NOVA, Crane, Mariner D7 or Tern ??
 

I am been pouring over the thousands of posts on this site. (it is both amazing and overwhelming!)

I think I have narrowed my search to these bikes:
Downtube NOVA (<$300)
Origami Crane ($400)
But would also consider
Dahon Mariner D7 ($570) and perhaps the Tern C7 or Tern D8 special (<600)

I cannot find any folders at LBS. Craigslist seems to be mostly expensive (used Brompton for $1400) or super cheap junk ($150 no name), so I am resigned to buying online - with option to return if needed.

I already own Trek road bike and a Cannondale hybrid for home use. This bike would strictly be for camping trips (my retirement goal is a cross country camper trip...god willing). Bonus points for the least weigh and smallest fold of the above bike choices, as I will need to fit 2 in the tow vehicle.

I plan to ride road or rails to trails - no mountain or "off road" biking. I don't plan to upgrade this bike - just want to unfold it and ride it!

Is there any reason to buy anything other than the NOVA? (the least expensive)

(From reading these posts is appears that once upon a time the Crane was cheaper than the NOVA - but not anymore. Is it worth the upcharge? and if so - why?)

Where are you located?

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

There is a good strategy to buy on craigslist but requires some time and a little effort. Doesn't matter what's an asking price you email a seller the price you like also let him know you are on a budget. More often than not he will contact you a in few days or a couple of weeks later. If the item is still for sale after two or three weeks contact him again with the same offer. When you meet the seller if he doesn't add some assessory/s or part/s to sweeten the deal you can negotiate additional small discount.

I hope that I can give you some good reasons to consider the Crane 8 over the others. It may be the lightest of the bunch (I am not sure of the weight of the Nova in riding condition as the weight is listed " 24.5lbs (w/o kickstand, pedals, saddle " and we list our weight with all of parts attached). The folded dimensions of the Crane 8 are just 12.7"x 33" x 24".
Additionally, the Crane 8 has a 306% gear range with 8 speeds, so you can tackle any terrain.

306 % hmmm?

I guess he has an internal hub inside the 8sp cassette :)

Thanks,
Yan

South Jersey

I've got a Mariner D7, and it's a great bike. My only "complaint" is that there are some pretty steep hills in Omaha. In another thread, I was seeking advice on adding an internal 3-speed hub, and Hank Ryan was a great help in my thinking process.

Sorry, 309%. 34/11

No, it is actually 309%.

gear inches 29 - 88 pretty normal
Dahon Speed 8 has something like 33 - 98 more or less
or the Tern Links have 32 - 88

I need to figure out how the big percentage number comes about, it sounds soooooooo much more impressive than 29 - 88

power of marketing I guess

That's south New Jersey, USA, I assume, rather than south Jersey, England. (This is a worldwide forum. :) )

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

LOL...you are correct. I should have been more specific!

32 - 88 is 275%
32 - 98 is 297%

That's the reason I don't like those % figures ...
You could have a phenominal big number, but if the gear inches are for example 50 - 150 ... it would be totally useless to ride if you have any hills to climb up ... or useless if you don't have a huge hill to pedal downwards with those 150 inches ...

ill stick to actual measurements ..marketing or not
:-)

The Crane 8 gear inch range is from 29 to 88 inches (rounded off to the nearest inch).

They sell the Crane at Sportsauthority.com and there is currently a 20% promotion, so that it works out to $343 before tax right now.

Thanks! That is good to know!

When you buy from Sports Authority, it is shipped directly from Origami, so we will try to match their total price if possible (they have better shipping rates that we can get on our own, but we don't collect taxes outside of Virginia, still may be able to beat their total). You can email me directly at paul@origamibicycles.com

I think the OP is looking for an objective opinion. I do not believe my opinion ( or yours ) can be objective. That is why I refrain from responding to these type of posts.

Thanks,
Yan

Yan - I don't mind you entering this conversation. Tell me why I should buy a Downtube NOVA!

bikerwannabe,

Clearly I feel our option is superior. However I also feel this thread is already on an awkward path with one biased opinion. I have no interest in adding to this with a second. Please send me a PM or email and I will give my position.....you are free to share in this thread, however I will not.

Thanks,
Yan

kudos yan

I had to sleep on this one before replying.

The OP is in New Jersey. New Jersey has a "use tax" (currently 7%, I believe) on most items for which a sales tax was not collected at the point of sale. Thus, the total cost of the item to the purchaser should include the sales/use tax, whether collected at the point of sale or paid directly to the taxing entity by the purchaser.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

So your weigh tof 25.5 lbs is accurate as pictured on your site? Is so, not bad for the $

Thanks!
UL