Wheeler08

I tried to read everything in the sticky, but none of the links worked....so here I am😃
I live in Downtown Brooklyn and never had a commuter bike. I love mountain biking and am an intermediate single track rider. I have now decided I need a folding bike. I am 5'9" 165 lbs. I am not very concerned with the weigh of the bike, although lighter is better of course. I feel I definitely want something with 20"" wheels. I may get into leisure riding, but until this point in my riding, I am usually trying to get where I am going and typically passing people. A fast bike would be nice, although the motor has a lot to do with that. I am on a budget and would like to keep it under $300.

I have looked online at:
Dahon Boardwalk S1(only comes in black?)
Downtube Nova
Downtube 8fs (I appreciate suspension, but and leery somehow on a folder)

I have read everything meaningful I can find, any advice and experience would be greatly appreciated!

Wheeler08

SkunkWerX

In your price range, the Downtube choices are good ones!
I don't know of any reason to be concerned with suspension on the folder, other than the weight penalty.

Yan (Downtube designer and owner) frequents this forum and I am sure he will address any questions or concerns you may have.

1nterceptor

Try test riding the Boardwalk from a local shop. The Downtube(s) also pop up on Craigslist once in a while.
So even though they're mail order; you'll get a chance to test ride one thru Craigslist. And maybe even get
a better price; compared to new.

Wheeler08

I am a single track trail rider. In that setting, a poor suspension is far worse than no suspension in my opinion. It acts as a pogo stick, even with preload and damping adjustments. It adds weight, and maintanence. I realize road riding is different, therefore I am not dismissing its value completely. I would love a review/ some experience. I assume these are spring forks up front, what size rider are the springs for? Just some basis ponderings....

Thank you for the replies thus far!

Wheeler08

Btw, I in no way mean to assert the suspension on the Downtube bikes is poor, I just don't know anything about their real world functionality 😄

linberl

The suspension things depends on what you like, I guess. Some people use suspension seatposts like Thudbusters, Big Apples, and also like suspensions forks on folders, because the smaller wheels transmit bumps more in their opinion. OTOH, I am used to just standing on the pedals a bit when riding over bumps, so I have absolutely no suspension on my BF and run 1.5 tires, not super fat ones. At 66, I would feel the bumps if I didn't get up out of the saddle but it is second nature and keeps the bike lighter. So your riding style will have a lot to do with it. I ride sometimes with a guy who has the 8 speed downtube with suspended forks and he likes it, says it damps the jarring. The only time I am uncomfortable is if I ride a long gravel patch.

Pinigis 

Warning! I own Origami and my opinion is biased.

May I suggest taking a look at the Origami Crane 8. It is very light (our listed weight includes the entire bike, fenders, rack, kickstand, pedals, and seat) and still very compact when folded (our folded dimensions include the wheel skewer ends...some fail to include this). Plus, we offer a two-week test drive, so if you don't like it we will take it back.

If you are going to be commuting, you should probably consider the advantages of having fenders.

Wheeler08

The bike looks great, but I really do not want to spend more than $300 right now. Unless you are currently having an amazing sale that brings the bike down to that threshold?! Haha

Pinigis 

give me a call at 804-350-6383

Wheeler08

Thank you! Up to
my elbows is grease right now. I will call soon😄

downtube

Pingis,

Are you ok? These forums are not intended to sell stuff like this. By participating in the forum "properly" you will get sales anyway.

Thanks,
Yan

Pinigis 

Sometimes new comers to the Forum cannot make contact through the forum messaging, so I am trying to make it easier for someone. I am not offering to sell anything, just offering to talk directly rather than clogging up this thread.

downtube

This breaks the forum rules. I hope this stuff does not continue. You have been doing it for a little while, but the last two threads you posted in are taking it to another level of impropriety....hence my response.

Please understand the OP asked about two of my bikes, and I stayed away from responding. I assume she wants an objective opinion from forum members.....that is something I can not give.

Thanks,
Yan

Pinigis 

Noted

northernlights

I'm a big fan of the Downtube 9fs suspension bike, but it has spoiled me. I'll never go back to a non-suspension bike, that doesn't have at least a seatpost suspension. I can ride my 9fs for much longer periods of time without my back and legs feeling sore as they would on a non-suspended bike. The ride is extremely comfortable to me, light and fast. I don't feel it gives up much if anything in terms of speed.

I think suspension is especially important on a small-wheel bike, because with smaller wheels there is less rubber to absorb the bumps and shocks as there is on a regular size bike. The seat on any bicycle is awfully small compared to say the seat of a car or motorcycle, so without any suspension after a couple miles you're going to feel it digging into your butt and lower back. Imagine if you rode in a car that didn't have any suspension and how terribly uncomfortable that would be. So why shouldn't you have it on your bike? That's my feeling anyway.

downtube

Aluminum is a stiff metal, a folding bike normally has smaller triangles. Hence it is stiffer, and small wheels absorb less shock. Therefore a small wheel aluminum folder needs more suspension than a bigger wheeled bike.

However I have noticed a high percentage of light riders prefer bikes with no suspension....the riders light weight means the forces are smaller, hence diminishing the need for suspension.

Thanks,
Yan

Wheeler08

Hello Yan, according to my description (I initially left out the fact that I am a man) which of your 2 bikes I mentioned would you recommend to me?

Thanks

SkunkWerX

Possibly an age related thing too. I find the older I get, the more averse I am to the sudden shock of hitting an unseen bump. it's not the pothole you see, that you can set up for, its the ones you don't see that transmits that shock-vector through the human frame.

Also, I find urban terrain as much or more a problem as a gravel or dirt trail. Concrete joints, potholes, buckled sidewalks, washboard tree roots growing just under paved dedicated paths...just to name a few. There are a lot of reasons for suspension on folders. Just to take the edge off.

Yan, please build a 9FS, but with associated suspension lock outs. And add a double crankset for me while you are at it... 42t/56t please. And hydraulic disc brakes too!

downtube

I always prefer suspension

Thanks,
Yan

downtube

The 9FS is made for you to customize! It has disc hubs and a front braze-on and cold forged 130 BCD cranks ( just put an extra chainring on for a double ).

FYI I don't like disc brakes on a folder ( folding can bend the rotors ), hence I don't anticipate having a bike with discs stock anytime soon. The risks are very high and only a small percentage of customers need the discs. Lockout is another story....suspension with lockout costs a fortune. I can not justify the expense when the standard non-lockout forks are so nice and 90% less money.

Thanks,
Yan

SkunkWerX

Thanks for the reply Yan, i understand the economics and issues....it was more of a WISH than an actual expectation being set.
The 130mm crank is great to know!

I am having good luck with my disc rotors thus far on the folder. I do understand the concern.

I have front suspension lockout on my Trek DS, it's nice for smooth pavement and maximum power transfer to the pedals.

*Sorry for thread hijack, we should return to helping someone choose a bike.
At the $300 cost point the field is narrowed quite a bit. I think i would go with the 8FS, hitting my cost point, and coughing up a few more $$ for shipping. if that is a problem the Nova is your cost containment option.

I am thinking the Boardwalk S1 is going to be too confining with the single speed gearing. Unless you know your terrain needs are for pretty much flatland.

Abu Mahendra

A regular Mother Theresa.

northernlights

Good points, but its not just potholes and uneven pavement. Even when perfectly smooth, the hardness of the pavement itself starts to become uncomfortable over time without anything to cushion against it. An analogy would be sitting on a steel chair as opposed to a cushioned chair, or sitting directly on the pavement versus the grass. The latter is of course is going to be much more comfortable.

Abu Mahendra

While you're at it, Yan--we know you are always listening to the likes of us, have plenty of time and capital to pursue potential dead ends--give us a classic diamond-shape, rigid steel 406 wheel minivelo frameset with a no-maintanance Cannondale-like headshock, dropouts for IGH, openings for Gates drive and disk brake lugs. Matte black or polished finish, please.

shrooms

And I want a few options of titanium folding and mini velo frames to choose from. Don't care about suspension.