vincentnyc

one of the benefit of downtube is you can roll it (with the saddle up and stearing with the saddle and using the rear wheel) when it is folded so u don't have to carry it. another consideration for the downtube. but if u still decide to get the citizen anyway, don't come back and cry here and said we didn't warn u.

bhkyte

Might I sugest then the Choice is now likely between a Brompton,Mezzo,Dahon Curve,Downtube Mini. Or something like a Mobiky or Strada at an outside bet.

The Brompton is possibly the best choice if you find the folding bulk an issue to carry and do not want to wheel the bike like Dahons and Downtubes can. It is also a bike that fits men(and women) bellow 5 foot 8 very well often. It is above the budget you mentioned, but it will resale for the highest percentage of it new value if and when you sell it. ie least long term depreciation, you could also consider the cheaper Brompton "clone" called the Merc,that if fine after spending a little time sorting it, or a Brezzer?..................

SesameCrunch

Ummmm, her budget is $300. I think her only choice is between a Downtube or Dahon.

chucky

You didn't say anything about lugging in your original post. All you said was storing. If you had said you wanted to lug the bike then you would have gotten a different response.

Although, honestly I don't know why you're now worried about lugging because if you had a bigger apartment wouldn't you just have taken your regular bikes with you and wrestled them into their parking spots? A 20" folder will get you the same thing, just you can fold it in half at the end so the parking spot is smaller so it's not protruding into the open floor space of your smaller apartment.

Same thing on the subway. It won't be any easier than a regular bike, just take up less space. In fact, unless you compromise on quality nothing in your price range will be easier to lug than a regular bike no matter 16" or 20" wheel.

vmaniqui

if the OP is a she then there is a sale going on at performancebike stores on dahon curve d3 for only $399. the only color available is pink. i have frequented the walnut creek store and i still see the pink curve d3 everytime i go there. for $399 you can't beat that price.

edwong3

The original poster has her heart set on getting a bike with 16 inch wheels, and Dahon doesn't sell one within the allotted budget. Downtube no longer offers the Mini, and no matter, it too would have been over her limit.

She is considering the Citizenbike Tokyo, and I've pointed her to the Kent Nexus 3 Speed as well, both under $300 so she has choices.

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

kamtsa

So what? This guy had a $500 budget and ended up with a new Brompton ;-)

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ghlight=budget

Kam

TXChick

A video of a guy rolling a 20" bike was what convinced me to go with something smaller. And don't worry, I wouldn't think of bothering anyone.

TXChick

How do you expect me to get it up and down three flights of stairs and into and out of the subway.

It appears I just don't have the money to play in this folder. Forget I asked. edwong3--thank you for your suggestion. I'll also look at the Kent.

vmaniqui

TXChick - check your local performancebike store. they have a Dahon Curve D3 on sale for $399. i know that you only had 300 budgeted for the bike but this is all worth it to add some more money as the original price is $599. the only downside is you can only choose one color - PINK. ignore what some people are saying - majority of the members here are willing to help and give you an advice or two. i myself has a dahon curve d3 and my wife and daughter like it so much. not to sway you away from buying a tokyo or kent but check the curve first (this has a 16" wheel also)......

thanks,
vic

vincentnyc

Don't let "small" deceive u on the weight. The downtube nova weight 24 lbs vs the citizen toyko which weight 29 lbs. Believe me, those 5 lbs difference will make a big difference carrying a bike up 3 flights of stair everday.

chucky

Same way you would a regular bike. Again, you didn't say you had to leave behind your regular bikes because they'd be too cumbersome to lift up three flights of stairs and into/out of the subway. You said you had to leave them because they'd take up too much space in your small apartment.

Sorry if I'm being a stickler, but the more you learn about folders the more you will realize that there are many many little niggles that are worth being fixed. However, you generally get what you pay for, so unless you're willing to pay more for these features then you're better off getting a bike that doesn't have them or else, price being equal, you'll be getting shorted in the areas you do care about. For example, if you don't pay a premium for a smaller folder that's easier to lug then you're simply going to get poor quality components.

I'm trying to help you find the best bike for you and to do that I need to know which features you need and which features you don't need; So if you need a bike that's easy to carry up and down stairs then you have to say so or you're going to get suggestions for excellent bikes that have sacrificed this feature in order to excel in other areas.

That being said, the Tokyo or the Kent could be good bikes for you depending on how much riding you'd like to do and how reliable you want your bike to be. However, if you plan on doing a lot of riding and/or need a more reliable bike then I concur that stretching your budget for the aforementioned Dahon Curve D3 is recommended. Alternatively I also highly recommend looking for a used bike on nyc craigslist.

feijai

These are largely functions of weight, not size. If you're taking the bike up and down flights of stairs, you want as light as bike as possible. Which means: not a Citizen Tokyo.

Wheel size doesn't really correlate well to weight. The Kent claims to be light but it's not it's average: about 25 pounds. The Dahon Curve D3 is also average at 25.4 pounds. Quite a number of 20" wheel bikes are lighter than this. For example, the 20" Mu SL (way out of your budget) is 18 pounds.

If Performance Bike really has the Dahon Curve D3 on sale for $400, I would strongly suggest increasing your budget that that amount and buying it.

Alternatively you could hunt for some recently-loved Dahon 20" bikes. I have bought three display-model Dahon Helios P8s (22 pounds) for $375 each and they've been very good bikes for my purposes. I'm willing to bet craigslist NY has some deals. For example, here's a Dahon Helios for $300. That is a *good* deal, and a good bike for you, trust me. This Dahon D7 (if it *is* a D7) seems to be missing a lot of stuff, like its original rack etc., but it might be a good pick for you. This Dahon Boardwalk is way too heavy. These Dahons are poor choices.

Go grab the Helios. Light and $300. Can't beat that.

edwong3

You're quite welcome TXChick! I understand it can be a daunting decision to choose something as simple as a folding bike but as in anything, you have got to be happy with your final choice.

Reasons why I believe the Kent Nexus is a good candidate are, it's relatively light, high value per dollar ($259 DELIVERED), strong handlepost mechanism, Shimano Nexus 3 speed hub is very smooth, and reliable, comes already with a rack, and fenders, albeit they are quite small but it's better than nothing

Now one thing to keep in mind is that the Nexus hub that comes with the Kent is the type that has a built in coaster brake which means you apply it using back pressure on the pedals just like the more simple one speed bikes. It does have a front hand brake too.

Good luck, and have fun with your shopping!

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

JosephLMonti

I believe there's also a 6-speed, derailleur-driven model that costs $189 (including shipping).

TXChick

STARTING OVER

I don't know that much about folding bikes (although more now than I did at the beginning) and never gave them much consideration until now. I would like to buy one.

1) I don't have much money and I absolutely need to spend less than $300. At this point in time, that's it. I'm looking for a starter bike, not a Rolls Royce.

2) I do not have bike storage at my apartment--not outside, not in the hall, etc. The bike will have to be tucked behind some furniture somewhere.

3) I am a small person living in a third-floor walkup, with very narrow stairs and a very narrow landing. I will need to carry the bike up and down those stairs and up and down the subway stairs. That is the only time I will be carrying the bike.

4) I will not be riding the bike everyday. I want it for emergencies, like public transportation failure (heaven forbid) and also for having an alternate way of getting home some days--just for pleasure. I might also use it sometimes for an errand if I don't feel like walking.

5) When I do ride the bike, it is unlikely that I'll ever be going more than 10 miles.

14R 

TXChick,

We are yet to find a bike that is US$300.00, small once folded, light to climb to the third-floor walkup and easy to be handled by a small person. You will have to give up one of the features.

If you want to give up the budget, I suggest the Strida:



If you want to give up the weight, I suggest any 20" wheeled folder that will fit your budget (Dahon, Downtube, etc...)





If you want to give up size, I suggest a cruiser that can be incorporated to your new, modern, urban lifestyle (I have my favorite bike hanging on my wall above my flat screen TV.)



I tried all the above myself and a few years later (and several thousand dollars wasted) none worked well for me.

Good luck on your final decision.


PS: if you decide that you want the best of all worlds and budget is not an issue, you can always work yourself up to the class, sophistication, reliability and sex appeal of a Brompton. It took me 4 years to get mine, but now I am a happy person

14R 

No, none of these dudes are the real 14R.

Joako

Get one of this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kent-Compact-A...1750716&sr=8-1

and get some nicer tires and saddle (if the stock one is uncomfortable).

There you go. Less than $300. If you want to drop more weight, then you can also get a single speed kit.

invisiblehand

What is the cheapest aluminum Dahon with 20" wheels? Find the answer to that question and then look used.

shinew

Will this video I just put up for my Mu Uno change your mind about 20" wheel folders? I'm short too at 5'5 and I find it comfortable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0aMzZf5wLM

edwong3

After I posted my last reply to TXChick, I thought about mentioning the 6 speed model since the Citizenbike Tokyo had caught her attention, and this is a similar bike. In fact, ABikeStore has that Kent Compact 16 for only $159, and that includes not only shipping, but a helmet as well!

https://www.abikestore.com/Merchant2/...Store_Code=abs

I second the recommendation for the new Downtube Nova, or the Citizenbike Gotham if she were interested in a 20" model.

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

ChiapasFixed

get a bike that you will enjoy riding, and will not be a royal pain to get up and down the stairs. This will mean you will ride it more, therefore use less pubic transport, get healthier and save lots of money on fares and health care!
ATC, I would talk the hubby in to coughing up the dough for a Brompton... Other options would be the Dahon Curl (not yet released, and also above your budget), or the Strida.
Srsly, if you get an unwieldy 25lb bike that doesn't ride well and gives you a hernia every time you carry it up, after struggling with it for a couple of weeks it will sit behind that piece of furniture loosing air and gathering dust.

DVC45

Considering the OP's budget constraints, I think this is the best candidate.

msincredible

Agreed.