Folding Bikes - Another 2008 Downtube 8H first impression

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mdweezer
05-02-08, 05:36 AM
Got my Downtube 8H last night. Packed extremely well and protected in the shipping box I was able to get it out, stripped of cardboard, unfolded, air in the tires and give the bike a close look over before taking it out for a nice little ride.

It's impressive how quick and nimble this little bike it. I'll be honest though, I did think it was going to fold up smaller and I don't know how practical it will be to fold into the bag very often. But I suppose it's nice while it's in the car to keep things clean and what not.

I'm extremely glad I went with the internal hub. What a world of difference! I haven't ridden a bike in a while but when testing out bikes in various bike shops over the past week and playing with gear shift mechanisms in a small space is no fun. The completely silent shifter and shifting at a stop is fantastic. 7/8th gear are a little rough, I would need to be cruising at a pretty good speed to ever shift into them.

I only had 5 or so minutes of ride time. I got my water bottle cage/pump holder mounted without problem and I'll be out looking for a bag today for the rear rack. Aside from that I'm really looking forward to taking it out for a much longer ride next week and getting it into work.

Fantastic work Downtube.

Gilzean
05-02-08, 08:28 AM
Yes fold is not as good as I expected either! Also if you fold alot you might want to put some kind of tape/protection on the front fork (where the rear fork hits the front fork when folded) and top tube (where the handle bar/stem hit the frame). Mine is a week old foldes twice a day and so many chips and scuffs around these places.

Saw a woman on the train with a Dahon MU and her's had really nice clips for the frame fold and looked down at my Downtube and all I has was a nasty looking quick release bolt.
mdweezer
05-02-08, 08:37 AM
Yes fold is not as good as I expected either! Also if you fold alot you might want to put some kind of tape/protection on the front fork (where the rear fork hits the front fork when folded) and top tube (where the handle bar/stem hit the frame). Mine is a week old foldes twice a day and so many chips and scuffs around these places.

Saw a woman on the train with a Dahon MU and her's had really nice clips for the frame fold and looked down at my Downtube and all I has was a nasty looking quick release bolt.

I'm also thinking I could have gone without the bag.... I'm not really seeing myself getting it in and out of it very often. But oh well, it would have been a nicer item to include with the bike.

Just gave a little show and tell to some co-workers who showed interest and the general impression was "it's neat", the SA hub makes it very attractive.