can vouch that the Downtube bikes are great folders and very good ride. I have 2. I foind the hub geared one the best. see:

http://www.downtube.com/product532.html

Also testimonial on this model relevant to you Pat, thought it was very apt! In fairness, Yan from Downtube offers a 30 day satisfaction return guarantee. You would just incur postage costs each way if you had to return. All I can say the H is a great all round bike, i love it.

Submitted by Testimony: Name: Roger
From: Indianapolis IN
We just received the 8H we ordered and I am glad with the decision I made to go with your product and the 8H. It will be used on our 36' boat and the design and quality appears to be better than the Dahon and West Marine bikes I considered in the same price range. I liked the idea of the internal hub design for the marine environment. I'm 6'2" and was unsure about the size of the 8H based on some of your data on the website, so I ordered the 8H for my wife and to see if it could work for me as well. Rode it today - no problem with the size. Quick service as well!

[PattiJ39]

Thanks for all the great information. The reason that the Dahon seat upgrade is $45 and the Giant seat upgrade is only $20 is the giant dealer will give a $30 credit for the original seat.

[jur]

Regarding rust, most if not all screws on a bike will be plated steel, and these tend to rust quickly despite the plating. Get yourself a can/bottle of Boeshield T-9, apply some to the screw heads and threads sticking out, as well as the gear and brake cables. This product was specifically developed by Boeing to retard rust on cables. Also the seat post: Apply, allow to dry for some time, wipe off excess.

[PattiJ39]

One thing I noticed in looking at the downtube is it appears there are no mud guards on this model. Does that bother you or is there very little difference in having or not having mud guards.

[mulleady]

One thing I noticed in looking at the downtube is it appears there are no mud guards on this model. Does that bother you or is there very little difference in having or not having mud guards.

The full suspension (FS) has no mudguards Patti but the H model has a rear mudguard and the frame acts as a mudguard on the front wheel. The FS is more of an off-road bike for trails, the H is a very versatile bike and fine in the rain. I use it London all the time, great bike. it really flies and folds good enough for peak hour trains and storage. It's a nice looking bike too and very easy to add upgrades to in the future. This is where you would come unstuck to some degree with the Giant Halfway. The Downtube uses non-proprietary parts that are easy to replace or upgrade from any LBS.

[BB49]

If you are going to ride on unpaved boat yard lots you need 20" wheels. 16" will probably not work. If you will ride on pavement 16" is Ok.

I do not believe this to be true at all. The tire width is the key to getting thru dirt and loose gravel in a boatyard. A 2" wide tire on a 16" wheel will be better than a 1.5" or 1.75" tire on a 20" wheel.

Going fast downhill on a dirt path with deep ruts aligned in your direction as travel is a different story.
A 16 or 20" wheel can roll into a rut, but not roll out. Unfortunately, you will keep going. A 16" wheel is a little worse than a 20" in this situation, but you would really want a 26" wheel.

As far as a Dahon Mariner goes, I think it it just an aluminum bike with a stainless steel chain. You can duplicate that by changing the chain on other Dahons or Downtubes.

I would not be concerned about mudguards or the lack there of. Lots of inexpensive aftermarket mudguards are available.

Another bike to check out that is the lowest maintianance and corrosion resistance is the Sidekick by Dynamic Bicycles. It is a 20" folder with a gearhub and sealed shaft drive (no chain). I would get the Shimano 8 speed over the 7, and the Sport drive over the standard drive. I had one. Great riding bike, but not a great fold, and heavy to carry at 32 pounds. The specs say 28 pounds, but it really weighs 32.

[BB49]

I forgot to mention, do not waste $59 on the Dahon El Bolso bag. I have one, came with a bike. It is strong and well made, but a very poor design for carrying a bike, and way to much money to merely cover a bike.

It is hard to find a better way to carry a folder than grabbing it by the frame.

For storage on a boat, do you really want a bag that will trap or hold moisture?

[savethekudzu]

I do not yet have a folding bike... but the fact that the original poster has a boat to me means that he should head down to Dr. Yan's shop on Ocracoke Island, NC to check out the Downtube in its native habitat.

[invisiblehand]

One thing I noticed in looking at the downtube is it appears there are no mud guards on this model. Does that bother you or is there very little difference in having or not having mud guards.

Only if you are going t use the bike as a commuter or transportation alternative on a regular basis.

P ... you might want to consider taking a short trip into the city. There are a few folding bike shops there. You would increase the number of reasonable alternatives that way. Most LBS will still service them. Talk to the local cycling clubs for shops with good reputations.

-G

[PattiJ39]

Thanks so much for your help!!! Your little baby is adorable!!!!

[invisiblehand]

Thanks so much for your help!!! Your little baby is adorable!!!!

Thanks Pat. Fatherhood has been an amazing experience. It really does change one as a person.

I still have relatives on Long Island ... I went to Brentwood HS and Stony Brook University ... although with the newborn we don't have plans on driving up anytime soon. But if you are interested, we would almost certainly bring up our Bike Fridays -- they seem to be a bit overkill relative to what you are looking for -- which you could test ride if they are size appropriate.

Personally speaking, especially if you are really uninterested in becoming a bike wrench, going to a reputable shop is a good idea. Chances are you will pay a premium, but you would end up with a much better "fit" with respect to the bike. So while you will pay more, you will be more likely to actually ride the bike. And the most expensive bike is the one that you never use. For instance, around here Mt. Airy/College Park Bicycles has an incredible test ride/return policy where you leave a deposit for a bike and they let you ride it around for a day or two.

[PattiJ39]

Becoming a parent surely changes ones reality. I hope you take the time to enjoy every minute. They grow too quickly. As for me someday I hope to have the thrill of becoming a grandma. For now my children have grand-dogs for me to spoil.

Thank you for your kind offer but I have decided to buy either the Dahon or the Giant because I really prefer to have the local bike dealer to rely on. Hopefully either this week or next I will have time to make my decision.

I travel a lot for a living tomorrow New Jersey and Thursday Buffalo, NY. Friday back home. I have decided if any public offical is ever in favor of a 36 hour day, they will get my vote. Imagine an extra twelve hours every day to do whatever one would please.

[PattiJ39]

Thank You that makes a lot of sense. I looked at the bag and wondered if I would ever really use it.

[PattiJ39]

Hi,

I just wanted to thank everyone for all your help. I decided on an e-bike..and I am having so much fun on it. Here is a picture.

Thank You Everyone,

Pat

[invisiblehand]

Excellent ... you should take a peek at the electric bike forum. I presume that electric bikes have their own specific issues.