jnb-rare

There is a used 2006 Vitesse D5 available locally, which I am considering as a foul-weather bike (I have a Mu SL). However, the asking price (and the stated original cost by the owner) seems high, especially compared to a new Vitesse D7. Does anyone know what the approximate price differential was between a D5 (internal hub) and a D7? Was there anything different otherwise?

Re the original cost: I'm sure that some of the high original price quoted by the seller can be attributed to the lower value of $Can vs. $U.S. at the time. Selling now is bad timing for him/her, and possibly good for me.

brakemeister

the 2006 Vitesse 5 with the Sturmey internal hub had it share of problems with slipping axle nuts.... more on 05 produced bikes than 06 but nobody knows when that bike you eyeing was made..... however I do have the sharper axle washers which will elliminate that problem ..... The D 7 Viteesse has a derrailleur.

Thor

sprockets

Ha! I saw that one on Craigs List a while back too. The D5 is only available in europe I believe and they are currently selling for £399. Do a bit of reading on that one first. The SA 5 speed hub was supposed to be kind of crumby and the plastic clips that hold the pump in place are prone to breaking.

sprockets

I see that brakemeister beat me to it. This was actually the Ad that got me intereswted in getting a folding bike in the first place and I had pretty much decided on a Dahon. When I looked into it I found a couple of good places in Toronto that sell new Dahons at reasonable prices. Racer Sportif has them (Runnymeade and Bloor IIRC) and Bikes on Wheels on Augusta in Kensington. Urbane Cyclist also carries Dahon but I found their prices to be wayyy out of whack. I spoke with the guys at Racer Sportif and they were really nice and offered to let me take one for a spin when the weather is nice and the streets are dry. You can get a Speed P8 for about $550 at Bikes on Wheels and Racer Sportif. Urbane was slightly more expensive You'd also get the support of a LBS for tune ups and warranty work and you'd be supporting a LBS in return.

jnb-rare

Thank-you both for the heads-up.

jakub.ner

I got a Vitesse D5 earlier this year at Urbane for $500 and change Canadian.

I'm not sure the internal gear hub is such a great idea for it. I already took it off. The D5 has 110mm OLN distance while the SA 5 speed seems to be made for 130mm OLN. So on the 2006 D5 the wheel is dished. And not slightly to boot. I started breaking spokes after a couple months of use and this is with what I considered proper wheel care. Since then I replaced the hub until I can put it on another bike that requires a bigger OLN distance.

Other than the above I think the D5 is pretty sweet and the price is good.

jnb-rare

Thanks for the info. I was thinking about an internal hub for the kind of slop we sometimes get on Toronto streets; slush mixed with salt and sand being the worst. As this would be a secondary bike (OK -- tertiary -- I already own two bikes), I was also looking for a bit of a bargain. But I'm not looking for problems.

sprockets

I just keep a beater bike that I use in the winter. The salt, sand and snow just wreaks havoc on chains, deraillers, casettes and bearings. I was also considering getting a Nexxus hub for a commuter bike but decided it'd be cheaper to just use something that I can abuse with almost no concern and then tear down and clean in the spring to be put away until next winter. Is there a specific reason you'd need to use a folding bike in the winter? Do you commute? If not, you can find a beater on craigs list pretty cheap. You can leave it locked up during the day outside with little worry about theft. My gf commutes daily on a beater Raliegh with no problems (crosses fingers). Just an option.

jnb-rare

Yes, a beater bike certainly makes sense for winter riding.

It's probably ridiculous to try and combine a bunch of needs, but I was also thinking about a folder because then my daughter might be able to use it next spring and summer.

MillCreek

One of the reasons I bought my 2007 Mu XL was the Nexus premium internal hub. I am using it as a utility/general fun bike in our often wet Seattle weather. I have four other bikes with conventional drive systems, and I am surprised at how much I enjoy the Nexus internal hub.

jakub.ner

jnb-rare,

This is my first winter on a 20" folder. It's an Avenir (2004 Dahon clone). I'm in London (Ontario) and we already had several snow falls.

Unfortunately after a sizable snow fall the long handlebar lever and small wheels become a liability. Unless you can always wait until the plows go by, I think a 26" wheeled beater is a better choice for our winter. I also worry about the hinges so I keep on spraying Releaseall on them: it's supposedly a biodegradable and non-toxic WD40 like spray (I got at Canadian Tire).

Hence, just like sprockets suggests, I got my hands on a 26" commuter someone discarded and am building it up.

BTW I'm using the Innova 20" studded tires on the Avenir and they're doing it. But I don't feel as brazen as with 26" studded tires I used in years prior.

Based on the already somewhat crippling (to traffic) weather this year; if I didn't ride irrespective of weather and was willing to hold off for a day or two after a heavy snow fall (until the roads were plowed) I could definitely stick to my 20" Avenir with Innova tires. But after heavy falls I usually get off the road and use a bike path and the Avenir becomes a liability.

I should mention my Avenir has a single speed (60 gear inches) coaster brake hub. This adds to the bike's inability to handle deep(ish?) snow. I'm putting a 3 speed on the 26" wheeled bike.

jnb-rare

Fortunately, I am self-employed and commuting isn't a necessity. Nonetheless, I've been wanting to get out on the bike more, regardless of the weather.

I've also seen a used Avenir single-speed for sale lately. I think I would want to gear it down from 60" for this type of riding, however. A three-speed makes even more sense for me as I live at the top of a hill, and the climb home at the end of a ride is always challenging.