Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Petoskey
09-09-08, 06:43 PM
After asking many, many questions of this forum, and then sitting back for a month to read everything else that was posted here, I finally made the decision. It was not my original choice (Dahon Glide), but the more I read, the more I realized that I had not truly identified my most likely uses for my future bike. I started out wanting a bike to ride on the beach. It was eventually pointed out to me that that sort of abuse (salt air) would likely ruin my purchase ($800 pile of rust), and I'd be better off with a single speed, coaster brake model for that purpose. I also reported that I wanted to ride the local bike paths with a Labrador Retriever trotting along beside me, but after walking those same paths, I could see that there would be no way to successfully pass the other (oft times elderly) walkers without the dog crashing into them. So, Plan B. Rent a beach bike at Hilton Head, and buy a folder that could handle off-road adventures with the dog.
With my new criteria in mind, I went looking for a reasonably priced, full-suspension model with a low maintenance internal hub. The Downtube 8FH fit the bill. It arrived last week, has returned from my LBS after a safety check and minor tune-up, and the dog and I have been riding the local unpaved trail ever since, like we died and went to heaven. I can't say enough about how much I like this bike, and how happy I am that I found this forum, which allowed me to eventually make an informed decision that I am unlikely to regret.
I purchased this bike without ever test riding a folder. The 20" wheels feel fine to me, and I don't notice any particular difference in the steering either. Those of you out there who think you need a full sized folder so that it feels like a "real bike", think again. The design of this particular Downtube makes it look (and feel) like a regular bike, even thought it has 20" wheels. I just love it!
Thanks again, all of you out there who helped me make a selection. You are very wise to ask the newbies lots of questions when you're asked to make suggestions. Many of us have not owned a bike in a long time, and we don't even know what we should be looking for. Your input was appreciated!
Jill
With my new criteria in mind, I went looking for a reasonably priced, full-suspension model with a low maintenance internal hub. The Downtube 8FH fit the bill. It arrived last week, has returned from my LBS after a safety check and minor tune-up, and the dog and I have been riding the local unpaved trail ever since, like we died and went to heaven. I can't say enough about how much I like this bike, and how happy I am that I found this forum, which allowed me to eventually make an informed decision that I am unlikely to regret.
I purchased this bike without ever test riding a folder. The 20" wheels feel fine to me, and I don't notice any particular difference in the steering either. Those of you out there who think you need a full sized folder so that it feels like a "real bike", think again. The design of this particular Downtube makes it look (and feel) like a regular bike, even thought it has 20" wheels. I just love it!
Thanks again, all of you out there who helped me make a selection. You are very wise to ask the newbies lots of questions when you're asked to make suggestions. Many of us have not owned a bike in a long time, and we don't even know what we should be looking for. Your input was appreciated!
Jill