BikeNkd

So I have gone through the stickied " New to folding bike" thread and have read through all listed forums extensively and from that I have figured out what is right for me and what I want. So this thread is less of a " help be find a new bike" and more of a "help between these two bikes" kind of thread.

So I have a question. I am looking at getting a new bike as I currently have no form of transportation. I am strictly looking at folders as I refuse to spend a large sum of money on a road bike that I know for certain will be stolen (has happened to me before and I will never let it happen again). My choices are between a Dahon Formula S18 - $1400 or a Dahon Vector P8 - $800. My problem is that the S18 is a ton of money but so is the Vector. I am more inclined to get the S18 (even tho I would have to probably put either on credit) for the following reasons (let me know what you think). I want a bike that is going to last, will have everything I need, and require minimal fuss. The S18 has that but it is very costly. The vector on the other hand does not have everything I need but it is slightly less expensive allowing me to upgrade it as I see fit over time. I am afraid to make such a huge monetary commitment to the S18 but at the same time I also feel that the vector could cost just as much if not more for all the parts plus shop time leaving me with a massive headache,time without transportation, and wondering why I didn't just purchase the S18 in the first place. What is everyone's feeling on this? Would the S18 be a wise choice or would the Vector?. Would neither at this moment in time be a wise choice as putting such a pricey item on credit is a bad idea?.

By the way as far as the credit thing goes I am only considering doing it because there would be no interest charged if paid in full within 12 months which I can certainly do.

cplager

Hi,

Can you go into more detail about what you are looking for that the S18 has that the Vector does not? (and links to both bikes wouldn't be crazy either...).

Cheers,
Charles

BikeNkd

sorry about that!. I wrote this up at 3 in the morning last night and just copy pasted it in here forgetting that I had not put that in. Basically The major differences between the vector and the S18 is that the S18 has 18 gears while the vector does not, The S18 has quality Sram BB5 disc brakes the vector does not. There is more but those right there are some key factors. I need it to commute and keep pace with whats around me and there are also quite a bit of hills in my area so the extra gears that the S18 has would be needed. With the S18 the only thing I would want to do to it is put some drop bars and compatible shifters/brake levers. With the vector I would need to add new gears,brakes, drop bars, shifters, brake levers etc.

Here is the S18: https://www.nycewheels.com/dahon-fold...e-formula.html

Here is the Vector: https://www.nycewheels.com/dahon-fold...ector-x10.html

I just noticed that nycewheels has a vector 20 but thats out of my price range.

john426

Have you considered a cheaper folding bike? I got a new GreenZone value edition for only $ 200 including the bag. I am very happy with my purchase. In fact I am touring with in in southern Ontario in 2 weeks!

I first bought my folder only because my car was giving me lots of trouble and it is so much easier to take public transport with a folding bike. Now I take this bike everywhere! Because the bike was so cheap I am not as worried about it getting stolen.

BikeNkd

I have considered a cheaper alternative. Infact at first I was looking at citizen. I also looked at origami but there is little to no information about them. From doing research on different inexpensive bikes I have found many where the weld quality was inferior, the pedals randomly fall off, not enough gears etc. Makes me sad because I would like to have a less expensive bike. I live in a major metropolitan area and plan to commute by bike so between the hills and the speed of cars around me I am certain I would need the extra gears.

HGR3inOK

Where are you located? Have you test-ridden these bikes? The gear range on the Vector P8 is 32"/95". The gear range on the Formula is 26"/95". (See: www.thorusa.com) Theoretically, the Formula should do a little better in hills because it has a lower gear available (not because it has more gears) and because the disc brakes should provide better stopping in long downhill situations.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

dynaryder

Good reason to get the S18 then. One of the issues with folders is that many have limited gear range. Fine for flat NYC,not so good for hilly DC.

Would not get a Citizen. I've seen a couple around town and had one come to my clinic,and they're pretty low end. Def not at the level of Dahon.

BikeNkd

In response to HGR3inOK: I live almost on the outskirts of San diego. Not quite inner city but also not far away enough that it could be considered " suburbia ". I have not had a chance to test these bikes out as it seems neigh impossible to test folders out, let alone the vector and S18 specifically. I own a old Raleigh RSW 16. I don't ride it as it needs a lot of love. That being said, I have taken it for a test ride or two and it was a rough somewhat cramped ride. So my feeling is that any bike would be a step up from the raleigh. I am 5'11 and 190 lbs so I do meet the height and weight requirements for the bike.

In response to dynaryder: I agree with all of that. Commuting on a folder can be hard enough as is so why make it even more difficult with not having the proper setup. Citizen and downtube were the two bikes ive heard of that basically just completely disintegrate from use.

smallwheeler

i don't understand this. i think most folding bikes are designed as urban commuting bikes.

BikeNkd

Some folders you cant really hammer on and are forced to sit instead. It could be the bikes frame has a bit more flex, a finicky seatpost, etc. Having a large selection of low to high gears could make up for the sacrifice of being able to stand up.

I probably didn't do the best job of explaining what I am getting at. I guess the only thing I could equate it to is. On my raleigh it felt really awkward trying to stand up and pedal. I felt like I either had a large loss of control or I was going to go over the front end making sitting for me the preferred method of riding it. That meant it was a bit tough of a ride when going up hill on the bike as I couldn't get the same amount torque as I would of had I felt comfortable standing on that bike. Maybe modern versions of folders are not like this but the raleigh is really all I have to go off of.

sreten

Hi,

My budget 6 speed folder, £100 + about £30 in bits,
better saddle and better tyres, has 33 to 66 gear inches,
and can commute as good as anything else, unless
you have to carry it a long way, its not that light.

It has mudguards and a rack and does the job.

95 gear inches on a folder is near pointless.
My road bike is 40 to 100.
It does hills better than the folder.

rgds, sreten.

smallwheeler

why is it pointless?

sreten

Hi,

Its near pointless for me. I've maxed out at 35 mph on my folder,
which is more than the road bikes 33 mph, but I'm sure it was
downhill, I wasn't pedalling, and with a strong wind behind
me I didn't realise how fast I was actually going.

I guess I should of said its near pointless for most people
and especially a bike used for commuting most of the time.

95 gear inches for most is tanking down hills at a fair pace
and effort, which is not necessary for a commuting folder.

rgds, sreten.

smallwheeler

understood. thanks for the reply. i was just curious what you meant.

BikeNkd

But would it be pointless for touring??. I know it could be pointless but this bike is going to be my go to for transportation. that means very long distances and short alike. I also do want to get a bike and end up in a situation where im saying " well if I had the s18 i could of done it". It doesn't matter what I am doing I always like to know I am prepared for any situation that might come up, and that goes for every aspect of my life. the S18 would certainly give me that assurance.

HGR3inOK

See https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/technic...conversion.htm

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA