Folding Bikes - newbie to folders

HI everyone..

I now you get a lot of questions about suggestions on which bike to get.. well i've been reading the forums and i still cant figure out which bike to get.

here are my stats..

female, 5'2" 120 lbs
want a folder to commute about 1 mile to the orange line (in california) from home and about another mile to work.. maybe an occasional 10 mile ride from work to home once or twice a week
would like to be able to attach a small pet carrier on the bike for weekend rides

i was looking to get a dahon speed 7, but after reading the forum i'm now leaning towards either the downtube mini or the downtube 9.

i'm a newbie when it comes to bicycles.. can ride it, dont want to worry about upgrading it.. and would really just want a commuter that i can buy, fold, carry to the office, and use for errands around town.

so.. which should i get??? best bang for the buck... budget upto about 450.. help!

thanks in advance.. great info in this forum..

Dahon curve d3? Might be able to find a 2007 for under 400 with shipping. I did. I adore it!

i agree with dl the curve looks like a great bike and high spec, i would reccomend it :D

Dahon curve d3? Might be able to find a 2007 for under 400 with shipping. I did. I adore it!

where'd you find it????
the d3 looks really cute.. i like the red color and the accessories... :)

juts look around on internet, look on craigslist, gumtree and ebay :D

Depending on the terrain and your riding abilities, you might want more than 3 speeds. The Curve SL offers more but is out of your budget limit. The Downtube's really are a great "bang for the buck", though you probably need to add in how much it will cost to get a bike shop to set it up for you - 50-70 bucks?

I purchased a Downtube Mini '08 about a month ago. Really like the bike. I'm 5'5" and it fits me really well and is very comfortable, at least for me. I got it on ebay and it came out a little bit cheaper compared to the website itself. I think they're trying to get rid of the '08s this way. Hope this helps. Goodluck.

hi folks..
decided last night that i'll go for the DT mini.. reviews are really great and the price is reasonable compared to the dahons..
now the important questions..
that kick stand should i put in?
rear or front rack?
dog carrier???? i have a yorkie.. :)
thanks all!
looking forward to getting my mini!!!!!

Hi nj..
I was pretty much on the same path as you are right now... I also got the mini as mentioned earlier and was considering either a front and/or rear rack. I'm not sure if you've come across the threads about them in relation to a Downtube Mini but here are some that I've found. Hope it helps.

This one's about the front rack from Nashbar and some debate about its durability.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=413439

This one's about the rear rack being installed on a Mini even if it has rear suspension.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=392503

Sorry, don't have any dogs (hopefully, someday I'll have one) so I have no clue with that one.

hi folks..
decided last night that i'll go for the DT mini.. reviews are really great and the price is reasonable compared to the dahons..
now the important questions..
that kick stand should i put in?
rear or front rack?
dog carrier???? i have a yorkie.. :)
thanks all!
looking forward to getting my mini!!!!!

Congrats, I just received mine yesterday. What an incredible folding bike. The color is a little overwhelming but I still like it. Now I have to figure out what modifications I will be doing to it. Check out www.thorusa.com under acessories. I saw a dog carrier there. Thor is a regular here as Brakemeister.

here it is http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/baskets.htm#willow

thank you all for the suggestions..
eagerly waiting for the bike to arrive.. :)
i showed my sisters pictures of the bike.. and they were like.. that looks dorky... :o)
i think it's cute!

well. just got my bike today...
it seems the box took a beating getting.. and the bike arrived damaged.. the gear shifter??? the one on the handle is broken.. i emailed Yan about it.. i guess i should wait for it before taking it to the bike shop huh?

Damaged huh? I find it rather amazing and disconcerting that the delivery services can so comprehensively wreck a box. What the heck are they doing?? Driving over them? How difficult can it be to deliver a box intact?

yeah.. kinda disappointing.. i was looking forward to taking out the bike for a spin..

Yes, wait for the part to come in from Yan, then take it to your local shop. That way they can fix it and give you a tune up all at the same time. Might save you a little cash by doing it all at once too.

Congrats on the bike. :-)
--sam

i'm having a difficult time folding the stem..
am i doing something wrong here????
i saw the videos and the instructions.. it looks easy and smooth.. i've been trying to fold the darn thing for 30 minutes!

FOLDED IT! omg... i want to hit my head for being so stupid... :)

i'm a newbie when it comes to bicycles..


You are allowed to stay like that, don't hit your head. :D

Regards