Folding Bikes - Folder for 6-2/215 guy..Suggestions Please!

Hi, and happy I found this forum...just excellent info! Experienced rider here on mt. and road bikes, but I find myself needing a folder for travel via ferry, car, and airlines...love how small these folders pack!
I have no experience with a folder, but did test ride a Dahon D7 at Performance Bike....very nice bike. I'm trying to stay under the $350-$400. mark and am looking online at Citizen Metro and Downtube (which one for my size?). My concern is weight limits as I usually haul some camera gear/misc stuff in my backpack close to 25lbs...so combine that with my 215 and its getting up there. Non issue?

Another concern is my long arms and needing a longer cockpit area. Comments and suggestions much appreciated.

Searched and found this thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=348485&highlight=Folder+heavy+tall+rider

I can not tell you about spesific bikes but you & your gear is a bit on the heavy side so I think the cheapest bikes is not anoption. Best thing is if you can get some of your gear offyour back and put it in the front of the bike so the weight goes on the front wheel instead of the rear wheel.

Searched and found this thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=348485&highlight=Folder+heavy+tall+rider

I can not tell you about spesific bikes but you & your gear is a bit on the heavy side so I think the cheapest bikes is not anoption. Best thing is if you can get some of your gear offyour back and put it in the front of the bike so the weight goes on the front wheel instead of the rear wheel.


Badmo, thanks for the link...lots of good info. Choices, choices...
Found that Performace Bike has discounts going on and those Dehons are looking good! Btw, do any of you peddle a single speed? I ride my nephews single speed Schwinn Madison in the hills and love it, but guessing folders may be quite different?

Several peopel riding single speed folders. It all depends on the area you want to ride in and how strong you are. Some go the SS way for low weight. Most peopel here has more than one bike:D

You can search the forum for SSS, you might find sveral threads.

Not sure why these guys do not respond to your questions. I do mainly DIY stuff with older bikes, you need to hear from the guys with fairly new bikes.

It's going to be quite hard to find a size-large reach folding bike with your cost constraints. If you find a bike which works weight-wise, you may be able to outfit it with an Aber Hallo (http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/technical/aberhallo.htm) stem, which will give you a *bit* more reach.

At the price range you mentioned, this is just about the only option:

http://www.downtube.com/Full_Suspension_Folding_Bike.html

It's a very good value bike. Will fit you well. Easily modified if you want to upgrade in the future. There's lots of discussion here about Downtube as a company. You should be able to search and find them easily.

Good luck.

Badmo, thanks for the link...lots of good info. Choices, choices...
Found that Performace Bike has discounts going on and those Dehons are looking good! Btw, do any of you peddle a single speed? I ride my nephews single speed Schwinn Madison in the hills and love it, but guessing folders may be quite different?
I like riding s/s.I have a Brompton s/s,76 gear inch.Bit tall gear but ive got good speed.Its harder to climb hills on a folder as they move around alot when standing and hammering,hard to get a rythum going.Also dont like to reef on bars to much re: long stem.So if theres a hill i cant make i just walk it,at my age 63,i got an excuse,and its still exercise one way or other.