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Downtube Nova + other similar bikes

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Downtube Nova + other similar bikes

Old 06-11-13, 07:41 PM
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Downtube Nova + other similar bikes

I went to a local bike shop last week and looked at a Downtube Nova. I asked the salesman if the bike would be a good fit for me. I'm 5'11 and weigh 200 lbs and want a bike that I can use for cruising around town and the occasional dirt bike trail. Well he basically told me that I was too tall for the bike and my weight was right at the bike's limit. He said the bike is really made for people no taller than 5' 8" and that I was better off purchasing the Downtube 9fs. He also said that he knew someone who was my height that broke the frame where the seat post gets adjusted because the pole was lifted too high. He said the seat post is really only supposed to be adjusted like halfway to properly support the weight of a rider.
Does this make sense? I want a foldable bike with 20" wheels that's lightweight and will support my height/weight but can be used on various surfaces. I can spend approximately 300-400. Can anyone suggest a good bike? Thanks!
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Old 06-11-13, 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by lycaon
I went to a local bike shop last week and looked at a Downtube Nova. I asked the salesman if the bike would be a good fit for me. I'm 5'11 and weigh 200 lbs and want a bike that I can use for cruising around town and the occasional dirt bike trail. Well he basically told me that I was too tall for the bike and my weight was right at the bike's limit. He said the bike is really made for people no taller than 5' 8" and that I was better off purchasing the Downtube 9fs. He also said that he knew someone who was my height that broke the frame where the seat post gets adjusted because the pole was lifted too high. He said the seat post is really only supposed to be adjusted like halfway to properly support the weight of a rider.
Does this make sense? I want a foldable bike with 20" wheels that's lightweight and will support my height/weight but can be used on various surfaces. I can spend approximately 300-400. Can anyone suggest a good bike? Thanks!
I agree. I think you are approaching the max height for the Nova.

Origami has a model that can accomodate your height.
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Old 06-11-13, 09:31 PM
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seatpost should be 5 to 6 inches in the tube .... dunno how long the seatpost on the nova is but you should fit fine on that bike .... upseeling you on the next model up is probably not such a good idea as the size of the bike should be really the same ,,, hmmm
seatpost only half up is nonsense for sure

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Old 06-12-13, 09:48 AM
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I test rode this and I like it.
https://www.thorusa.com/tern/linkc7new.htm

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Old 06-12-13, 05:07 PM
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Thanks for the info guys. I was looking at the Origami bikes Crane and Cricket. Will those bikes be sufficient for my height and weight?
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Old 06-12-13, 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by lycaon
Thanks for the info guys. I was looking at the Origami bikes Crane and Cricket. Will those bikes be sufficient for my height and weight?
This is not an advertisement, just a response to a question. Yes, both the Crane and Cricket will fit you. The Crane is a very similar size to the C7 that you tested.
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Old 06-12-13, 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Pinigis
This is not an advertisement, just a response to a question. Yes, both the Crane and Cricket will fit you. The Crane is a very similar size to the C7 that you tested.
Hey Pinigis, can you give me the BikeForum discount by waiving the shipping or throwing in a carry bag. Throw me a little bone
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Old 06-12-13, 08:07 PM
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lycaon ... with 4 posts ... you ask for a discount...... 1000 posts maybe ...lol
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Old 06-12-13, 08:22 PM
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pinigis.. damn.. there's your clientele. no worries. i have a strong feeling that you will make a bloody fortune out of this folding bike gig. you'll just have to grin and tolerate a lot of punters like this pillock. oh well, you'll have the last laugh, i'm sure. bon courage!
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Old 06-12-13, 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by lycaon
Originally Posted by Pinigis
This is not an advertisement, just a response to a question. Yes, both the Crane and Cricket will fit you. The Crane is a very similar size to the C7 that you tested.
Hey Pinigis, can you give me the BikeForum discount by waiving the shipping or throwing in a carry bag. Throw me a little bone
Email me at paul@origamibicycles.com
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Old 06-12-13, 10:35 PM
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Tern link c7 is a great bike.
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Old 06-13-13, 05:47 AM
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Originally Posted by smallwheeler
i have a strong feeling that you will make a bloody fortune out of this folding bike gig.
Small bike manufactures/importers are working with not much margin. A lot of people running companies like this also have second (and third) jobs. I wish him well (and I enjoy the bike I bought from him), but I doubt he's going to get rich on this...
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Old 06-13-13, 09:59 AM
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you got it
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Old 06-13-13, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by cplager
Originally Posted by smallwheeler
i have a strong feeling that you will make a bloody fortune out of this folding bike gig.
Small bike manufactures/importers are working with not much margin. A lot of people running companies like this also have second (and third) jobs. I wish him well (and I enjoy the bike I bought from him), but I doubt he's going to get rich on this...
Well, considering that we have not yet even turned a profit, rich seems unlikely. We hope to at least break even this year, certainly don't plan to get rich. I do this because I love the challenge, the products, and the experience. It really is a lot of fun.
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Old 06-13-13, 11:59 AM
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Old 06-13-13, 01:06 PM
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well I wouldnt mind getting rich ..... at least thats one of the goals ... Customer satisafction however is a much higher goal ...
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Old 06-13-13, 02:19 PM
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Try the downtube out. My ns9 was good for someone 6foot 2. See if nova too small on min insertion. You could always consider a longer seatpost or an extending section. Elsa adding a sprung saddle adds around 1 and a half inches also. Surley anova is ok for someone 5 11. Yan?
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Old 06-13-13, 03:37 PM
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I have extralong seatposts which will fit the nova
just in case
best thor
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Old 06-13-13, 07:27 PM
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Try out a broomstick from your local Home Depot. Certainly cheaper, and if doesn't work as a seatpost, you can always ride it next Halloween.
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Old 06-17-13, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by bhkyte
Try the downtube out. My ns9 was good for someone 6foot 2. See if nova too small on min insertion. You could always consider a longer seatpost or an extending section. Elsa adding a sprung saddle adds around 1 and a half inches also. Surley anova is ok for someone 5 11. Yan?

I'm 6' tall 33' inseam 200+lbs and the Nova fits me with no issues.

Yan
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Old 06-17-13, 11:02 PM
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My Tern Link C7 is about 6 weeks old and has 764 miles on it so far, very strong and quick.
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