Folding Bikes - EZ Pack Folding Bike. Good Idea?

ive been researching folding bikes for a few months now (yes, months). i originally was going to purchase

a folder, then i decided on first getting a road from Performance.

Now that im back to the folder, I realized that what I need is something for cross campus transportation

(college student), something faster than walking for road trips/ wandering downtown.

my first knowledge led me to citizen bikes.

terrible reviews and more research led to...

i was going to get a dahon d7, then i decided on a mariner.

then i discovered downtube.

(bike friday, brompton, et. al. are way out of my part time budget)

i rethought what i needed:

1. lightweight: under 25 lb.
2. inexpensive: less than 250/300 USD.
3. small: 16" wheels

i do not intend going more than 10 miles max (more likely: 5-6 max).

i do not care about speed, so a single gear is fine.

i discovered ridethisbike.com

i was skeptical at first and awaiting my bike now.

I ordered an EZ Pack. i am not looking a for a GREAT product. i am looking for a good product. practical not luxury.

Larry (site owner) has provided INCREDIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.

i strongly recommend checking out the site.

i hope this bike is what i expect.

i will update this lengthy post after i use it.

I look forward to seeing your review. This might be something I would consider for carrying around in my airplane.

--
Michael

i should get the bike by the end of next week. if you want i could send you a transcipt/copy of the email exchange i had with Larry (mod/ceo? of ridethisbike.com)

you can youtube the bike and watch a video demo.

i figured id try this out.

That bicycle is no good. I bought over 2 years ago and never saw any use. I "made noise" and they sent me a check for 100 bucks...

Still not worth it. Sold it for under $100, and I was lucky. :notamused:

I would recommend taking the last post with a grain of salt and making your own conclusion.

i would recommend taking the last post with a grain of salt and making your own conclusion.

+1....

yeah, well i hope my experience is better. im not expecting dahon quality for the price.

im expecting a functional/practical folder.

i almost bough an '07 or '08 dahon jack for under 300. saw it on the san francisco craigslist

a few weeks ago. unfortunately the jack is too big for what i want.

I'd still say downtube FTW. Just with 20 inch wheels.

a member from this forum won the ez pack as a free giveaway from larry of ridethisbike.
so there's another owner here. see the sticky above.
I will say with 12 in wheels it will be faster than walking and some joggers but other bikes
will be faster.

I would recommend taking the last post with a grain of salt and making your own conclusion.


Originally the bike was advertised capable to handle bigger guys, and even I at 6'1" didn't fit. But then again even my 5' tall girlfriend didn't like and we ended up selling to a very skinny girl who uses it for work.

It's a gamble, you know. I just bought the Boardwalk 1 and it paid off handsomely. :thumb:

performance has the 08 boardwalk for 199 now.

performance has the 08 boardwalk for 199 now.

I bought it for $230 from the local store, but get a free check up after a while.

I put some cute bard ends to it, and I just love it. Even my Electras will see some rest. :rolleyes:

My girlfriend rides a Curve, and we are very happy. :thumb:

+1. i also have a dahon boardwalk d6/7 and very happy with it's performance and looks.....

+1. i also have a dahon boardwalk d6/7 and very happy with it's performance and looks.....


I put these...

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=41551&gold_ses=

on my Boardwalk and it climbs like a goat. :thumb:

I've been wanting a SS for a while. They also hava a Mu Uno, but haven't tried it.

Hey, I'm happy with the straight position of the Boardwalk.

Larry's a great guy-very helpful! His cheaper bikes are certainly low-end, but for many people who do not use them for more than five or so miles a day, or only occasionally on weekends, they can be adequate. I own a kent ultralite and used to be happy with it, but after about a year with it I grew out of it and wanted a better bike. You may find that you want a better bike too after your experience with the ez pack--be careful not to catch the folderitis!!! :p

the free bike winner posted on ridethisbike,
she's happy with it so far.

You may find that you want a better bike too after your experience with the ez pack--be careful not to catch the folderitis!!! :p


there is no cure to this as what i have found out. it spreads so fast that in no time you will notice that you have more than 1 folder in your arsenal......(if you're lucky - otherwise it will be more than 2)..as for me i started joining this forum in january with the intent of asking for advise in getting a simple folder for my bike commute. 4 months after i ended up with citizen tokyo, A-Bike, dahon boardwalk D6 and dahon boardwalk D7 and i am still looking on getting something else....

thanks,
vic

i understand multi-purchase bicycle syndrome.

got my road bike, then ordered this folder, and now i want either a road or commuter so for wet weather conditions.

eh. student working part time necessitates the growth of patience. or impulse buys!

would i be able to install this?

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=11469&item=50-0864&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

i get the bike tomorrow. ill post and update then

would i be able to install this?

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=11469&item=50-0864&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

is this for your EZ bike ? standard is freewheel on most low cost bikes so you might need to change the HUB on your bike into a cassette before you can install this. when you changed the hub then you need to change your rim/tire also as yours come with a 28 spokes standard. most hubs come in 32 or 36 holes.

thanks,
vic

...i missed ups and couldnt sign for my bike. waiting for monday. gah...

...i missed ups and couldnt sign for my bike. waiting for monday. gah...

Did you like it or not? :rolleyes:

i posted an update in another thread. but yeah i like the bike alot.

i had to do some very minor fixing with the chain. small crack in chainguard. tighten some things here and there but its very fun.

i taught my friend how to ride a bike today...yeah, hes 20 and couldnt ride a bike...i finished my finals and kicked it with him and it took him 1 hr to learn. we used the ez pack.

i rode about 4 miles in downtown sacramento, it was fun. getting compliments and looks.

it does fine on curbs (4 inches or less) and light-rail tracks.

if you go to ridethisbike.com and email larry he is very helpful.

constantly checks his email to help. ive had him give me replies between 11pm-7am.

i also recently bought some older dahons. a hon california, and a blue dahon. both need some minor work but it was only 65 for each, so 130 total.

about to go ride downtown with my gf.

but yeah, any questions about the ez pack just ask me.

i will update every week or whenever something big happens.

ps-its small enough to fit behind a classroom desk. only 22.5 lbs. i can fold/unfold in 30 seconds or less. im guessing my quickest time would be 15 seconds.

i rode my ez pack for an hour today, while my gf rode the old hon california i got her. need to get a new chain in a few months.

got some questions from people on the capitol.

im gonna try to get another hon california for 59 bucks.

i have folderitis.

i rode my ez pack for an hour today, while my gf rode the old hon california i got her. need to get a new chain in a few months.

got some questions from people on the capitol.

im gonna try to get another hon california for 59 bucks.

i have folderitis.

When you move to a Boardwalk single speed you will feel like flying.

Mine is great though it had a problem with the rear tire bearings, to be replaced under warranty.

the reason i got the EZ PACK is because how small it is,the price, and my intended use.

i can bring it to class and sit it behind my desk

i leave it in my car: front seat, back seat, trunk...

only 159 w/shipping.

great for riding across campus, folds fast.

it feels comfortable 5 mile rides. i think i could do 7 comfortably. if i change the saddle or

put a cushion/whatever, i could see myself riding 10-12 miles.

i rode it for 1.5 hours last night and i was fine. just navigating throughout downtown sacramento.

i want to ride my road bike today but the temp is 100+ right now. need to ride earlier.

just to let you know, im 5'9.5" , 175lb.

i have a 52cm (standover) road bike.

Is it really sub 23 lbs?
that's pretty light. I'm just not liking the dual crank system and rear band brakes.
glad you like it and is putting it to good use.

yeah, its light.

i bought some folding pedals on ebay for 20 bucks.

i think im going try and build a case for it.

not liking the bags for folders too much.

So, are the folded specifications accurate?


DIMENSIONS
Bike dimensions (folded): 26" x 15" x 20"
Minimum Compressed Size with Pedals Turned In: 26" x 11" x 20"

Michael

I'm not sure why you didn't try out the Downtube Mini--it has 16" wheels, a solid ride, highly customizable, and is very affordable.

the folding size is very accurate. i didnt use a ruler or anything, but i can store it behind a classroom desk with very minimal stick out.

if you have questions, ask larry from ridethisbike.com

i sent a ridiculous amount of questions regarding it. he answered them all.

wish i could get the montague paratrooper on the site...

i was looking at downtube, the dahon d7/mariner/et. al.

several reasons for the ez pack

1. sacramento is pretty flat
2. campus/downtown use: works fine on sidewalk-bike lane transitions, rounded curbs 4" and under, regular curbs 2-3"
3. lightest weight for the price (comparative)
4. already have a road bike
5. it folds very small
6.easy to fold and carry/store
7. inexpensive
8. aluminum
9. its great for the price.
10. substantially decreases theft likeliness
i would recommend it highly. there are other folders at ridethisbike.com

if i had the money, i would love to get a brompton, bike friday, etc.

however, im a college student working part-time (29-32hrs).