pengy44

Hello everyone,
I'm currently new to the world of biking. I recently bought a $80 road bike because of gas prices and it got stolen after a week. I am now looking towards the folding bicycles because of this security issue (I don't trust bike racks anymore). Anyway, this bike is for urban traveling/commuting to campus (1-2 miles away). Also, I live in a 4 story apartment with no elevators. Having a folding bicycle will be much easier to navigate through the narrow stairs compared to a full sized one. Since I'm a college student, I am on a very tight budget. I am willing to spend about ~$300.

I have done some research on folding bikes but its all pretty useless if I don't have a previous experience with one. This is where I need your help. Which folding bicycle should I choose? I have looked a lot at Dahons but they don't list the prices so I don't know how much they cost. So far, I'm considering the:

Miami Citizen Bike 20" (because of its price)
-and-
Downtube Nova 7sp (because of the good reviews/price range)

I really like the Brompton and Mezzo because of their compact folds but their price is way over my head. Do guys have any other foldable bike suggestions that I can choose from? I would prefer the 20" over the 16" and 24".

Thanks a lot!

Dynocoaster 

Hi, Do you need gears? What city are you located in?

invisiblehand

+1

ccsdc83

I just ordered this model the other day:

https://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.a...&product_id=31

1-speed....seems reliable and easy to maintain at the same time.

Good luck with whatever you choose everyone on here is really helpful and has helped me with many things already.

vmaniqui

if you want 1 speed bike this is the one: https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/boardwalk1.htm
for 6 speed, you can check this out: https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/ecoc6.htm

call thor as he can give you a special price. you might want to check craigslist also.

Glass88

Hey,

I'm new to folding bikes, too, but after doing a ton of research (and having the same parameters as you), I decided on the Downtube Nova.

Dynocoaster 

For the short distant I like this one https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/speeduno.htm and it can always be upgraded with a IGH later.

bendembroski

+2

HGR3inOK

But note that the current Speed Uno does not have fittings for linear-pull brakes. A 2-speed kick-back hub with a coaster brake or a 3-speed internal gear hub with a coaster brake are, IMHO, economically-feasible options.
-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

chagzuki

A friend of mine just got her first folding bike, a Mu P8 on ebay for £225. Good condition. A very good deal, I think. Dahon's mid-range bikes are very nice so I'd take a second hand one over a new lower-range model. . . though I guess if you don't want to handle the maintenence/repair yourself then you really need to either have a handy friend or to buy from a good local shop.

pengy44

Yea, I would prefer geared over non-geared. The city that I live in has slight hills

pengy44

After a little bit more snooping around I found this bike:

https://cgi.ebay.com/7-SPEED-20-SHIMA...ht_5393wt_1026

The price seems good that is there is probably a catch to it. What do you guys think about the specs?

fietsbob

3 speeds dont add too much weight, over a simple freewheel hub.

No bike shops around to look at stuff?, test ride? and get help on fixing them ?

pengy44

Unfortunately, there isn't any bike shops withing 70+ miles that sells folding bikes. Which means I have to buy in order to test it.

vmaniqui

look somewhere else. what city are you in ???? (+3)

pengy44

I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin