Casbah

I want a bike. However, I live in an apartment so need a folding bike that can be stored in a closet or the trunk of my car. I don't really know what I want or need beyond that.
I keep going back and forth between a Citizen Miami bike or either the Dahon Matrix or a Montague.

I like the look of the Citizen Miami and how neatly it folds with its small wheels. I know it would be fine on paved roads/trails and even dirt roads. But I do like to go camping and sometimes the roads/bike paths around the camp sites here in MI are pretty rough dirt/gravel roads. Even the paved roads here in MI are full of potholes so I'm worried the 20" tires on a Citizen bike would be shot to hell in no time.

So that makes me think a folding mountain bike would be better. If I got a new Dahon or Montague I'd have to find one for under $700 and even then I'd have to charge it and pay if off. If at all possible I'd like to only pay $300 which would mean a used Dahon or Montague or some other bike of lesser quality.

Has anyone ever heard of the fiets? Or is there some other bike that might suit me and not cost more than $300?

Summary: I'm 5'4", around 150lbs and want something primarily to ride on paved roads and bike paths that is easy to carry for commuting by bus, that I could also take with me on camping trips and with tires that won't be ruined by horrible dirt/gravel roads and that isn't going to break the bank.

badmother

the fiets is 32lb, try to carry a bulky item that weight up all the stairs to your apartment (plus the shopping and panniers yo would expect to carry with it).

You`d be suprised to see the roads and potholes you can master with 20" wheels, especially with Big Appels or similar tyres.

If you are on a low budget try to find a fair quality folder second hand. make sure it is not "worn out".

Casbah

Thanks, badmother. Well, I do have a husband that I could buzz to come down and help carry it. But is the fiets a decent bike compared to the Shimano bikes I see advertised on Amazon all the time?
Oh, I was worried the 20" wheels wouldn't hold up but if you think they can handle the occasional rugged trails then I might consider those too.
As far as second hand, I've been looking on eBay so would buy something from there if there is a good deal but unfortunately wouldn't be able to try it out first. I'm going to hit the bike shops this weekend to see what is available and compare prices but I've never seen folding bikes in the shops here before so I'll probly have to order online.

badmother

Seriousely madam, get something you can handle yourself (today being March 8 and all)!! Also riding it is not going to be something you enjoy if the bike is a tank.

I fear that the fiets AND the Shimano bikes you see on E-bay are all boat ancors but I do not know. There are a lot of cheap heavy BSH`s around (Bike Shaped Objects) that can kill your pleasure of riding a bike quite fast.

Do some reading and searching in the forum to see what others are buying and riding and go from there. What you can buy locally totally depends on where you live.

https://www.citizenbike.com/gallery.asp This one have been popular.

Casbah

I like the look of the Citizen bike, the price and how small it folds. I just was unsure of the quality and how it would hold up on dirt/gravel trails. I'd rather spend more on something that can handle dirt trails as well as pavement and hold up over time than spend less and get something I can only ride on the sidewalk.

rex615

20" wheels are actually pretty strong, they have shorter spokes. Breaking them is not usually the problem. BMX and Freestyle stunt bikes use 20' wheels.

The thing with 20" wheels is that they are smaller relative to the rocks and potholes so they give a rougher ride.

Casbah

Ok, thanks rex615. I will keep that in mind. But I see the Citizen Bike gets pretty mediocre reviews on yelp anyway.

Standalone 

20" wheels are stronger than 26" wheels.

I'm pretty sure you can avoid the potholes-- riding a bike is not like riding a car, where you're doing 45 along some road and WHAM...

I am six foot four. That's why I have a 26" folder. But I rocked a 16" Dahon Curve for half a year or so of serious 10 miles/day commuting, and was just fine on it. Thick high quality tires like Schwalbe Big Apples make a huge difference in ride, I think.

And storage-wise, it's not really that much of a space saver. Mine is just about having the fold in order to have permission to take it on the train in the AM.

For you, I recommend one of the standard small wheel folders, definitely.... no matter how cool they might be...:

fietsbob

You got a really big closet ? 26"wheels and just folding in half is still going to be Big.

Casbah

Standalone, thanks. Which affordable folders are good? Know if Greenzone or fiets bikes are good? Otherwise, I'll spring for a Dahon or Montague in the $600 range or get one used and take it to a shop to be fixed up.

kamtsa

My wife has a similar 20" bike (https://www.downtube.com/product541.html ) and is very happy with it. Its is light so you should not has a problem lifting it. Often we ride on unpaved dirt roads like this one with no problem and she has the stock tires with 80psi, no wide tires, low pressure, etc. https://g.co/maps/rrwdz . I ride the same with 16" mild suspension 90psi folder (Brompton) with no problem.

If you are talking about ocasional ride on unpaved trails, non suspended 20" bike should be fine. If you are talking about really rough surfaces, mud, rocks, etc, a full size MTB with suspension and fat tires will probably be a better choice.

Casbah

Thanks, kamtsa. I guess I'm leaning towards the 20" now unless I can find a great deal on a used Montague. I wish the Citizen bikes got better reviews or I'd order one of those.

kamtsa

I had good experience with Citizen's customer service.

Whatever you buy, pictures or it never happened ;-)

Casbah

lol, kamtsa. I really wanted this one in sky blue or sour apple (husband nixed the flamingo in case he wants to ride it) until I read the reviews on another site that said they were difficult to ride up hills. While Michigan isn't hilly, we want to move to Colorado at some point so that could become an issue. And when I finally make up my damn mind and buy one I promise to post pics and a review.

zenith

I ride an old foldable on 20" wheels. I live on a farm and I ride it down the pastures and believe me there's a lot of gopher dug outs. The wheels are still straight and the tires in good condition.

Singlespeed92

I just bought a Citizen Miami (was delivered Monday),I'm quite pleasantly surprised with it myself (owning CX and mtn bikes costing as much as 9 times as much). You can read breif thoughts on it in the thread "Joining the Fold" here,or check my blog for more about my experience with it (link in my signature below). I'm happy with it,and I definately recommend Citizen,as well as will buy from them in the future as well

badmother

Since you started off mentioning the bikes you did I thought you were on a budget. You can look at Thors site https://www.thorusa.com/ or maybe a Bike Friday https://www.bikefriday.com/ .

snafu21

And then there's the fully suspended Downtube FS, which rides as though sprung by angels.

If you go 26" (more versatility versus larger fold) The rebar-frame Dahon Jack is a tough good-looking baby, especially with some fat tyres and rides well on rough trails.

It's available in three sizes (you're 5'4") so the small should fit, and it will take a suspension fork should you want to upgrade it to a 'Matrix' style later on. The folding frame is a peach, both offroad and on it. Good USA support from dealer Thor, they say.

Casbah

Ok, I've decided I'm going to only consider commuter bikes for now. I was considering mountain bikes because that's what my husband wants. However, we have one car and he's the one that uses it to get to work while I rely on public transport to get to college. So for now a folding commuter that is easy for me to fold/carry would be better. He'd rather get a computer right now to be honest and says he's going to wait until a later date to get a mountain bike.
So I think the best option for now is a 20" commuter for me and when he's ready for a mountain bike I'll look around for good deals on two used 26" folding mountain bikes. I think me having 2 bikes and him having one bike and one car is fair.

Pinigis 

If you are going to be storing this in an apartment I would suggest 20" wheels (they are plenty strong!). Also, consider the weight; there are 24 lb. folders for under $300 and 30 lb. bikes with full suspensions for your rougher terrain for just a bit more.

Casbah

Singlespeed has me leaning toward the Citizen bikes again. I love the look of the Ivory Barcelona and the Burgundy Alhambra. But at $400 I think it'd be better to fork over $200 more and get a Dahon or Montague. The Tokyo is cute but don't think the 16" wheels would make for a comfy ride. The Gotham bikes don't appeal to me so I'm leaning towards the Miami. I'm going to see how a few ebay auctions for used folders turn out and if they don't then I'll either get the Miami in sour apple or sky blue. I'll post a new thread with pics once I finally get one.

Singlespeed92

For $199 plus shipping you too could be sporting a new Miami I'm very happy with mine so far

DVC45

Citizen bikes are decent quality and gets good reviews here.
The Alhambra looks nice if three gears is good enough.

Casbah

How could a brand new electric bike sell for only $350? Sounds like it must be a scam?

Pinigis 

I have a Greenzone in my garage. It is a little heavy because the rack is steel (possibly other compenents as well) and it is odd to ride becasuse the pedals are nor perpendicular to the crank so my feet are constantly wobbling side to side. That's why it stays in the garage.