tapeton

Hello all, a friend and I have been considering to get some bikes for a while. We don't have much space and sometimes have to take the subway, so were thinking folding bikes would be a good choice. Searching on craigslist we found a person that have been selling bikes for a while, they are new and look nice, but I haven't heard of those brands and wanted to see if for the price they are a good choice.

Kosda
https://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/va...858764229.html

Kalaq
https://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/va...911563582.html


Also, I live in Vancouver, Canada, so it rains quite often, I wanted to ask if it's possible to put fenders to any kind of bike like these ones? And was wondering if 7-speed is good enough for commuting, the city has some hills but nothing very extreme, I think.


Any kind of advice is appreciated. Thanks!

HGR3inOK

I'm a bit skeptical of dealers who post their goods in a "by owner" section of Craigslist and not in the "by dealer" section. That indicates to me that the sellers may not be truthful about other aspects of their offerings.

I don't know whether these are good bikes or not. But I would not assume that they have a legitimate connection with Dahon.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

alhedges

It is possible to put fenders on bikes *like* those - IIRC, the entry level Dahon D7 (a somewhat similar 7 speed) comes with fenders and a rack - although I don't know if it's possible to put fenders on that specific CL bike, or if you can do so without having folding issues.

wahoonc

What kind of warranty and service are you going to get?

Aaron

tapeton

Yeah, I was kinda thinking the same warranty and service of getting any used bike on craigslist hahah.

I've been googling around and for what I see, the bikes seem to be some knock off of a model on Dahon or Tern bikes I think, but besides the fact of not having the warranty and service of an original, would that mean they are of terrible quality?

I'm saying mostly because I don't know if my mate is willing to spend a lot on a bike at the moment, and maybe even if not original it would be enough to fill his needs? Or by adding some stuff on the side would get decent. I know there's always this saying of "you get what you pay for" though, hahah.

On my side, I was checking online and found a store nearby and got attracted by this Tern Link C7 and am now really considering it. I think the only thing I need is a push of assurance that even when I'd be paying double the ammount than with these ones, it will be a worthy decision? I don't know, it would be my first bike in more than 10 years and am very illiterate in the subject as you can see hahah.

wahoonc

You get what you pay for. If you were more knowledgeable about bikes and their construction it "might" be a good deal. If you buy a new Dahon or Tern you are getting a warranty and hopefully a bike shop that will help you out. Buying from a guy on CL you spend your money and take your chances that it is going to last. It is up to you how much risk you are willing to take.

I have purchased bikes that have run for years with no problems, others I have had issues right away. In the case of the issues having purchased it at a local shop was a a huge plus, they replaced the bad part immediately no questions asked.

For some comparison check out ThorUSA for some comparison pricing.

Aaron

kamtsa

Look very nice for the price. I would test ride them and get a first hand impression. Don't think that the higher price bike are problem free, e.g. https://www.ternbicycles.com/forum/my...al-has-snapped . My wife has a $300 Nova, put 2000 miles on it and loves it.

fietsbob

Da Hon must be the most copied bike around .. they sure look like them .
Tern has an excuse for their copy, version, it's Family.

pacificcyclist

Well first of all, we do live in the "same" city, so I know it does rain quite often here. You do need fenders and most folders can be equipped with one. The question is, which one will it fit. Will it be the Asama (ideal for bikes with Big Apples) or the SKS one which is better for skinner Durano type tires?

7 speed is enough for most riding in the city. I own both the Dahon Speed Duo (2 speed) and the Mu SL (18 speeds with super low gears for touring) and they are both good riding in the cities. The only challenging part of the ride is climbing up Inverness from Marine Dr, which is a steep steep one. But if you're only biking along 10th Ave on the Broadway corridor, 7 speed is enough. Even along the Central Valley green way or the 7 Eleven trails, 7 speed is more than enough. The bikes you see are Chinese knockoffs sold by private sellers who imported them from China. They won't last very long in the Vancouver winter. Stick with Dahons or Terns. Shop at JVBIKE as they provide a life time adjustment warranty on both Dahon and Terns, especially the hinges on the headset and frame which do get loose from time to time. If you don't tighten properly, they will snap or break. The cheap Chinese bikes will do that and then, you're SOL. With JVBike, it's professionally done.

The Chinese bikes are ideal only for summer riding like right now and most people buy it for the Stanley Park seawall or riding along False Creek to Granville Island. I am assuming that you are going to want more than toodle around with slow pokers right?

kamtsa

They also sell for rebranding by others (e.g. Novara Flyby, Downtube Nova).

sreten

Hi,

IMO opinion avoid disk brakes at that price
level, V-brakes are much less trouble.

rgds, sreten.