New to folding bikes, need recommendation...
 

Hello all! I have always wanted a folding bike, and now I have found a need for one. I work 15 minutes (walking) from the college I go to, and I need to go back and forth all the time. I am trying out just walking, and it is going to become a pain.

So, what bike should I get?
Semi-requirements:
- Relatively cheap
- Ability to go offroad (not really mountain biking, just on trails)
- Light

Compactness isn't too much of a biggie, I would mostly just be putting it in my car, not taking it into class.

Thanks for suggestions.

Sounds to me like you are looking at a Downtube NS or a Dahon Speed 8.

Downtube are clearing their 2007 full suspension bike for $319 last time I checked. This is a capable bike on the road and ideal for off-road use too. Link below:

http://www.downtube.com/Downtube_200...ntube_9FS.html

I have a 8 speed hub geared model and a student of mine bought 2 of the full susppension models. They are a steal at $319 and just as good or better than lots of more expensive makes. Lots of bang for your buck.

Whoops seems to only have pink at the moment but best to email from website to check!

Or they have the same bike on eBay (I think that is the seller of the bike):
http://http://sporting-goods.search.ebay.com/downtube_Complete-Bikes-Frames_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR40QQsacatZ98084

That makes it sound like a really good deal.

Yes Downtube sell through eBay. I think the 99.3% rating he has is pretty good as bikes are complex enough things to sell out of the box. That's a 2007 bike so it's clearance or closeout stock as you call it in the US. Therefore you will get a good deal.

Dahons appear to me to offer a first time owner a good indication of how a folding bike works in his/her life. I personally cannot comment on Downtubes since I actually never seen one. And Dahons are offered through most bike shops and retail oulets. For more information on selection and use see below:

I've seen and rode both. Dahons are good folders but the DT's offer quite a lot of bang for buck and are a similar quality level, perhaps even more spec.

I can't say enough about the old AutoMinis.I've been using one for the last couple of years.It rides like a normal bike and folds small enough to fit in the trunk of a small car.And they're pretty tough.I take it off road all the time.They aren't really light but they ARE lighter than the old Raleigh Twenty.You can find these bikes for around $50(or less.I got mine for free) and they're built with real bike parts so replacememnt parts are cheap.Here's a pic of mine.When I go into the city I throw it in the trunk of my buddy's Escort.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...Mini-small.jpg