Folding Bikes - Accessories for the Downtube Mini

I just ordered a pair of 2009 Downtube Minis and can't wait to get them! I am not a cycling enthusiast, and I realize a lot of the info I am interested in may be scattered throughout other threads. But I thought it might be helpful to start a thread which centralizes information about accessories for the Downtube Mini. Here are a few things I am currently interested in:

Fenders
Kickstand
Quick-release seatpost rack
Some kind of luggage system for the front of the bike

If you have and are happy with any or all of the the above for your Downtube Mini (and the fold of your bike isn't compromised), can you please share:

1) Where you got it
2) How hard it is to attach - I would prefer to be able to attach it myself with a few basic tools

If you have other accessories for the Mini that increase your enjoyment of this bike, please share info about them here.

Thanks very much. I hope the weather in NYC is good this weekend so we can take our bikes for some good long rides!

Did you check the accessories on Downtube's site? They have a rack that attaches to the seatpost and a short front fender.

have you found the accessories you mentioned above?
i'm also looking for a kickstand, front and/or rear rack for my downtube mini..

have you found the accessories you mentioned above?
i'm also looking for a kickstand, front and/or rear rack for my downtube mini..

The bike has a sort of integrated kickstand, which comes into play when you fold the frame in half. I usually park my bike in the apartment by folding the frame into a "V" and letting it rest on the integrated kickstand + the two tires.

I'm going to get some Dahon 16" fenders for my Mini, and I'm going to try to adapt a Dahon rack for the mini. It doesn't have all the places to attach the rack. I've heard that zip-ties or P-clips will do the trick. We'll see.

I have a QR seatpost rack on my Mini, one of the Axiom range, and I find it excellent. Note that in the first picture, you can see the Ortlieb Quick Release attachment for the Office Bag 2 (the briefcase in the other 2 pics). This is not part of the standard rack:

Hey Sammyboy, how does the QR seatpost rack work? Does the entire thing come off or do you leave the clamp on? If so, does that interfere with collapsing the seatpost rack when folding?

Question about accessories: I have two Downtubes, a Mini and an 8H, and I can't find a decent waterbottle system to use with them. Because the downtube to which the cage attaches is close to horizontal, the bottle has to be a snug fit or it flies out. The only bottles I've found that fit are the ubiquitous soft plastic waterbottles with the pull-up spigot. Unfortunately, those bottles when horizontal tend to leak out the seam where the cap screws on to the bottle. Has anyone else had this problem and come up with a decent solution?

No, can't say I have had bottle leakage probs... but I have stopped using the various sugary drinks in favour of plain water; any leakage or drops would leave a sticky mess of dried drops on the bike. Plus I didn't find any advantage to sugary drinks, just disadvantages.

But no constant leakage, just the few drops now and again.

The whole thing comes off, but I tend simply to loosen it to lower the seatpost, then retighten it.

Hi Sammyboy, for the seatpost rack, it looks like you have the QR Tracker LX (http://www.axiomgear.com/product/racks/seatpost_racks/product.php?id=147), correct? I was thinking of getting an Ortlieb suitcase to go with it (http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/shuttle_carryon_hardcase/). Do you think this would work with the Mini? I need a decent biccyle-friendly suitcase for weekend/longer trips.

The briefcase I have on there is the Ortlieb Office Bag 2, which I believe uses the same fitting system. It works just fine, and I like it a lot. I don't see any reason why a Shuttle wouldn't. /

sammy, did you get your rack/case in the UK? And I have a different rack and no matter how tight I have it I get side to side wobble - do you ?

Ok, there are gazillions out there, sorry, but interested in the wobble problem. But, btw, I followed your advice to get a mini when in the US and bring home, so glad I did. What a great bike. The mercton is gathering dust, heading ebay way I fear...

Yes, I did buy it in the UK, from Wiggle. My rack developed a wobble too, but I discovered it has about 4-6 screws which hold the actual rack to the beam. I tightened them down, and the problem went away. What might be needed for yours is harder to guess, unless you post a picture?

sammy I have orders a rack like yours, let me try that and get back to you. BTW, whats it like hill climbing with all that stuff, I mean, are there issues keeping the front wheel on the ground ? Am asking because I have a vision of my mini as a 21st century raliegh shopper, putting baskets etc on for carrying heavy cargo locally (ie bottles of beer from aldi, spuds, books from the Oxfam shop etc etc).

Does anyone on this forum have the Downtube Rack Pack Trunk B184 (http://www.downtube.com/product510.html)? (http://www.downtube.com/product510.html%29?) I'm not sure what the capacity is (I emailed Yan for the dimensions), but at $35, it's certainly a lot less than an Ortlieb suitcase and may be sufficient for my traveling needs if it's large enough.

yeah I do have a trunk, and here is my analysis.

Good: Price. And in the side pockets of the trunk are mini, but quite spacious panier bags that unfurl. A a real bonus. I was really pleased, thought it good value.

Not so good : And this may be to do with my rack rather than the turnk - the fastenings are velcro two underneath side to side and one end to end. They're not long enough to go under the beam of the rack, but the rack doesn't let me loop any other way. This is the rack, btw, which I bought because it was quite small. If you have a different one it may be OK.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raleigh-Alloy-Seat-Post-Carrier/dp/B000RW774S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1222537459&sr=8-1

Its a bit adhoc but here are some pics of the trunk, hung over my daughters climbing frame, with the nearest article to hand for scaling:

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll111/billfrankitty/trunky014.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll111/billfrankitty/trunky015.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll111/billfrankitty/trunky016.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll111/billfrankitty/trunky017.jpg

sorry if this is a bit incoherent, I have consumed from several of the scaling articles. But overall a good deal if you are happy with the fixings.

I didn't have any problems in normal use with the front wheel. There is, however, a very steep hill coming from the station near my house, the only hill where I ever use 1st gear on my IXFS, and on that hill, I had to be conscious of the front wheel. It was completely controllable, but if I'd wanted to pull a sweet wheelie - no problem. With a front rack too (one of the little ones), you could distribute weight better.

cheers sammy. Hmm, frontrack, good idea...

See RHM's bike (I think)

OK, will check. Got the QR rack tonite, now I got to kit it up. The dowtube trunk would do, but all kinds of possibilities open now...

this is my 2009 mini racked, panniered, and beered up. There is more liquid in the panniers - to be honest while I appreciated the gearing when loaded, I felt very much at the limits of tolerances, and will probably get some smaller panniers. Had a bit of rack wobble, as you can see in the rear view picture.







I went to aldi to buy bike stuff, there was nothing I liked but I didn't want to cause offence.

Gus: What blemish is there on your Mini?

I see the downtube mini has no kickstand. I know some1 here already stated once it is folded, you can use the middle thingy for kickstand. But what if u still want a kickstand for unfolded? Any1 here who own a downtube and has a kickstand or know what kickstand out there are compatible with the downtube mini? Links woud be great.

Pretty much all kickstands fit in basically the same way.
You'll want a short one because the wheels are little. (so the bike doesn't topple).

Maybe try Google (I find this clever tool can often answer my queries before pestering everone with questions) with a search using carefully chosen terms like 'kids', 'bike' and 'kickstand'.

Pretty much all kickstands fit in basically the same way.
You'll want a short one because the wheels are little. (so the bike doesn't topple).

Maybe try Google (I find this clever tool can often answer my queries before pestering everone with questions) with a search using carefully chosen terms like 'kids', 'bike' and 'kickstand'.

no offense...but the downtube mini is not your standard bike. are you sure any kickstand will fit the mini? i'm a noob and not that technical and if you look at the rear wheel "bolt" on the mini where the kickstand should be installed...it is not your normal size bolt. so any1 here have a kickstand install on their mini and what brand is it?

I installed a kickstand called a Nuovo. I don't have a link for them, but I know 14R also has one on his brommie so it must be available from somewhere in the US. You could PM him and ask where he got his. Some Dahons also have a Nuovo brand kickstand.

I installed a kickstand called a Nuovo. I don't have a link for them, but I know 14R also has one on his brommie so it must be available from somewhere in the US. You could PM him and ask where he got his. Some Dahons also have a Nuovo brand kickstand.

thx jur. i did a google search for the nuovo and nothing came up...no useful pix and no us vendor selling it. would you know any equivalent kickstand or any other kickstand that should work with the mini?

btw..how much did the nuovo cost u?

http://www.masterlowrider.shoppingcartsplus.com/catalog/item/422574/807074.htm

http://www.masterlowrider.shoppingcartsplus.com/catalog/item/422574/807074.htmYep that's it! :) Only I paid $20 a pop. But I like them. For most folders, I take the adjusting portion right off and *very carefully* cut the inner portion to the right length, and then slip on a rubber foot to round it off.

I see it's Nuvo not Nuovo.

Gus: What blemish is there on your Mini?

jur - you can't see it on the pics, but there was a little jag of metal sticking out on the frame, where the seat post goes in - just at the top of where there is that narrow and tall U-shaped cutout, where the QR is fastened. To move the seatpost up and down required some twisting side to side, so the seatpost now has quite a bit of zig-zag scoring in the chrome from the jag. I have now filed the jag down, but the scores remained. I corresponded with Jan about it, and it seems the only option was to send the whole bike back, which seeing I am in the UK is difficult. Its a shame - I suppose I could buy a new seatpost (any recommendations ?) - but otherwise its a great bike.

Yep that's it! :) Only I paid $20 a pop. But I like them. For most folders, I take the adjusting portion right off and *very carefully* cut the inner portion to the right length, and then slip on a rubber foot to round it off.

I see it's Nuvo not Nuovo.

so when you get this kickstand you need to do some "adjustment" like cut the inner portion to the right length to fit into your mini? what is the inner portion of this kickstand, is it the rubber foot you are talking about? also where did you put this kickstand? on the right or left side of the bike? i would assume the right side, cause on the left side...once it is folded it up...won't it interfere with the folding?

One question at a time my young Jedi. Pick one that you can't figure out.

One question at a time my young Jedi. Pick one that you can't figure out.

Ok the one about you cutting the inner portion in order to install the kickstand. What inner portion? And do you really need to do that?

http://www.masterlowrider.shoppingcartsplus.com/catalog/item/422574/807074.htm

does any1 know if this kickstand will attach to the axel or the "swing arm" aka rear frame of the bike? if it attach to the axel, there is little room to fit the kickstand and thus dangerous.

how about this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Greenfield-Stabilizer-Mount-Alloy-Kickstand/dp/B000AOA434/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1223498323&sr=8-1

does this looks like it attaches to the frame instead of the axel of the bike?

The Nuvo stand is adjustable by means of a telescoping outer tube which has the plastic foot attached as well. You can slide this tube off and just use the inner rod by itself which makes up a complete stand by itself. But because a fixed rod is not adjustable, you have to cut it off to length, and a rubber cap for the end to stand on.

The Nuvo stand is adjustable by means of a telescoping outer tube which has the plastic foot attached as well. You can slide this tube off and just use the inner rod by itself which makes up a complete stand by itself. But because a fixed rod is not adjustable, you have to cut it off to length, and a rubber cap for the end to stand on.

So you attach it on the axel or "swing arm" aka rear frame aka "rear triangle" of the mini?

It goes on the chain stay aka rear frame.

Here is one that is cheaper http://www.farm-home.com/mn/t7_ssidisp2.mvc?FRGL07+GTS+000004+dispCat+0410+JDISTRIB0502-0466~~~~~~~

Here is one that is cheaper http://www.farm-home.com/mn/t7_ssidisp2.mvc?FRGL07+GTS+000004+dispCat+0410+JDISTRIB0502-0466~~~~~~~

Are u sure this one work? This one looks exactly like the kickstand we try to install on the mini. My lbs told me that kickstand would only install on the axel of the mini. Once we remove the the "bolt" there was little room left on the axel. And he told me where I need to get a kickstand that have to be installed on the rear frame instead of the axel.

It goes on the chain stay aka rear frame.

thx...i found a pix on the web...is this a nuvo kickstand which attach to the chain stay?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7251062@N06/1344117156/

i think i will get this one.

^^^^^ can any1 who owns a downtubes answer this question?

Here is one that is cheaper http://www.farm-home.com/mn/t7_ssidisp2.mvc?FRGL07+GTS+000004+dispCat+0410+JDISTRIB0502-0466~~~~~~~

this one looks like it install on the axel instead of the rear frame on the bike. if only axel, i dont think it will work with the mini...so are u sure?

My bad I think it goes behind the bottom bracket.

ok..looks like im getting a nuvo...if it doesn't work out...we know who to blame.