downtube

Your wife will fit on the 9FS, however most smaller women prefer the mini. It is much lighter and it is quick due to the 16" wheels, so she will be able to keep up with you.

Thanks
Yan

westgl

Yea i like the idea of the Hub and belt drive, what ever it takes for her to want to ride, she has a 26" wheel bike now and complains that her Knees hurt during riding, so it is uncomfortable for her to ride.

I wonder if the Mini hub/belt bike will help with that?

HGR3inOK

FWIW, knee pain may be caused by an improperly adjusted saddle. From my experience, the most common problem is a saddle that is too low. Casual riders sometimes think they should be able to put their feet firmly on the ground while sitting on the saddle. Unless the bike is designed with "pedal forward" geometry, this adjustment will result in the saddle being too low for the proper leg extension.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

invisiblehand

Assuming your wife has no physical problems, this is likely a fit issue. For most new cyclists, I would try raising the saddle up and/or back first. But do realize, that it typically takes a lot of trial and error. There is tons of material out there on the knee pain and bicycling.

Bicycling and Pain
Knee Pain Cycling - Causes and Solutions - I Love Bicycling

westgl

Hey Guys,

Thanks for your help, no we are both healthy, we walk 3 miles everyday, plus have a workout routine that we stick to as well a a eating regiment.

I would agree her seat height is to low, as i recall seeing her knee bent a little when ride previously.

She does not complain of knee pain other than on a bike.

So i have to think that must be it.

I think I will start raising her seat a little at a time till she has no pain.

She may get a little nervous when the seat is to high and her feet cannot reach the ground.

invisiblehand

Unless you have an usual bike -- see crank forward bikes -- it's my experience that a person fitted well on a bike can't get both feet on the ground while sitting on the saddle. Perhaps one can get one foot on the ground by tilting the bike a bit.

westgl

Anyone know what Rear Racks & front racks and Front & Rear Fenders fit the 2014 Downtube 9FS.

All Commuting accessories that will mount to the 2014 9FS would be helpful.

bhkyte

actiongear on amazon distribute the tuctuff range. it has the same attachment as the mezzo bags afaik,and attachers to the seatpost.
company might be called leisure gear i will edit post later

westgl

I was looking on the Downtube web site and noticed in the FAQ's that there is a Instructions section.

I cannot find any instructions anywhere on their site?

Anyone know where the instructions can be found?

westgl

Actually on my 2014 9 FS
I wanted a frame mounted rack like on the 2015 Downtube bikes on their site

westgl

Yan has been great as i have asked a lot of questions, and he has responded quickly.

I am sure i will be happy with these bikes.

I would prefer to do the work myself, a few videos to do the work would be Nice.

Working on my own bike will also let me better understand how to fix or adjust it when needed.

I have a pretty complete Bike tool set, and a good Bike Stand, and am pretty mechanically inclined, but have not worked on bicycles much, other than clean & lube chain (I Have Pedros Pig chain cleaner) , clean and lube pivots for v brakes, adjust brake pads for toe in, i much more experience Motorcycles yes, cars yes, I worked as a technician for Toyota for years, and have done car, motorcycle, & truck restorations.

I just need to know torque values and a few videos would be excellent.

HGR3inOK

We currently charge $50 for a multi-speed bike tune up. We check and adjust the headset, bottom bracket, wheel hubs, brakes and gears. We do minor chain lubrication and minor wheel truing. On folding bikes we also check and adjust the hinges/latches.

FWIW, for a new bike-in-a-box, we charge $130 to assemble and adjust/tune the bike. This price includes one free tune up within 30 days.

Hopefully, you can find an LBS with folding bike hinge and latch adjustment experience.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

downtube

I searched for bicycle repair on craigslist and found the following in my local area:

BASIC TUNE UP $30.00
TRUE WHEELS $16.00 EA
ADVANCED TUNE UP (INCLUDES WASH & LUBE) $45.00
COMPLETE OVERHAUL $80.00
$5 INSTALLS

I am certain you will find something similar in your local area. We use a top notch factory and you will be very impressed with the assembly....guaranteed!

Thanks,
Yan

downtube

Hank,

Can you please give an estimate of how long it generally takes to get a bike from a box onto your showroom? I think the median time for most mechanics is well less than 15 minutes, would you disagree?

FYI I hired many shop techs in my shops over the years, and all have consistently found the median time to be well less than 15 min ( at other bike shops including REI and Performance ). Ours are much quicker because they are fully assembled ( no front wheel to attach, no pedals to attach, and no stem to adjust ).

Thanks,
Yan

HGR3inOK

Depends on the bike. Sometimes it takes days.

I’m not sure what you mean by “well less than 15 minutes”. Is that 13 minutes? 11 minutes? Or??? Please clarify.

Well, there are currently no REI or Performance Bike stores in Oklahoma. Maybe that’s because our bicycle mechanics are just too slow.

I assume by “Ours” you are referring to Downtube bicycles. Here’s what I believe we would be doing with a new Downtube in a box:

• Remove the bike from the box
• Remove and properly dispose of the packaging
• Test unfolding and folding the bike – adjust frame and handle post latches as needed
• Check and adjust all quick releases
• Check and adjust headset
• Check and adjust bottom bracket
• Check and adjust wheel hubs
• True wheels as needed
• Check and adjust brake pads, calipers and levers
• Check and adjust derailleur(s)
• Inflate tires to proper pressure

So how long do you think it should take for a competent bicycle mechanic working at a normal pace to perform this service?

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

downtube

The definition of median is the average ( middle amount of time ). Time is normally measured in hours/minutes/seconds. I am not sure what is confusing about asking for the median amount of time.....regardless median is defined and so is time. Is there any ambiguity now?

In 2003 my bikes took on average 30 minutes to get set up. FYI I set up every bike before shipment myself. The new bikes are from a much higher quality factory, I have never taken even 15 minutes setting one up, and I am slow now ( I used to be quick ).

Things have changed over the years, in the 80's and 90's bike shops really 'worked' on bikes to get them on the floor. Nowadays it is close to a 5 minute operation to get them onto the showroom. I honestly find it interesting that you bill over $100 for this service. It seems you are trying to instil fear in customers minds, I hope that works for your long term business.

Please enlighten me if I'm wrong .

Thanks,
Yan

HGR3inOK

Now I am more confused. I was hoping to clarify your statement, "I think the median time for most mechanics is well less than 15 minutes, would you disagree?" So, I would like to know how much less is "well less than"? And your definition of "median" as the average varies from what I learned in statistics classes 40 years ago. I was taught that the "mean" is the average. However, your parenthetical arguably changes your definition from incorrect to ambiguous.

Wow! That's impressive.

I believe my previous posts make it clear that we do not "bill over $100" for "a 5 minute operation".

You appear to have made a few errors. Pursuant to your request, I've tried to point them out.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

downtube

Please take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGdjEX9xumU it takes 22 minutes for him to finish the build from box ( while talking about his steps which distracts his focus ). He states a normal bike mechanic should be able to build between 4-6 bikes per hour. This is consistent with my experience and my employees. Hence your rate would be closer to $400 per hour.

FYI folding bikes have stems/reflectors/wheels/pedals/saddle already installed. My wife laughed when she heard of your $130 rate, she said she can assemble one our bikes in 10 min from the box....she is not a bike tech. She also thinks you are selling fear, good luck with that.

The average is a measure of center, one can use mean, median, or mode. The median is the most applicable for this situation.

Thanks,
Yan

bhkyte

the mode is not a measure of centre. only in some (ie normal) distrubtions will it appropriate to the center of the data sets. i am going to put my anorak back on . ........
can we get back on theead please?

we had alot of silly posting on this thread recently.....

HGR3inOK

+1

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

downtube

I am a math professor. Mean, median, and mode are all measures of center in first year Statistics courses. The silly stuff is the $130 fees for under 15 min labor....I'm still waiting to hear about that.

Thanks,
Yan

bhkyte

Modes are dead common.

HGR3inOK

Silly, Indeed! My posting was in response to an inquiry regarding how much an LBS would charge to do a tune-up on a Downtube 9FS. My response included the following:

===================
We currently charge $50 for a multi-speed bike tune up. We check and adjust the headset, bottom bracket, wheel hubs, brakes and gears. We do minor chain lubrication and minor wheel truing. On folding bikes we also check and adjust the hinges/latches.

FWIW, for a new bike-in-a-box, we charge $130 to assemble and adjust/tune the bike. This price includes one free tune up within 30 days.
===================

A reasonably intelligent person would likely note that our $130 bike-in-a-box charge includes two standard tune-ups and the bike assembly. If one allocates $100 to the two tune-ups, that leaves $30 for the bike assembly. I set our labor charges based on the time and expertise involved AND the level of responsibility we are incurring.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

downtube

Ergo, I must not be reasonably intelligent...oh well.

Clearly I was mistaken into thinking you were charging $130 for setting up a new bike from a box....but wait that is your charge ( awkward silence ).

Thanks,
Yan

ThorUSA

one one hand a bike, which gets setup from a professional, who takes time to investigate the shortcomings of mass production, than remedies those, offers 2 free tune ups in the process..... most likely will size the bike, explain the folding, the correct saddle height ... consult the customer about safety gear ... most likely invite him for a group ride ...

on the other side

nuttin .......... except the bragging about how fast "it" can be done

thor