Folding Bikes - Folder newb gor

Well,

It did not take long. Today I went to look at a used folder and my "buy it you fool" inner voice was too powerful to overcome.

But, I figured 200 bills for a 2009 Downtube 9 FS was a really good deal. The bike looks like it has been ridden a handful of times. Virtually new.

Anyway, I am already compiling my list of "to gets" or thinking of how to make some additions here.

First, a rack to carry stuff for commuting. With the rear shock is mounting a rack back here not going to work? Any suggestions?

Second, handlebars. Anyone found another option that works better with the fold like road bars or steer clear of changing that?

Third, Dovetailing off the handlebars is adding a mirror. My wife has a mirror on her road bike that attaches to the hood of her road shifter.... That's where I thought of the idea to swap to different bars initially...

One of the first things I will be doing is adding BB7's and a set of Avid Speed Dial 7 levers. As I expected the standard brakes feel like mashed potatoes to me.

Seat - already have a Selle Anatomica that I will be using...

Shifter and rear DR - they say "Juju" or some such thing on them. Not a fan of twist shifters myself, what have others used? Sadly I used to have a spare set of bar end shifters and Pauls Thumbies but not sure if I have them still...


If anyone has some pictures of customized Downtubes let's see 'em!

Anyway, I am very happy to be getting into this little thing!

Try to get rid of the Juju stuff. It will save you lots of frustration. There has been a fair bit of negative chatter about the Juju on the Downtubes.

Don't forget the obligatory 'before' and 'after' pictures. ;-)

Try to get rid of the Juju stuff. It will save you lots of frustration. There has been a fair bit of negative chatter about the Juju on the Downtubes.

I ended up replacing the grip-shift on all of my (3) Downtubes with friction shifters for this very reason. After making the switch, they seem to shift ok.

Yikes I just realized the title of my thread is a mess. Is there a way I can fix that??

Here is the obligatory picture with a few of my own mods already added.

:)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c148/pcrx/photo-1.jpg

Very nice looking bike especially for the price. I haven't owned or even seen one in real life, but to me it looks like a rack might be an issue. I don't see any standard attachment points and I don't know how a seatpost rack would affect the folding.

A front brake mount rack should work, something like this (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/racks-decaleurs/gran-compe-ene-mini-rack.html). They make cheaper versions, even nashbar has one, but this is the prettiest one I saw.

Klick Fix hardware lets you fit a bag to the steering post,
best not add mass to the wheel since it is a suspension fork.

Ergon has integrated the bar end and a nice grip together .
1 allen wrench is on hand .. with the long bar end GC3,
to slip it to clear the fold [on my Brommy, an M3L]

OK. Looking good here. BB7's on order. I have been looking at the "Cross Rack" that fits to the rear seat tube... I think that might be the only real option to get any good carrying capacity on this rear suspension... That thing is a bit heavy though compared to a regular rack. I am still brainstorming a better option for carrying a bag...

I removed the uber-heavy adjustible front stem and super thick metal handlebar and installed a much lighter stem and light flat bar I had in the good old parts bin. Also tossed the goofy stock brake levers and JuJu rear DR/shifter and will be installing SRAM X9 rear DR and X9 trigger shift unit from the bin. Woot!

Still need to decide on some groovy grips to add to it. Might his some local PDX bike shops - new and used - to see if anything speaks to me...

Front light installed on bar as well as wireless computer recycled off another bike.

Removed the old heavy Kenda tires and will be going with Big Apple Lites I have here. Monster. Realized I need to re-dish my rear wheel I want to use... sigh. No sweat I suppose but I might have that done by someone else.

Also noticed on this frame - NO front DR mount on this particular frame. I did not notice that initially. Kind of a bummer but oh well....

Also noticed - NO screw hole on the rear DR side to mount a fender stay. What the hell is up with that?? (reaches for tap and die set...)

If you want, 2 chainrings, put a rag in your pocket, or bag,
that lets you stop and move the chain to the big ring
and still have clean hands.
you can downshift, derail the chain with your heel .

Klick Fix hardware lets you fit a bag to the steering post,
best not add mass to the wheel since it is a suspension fork.

Ergon has integrated the bar end and a nice grip together .
1 allen wrench is on hand .. with the long bar end GC3,
to slip it to clear the fold [on my Brommy, an M3L]

It is late so maybe my brain is not working as it should but personaly I would rather put lowriders (below the suspension) on such a bike than adding the weight on the steeringpost or anywhere abowe the suspension. Am I wrong?

Luggage is best put on the suspended part of the bike ie above any suspension. Adding it to the wheels increases the unsuspended weight which is bad. Mounting it on the frame is best.