Folding Bikes - local shop said my brand new downtube FS9 is defective? help!

I got a FS9 in decemeber but i never had chance to ride it or take it to shop to get tune up - because it wont fit into my car (g35 coupe) ...so i actually picked up a beat up cheap suv to transport it and bring it to a shop. however, a local bike shop told me that the chain was obvious too short. he pointed out that the Derailleur was stretched way too far forward and it is actually touching the tire.
I emailed downtube and Yan just replied

I can't diagnose any issue from the pics. Please look at http://www.downtube.com/Adjustment_Instructions/Rear_Derailleur_Adjustment/

i am wondering if i can get some help here. is the bike shop been wrong or my brand new downtube was defective?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/trust068/random/IMG_4461.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/trust068/random/IMG_4460.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/trust068/random/IMG_4458.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/trust068/random/IMG_4456.jpg

thanks!

Check out the picture on the site it looks about the same. http://www.downtube.com/Full_Suspension_Folding_Bike.html

I'd check the derailleur hanger first .. they can get bent easily in shipment.. if it's out of alignment, bend it.. if the hanger is okay, installing another chain link is no big deal..

It could be that it got tweaked in shipping? I found this pic also on the site
http://www.downtube.com/popup_image.php?image=http://downtube.com/images/2011/9FS_Black/black_standing.jpg

A bike mech saying the bike is defective from that insignificant a problem? I think the problem lies with the bike mech, not the bike.

From the pics, I would not call the derailer stretching as too severe. Looks about right, just what I use.

Derailers and small wheels can interfere, it happens on my Birdy... I wouldn't say the bike is defective, not at all. MAYBE it could do with another link in the chain as Bruce sez. Also check the derailer hanger is vertical.

what Jur sez .....:-)
those bike mechanics are the industry worst nightmare...however I personally LIKE them as they drive biz right into my waiting arms ...

dont worry... bike is fine ..just bend that derailleur a litle bit outwards and everything will be fine ....

thor

So there we have it, there is nothing wrong with your bike, its just part of a world wide conspiracy masterminded by Thor :D

Hmmm does Thor have a hollowed out volcano as his bike shop?

Thanks for reply.
The bike shop actually wanted to add more links to it but I said I will check with the company first because it is new out of box

Actually, taking OUT a link might be the go... if a link is added, it is likely the derailer will go down and back a bit, still interfering as before. But removing a link (assuming the derailer could handle it, it might not) will put the bottom pulley up a bit, away from the tyre.

To see if a link could be removed and what effect it might have, just pull the chain bottom side forward exactly 1".

[QUOTE=trust068;12201482.. it wont fit into my car (g35 coupe)[/QUOTE]

A folder does not fit in a car's trunk?

Maybe you need a different model (folder, not car).

Chain length looks fine, You only have 1 chainring,
so what's it look like in high gear ratio?

Do a derailleur hanger alignment check..

maybe just the nature of running a little wheel
and having a long cage rear mech.

Replace the rear hub with a Dual drive 3x9 hub and a smaller cassette
and a shorter rear derailleur will work, and still give you the gear range.

Replace the rear hub with a Dual drive 3x9 hub and a smaller cassette
and a shorter rear derailleur will work, and still give you the gear range.
Highest priced solution FTW! :thumb:

Heck A Rohloff hub would be even pricier. a real cure.

flash from the past,
single ring 13-32 cogs on the back a short cage 80's <C>Chorus worked fine.

the top pulley is the axis the cage rotates around on those .

their curious design : A/B paralellogram mounting, A for straight blocks ,
and B for wide range cog clusters. :beer::roflmao:

You better ask that mechanic what you're paying him for because smoothing over all the little niggles like this is exactly why the manufacturer recommends a tuneup.

1. If you're really genuinely worried about that long-cage derailleur hitting the tire, you could always grab a medium-cage 9-speed rear derailleur. Maybe the SRAM x.5 (http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/products/sram-x5-rear-derailleur). About $50.

2. And what the heck is a "Sunrace M93 Rear Derailleur?" Sunrace's website lists no such thing, and consulting the Google was not helpful. Closest I could find was the RD-M97 long cage.

Thanks guys, I will take it to different shop to get adjustment. i always had doubt with mechanics too. I will get more mod in the future.

There are of course many bike mechs who are golden. We should not tar everyone with this thread's brush. It's worth finding an LBS where an experienced chap works.

absolutely true .... many many real good ones out there ..... just the few bad apples make them all look bad ..which is a shame
thor

Also can you take a pic of the derailler when it's on the highest gear also? cause that might show you how adding one more link to it become too long for the chain and it just slacks too much on the derailler on high gear. That low gear isn't a problem it looks stretched since you are on the lowest gear and looks abnormal, but you would probably 95% of the time be sitting on the middle gear which would then have that regular derailer look that we're all used to.

Thanks guys, I will take it to different shop to get adjustment. i always had doubt with mechanics too. I will get more mod in the future.

Which shop did you go to? I might have some pointer depending on where you went :)

1. If you're really genuinely worried about that long-cage derailleur hitting the tire, you could always grab a medium-cage 9-speed rear derailleur. Maybe the SRAM x.5 (http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/products/sram-x5-rear-derailleur). About $50.

I have a 11/32 9spd cassette, single chainring, with a medium cage SRAM derailleur and it works very well.

Make sure though that it matches your shifter (e.g. Shimano vs SRAM cable pull).

(Originally the bike came with a long cage but brucemetras set it this way.)

I have a 11/32 9spd cassette, single chainring, with a medium cage SRAM derailleur and it works very well.

Make sure though that it matches your shifter (e.g. Shimano vs SRAM cable pull).

(Originally the bike came with a long cage but brucemetras set it this way.)

You should have a SRAM X9 short cage on the bike.. I like the short cage units on small wheel, single chainring bikes, if for nothing else than to help keep it out of harm's way..

Which shop did you go to? I might have some pointer depending on where you went :)
I went to the one on central ave right in front of AAA, i cannot remember the shop name right now. it runs by bunch of young guys

Your shop mech is an idiot.
But... let me get this straight. You can't fit this:
http://downtube.com/images/2011/9FS_Black/9FS_Black_folded_small_w.jpg
Into this?:
http://photos.liquidmotors.com/Processed/Chris_Leith_Automotive/JNKCV54E66M711333-12350915/JNKCV54E66M711333_008_LG.jpg
I don't mean to be rude, but are you sure you even folded the bike correctly?
I don't usually look around here, but I poked my head in and saw this and had to clarify.
-Gene-

yup, it wont fit. RWD japanese coupes usually had a shallow trunk. I had 97 BB6 prelude in the past, it fits my Dahon folding bike fine. plenty of people complained about small it is. http://g35driver.com/forums/g35-coupe-v35-2003-07/88156-our-trunk-too-small.html
The trunk even comes an instructor how to load 2 golf bags in there.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/trust068/random/IMG_4466.jpg

I know i know you still dont believe me, here is the proof. The bike is all the way in and touching the back of rear seat already.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/trust068/random/IMG_4465.jpg

We won't be happy until you have tried all possible options. ;)

It is generally believed that with some disassembly the DT will fit into an oyster suitcase. (Can an Samsonite Oyster fit into the G35? ;) )

yea sure, maybe i will get some kY Lube and it will just slide right in

That's what she said.

I see a Brompton in your future.

yup, it wont fit. RWD japanese coupes usually had a shallow trunk. I had 97 BB6 prelude in the past, it fits my Dahon folding bike fine. plenty of people complained about small it is. http://g35driver.com/forums/g35-coupe-v35-2003-07/88156-our-trunk-too-small.html
The trunk even comes an instructor how to load 2 golf bags in there.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/trust068/random/IMG_4466.jpg

I know i know you still dont believe me, here is the proof. The bike is all the way in and touching the back of rear seat already.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/trust068/random/IMG_4465.jpg

interesting how tight it is in there. if you're planning on putting the bike in your trunk i guess it's time to look for a new car or a new folding bike.

I see a Brompton in your future.

+1.

Get a Brompton, never look back. Or you can do like me, try everything else trying to save the money. Pretend to be happy, try to travel on an airplane just to realize it is time...to get a Brompton. And then you get a Brompton. And then you never look back.

Try Jenson USA (corona) or Riverside Cyclerly (close to Tyler mall).
Jenson does carry some Dahon in their inventory so you might have good luck with them. (and decent pricing on parts... it is one of e-tailor with store and warehouse near by - Sycamore Canyon Park has Warehouse)
Riverside Cyclery is usually good choice for fair LBS (not greatest price but good service)