Folding Bikes - 6'0" person: Downtube or Citizen?

I'm 6'0", 34" inseam with long arms, 200 lbs. I am trying to choose between the Downtube NS (or 9) or a Citizen Gotham. From the sound of things, I'm on the bigger end of the scale... which of these two would be better fit?

Go for the Downtube. While the Citizen is a good bike, it's not the best. It only has 6 speeds and is a little bit on the heavy side. Don't get me wrong, I have a Citizen and it is working for me. Look hard at the Downtube.

I'm 6'0", 34" inseam with long arms, 200 lbs. I am trying to choose between the Downtube NS (or 9) or a Citizen Gotham. From the sound of things, I'm on the bigger end of the scale... which of these two would be better fit?


To get a Downtube "NS" you would have to switch out the fork yourself since the company no longer offers a stock model w/o front suspension.

I'm about to get a 9FS 2009... but I want a kickstand. The 2009.5 says there's a kickstand mount... does that mean I cannot put a kickstand on the 2009?

Citizen is so low end it is overpriced at anything over $125.
For a cheap bike at a decent price, check out Camping World.

Downtube bikes are far better than Citizen, you really can't compare them

If I had to choose between the 2, I would go with Downtube also.

TC

I'm 6'0", 34" inseam with long arms, 200 lbs. I am trying to choose between the Downtube NS (or 9) or a Citizen Gotham. From the sound of things, I'm on the bigger end of the scale... which of these two would be better fit?

The Citizen Gotham will work for you if money is seriously an option. If you can spare another $100 or so, go with the Downtube. If not, I've ridden a Gotham (and own a Tokyo). I have a 34" inseam but I'm 5'7. (Super long legs for my height.) The Gothom is a solid bike and definitely a great bang for your buck.

I think I'm going for the Downtube 9FS.

I tested a Dahon Speed D7 today and it fit me just fine. The Dahon Eco not so well.

I finally got the DT 9FS in the mail. Just to conclude this thread with fitment for myself:

I was recommended strongly by Yan of DT to go with the 9FS due to the larger frame. I took his advice and here's what I found for fitment.

My 6'0" with 34" inseam legs and 34-35 arms fit with the seat post about 2" from max height. I'm currently trying the "out of box" handle bar angles but I found I like the height of the bar low for a less upright feel. I had to lower the handle bar all the way down, and I feel I could have gone another 1/2-1" lower for my personal preference. I wish the bars had a 2-3" farther (away from seat) reach.

I thought I'd be ok with no kickstand but I already want one.

BB49,

Do you own a Citizens folding bike? Have you ever ridden a Citizens folding bike? Be honest, as I am just curious. I have little doubt that the Downtube is a better bike, it should simply because it costs more. My wife and I bought Miami Citizens last Oct. for RV camping trips and we simply love them. We paid $175.00 each plus shipping of $25.00, $400 total for two folding bikes. They are not our every day riding bikes, but for what we use them for it has been a great experience. At one campground I talked with a guy who was riding a 5 year old Citizens bike and he was still a satisfied rider, he said he rode it all the time. Like all things mechanical, it just needed a little tweaking now and then.

Terry

PS: As an Edit: Being RV campers and very familar with Camping World, we checked out the folders at Camping World and I didn't feel they were better folders. Citizens has great colors too. Another thing too, we had a mechanical issue right off the bat with one of our bikes, and the service tech at Citizens like to have broke his neck trying to making us happy. Great service. I don't work for Citizens or get paid for bragging, I just hate to see someone's number called out in a negative way when I'm not so sure it's deserved. Granted, your experience may have been the complete opposite, if so forgive me for breathing.