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-   -   Downtube Nova - $279 (https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/575616-downtube-nova-279-a.html)

JosephLMonti 02-26-10 10:50 AM


Originally Posted by edwong3 (Post 10454181)
I too am very curious if the Street Wise is going to be competitive with the Nova in price. Should be interesting.

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

I sent True Bicycles an email...I'll let everyone know if they answer.

rubberbandito 03-02-10 06:33 PM


Originally Posted by JosephLMonti (Post 10451023)
Regarding the tire size, let me further explain. You are correct about there being two "20 inch" sizes, one is 406 and the other is 451. You are also correct in that a 406 tire will not fit onto a 451 rim and vice versa. However, even if you have a 406 tire and a 406 rim, I don't believe that they are always compatible....
When you proposed putting Big Apples onto your Nova, I was concerned that the stock rims might not be wide enough to handle BA's 2 inch width, even though they are also the 406 size. Make sense?

Hi Joseph

So got the Schwalbe Marathon 20 x 1.75 Kevlar Belted today from biketrailershop.com for $29 each. I was afraid that lower bottom bracket would not fit the Big Apples whic are 2.0 so went with the 1.75 Marathons. I installed both in 30 minutes, the rim is not a problem, a real breeze. Filled em up with 70psi and they feel great riding. These fit well but I doubt the big Apples will fit on the rear (you could easily put a Big Apple on front though). Here are a few pics to show the clearance.

I will update more later on, the M wave rack works great but getting more normal panniers which will prevent any and all heel strike as well as likely fitting this out with a Brooks Saddle and some Planet Wave fenders. I am also planning on putting on the front derrailur and picking up a Shimano 600 crank. I found the SIS shifter set for $15 online and will put that on and have an extra shifter since it comes with both. I am guessing I won't need more chain but if I will let me know. DVC45 has a Shimano 600.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

I don't know why I can't post pics. Click here to see the pics

JosephLMonti 03-02-10 07:30 PM


Originally Posted by rubberbandito (Post 10472597)
...as well as likely fitting this out with a Brooks Saddle and some Planet Wave fenders.

I think you mean the Planet Bike fenders:

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/rec1000a.html

They are marketed for recumbents, but lots of people have mounted them on their folders. Also on the Planet Bike website, you'll see this sprung saddle:

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/5002.html

I doubt its as nice as a Brooks, but certainly a lot cheaper.

tedi k wardhana 03-03-10 09:06 PM

I have been encouraging friends here at our local forums, to get this nova.
but too bad, seemingly there aren't many in the market. dissappears quickly.
more novas are coming, they say.
but that's still a promise...

coolio 03-03-10 10:13 PM

I looked on the DT site and Yan only has 3 bikes for sale. the Full susp. IGH, the front susp. IGH and the Nova. I remember that he used to have 5 or 6 models there not long ago.

Abneycat 03-03-10 11:44 PM

I'm just making a presumption here: a possible reason for the slow dissipation of Downtube's bikes is that the 2010 bikes are coming, but Dr. Yan is letting stock dry up on the older models before introducing the new ones. This is a pretty common practice, and the recent sale could be to help clear out the old stock before releasing the new selection. Just a theory.

Geekybiker 03-04-10 11:12 AM


Originally Posted by Abneycat (Post 10478655)
I'm just making a presumption here: a possible reason for the slow dissipation of Downtube's bikes is that the 2010 bikes are coming, but Dr. Yan is letting stock dry up on the older models before introducing the new ones. This is a pretty common practice, and the recent sale could be to help clear out the old stock before releasing the new selection. Just a theory.

He's pretty much said as much on his forums. That the availability of the 2010 models is largely based on the sale of the 2009.5 models. Though I think April was mentioned as a likely switch over point.

JosephLMonti 03-04-10 12:38 PM

Also mentioned on the Downtube Forum is that the upcoming generation of frames will accept battery packs, with some models even being belt-drive compatible. While the anticipated bikes are also considered "nicer" than the current bikes (Yan's words), they're also expected to cost more $$$.

rubberbandito 03-04-10 04:41 PM

did anyone here install either the

11-30 from comcycleusa (it says 28 on website but I called and its a 30)
or
11-32 at cycle9 this is out of stock but they are waiting go get it in. My only concern is whether the derailler will reach up this high. Has anyone had problems with either? Is the 32t useful? It seems the 30t would do fine on any hill with any luggage. Will the 11 be any problem? My rack screw sticks out a little but currently does not interfere with the stock 14t-28 but I can see it could if the sizing is different.

I was wanting to upgrade the front crank first but after using the calculator on sheldonbrown.com I can see that the biggest boost will actually come from the 11t on the rear. If that is not enough I can upgrade to a 52t on front crank but I'll try rear first.

JosephLMonti 03-05-10 09:36 AM

The title of this thread reads "Downtube Nova - $279" but the current retail price is $299. One could always try to save some money by bidding on eBay, where there are currently SIX Novas up for auction through the Downtube "Storefront".

JCFlack 03-05-10 02:00 PM

Wish I'd seen that 11-30 when I was shopping for a freewheel gear set for my Tokyo - the price is lower, and the shipping costs are lower than the very similar part that I bought. I must say, however, that the 11 tooth gear helped a lot.

JosephLMonti 03-05-10 03:33 PM

If you keep the stock chain ring, but change to an 11-32 freewheel, what do the gear inches become on the Nova?

rubberbandito 03-05-10 05:18 PM


Originally Posted by JosephLMonti (Post 10486167)
If you keep the stock chain ring, but change to an 11-32 freewheel, what do the gear inches become on the Nova?

goes from 61.4 to 78.1

edwong3 03-05-10 09:43 PM


Originally Posted by JosephLMonti (Post 10486167)
If you keep the stock chain ring, but change to an 11-32 freewheel, what do the gear inches become on the Nova?

Well the entire gear range using an 11-32 freewheel would be 26.9 to 78.1 gear inches.

edwong3 03-05-10 09:55 PM


Originally Posted by JosephLMonti (Post 10484437)
The title of this thread reads "Downtube Nova - $279" but the current retail price is $299. One could always try to save some money by bidding on eBay, where there are currently SIX Novas up for auction through the Downtube "Storefront".

So the Nova's price is creeping up. Well it's not my intention to hijack this thread, but I found this other bike which by the way is sold through eBay too. However, it's a six speed. Other than that, it seems to be in the same class as the Nova for a $100 less, and comes with a free folding bike carry bag:

http://greenzonebikes.com/20-folding...-alloy-bl.html
http://greenzonebikes.com/20-folding...alloy-red.html

They also carry a steel model complete with fenders and rack that could easily compete with the Citizenbike Miami for almost $40 less.

I do admit however that bidding on eBay, you might get a pretty good deal on a Nova. I seen one go for $215 the other day.

Edit Post 3/6/2010: I stand corrected. The Greenzone aluminum bike is better compared with the first generation Citizen Gotham, not the Nova.

rubberbandito 03-06-10 01:30 AM


Originally Posted by edwong3 (Post 10487677)
Well the entire gear range using an 11-32 freewheel would be 26.9 to 78.1 gear inches.

YEA, I MEANT THE STOCK 14T GEAR IS 61.4 SO YOU GET A LOT MORE. HERE ARE MY NOTES

nothing changed: 46, 14-28: 61.4-30.7
mph at 40rpm: 3.7-7.3

rear changed: 46, 11-32, 78.1-28.6
mph at 40rpm 3.4-9.3

front changed: 52-40, 14-28 stock: 69.4-26.7
mph at 40rpm 3.2-8.3

both changed: 52-40, 11-32: 88.3-26.7
mph at 40rpm 3.0-10.5

THUS, AT 40RPM
CHANGE THE FRONT ONLY TO 52T, GO 1 MPH FASTER.
CHANGE THE REAR ONLY TO A 11T, GO 2 MPH FASTER
CHANGE BOTH, GO 3 MPH FASTER

JosephLMonti 03-06-10 07:42 AM


Originally Posted by edwong3 (Post 10487719)
... I found this other bike which by the way is sold through eBay too...it seems to be in the same class as the Nova for a $100 less, and comes with a free folding bike carry bag:

http://greenzonebikes.com/20-folding...-alloy-bl.html
http://greenzonebikes.com/20-folding...alloy-red.html

They also carry a steel model complete with fenders and rack that could easily compete with the Citizenbike Miami for almost $40 less...

Greenzone's folder looks like a good deal for the money, but I wouldn't put it in the same class as the Nova. For one, it appears to lack quick-release hubs and eyelets for mounting a rack and fenders. Also, the handlepost does not look as sturdy as the one spec'd on the Nova. I would, however, compare it to the Citizen Gotham, a bike that I also see as being one class under the Nova.

edwong3 03-06-10 11:53 AM


Originally Posted by JosephLMonti (Post 10488591)
Greenzone's folder looks like a good deal for the money, but I wouldn't put it in the same class as the Nova. For one, it appears to lack quick-release hubs and eyelets for mounting a rack and fenders. Also, the handlepost does not look as sturdy as the one spec'd on the Nova. I would, however, compare it to the Citizen Gotham, a bike that I also see as being a class under the Nova.

Well yea, I did take a second look, and you're right, the Greenzone seems to be more in line with the first generation Citizen Gotham. Still it's the only bike in this price range I've seen that has braze on's for a water bottle cage on the top tube. Go figure.

The handle-post on the Greenzone while not as sturdy looking as say, the Nova's, would still require that you be awfully strong to be able to bent it. I should know because I had another bike with this very same handle-post, and it was solid enough.

rubberbandito 03-07-10 10:06 PM

2 Attachment(s)
here is a new upgrade. i did not want any homeless guy stealing my handlebar or seat and seat post. so i added a seat post lock. both are standard 35mm size. it works great on the handlebar post and takes a while to adjust on seat post but can get it to work. the owner says dahon called him lately to perhaps make a option on dahons out of it. they are $20 each. http://www.saveyourseatlock.com/

edwong3 03-08-10 10:23 AM


Originally Posted by rubberbandito (Post 10494687)
here is a new upgrade. i did not want any homeless guy stealing my handlebar or seat and seat post. so i added a seat post lock. both are standard 35mm size. it works great on the handlebar post and takes a while to adjust on seat post but can get it to work. the owner says dahon called him lately to perhaps make a option on dahons out of it. they are $20 each. http://www.saveyourseatlock.com/

That's a great find! Thanks!

JosephLMonti 03-08-10 03:39 PM

Check out Liyang Global Ltd's "Speed Touring" model from their "Ventura" line of bikes:

http://liyang.bind.tw/ventura09-speedtouring.htm

Look familiar? I wish that a 27-speed version was available in the U.S.

rubberbandito 03-08-10 09:24 PM


Originally Posted by JosephLMonti (Post 10497569)
Check out Liyang Global Ltd's "Speed Touring" model from their "Ventura" line of bikes:

http://liyang.bind.tw/ventura09-speedtouring.htm

Look familiar? I wish that a 27-speed version was available in the U.S.


*****in. my bike will look like that soon enough though for total cost under $400 (bike for 220 plus extras)

rubberbandito 03-12-10 06:01 PM

2 Attachment(s)
Here are the gear upgrades. I put the 11-30t on the rear and a 52-40t on the front. Have not yet installed the front deraillier but will do that next week.

Couple things to be aware of. If you buy a new front crank with crank arms make sure you get arms that bend outward a little. All new arms do this as do the stock Nova cranks, but the old cranks are straight. The problem is if you get the old style, the left crank will hit the kickstand. Thus I did not change the left crank since I wanted to keep the kickstand. Also, its nicer to have that extra room for your foot, I find my right foot is not centered on the right pedal now that I am using the straight crank arm. No big deal though, just feels strange. Also they both come very close to the black plastic thing on the bottom fold up stand. But they do in fact miss it.

Also, the chain is too small for the 52t front and 30t rear. It rubs on the deraillier. So will need to change the chain too. A 52t and 28t rear will probably be fine. The best thing is this baby flies in 52t and 11t. Its so much better now.

edwong3 03-12-10 11:43 PM


Originally Posted by JosephLMonti (Post 10497569)
Check out Liyang Global Ltd's "Speed Touring" model from their "Ventura" line of bikes:

http://liyang.bind.tw/ventura09-speedtouring.htm

Look familiar? I wish that a 27-speed version was available in the U.S.

It would be cool if Dr. Yan made available a 27 speed version of the Nova here in the US. I would see this as a low cost alternative to the Bikefriday NWT for example.

JosephLMonti 03-13-10 08:40 AM


Originally Posted by edwong3 (Post 10519774)
It would be cool if Dr. Yan made available a 27 speed version of the Nova here in the US. I would see this as a low cost alternative to the Bikefriday NWT for example.

The Downtube website presents the Nova as an "entry level" model, but I see it more as a great foundation (frame/fork/handlepost) for serious customization. For a few hundred additional dollars, one could have a nicely spec'd folder, as good as any of the other models the company has offered over the years. For this reason, I think it would make great (biz) sense for Downtube to offer the Nova in two or three configurations, just as Dahon offers the Mu in several variations.


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