Folding Bikes - Must have a folding bike! Know nothing about them!

STARTING OVER

1) I don't have much money and I absolutely need to spend less than $300.

2) I do not have bike storage at my apartment--not outside, not in the hall, etc.

3) I will need to carry the bike up and down those stairs and up and down the subway stairs.

4) I will not be riding the bike everyday.

5) When I do ride the bike, it is unlikely that I'll ever be going more than 10 miles.

Okay. So you need (1) a fairly light bike which is (2) less than or equal to $300 and (3) sufficiently small to store in your apartment, and you do (4) (5) not need something efficient. I'll add: you (6) live in NY.

I'm afraid I've already offered you what I think is by far your best bet. A used 2005 Dahon Helios P8 (http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/1341559468.html) offered on the Lower East Side. Aluminum, 23.5 pounds (without the crummy rack the guy put on), $300, handles better than the 16" bikes you've been looking at, and folds to almost a small as them, and will fit you perfectly. I suggest you buy it before someone else does. Here is Dahon's archive (http://www.dahon.com/archive/2005/heliosp8.htm) on the bike.

If a very cheap light weight bike is required then you could also consider a Dawoee "Shuttle". Its not a great bike. It is single or three speed and has a very short wheel base,a non alloy folding micro frame, but telescopic seatpost ,folding pedals and stem. Alot the the steel components are prone to rusting of the chrome,and the brake are poor caliper brakes.
However it is light,guess around 10Kgs, and fast to fold. It does not stand when folded ,but it is relatively compact. I used one for commuting for several years. I would not hunt one down ,but if you stumble across one it may be worth considering.

I paid £50 for mine brand new in the sales!

A video of a guy rolling a 20" bike was what convinced me to go with something smaller. And don't worry, I wouldn't think of bothering anyone.

Don't worry - Vincent has no frontal lobes and just says any stuff that comes into his head without thinking, 'No - that might be a bit rude.' he's well meaning, but extremely direct. I have no frontal lobes either, which is why I told you that about Vincent.

:lol:



but if u still decide to get the citizen anyway, don't come back and cry here and said we didn't warn u.

^^^ lol...forgive me. That's my evil twin that lives in the uk with crooked tooth.

used helios is also my best bet ..... otherwise look for a used Curve SL ....or Curve both great bikes.. take all the fenders and carriers off and you have a great bike.....


the curve will be excellent to push around as well
Thor

used helios is also my best bet ..... otherwise look for a used Curve SL ....or Curve both great bikes.. take all the fenders and carriers off and you have a great bike.....


the curve will be excellent to push around as well
Thor

+1
easy bike to lose alot of weight from and keep well within budget if bought cheap.

^^^ lol...forgive me. That's my evil twin that lives in the uk with crooked tooth.

Hey! My crooked teeth are regarded as attractive here. The more croooked your teeth, the more sex you get. This is why the propensity to have them is spreading. It is evolution in action. The ill-informed always think natural selection is about survival of the fittest. It isn't - it is about the passing on of features that get you more sex.

Have you seen my new dog? He has very sexy teeth and wins every dog show I enter him in.

http://internetservices.readingeagle.com/blog/paws/archives/ugliest-dog-3.jpg

STARTING OVER

I don't know that much about folding bikes (although more now than I did at the beginning) and never gave them much consideration until now. I would like to buy one.

1) I don't have much money and I absolutely need to spend less than $300. At this point in time, that's it. I'm looking for a starter bike, not a Rolls Royce.

2) I do not have bike storage at my apartment--not outside, not in the hall, etc. The bike will have to be tucked behind some furniture somewhere.

3) I am a small person living in a third-floor walkup, with very narrow stairs and a very narrow landing. I will need to carry the bike up and down those stairs and up and down the subway stairs. That is the only time I will be carrying the bike.

4) I will not be riding the bike everyday. I want it for emergencies, like public transportation failure (heaven forbid) and also for having an alternate way of getting home some days--just for pleasure. I might also use it sometimes for an errand if I don't feel like walking.

5) When I do ride the bike, it is unlikely that I'll ever be going more than 10 miles.

1. I think you're best bet is a used bike...something light like a Helios if you can find one.

2. If you can't find one or can't wait for one to come around then I think you're next best bet is to listen to whatever edwong3 says. He's the only one around here that seems to be genuinely satisfied with folders in your price range.

3. If you disregard the above advice and ask me what new bike to buy then I think you should get the Kent Nexus 3 speed bike for around $259 shipped. If you're going to buy a cheap bike then beware that there's nothing worse than a cheap derailleur. At least with the Nexus 3 speed the nonderailleur gears and rear brake will be as well made as what you'd get from a fancy expensive bike.

4. When comparing bikes bear in mind that the cheaper the bike the more they lie about the weight and other specs because they know that customers looking for a budget bike won't bother to weigh it or bother to badmouth the company if they do. So take any listed weights and such with a grain of salt.

used helios is also my best bet ..... otherwise look for a used Curve SL ....or Curve both great bikes.. take all the fenders and carriers off and you have a great bike.....


the curve will be excellent to push around as well
Thor

... aaaand the helios is gone from craigslist. Well, I'm done suggesting.