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.edwong3
12-02-08, 02:08 PM
Hello!
I'm Edward, 48 years old, and I live in sunny Central Florida. I have actually been a member of the Bike Forums for almost a year but never really participated actively. In fact, I didn't even own a bicycle when I joined.
Back in early February 2008, I moved into a small efficiency apartment, and at that time, my interest in bikes was growing once again; so I contemplated the purchase of a folding bicycle for storage, and ease of transporting it in the trunk of my car.
I really didn't want to spend a lot of money, even though I got a nice tax refund, so I searched online for a budget priced folding bicycle for several weeks.
In early May 2008, I settled on a low priced bike on eBay. The seller was a distributor based out of Tampa, FL and had a 100% on his customer review.
I paid $109 plus $32 s+h for a really nice rear suspended, 5 speed, 20" folding bike called "Qile Duo". According to the manufacturer's website, it means "Joy and happiness" in Chinese. The bike is my avatar under my user name if you notice.
Well this bike has been really fun to ride, and very dependable. One thing I did which I'm glad for, is that I took it to my favorite bike shop, and they went through it from end to end, to adjust the brakes, the shifting, true the wheels, lubricate the bearings, adjust the cones, the bottom bracket, etc. It cost $50 very well spent bucks to make sure it is in perfect operating condition.
I've been using it to commute to work (5 miles each way) and run all my personal errands such as, riding to the supermarket to get some groceries (1/2 mile each way), taking my laundry to a laundromat on a basket bungee corded to the rear rack (1/2 mile each way), picking up my mail (3 miles each way), and trips to the bank (3 1/2 miles each way).
In addition I do use the bike for pleasure rides of up to 10-15 miles. I am also very fortunate to live very close by to a paved bike trail that runs for nearly 10 miles from the parking lot of a local shopping mall, to Oviedo; which is a quaint town just north east of Orlando.
It is fully appointed with a variety of accessories such as a handlebar bag, wedge bag under the seat, front and rear LED lights, Mountain "Mirricle" rear view mirror, Bell water bottle, and plastic cage mounted to the stem using a Minoura water bottle cage mount, a Bell F-20 cyclometer, and soft hand grips by Bell too. The bike came stock with fenders, a rack, and a bell.
I actually gave up my car about a month, and a half ago, and am "car free" for the second time in 5 years. The folding bike, and in occasion, public transportation will be the way for me to get around. So far, I'm happy with the experiment, though in time I know I'll have to get a car again.
I actually ordered another folder today from eBay. It is a Vilano Light 5 Speed 20" folding bike. Though it's similar to the Qile Duo, it is considerably lighter, and has better components overall. I thinking that it should be faster then my current bike, and will serve for bicycle club rides and pure fun. The Qile Duo will always be the "work horse". It (Vilano) should arrive by the end of this week, or the beginning of the next. I'll report back when it arrives, and I've ridden it for a few days.
Another bike that has caught my eye is the new Kent International Compact 16, that is replacing the ubiquitous "Ultralight" magnesium framed model. This one has a more elegant aluminum frame, and improved components. The bottom bracket in this new model is ahead of the seat tube, instead of the rear of it like the older "Ultralight".
I do want to add a bike with smaller wheels (16"), that is lighter, and more portable, that can be easily carried (in a bag of course!) aboard a bus, a train or a building. This one might be my next purchase, so that will make three folders that I'll own in my "stable".
Well, have I caught the "folder fever"? What do you all think?
Regards,
Edward
I'm Edward, 48 years old, and I live in sunny Central Florida. I have actually been a member of the Bike Forums for almost a year but never really participated actively. In fact, I didn't even own a bicycle when I joined.
Back in early February 2008, I moved into a small efficiency apartment, and at that time, my interest in bikes was growing once again; so I contemplated the purchase of a folding bicycle for storage, and ease of transporting it in the trunk of my car.
I really didn't want to spend a lot of money, even though I got a nice tax refund, so I searched online for a budget priced folding bicycle for several weeks.
In early May 2008, I settled on a low priced bike on eBay. The seller was a distributor based out of Tampa, FL and had a 100% on his customer review.
I paid $109 plus $32 s+h for a really nice rear suspended, 5 speed, 20" folding bike called "Qile Duo". According to the manufacturer's website, it means "Joy and happiness" in Chinese. The bike is my avatar under my user name if you notice.
Well this bike has been really fun to ride, and very dependable. One thing I did which I'm glad for, is that I took it to my favorite bike shop, and they went through it from end to end, to adjust the brakes, the shifting, true the wheels, lubricate the bearings, adjust the cones, the bottom bracket, etc. It cost $50 very well spent bucks to make sure it is in perfect operating condition.
I've been using it to commute to work (5 miles each way) and run all my personal errands such as, riding to the supermarket to get some groceries (1/2 mile each way), taking my laundry to a laundromat on a basket bungee corded to the rear rack (1/2 mile each way), picking up my mail (3 miles each way), and trips to the bank (3 1/2 miles each way).
In addition I do use the bike for pleasure rides of up to 10-15 miles. I am also very fortunate to live very close by to a paved bike trail that runs for nearly 10 miles from the parking lot of a local shopping mall, to Oviedo; which is a quaint town just north east of Orlando.
It is fully appointed with a variety of accessories such as a handlebar bag, wedge bag under the seat, front and rear LED lights, Mountain "Mirricle" rear view mirror, Bell water bottle, and plastic cage mounted to the stem using a Minoura water bottle cage mount, a Bell F-20 cyclometer, and soft hand grips by Bell too. The bike came stock with fenders, a rack, and a bell.
I actually gave up my car about a month, and a half ago, and am "car free" for the second time in 5 years. The folding bike, and in occasion, public transportation will be the way for me to get around. So far, I'm happy with the experiment, though in time I know I'll have to get a car again.
I actually ordered another folder today from eBay. It is a Vilano Light 5 Speed 20" folding bike. Though it's similar to the Qile Duo, it is considerably lighter, and has better components overall. I thinking that it should be faster then my current bike, and will serve for bicycle club rides and pure fun. The Qile Duo will always be the "work horse". It (Vilano) should arrive by the end of this week, or the beginning of the next. I'll report back when it arrives, and I've ridden it for a few days.
Another bike that has caught my eye is the new Kent International Compact 16, that is replacing the ubiquitous "Ultralight" magnesium framed model. This one has a more elegant aluminum frame, and improved components. The bottom bracket in this new model is ahead of the seat tube, instead of the rear of it like the older "Ultralight".
I do want to add a bike with smaller wheels (16"), that is lighter, and more portable, that can be easily carried (in a bag of course!) aboard a bus, a train or a building. This one might be my next purchase, so that will make three folders that I'll own in my "stable".
Well, have I caught the "folder fever"? What do you all think?
Regards,
Edward