Just Ordered A Greenzone VE (Value Edition)
 

Hi Everyone,

I got extremely curious a few weeks ago when someone asked about the Greenzone bikes. Since there is practically no feedback on these models here in the forum, and I wanted to get a new folder since I had not purchased one in over 3 years, I decided to order a black Greenzone Value Edition tonight.

http://greenzonebikes.com/20-folding...7speed-bl.html

When it gets here, I will let everyone know what I think about it. Seems to me like an awfully nice bike for the money.

A demo of the bikes from the owner of the company:



Here is a video someone did on his Greenzone recently though he did not ride it on camera:



These news reporters had a chance to ride one:


I can hardly wait! Should be here before next weekend:).

Ed

Quite an angle on that seat post.

Lou

Hi Lou,

The black bike you see in the background in the first video is actually the alloy model, and the seat post does have more lean to it. The red one is the steel "Value Edition" which is the one I ordered except it's in black, and the seat post has a more conventional angle to it like in most bikes. In fact, in the second video, the black bike is identical to the one I ordered.

Thanks for your input. :)

Ed

I'd be interested in this review. I'm curious about the hinge locking technology and geometry. I own a Dahon MU P8 and am thinking of getting another bike for commuting or just to have around when people visit.

edwong3 way to take one for the team.

I am very eager to take a good look into this bike when it arrives. What I do know about the hinge mechanism on this bike is that it is a spring loaded steel pin, and locking latch combo. This should provide a very solid, and secure connection for the main frame. Heck, my old Qile Duo folder uses ONLY a spring loaded steel pin locking mechanism, and it has held up extremely well. NO PLAY what so ever in the hinge.

This model might just be ideal for commuting or as a second bike as you noted.

I just got an email from Alan Byer, the owner of Greenzone acknowledging my order, and was asked for a valid phone number so that Fed Ex can call me just in case there is any issue with the shipment. I remember reading in the "Testimonial" section on the website that the company is very diligent with communicating. Looks good so far.

Ed

Got word from Greenzone Bikes Or actually FedEx, that my bike has been shipped. I have the tracking number. Should be here in about 3-4 days.

Ed

Just a quick update...
 

Well according to FedEx's tracking, the bike arrived in their facility here in Orlando this afternoon. No doubt they are loading their trucks tonight to make their delivery runs tomorrow. I'm excited though I'll be at work when my Greenzone VE arrives at my friend's house.

Another thing...I am impressed with the after the sale communications from Alan of Greenzone Bikes.

I got an email this afternoon with set up instructions, what tools are needed, what to look for, the link to Greenzone's YouTube channel with a couple of informative videos, links to bicycle information sites like Sheldon Brown's website, and other tips.

The email also gives advice on what to do if by any chance the box shows great amount of damage, etc.

So far so good, and to think that tomorrow, I will get a chance to ride it. :)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=277738http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=277737
Ed

It's Finally Here!
 

Hey Gang!

This morning, right after I got up to get ready to go to work, I checked the FedEx tracking, and seen that my package was out for delivery. When I got to work, I called my friend, and let her know to expect the truck sometime in the late morning or early afternoon. Sure enough, after lunch, I called her again, and she said the bike had been delivered. I was able to breath a sigh of relief.

After work, I went home first, and then went to her house to find the large box awaiting for me in her living room.

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE001.jpg

It was nice to see how the bike was double boxed for more protection during shipping. As a side note, the outer box was in almost perfect shape to begin with so my confidence went up that everything would be OK inside.

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE002.jpg

It might be a little hard to see but this is how the bike looked in the box. The free bike bag can be seen packed next to the bike in a clear plastic cellophane.

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE003.jpg

The next photos are after unpacked, and unfolded. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. :)

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE004.jpg

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE005.jpg

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE006.jpg

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE007.jpg

My initial impressions just from examining the bike visually is that it is equipped with some really nice features normally seen on bikes costing twice as much such as alloy cranks, alloy hubs, alloy chain ring, an alloy seat post that is actually long enough for those taller people, double walled alloy rims, alloy stem, and handle post, "ergo" styled handlebar grips, and a comfort saddle with the groove and cutout.

Another nice feature are the water bottle braze on, and included in fact a light weight water bottle cage, as well as the bottle. On many bikes, you'd have to purchase those separately.

How does it ride? Well in simple words, not only does the Greenzone Value Edition look like a more expensive bike, it rides like one as well. It still needs some adjustment to the V-brakes, and index shifter but it's close enough for me to get an impression as to how well these components work. Truthfully, the brakes do have a bit of a spongy sensation when you pull hard on them, but under normal pressure, you won't feel that.

But getting back to the ride, it's solid, and pedaling effort is minimal. The drivetrain feels efficient, and I'll be able to ride faster, and further than my old Qile Duo folder. Don't get me wrong, my old folder will still be my commuter, and work horse, but the Greenzone is going to be for PURE FUN! I plan to rejoin my bike club to do group rides over the weekend, and do some moderate long distance riding on the new bike.

An important note here. I paid $199 for this bike but a day or two after I ordered, the price was increased to $249, so I just made it. I am literally either the last or one of the last people to get this bike for under $200 but even at the new price, the "Value" designation still fits quite well. I just happened to buy it while it was on sale. I believe it's worth every single penny even at the higher price.

To say that the GZ VE is a cheaper "knock off" of a Dahon for example, would be wrong. This folder is for people who demand good quality but are watching their pennies. I believe it would make an excellent folder for a first time buyer or someone who already owns a higher end model, and would like a second (or third!) bike to use as a loaner to a friend or relative or as a bike for more utilitarian use given it already comes with fenders, and a strong carry rack.

I will get the brakes, and shifter properly adjusted, and see how it rides from there.

Have a good night!

Ed

Nice bike. Nothing like opening up the box to see your new folder :)

Thanks for sharing the photos. I hope you enjoy many miles on it.

Regards

Jerry

Thanks Jerry! Speaking of, when I opened the box, I had discovered it was upside down! If you look closely at the photo of the opened box towards the right, you can actually see the bottom of the seat post pointing up. :p All is well that ends well like they say.

I'm going to do some of the final adjustments this evening when I get back home from work, and take it out over the weekend for it's shake down ride.

Ed

@edwong3 - great write up! Perhaps a photo of the GZ VE next to your QD1? :thumb:

Thanks Joseph! I'll take a photo of the two bikes side by side after work or tomorrow on Saturday.

Ed

A Little More Riding...
 

This evening after work, I went for a longer ride on my new Greenzone. I estimate I did about 2 miles, and was most pleased. I live just down the street from a paved bike/pedestrian Rails to Trails (Cady Way Trail), and rode on a section that is a slight incline. Normally, I would feel noticeable resistance on my other bike going up the shallow grade, but on the Greenzone, it was very little difference from riding on perfectly level ground.

The bike rides on 20 x 1.5 Kenda Kwests that inflate to 65 p.s.i., and they roll very well. Kenda does have a version of this tire that is rated for up to 100 p.s.i. but that would be an overkill, and feel that would make the ride too harsh. As it is, the stiff frame on the stock tires transmit road vibration that is well within my comfort zone.

Just before I logged on to write this, I turned the adjustment pot on the Tourney TZ derailleur until the index shifter worked in perfect sync with the rear cog set, and now the shifts are crisp, precise, and pretty quiet.

I also worked on getting the brake levers in a comfortable angle for my hands, and went through the bike making sure all the nuts, and bolts were tight.

Tomorrow, I will work on the brakes, and those are almost there, but I'm too lazy. I want to watch a movie, and enjoy my Friday night.:lol:

Ed

QD VSTII and GZ VE or The Old, and The New
 

@JosephLMonti,

For some reason, my digital camera is not very good at taking wide photos so taking one with my old Qile Duo, and the new Greenzone say, end to end, wouldn't be easy. However, I did take separate pictures of each, and then side to side. The white wall tire in the foreground belongs to my room mate's bike.

First is my old bike, the Qile Duo VSTII:

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...uoVSTII001.jpg

Now my new Greenzone VE:

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...uoVSTII002.jpg

Now the two together. The Qile Duo is the one in front:

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...uoVSTII003.jpg

Perhaps you noticed the Qile Duo's handlebar is about the height of the seat. It is a relatively short handle post. The Greenzone however has a handle post that can be adjusted high enough for a more upright riding position.

The Qile Duo's seat is also higher because the bottom bracket sits directly under the seat tube unlike the Greenzone with a more forward mounted one.

The Qile Duo used to be a 5 speed but back in 2010, I took it to a local bike shop just to change a flat tire, and somehow they ruined the rear axle. I decided to convert it to a single speed, and bought a 20 inch wheel with a coaster brake hub. I kept the front caliper brake, and it works great. My only complaint with this bike is that the rear suspension has a soft spring coil that robs a good deal of efficiency.

The Greenzone seems to be about 1 inch shorter in wheelbase than the QD probably because of the rear suspension swing arm on the VSTII.

In spite of the nice performance of the new bike, the QD is a keeper, and will continue to be my commuter. It too, is a tough little bike. :love:

Ed

The bike definitely comes well equipped (rack, fenders, kick stand, bell, water bottle n' cage), but I'd still like to see companies spec-ing qr hubs on economically price models. Sure this would add to the price, but IMHO, qr hubs are worth it...even if it means some added cost.

Once again, great write-up & pics :thumb:

Hello JosephLMonti,

Quick Release hubs can be very convenient but depends on the intended use for the bike. In the case of my new Greenzone, it would have been a plus as I want to use the bike for purely recreational riding, and don't intend to leave it locked anywhere so there will no chance of any one stealing the wheel(s). In case of a flat, it would shorten the time needed to do repairs. But the lack of those QR is no "biggie" for me.

The Qile Duo being my "errand runner", is perfect as it is with no QR either. I actually removed the QR for the seat, and handle posts, and used nuts instead. I have practically no accessories at all other than a front, and rear LED light, and those are secured with plastic tie straps. There won't be much to rob on the bike, and if the thief goes through the trouble of breaking the very strong U lock, he deserves to have it as far as I'm concerned.:lol:

I finally adjusted the V-brakes on the GZ VE, and had to do a little more fine tuning on the shifting. I'm happy with the results, and the fact I saved some money not having to take it to the bike shop to have these things done. The wheels are true right out of the box so that's not an issue either. Then I went for a ride that I estimate was close to 5 miles. Perfect weather for it too.:D

Thanks for chiming in. :thumb:

Ed

Some Photos From My GZ VE's "Shake down" ride.
 

I used to post photos of my bikes during rides I did about 2 1/2 - 3 years ago here on the forum. Perhaps I will find myself posting at some point in that thread about easy, casual rides. Can't remember what it's called.

Anyway, here are a few photos from today from my Greenzone's shake down ride to test just how well everything was working.

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...winPark004.jpg

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...winPark005.jpg

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...winPark003.jpg

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...winPark002.jpg

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...winPark001.jpg

All these photos were taken at different locations in a beautiful residential area called "Baldwin Park" close to where I live. I couldn't have asked for a lovelier day with cool temperatures, bright, and sunny, and a light breeze.:D

Right after I snapped the third photo showing the bike on a wooden dock, a family approached me, and asked me a bunch of questions regarding my folder. One of the men in particular seems like he wants to buy a folding bicycle, and I gave him the web address to Greenzone Bikes. Maybe I've helped to convert someone to riding a folding bike.:thumb:

I do have to say that the Greenzone Value Edition rides smooth, and requires little effort to keep her going. Feels responsive, and solid, like a full size bike.

My conclusion is that I am very happy with this purchase, not just as far as folders go, but compared to all bikes I've ever owned. I feel that I got my money's worth, and will enjoy this bike for a long time to come.

Have Fun and Ride Safe.

Ed

Ahhh,THERE it is! :D Sorry I missed this,my friend. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it,it looks killer,and it's pure sweetness that you got it before the price jump :thumb: Good looking bike-I liked em when I was shopping around earlier this year-and they're website is still saved in my favorites folder for later :)

At $200 this is value indeed. Mudguards and carrier even included. It looks a lot like a Dahon Speed which is/was also a steel frame.

Spare a thought for the factory workers who must be making very little in wages to enable such a low cost folder... :(

Thanks! There are those times when I "luck out", and get something right every now and then. :lol: I think Greenzone fits into a very nice market niche much like Citizenbike to provide a decent product at affordable prices to the public. And as I said in an earlier post of mine, even at the new price of $249 for the Value Edition model, that is still a good deal for this folding bike for the money.

Thanks again for your input! :thumb:

Ed

Jur,

I agree that this bike resembles very much the Dahon. I guess this is a very common frame configuration.

I have thought about the workers in the factory that built these, and hope that at least their wages allow a regular standard of living in their region.

Thanks for your input.

Ed

A very misleading statement considering the lack of context. For instance is it better for the factory worker to be unemployed because the bicycle is made in another country? Also, calling their pay "very little wages" without a comparison to the average wages for that country and the area's cost of living is just not accurate.

For the record, average monthly wages in China according to some quick searches on the internet is roughly $780 USD and in Vietnam it is $185 USD.



Edwong3,

Congrats on your new bike and please don't feel any guilt for buying it. Look forward to the review.

Thanks for your support. No, I don't feel any guilt for buying it. The GZ VE shows a great deal of good craftsmanship, and pride from how well it was assembled so I naturally assume the workers enjoy an acceptable standard of working conditions in the factory they're employed at.

In another topic, today was a beautiful day for riding my new bike. While on the trail, I got some good compliments as I pedaled by. One lady remarked to her very young daughter, "Look at that cool bike. It looks comfortable", which by the way, it is.

Ed

So now that you've had the break-in period, what's going to be your first mod? :innocent:

Mods?
 

I honestly don't know. There's a few ideas I'm kicking around in my head related to wider range gearing, better tires (Schwalbe perhaps?), and even a taller carry rack "a la" Bike Friday NWT to use full size pannier bags. I guess you can tell what's on my mind...doing short, overnight road trips (Credit card touring). That is, if I get the nerve to do it. :lol: Otherwise, I might just leave the bike box stock. It works really good that way. :thumb:

I do have a lot of accessories on the way such as a rack trunk, a wire-less bike computer, a mirror, lights, tools, tire repair kit, tire pump, etc. I like accessories, and having all I need for my ride. :)

Ed

Update On My Greenzone
 

Hi Guys, and Gals,

It's been a while since I've written anything about my Greenzone VE. I have been riding the bike whenever I get a chance during the week, and weekend. I'm still impressed with the bike's efficiency getting my muscle power to the ground, unlike my older folder which seems like a portion of the energy I put into the cranks, gets "lost in space". :lol:

I've also added some accessories to the Greenzone which make it more versatile. I bought these items from diverse sources such as my LBS, eBay, and Amazon depending on where I could get the most for my money. :D

Anyway, today Sunday (Nov 11) was just gorgeous, and couldn't help but get some fresh air on my bike, besides taking some photos so that you all can see what I added since it arrived.


Squint your eyes a bit, and it almost looks like a Dahon Speed "Something".
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE008.jpg

This photo shows I was by a pond. The neighborhood is called 'Baldwin Park".
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE001.jpg

Rearview at an angle.
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE009.jpg

Got this headlight that is actually a flashlight on a handlebar mount through eBay for under $10 shipped! The brand is "Cree", and puts out 240 lumens. It's plenty bright enough to see the road besides being seen.
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE006.jpg

Of course you have to be seen from behind, and this light was under $3 shipped.
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE011.jpg

This is a Cateye "Urban" Wireless cyclometer which I purchased locally. The wireless sensor range is far more than adecuate for the unit to get the signal. I like the large display. Great for "middle aged" eyes.:p
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE003.jpg

Not that it's that important but I decided to replace the bell that came with the bike with this one. The stock bell's ring was just too "wimpy". This one looks like, and rings as loud as an "Incredibell" that usually sells for as much as $10. The cost of two of these? Less than $2 shipped. Also from eBay.
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE004.jpg

(Continued)_

I wanted a rack bag that could carry a lot of stuff if, and when I can take any long day trips. This Avenir "Excursion" is big, and has 4 external compartments besides being able to expand to increase interior room. About $34 through Amazon.
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE007.jpg

Oh, I nearly forgot the "Mirricle Mirror". These are one of the best in the market in my humble opinion. It doesn't seem affected by road vibration, and the image is sharp. I got a good price for about $13, and change shipped through eBay.
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE005.jpg

The End!
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...nzoneVE002.jpg

Not really! :lol:
Ed

nice set up, ed. youre right, its looks like just like a speed TR...

Thanks! :)

Ed

I forgot to mention that I am expecting more accessories that I ordered about the same time as the other items such as a tire pump, a complete tire repair kit, a multi-tool, and even another light set.

Ed