Newbie needs your Help on Folding bike
 

Hi all.

I am pretty new to this forum and new to cycling. I am going to ride a bicycle after some 15 years or so.

I am 5 Feet 10 Inches and not so fit.
My budget is US$550.00
Need a folding bike for daily commute to work. 7-8 Miles.
I am planning to commute to work for 3 - 4 miles(one way) and and rest by Bus. This 3-4 miles is full of up and down not very steep. The terrain is Asphalted Road. I am some what of interested on Dahon.

I have no plans for any upgrade or anything in very near future say 2 years.

Your help and suggestion is greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Sibi.

I think that after a short period of time you will be skipping the bus part on your commute... 8 miles is not that far.

I will let other folks speak to what model of folder you should consider since they will have better first hand knowledge on newer models.

sibicon firstly welcome to the forum!

2 models come to mind

1) The Dahon Curve D3
2) The 2009 Downtube Mini (has a slightly better fold than the 2008) See:
http://www.downtube.com/mini_folding...cher_hub.html:


Of the 2 I'd reocmmend the Downtube for its slightly greater versatility. it's a very well regarded bike on these forums. I recommended 16" wheelers as they will fold more compact as and when you need to use the bus. Both are capable of cycling the 8 miles but the wider number of gears on the Downtube always proves useful. The Mini is available direct only but has a peace of mind guarantee for you to try out the bike. There's a great review with pics from Wavshrdr on:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=review+mini

You can see a good D3 review on:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...3+review+curve

Ooooh.

This is ambitious. Very ambitious.

I succumbed to Upgraditus barely a few months after buying my 1st bike after 27 years off the bike.

Now I have a garage full of folders. :love:

Soem people are immune to the foldinitis upgrade strain Jur :P

You have a Downtube mini in your vast collection don't you?

Agree with my recommendation?

Yep, the Mini is a good recommendation.

Wow Sibicon! Thats what I'm doing. The last 3 months I've been riding 2 miles w/hills to the bus stop, taking the bus, and riding into work. Now the bus rack is always full and I have to lock my bike at the bus stop. Someone stole my seat last week so I've been doing some research on folding bikes.
I've decided on the Dahon Espresso. I like the 26" wheels and the 21 speed for the hills. Everyday somebody is taking big things on the bus with them like suitcases, strollers, or every-they-own in bags. So, taking on a 26" wheel folder will be no problem for me.

Still doin my research, yet gettin close to buyin.

HiBob,
why do you prefer 26"wheels? Have you tried 20", 18" or 16" wheels? I would recommend to think about it again if the 2 miles way is good asphalt and no off-road. Under this circumstances the smaller wheels imho have no drawback. They might even be a plus in the city for faster acceleration. And after some time you might find it quite a hassle to put "that big bike" on and off the bus a couple of times in a day.

Mini or Curve, more gears with the Mini. Curve looks great.

Both Mini & curvC look cool!

Hi All.

Thanks for your suggestions. I somehow keep feeling about the quality build of Downtube. There are lot post here about this topic. I am sure its a great bike but little skeptical. Any comments.

I am yet to read the review posted by Mulleady. I will read that today.

One of the main reason, I choose this becos, I have already lost one of my MTB and decided to carry the bike where ever I go. Considering the weight, space it occupies, I feel great about folding bikes...

Guten Tag Somnatash,

I have teetered back and forth on the 20" vs 26" wheel thing. I think I have it stuck in my head that the smaller the wheel the funnier I feel. Yeah, I know that's stupid. Everytime I tell myself not to care how I look and to concider just the practical side I find myself swinging back to the 26" wheels.
It's only a few steps from the curb to the seat on the bus, and most of the time I can take up two seats. Only once was their standing-room-only.

-Bob

Oh, I can understand that good. I somehow feel the same when thinking about the CarryMe and it comes to decide between 16" (=cool) and 8"(=funny). Its all relative and very personal.
You get funny looks with 16" but then after speeding ahead also impressed looks. In total a lot more impressed and positive than sneering looks. But of course sometimes one feels like one doesn't at all want to be looked at while riding. Then the 26" is the saver choice.:)