NJfolder

I've been lurking on here the past few days. I'm new to the world of folders and decided to buy one because I live in a small apartment and have a small car, so a full-size bike just wasn't an option for me. I am 5'4" and weigh 120 lbs so I figure a folder would be fine for someone my size. I didn't want to spend a lot of money and I will only be riding the bike occasionally like when I ride with my young nephews around town and maybe just around my neighborhood. So I ended up bidding on and winning a bike called Caddieup which I believe comes from China. I want to see what riding a folder is like and if this one is junk then I'll just sell it or get rid of it and buy a Dahon or Downtube.

I went to my local bike shops yesterday and only one of them had a folder. It was a Dahon Helios and the guy there didn't seem to know much about it, only that it cost $400. I actually knew more about it than he did just from what I've read on these forums!

Once I receive the Caddieup and take it out for a spin, I'll post a review. Thanks for all the info on these forums.

JosephLMonti

Please include pics w/ your review

NJfolder

I will! Oh, I forgot to mention I paid $110 for it, plus $39 shipping.

brakemeister

oh mei ....a helios for 400 bucks .. thats a bargain and a half


thor

NJfolder

I don't know. I can't justify spending that much money on a bike I'll only be using occasionally. If I was using it for commuting or if I was someone who rides a lot, then I would. I want to see how I like folders first and then maybe I'll spring for a more expensive one.

folder fanatic

I think buying inexpensive folders are great for finding out if folding bikes are for you PROVIDING you realize that the bike most likely is not a performance bike and it more oftern than not the greatest ride in the world. I realize that with my own bikes and am perfectly happy with my no frills, mostly not too expensive basic models from the larger players (Dahon and Brompton). Some members won't be caught dead on these same bikes, the point being is to be aware of what you like/need, rather than someone else's idea of a good bike.

EvilV

To be honest, some of the most disappointing purchases I have ever made were really CHEAP bikes. There can be a world of difference in quality and user satisfaction between the bottom end of the market and the middle. The lowest end is full of heavy, badly designed bikes with horrible unreliable parts. One of my grown up sons bought a really cheap and nasty full suspension bike for about £80 some time back. The weight of it was massive, the brakes were virtually non-functional from new and got worse, the thing bucked like a wild horse if you pedalled vigorously uphill and it began to rust after going through a light summer shower. - Oh, I forgot - the wheels were buckled from new which made the braking even worse.

Buying a really cheap folder to see if you will like folders is a bit like entering a donkey in a horse race to see if you'll enjoy the racing.

jur

There is a good side to buying a really cheap bike. It teaches you very well what to look out for next purchase. I drooled over the cheapies before I knew about these things, but today I recognise the quality without skipping a beat. I used to agonise over a few $100, now I save up for the $1000.

Next purchase: Birdy come hell or high water.

stevegor

Jur,
A Swift, a Yeah, now a Birdy??.........I can hear a very sad mint green R20 sobbing for attention in your bike infested garage ......don't be tempted to follow these new modern imposters

Says he, who just bought a 26" tandem and is already planning upgrades.

jur

Heh heh, my R20 is my daily commuter as well as my pleasure riding bike when SWMBO goes out for exercise, like later today. No taking the Swift on a dirty bike trail. The Yeah is SWMBO's bike; I bought it for myself but seeing the look on her face when it arrived here, I instantly donated it. Survival of the fittest, you might say...

The Birdy is going to be a bit of a communal bike (or so I said), I need something that folds small and SWMBO needs a better folder. She likes the look of the Birdy, but balks at the cost. Due to the fact That I have always been able to get bikes for a song, she now thinks that this is the normal mode for aquiring more bikes.

stevegor

Jur,

My wife SO wants a folder as well. What have I done??

BTW the other day in my LBS there was a new Birdy with a Rohloff hub which a girl had just bought for $2000...not bad, seeing the hub is worth $1600 or so.....hopefully she hates it and I can get it cheap.

stevegor

Jur,

I just viewed your Swift, and........................................................(sigh)


...............................................................................................WOW.


i want one, i need one, i have to have one, i gotta get me one, gimme one NOW