Folding Bikes - Buying my first folder this week: What should I choose?

After viewing my local used options, I've decided to buy a new 20" folder. The goal for this bike is recreation, fitness, and portability. Which one of these do you suggest a new folding bike rider purchase?

Within budget and right now my first choices:
1) Downtube Nova. Buy it and put some money into a new saddle, chain guard (for pant protection purposes), and fenders.

2) Dahon Eco 6. Might need a new saddle and chain guard, fenders look ok for my needs.

Pushing my budget, but I can be convinced:
3) Dahon Speed 7- Really nice bike and maybe I only need the chain guard?

4) Downtube 9 or 9 SP - Still would needs fenders, chain guards, but I am not sure if I would need a suspension for my riding (mostly concrete city and/or bike path recreational).

Again, thanks for any help you guys/gals could provide.

Get this and leave it as it is http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/2009/speedtr.htm

I wish, but it is at least $200 over my budget.


Get this and leave it as it is http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/2009/speedtr.htm

Did you find out what the Speed 8 are going for?

No, but Thor did send me special pricing on the Dahons listed above.


Did you find out what the Speed 8 are going for?

The best bike is one that fits you well...I would keep that in mind...have you test ridden any of these bikes?

Unfortunately, no one in my area has any of these bikes, so it is online or nothing.

None of those bikes scream out as being clearly superior. . . it really depends on what you want and that's something you'll come to know from usage of a folding bike. For that reason if you can get your hands on any of those second hand then go for it, so long as you can find a seller that you're confident isn't ripping you off in any way. Ride it for a couple of months and then reassess your requirements.

Jaypayne,

I sent you a PM with a lead, check your PM before you make the purchase.

Ratdog

http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/bik/2194826179.html
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/bik/2184331663.html
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/bik/2163587502.html
Some fixer uppers

http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/bik/2226109198.html

Thanks for the heads up, but I can't PM back yet. It looks like a really nice bike, but my eyes were set on a 20" bike with more gears. There are no hills where I live, so take bike might not be enough. I really only intend to ride this for recreation and for fitness at the start, so is there any reason to get that bike? Feel free to PM me back.

Also, thanks to everyone for helping out with this. This is the only place on the web that I know of that is able to help me with this, as no local bike shop in my area has the resources to help me out in this way.

Definitely sit on the bike and ride it before handing over any cash if at all possible. If you get a bike that doesn't fit you well you won't ride it much.

Thanks for the heads up, but I can't PM back yet. It looks like a really nice bike, but my eyes were set on a 20" bike with more gears. There are no hills where I live, so take bike might not be enough. I really only intend to ride this for recreation and for fitness at the start, so is there any reason to get that bike? Feel free to PM me back.

Also, thanks to everyone for helping out with this. This is the only place on the web that I know of that is able to help me with this, as no local bike shop in my area has the resources to help me out in this way.

If you have no hills where you are, you can probably get away with the fewer gears. The price on the bike is also low enough where you can probably flip it on CL if you don't like it and still walk away without losing any money. The fold is small because it is a 16" wheel, but if 20" wheels are a sticking point, then it is not what you're looking for.

Best of luck!

I wish that was possible, but i've been told by numerous dealers in town that they sell about 2 folders a year with just 1 bike shop that might have 1 Dahon in stock. We don't have enough rail systems in town to justify them and the bus system is considered second class transportation. It's sad, but I will probably have to buy something without riding it. Hence my posts to one of the more popular bike forums that I could find.


Definitely sit on the bike and ride it before handing over any cash if at all possible. If you get a bike that doesn't fit you well you won't ride it much.

I seems to me a Dahon Speed 7 is of superior quality than the others in the OP list.

Jaypayne,

So, what did you finally order?

Honestly, I'm torn between the Dahon Speed 7 and the bike you suggested. I went to a local bike shop and I liked the Speed 7, but it seemed like the bike seat always fell down when I sat on it. I'm sure it's a simple issue with their test model, but that had me a bit scared. The bike you suggested looks really nice and I really like it, but it's really hard to get a lot of information on here or the Internet on it. Not one dealer within 50 miles has anything other than a Dahon.

So I'm probably getting the Speed 7 from Thor unless I can be throughly convinced otherwise. I'll tell you this, if I had the money I think the Bike Friday Tikit is a NICE looking bike.


Jaypayne,

So, what did you finally order?

So I also found an ixi breakaway for around $300 in my general area. It was unboxed a few months ago and rarely ridden. Any thoughts about the belt driven bikes?


Jaypayne,

So, what did you finally order?

If you can afford it then go for this one with the special pricing, it has a lot of upgrades over the D7 http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/speedp8.htm

I'll look into it as well, but with the upgraded pieces I lose some of the luggage and fender options. I do like the big apple tires, since I was going to do that as a future upgrade if I got serious into the bike.

If I'm going Dahon, I'll work with Thor and go from there.

If you can afford it then go for this one with the special pricing, it has a lot of upgrades over the D7 http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/speedp8.htm

I think if he's going to go that high, he may as well go for Thor's 2009 Speed TR that's the last one. It'll give him his racks and a wider gearing range.

The Speed 8 is actually priced less then that but you have to call for the price. But I agree on the Speed TR he will have everything that is needed.

as of tonight the speed tr is still up for grabs ...lol
thor

Pretty happy with my Speed TR. I figured I will use it for interim bike while I save money up for something better. I did save up enough and still undecided as Speed TR is covering my need so well at the moment. I think I will start looking when I can handle weekend ride, etc on top of 30 miles a day commute... (which could be a long way off..) unless I find some blasting deal on some bike I thought were cool (tikit/LHT/dummy/etc)
I think the TR he has at the price is a steal.

it is a steel steal ... for sure .. consider if you buy the front and rear racks roughly 100 bucks the fenders 30 some shipping like 10 bucks
than a rear light for 30 and a front light 40, the nice bar ends 30 .... lets just take the difference between generator front wheel and regular front wheel 50
you are at 290 dlr....
290 minus the 657 is 367 dollars.... did I mention the good grips the mks pedals ?
AND you get the DUal drive for free on top of that ....
it really is a no brainer

I am close to buy it for myself , but the wife has said no more bikes until I sell 3
lol

thor


forget what I said .. the bike (actually 2 of them) just sold, now I have to ask the buyer if he is ok with only one ....

Some people like Noah like to buy in pairs. This one may go back on the block after the buyer finds out there is only one.

I am not sure how avid of a bicyclist I will be in the future, so I really feel the $ for the TR might be a little too much to swallow to start (and I think it's unavailable now, so that isn't a consideration). I am going to purchase the bike ratdog suggested and I'll get information and pictures back to everyone as soon as I can. Thanks for all of the help to date, as this is really the only resource that I have found anywhere that can help me figure out what I want to get in a bike.

Ratdog, if the TR came back up, do you think that would be better than your suggestion?

I also need 50 posts to PM someone, otherwise a lot of these posts would be behind the scenes so to speak.


Some people like Noah like to buy in pairs. This one may go back on the block after the buyer finds out there is only one.

Jaypayne,

I've sent you my email via PM. Send me an email & we can take this off line.

I am not sure how avid of a bicyclist I will be in the future, so I really feel the $ for the TR might be a little too much to swallow to start (and I think it's unavailable now, so that isn't a consideration). I am going to purchase the bike ratdog suggested and I'll get information and pictures back to everyone as soon as I can. Thanks for all of the help to date, as this is really the only resource that I have found anywhere that can help me figure out what I want to get in a bike.

just my 2 cents. get the best one you can get. you will never regret it. i have the TR also and love it (although i upgraded so many things on that bike).

Didn't get the PM. I'll contact you via e-mail if you send that to me.


Jaypayne,

I've sent you my email via PM. Send me an email & we can take this off line.

sent again

Some people like Noah like to buy in pairs. This one may go back on the block after the buyer finds out there is only one.

no its gone for good. Buyer selected the LAST CUrve SL with Capreo shifters in the country for his wife ( I will have to switch a few things around, but should be no problem )

He has gobbled two fantastic bikes up for an outstandiung deal .... good on him !

thor

It's my loss, as I was convinced to get the TR if it was still available, but if I really get into folding bikes, I'll look for another deal later on down the road.

Thanks Thor for all the information and updates.


no its gone for good. Buyer selected the LAST CUrve SL with Capreo shifters in the country for his wife ( I will have to switch a few things around, but should be no problem )

He has gobbled two fantastic bikes up for an outstandiung deal .... good on him !

thor

The buy the best you can afford approach is good if you know what you want. The other option is buying the cheapest folder you can find and discover what things you like/dislike about it with a view to upgrading in the future having learned what you need. Some of the chinese made folders you find on ebay are good for this. I myself started with a cheap nasty chinese made folder, it got me started on folders and taught me a lot.

problem with that aproach is that you might never buy another bike as you are now totally unimpressed with the whole concept ;-(

just saying

thor

Check out this in Florida http://sarasota.craigslist.org/bik/2226766484.html

I agree with Thor. I had the shot at buying a $50 cheap POS at a local shop and I decided against it. As soon as I sat on a Dahon Speed 7, I knew it would have been a bad idea to buy the $50 bike.

I bought my new bike a few hours ago and after it ships/arrives, I'll put up the story about the whole deal. Let's just say that after all is said and done, I think I will have saved at least 50% of the retail of a new bike and there might be a few more available as well.

Again, thanks to everyone for their help and I can't wait to get my new ride and review it.


problem with that aproach is that you might never buy another bike as you are now totally unimpressed with the whole concept ;-(

just saying

thor

What make did you get?

That would have been nice to look at about 5 hours ago. Was there an 08 Speed TR just in case I'd have to ask about handlebar issues?

Well, was about to suggest Safety Cycles in Los Angeles which has 2008 Speed TR at very similar price as Thor's. (Yeah, I knew it before I got mine but still got it from Thor... after hearing all the good things about him from other people).
http://www.amazon.com/Dahon-92-1-21-Speed-TR-2008/dp/B003A0I0KE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299040666&sr=8-1
I hope you got something good :)

I ended up with a 2010 Mezzo i4 at an unbelievable price. I liked the low maintenance of the internal hub, the size of the fold, the solid frame, and the price really could not be beat. If I end up getting into folding bikes and or bicycling in general, I'll end up getting a touring style bike in the future. The dealer has a few more of these left, so I'll put a new post on that up tomorrow. I'll also try to get some pictures of the bike when it arrives next week and I'll try to follow up with a "first time folder" thoughts.

I ended up with a 2010 Mezzo i4 at an unbelievable price. I liked the low maintenance of the internal hub, the size of the fold, the solid frame, and the price really could not be beat. If I end up getting into folding bikes and or bicycling in general, I'll end up getting a touring style bike in the future. The dealer has a few more of these left, so I'll put a new post on that up tomorrow. I'll also try to get some pictures of the bike when it arrives next week and I'll try to follow up with a "first time folder" thoughts.

Just a 'heads up' .. that Nexus 4 speed hub is discontinued and the proprietary shifter is very hard to find.. it's nice for small wheel application as 1st gear is direct drive and the other 3 are overdrive gears.. but it can be problematic and noisy.. if you plan to use the bike a lot, you may be looking at a different rear hub (like an SA 8spd with 1st gear direct drive) in the not too distant future.. as the Mezzo uses a chain tensioner on the i4 hub model, you lose some of the reason for having a hub gear system.. if you like the Mezzo, I'd be looking at the D9 (similar price) which will be easier down the road to keep going.. just food for thought..

Knowing that I plan on using the bike a few times a week max and there could be months of time in between uses at times to start, I was perfectly comfortable with the bike at an incredible price.

The upgrade to an 8 speed hub will be in the future if I use the bike more often, or I might get something like the Dahon TR if I end up getting into the bike scene rather than just using a bike every so often.


Just a 'heads up' .. that Nexus 4 speed hub is discontinued and the proprietary shifter is very hard to find.. it's nice for small wheel application as 1st gear is direct drive and the other 3 are overdrive gears.. but it can be problematic and noisy.. if you plan to use the bike a lot, you may be looking at a different rear hub (like an SA 8spd with 1st gear direct drive) in the not to distant future.. as the Mezzo uses a chain tensioner on the i4 hub model, you lose some of the reason for having a hub gear system.. if you like the Mezzo, I'd be looking at the D9 (similar price) which will be easier down the road to keep going.. just food for thought..

problem with that aproach is that you might never buy another bike as you are now totally unimpressed with the whole concept ;-(

just saying

thor
I don't mean to add confusion because you already purchased the folder, but from your 3 requirements "recreation, fitness, and portability" two of these will probably be met. I have a DT 8H that I use when I go on vacations and it is good for recreation and portability. As I used it for exercise I wanted more so I wound up going to a full size road bike. I went many years without riding a bike and I think you need a year of riding before you can figure out what you want. You need to look at bikes like cars they all have purposes. I guess that is why I have 4 bikes now, vintage, comfort, folder, and new road bike. I agree with Thor and wanted to expand on his post. Don't get turned off because of the type or quality of bike you bought (I'm not saying it's a bad choice). The more you spend the sweeter the ride, equals the more you ride. Just ride it like there is no tomorrow.

Thanks for the comments. After doing my research portability and recreation were the two biggest components and the exercise portion would just be an added bonus. I already know that if I enjoy this bike and want to take longer trips, this is not the final bike for me. I'm F5'ing UPS to check on the shipment and unfortunately, the bike is still 1000 miles away. I think I'll have it by mid week next week.


I don't mean to add confusion because you already purchased the folder, but from your 3 requirements "recreation, fitness, and portability" two of these will probably be met. I have a DT 8H that I use when I go on vacations and it is good for recreation and portability. As I used it for exercise I wanted more so I wound up going to a full size road bike. I went many years without riding a bike and I think you need a year of riding before you can figure out what you want. You need to look at bikes like cars they all have purposes. I guess that is why I have 4 bikes now, vintage, comfort, folder, and new road bike. I agree with Thor and wanted to expand on his post. Don't get turned off because of the type or quality of bike you bought (I'm not saying it's a bad choice). The more you spend the sweeter the ride, equals the more you ride. Just ride it like there is no tomorrow.

I got my Mezzo today and I LOVE it. The price was amazing and the bike is a lot of fun. It is not a bike for exercise, but it is small and exactly what I wanted from a folding bike.

Thanks to everyone that helped me during this process. This is the only place I could find any folding bike information on the Web, since there is literally 1 store and 3 Dahon's in my entire town. Your contributions are very helpful and greatly appreciated.

Pictures of your new bike.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/474085/Mezzo/Mezzo2.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/474085/Mezzo/Mezzo1.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/474085/Mezzo/Mezzo.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/474085/Mezzo/mezzo3.jpg

That is nice, ready to go right out of the box?