DeeDeeRamone

Im looking into buying a folding bike and I dont have big bucks to spend like some of you rich cats.
Whats the lowest amount I can expect to pay to get something decent that will last a while?

Bacciagalupe

Depends on how much you use it.

If you are a casual cyclist, you can get a close-out Downtube FS for like $325.

If you ride lots (e.g. 150+ miles a week) you'd probably be better off with a Xootr Swift for $700.

JeremyZ

It also depends on your definitions of "decent" and "big bucks", hehehe

There are old-school Hyda Bikes that pop up on ebay from time to time. 20" wheels, single speed for around $50. ($50 shipping )

Garage sales will turn these up for $20 sometimes. Keep your eyes on the newspapers and hit garage sales to really keep it cheap. Put some sweat into them, and they ride well.

By all accounts, a Dahon Boardwalk S1 (single speed, coaster rear brake, caliper front brake, 20" wheels) is a good bike, but not the best at hill-climbing or high speeds due to its single gear ratio. I found a place that is selling them new for $130 + $35 shipping. I don't have the link handy; will post it later. (it was from an online RV accessories dealer, I believe) Other places sell that for $200. The 7 speed boardwalk is also nice, but is another $75-100.

I wanted something that would be easy to get on a train or bus, so I went with a 16" folder, the Dahon Curve D3, which also has a 3 speed hub. ($360 shipped from sunrisecyclery.com)

After you define your budget, define your usage. If you're not going to be trying to squeeze it on a train or bus, but just in your trunk, 20" and larger wheels become more viable.

If you're just going to be using it to go short distances to the train or bus stop, no long distance or sight-seeing, you can go down to something like the A-bike, which have 8" wheels and a super-compact fold, and go for $125-150 + shipping on ebay routinely. (and cruise at a slow jogging speed of 5-7 mph, smooth pavement only)

For the higher-end bikes that ride like "proper" bikes, I'll defer to others here. People seem to prefer the Swifts, Bromptons, and high-end Dahons, but mostly the Swift. (which I think starts at around $700)

As a rule, the more damanding you are, more demands will be placed on your wallet. If you want a compact fold and speed that can nearly keep up with a road bike, it's gonna be big bucks. If you can give up some of either area, the price comes down.

makeinu

Actually the A-bike has 6" wheels. The Carryme has 8" wheels. Also, most of the A-bikes on ebay are chinese knockoffs. A real A-bike will set you back about $250.

wrafl

+1. I ride my Speed D7 an average of 150+ miles a week and it cost me less than $300.00 from Brandscycle. Best bike I've had since.

folder fanatic

I am not "rich." I am just more mindful of going through a written list of what I need/want in a folder balanced by a preset budget determined before I walk into the bike shop. My first folder-Dahon Boardwalk S1-only cost me $200 dollars before the upgrades I added in. My second-Brompton's Companion model-went for $700 dollars, and the last purchase, the Dahon Piccolo, was $400 dollars. All were well within the budgets I set for each. I recommend you see my "World Of Folding Bicycles" series, especially the Geocities one's Selection section, for more information on this critical step.

JeremyZ

wrafl - You seem to love the hell out of that bike, and prefer it to your mountain bike. Out of curiosity, how do you think your mountain bike would compare to the Speed P7 if you put road tires on it?

correction: Your other bike is a hybrid, right? Assuming it doesn't have aggressive knobbies, how does it compare, speed & comfort-wise to the Speed P7?

DeeDeeRamone

Thank you all for your help. I'll keep on looking and researching it.
Craigslist has a used Dahon for $65 which looks to be in good shape. Location is kind of far from me, but I really need a folder soon for commuting. Thanks again.

ningnangnong

Now guys. Telling us you can get the Dahon Curve D3 for $360 is hitting way below the belt.
They go for $700 here in the UK.
How unfair is that?

wrafl

I suppose it's considered a hybrid back then ('95) for being a multitrack bicycle and if I put road tires, I would also upgrade the chainring to have more speed. It is comfortable to ride despite the absence of any suspension. It's a solid bike with more miles left on it and designed for touring with brazeons for fenders and racks. The Speed D7 is a fun enjoyable bike to ride for it's speed, sleek design, good handling, functionality. I use it mainly for recreation to get fit and stay healthy.

Sammyboy

My Raleigh 20 cost me $40, and has needed a new tyre, tube and rim tape, a thumb shifter to replace the awful twist grip, and new grips (because the twist grip shifter was gone). I also replaced the pedal with some platforms I had from a junk bike. Total cost has been around $70, and it's a fine, usable bike. It's not as light as new ones, nor does it fold as nicely or small as a Brompton, but with the use of a bungee, I can fold it plenty small enough to be acceptable on trains, my Ortlieb Office Bag 2 works well on the rack, and it's rideable at 15 mph average wherever I want to go. For the money, that's hard to beat.

Kabir

It is market. When British like to pay $1000 for a Brompton, other competitors are more than willing to charge close to that for any comparable/competitive products.

ningnangnong

We don't like to pay $1000 I can assure you. In fact the one I priced-up with a few Ti bits came out at $2000. It seems we have to pay twice what those in the US pay. In fact across the board - petrol, CDs, houses, beer, bail

Must the premium tax for living in the UK

JeremyZ

Also, I think you can buy it for $360 from the above source and have it shipped to the UK. You might get spanked on shipping a bit, but I'd think it would still come in at much less than $700.

If they won't do that, I'm sure you could pay one of your American buddies to buy & ship one to you. I don't like to see people getting screwed on prices no matter where they're from.

Kabir

There should be no import tax on bicycles anywhere in the world.

ningnangnong

JeremyZ

Good point. Time to speak to the NY office!

EvilV

You will almost certainly be hit for Import Duty and VAT if you buy a bike from abroad or have one sent as a gift. I've been caught a couple of times for things I bought online. The damned Post Office even charged an extra £5 just for taking my money before handing it over.



You are likely to be charged about 3% as import duty and 17.5% VAT - just call it a round 21% to that fat B*stard thieving t*at of a tax man!!! Oh and don't forget you'll have to grease the palm of his loathesome henchman from the Post Office with at least a fiver too.





On looking it up I just found this -

ningnangnong

Hmm. Shouldn't there be a full stop after £7?

It sound slike time to make friends and find "cousins" across the ocean