WandS

So, we are moving to an apartment next year. Between paddleboards and bicycles space is at a premium. After researching the last few months it looks like folders would fit into our lives perfectly. I also have a VW van that we travel lots of miles in yearly that i never wanted bikes hanging out the back on a rack.

We are looking to purchase 3 to start so i am wondering if anyone is putting on some holiday sales that i should know about.

If this is posted in the wrong area, feel free to move and let me know where it should go.

Ridefreemc

I'm thinking of selling two of my three Mezzos, but might be inclined to sell the third.

rhenning

Bike Friday has a holiday sale on but they are not cheap. Just very good bikes. Roger

HGR3inOK

Where are you located?

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

ThorUSA

it all depends on what bikes you like and if you need accessories, etc etc etc

WandS

Sorry everybody, i have used BikeForums for about 4 years now and never posted. Just update location. I am in Miami, FL.

I have been searching for used down here, limited selection. I have also looked at some of the budget bikes out there. I am aware of most of the brands. I am a low to mid tier buyer. I don't want bottom of the barrel, i am not looking for the absolute best.


Usage, my daughters are 17 and 13. They are going to ride casually. 5 maybe 10 miles.

Myself, i like riding further distances. I typically ride 50+ miles a week. Some of it is commuting, most is for exercise and fun. (I do 30 to 50 mile sunday rides when i am not paddle boarding or skating with the kids) I would even like to do some light touring if possible.

Can i get a solid bike for under 500?

Azreal911

you can EASILY get a solid buy for under $500 each.

just look at thor's site:

for you i'd pick a tern b7 or c7 from their link series:

Tern folding bike Link C7

for the kids you can go a with the dahon's heavier model:

Dahon Vibe C 7 A (you might have to ride this one and be the MULE for carrying all the stuff for your kids because it is fully equipped with racks)

Dahon Speed D7

I chose different brands just to keep things interesting, else it's boring if everyone is riding the same thing. and after that we expect full reviews of all the bikes .

I was going to suggest looking at nycewheels.com also because they have a nice line up with the same brands but they charge shipping so the price goes up vs free shipping from thor. If you go to New York it's worth a visit because they also have really cool bikes not many other stores carry in the country.

Pinigis 

Origami Bicycles has the Gazelle on sale for the holidays. If you are interested in the Crane 8, we can offer a good deal for three, just email me.

zoom26

Your bikes look great, and very reasonable prices. Actually saw one on a Sports Authority, it has a rear suspension but not sure which one it is.

zoom26

I have a Vybe c7a and love it. Didn't know the Link is just around the same price with thor. All the Link's are compatible with the Tern Trolley Rack right? If so, then I guess it is a great option especially for OP's daughters.

ThorUSA

the Link C models and B model are NOT compatible with the trolley rack ... well the rack will work fine, but no way to attach the front seatpost holder on the frame ....
Thor

HGR3inOK

No. The Tern Trolley Rack is not compatible with the Link C7. And I am pretty sure it is not compatible with the Link B7. See the compatibility list at:

Racks and Mudguards

The rack part of the Trolley Rack attaches to the same mounting points as most Biologic/Tern/Dahon racks for 20" folders. The sleeve for the seatpost attaches to mounting points on most, but not all, Tern Link models.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

Pinigis 

The one with the rear suspension is our Dragonfly. My personal preference is our Crane 8.

WandS

Thanks for all the recommendations everyone. Will look into some of those models. Now to find out how good of a deal i can get for the holidays. This is the only money we are spending as the budget is tight. I want to make sure to buy the right bikes at a great price

zoom26

ooops, thanks for the info.

zoom26

so that means the rack, together with the wheeled part of it can still be attached to other tern and dahon models just not the seatpost part which is the one for the handle right?

zoom26

sweet! nice to see that your bikes have accessory mounts for bottle cages or portable pumps. Most of the entry level folders don't have holes drilled. Don't know if this is because of them being aluminum and would compromise frame integrity? lol

Azreal911

Yes Zoom26, but remember without that saddle mount holder attached you really have no way to pull the rack around. You really need that to turn your seat into a handle which then lets you drag the bike around easily like a laptop bag.

unfortunately there's no way around it and with it folded like that it'll be kinda low for you to drag it efficiently. I would stick with other types of racks for the dahon if you really want to wheel it around this is a good solution:

mo:Rack-ing, more rolling | Unfold and Cycle

the main difference i can find here is that this one is free standing like the brompton racks while the tern one is tilt and pull. And the Tern rack uses big rollerblade wheels that roll well while this morack uses tiny wheels like the non upgraded brompton rack, so it's horrid on anything but really smooth surfaces.

flyboy2160

You should also at least consider the very reasonably priced Downtube bikes.


Full Suspension Folding Bikes - Downtube


I don't know if they will have a Holiday sale, but they do have the bottle bosses welded on. I've had a 9FS for years; no problems and it's my favorite bike!

ThorUSA

that s correct ... the carrier will fit a lot of bikes. The mount in the front with quick release is a part of it all, it allows the seatpost to be clamped in and that makes very easy pulling, but you can grab the bike on the frame as well...
in its original configuration I would give it a 90 points ... minus10 only because it is somewhat heavy with the bag and all....
without the front part its still a solid 70 as it pulls good

HGR3inOK

FWIW, by my scale (Park Tool DS-1), the Trolley Rack with sleeve is 3 lbs. 11 oz. The sleeve fitting is 5 oz. The Tern Portage 20 rack is 1 lbs. 3 oz. The Tern Cargo rack is 2 lbs. 4 oz.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

zoom26

yup, i actually contacted a dealer back home(philippines) and it costs about $170 for the rack but not sure yet how much it'll cost to be shipped in the states. I still have not gotten a reply yet from kapplen which is the distributor/manufacturer of the mo:rack.

zoom26

BTW, I know this is out of the OP's context but anyone know about the Asian Folding bike scene? They have so much more brands especially the lower budget market, I hope we in the West get a broader scene too. hehe

downtube

The OP asks for off season specials. Recently we created a $100 off coupon named "sale" for our 2014 9FS's. We do not honor the coupon on the 2015's. The 9FS is at Downtube 9fs -Downtube

Thanks,
Yan

ThorUSA

geez guys .....

desperate ?