jimboach

con
I'm never implied that one must make a political statement. I'm simply saying that all our purchases carry consequences in our lives whether you see it or not. I'm just a firm believer in spending my money in the most local way possible and NOT financially supporting corporations that do far more harm than good. This is why I don't own a car.

Roving70

I think the point you are missing is that many people are suggesting you simply wait and be patient. So many of us want what we want right here right now. I needed/wanted a bike very badly but I saved for several months to buy the bike I wanted. In the end, I compromised and didn't spend $2,000 but I did get something I really still love and requires very little maintenance. I'm starting to think this bike will outlast me. It's true that shopping local can cost more, but there are times when I will pay a little more to be able to shop in a brick and mortar store and be able to hold the item. Sometimes, the price is just so much better online. Sometimes, there's only one place to get whatever I need. I try my best to shop local but I'm not unreasonable.

atombikes

BAM!

This bike is awesome and I didn't wait three months to buy it, nor did I overspend or compromise. Instead, I purchased it online and picked it up at my convenience at the store. All the mods I did to this bike were at my discretion and I did so because it's a HOBBY, same as my riding and my framebuilding.

I could spend thousands on a bike but I bought this instead. So what? It's my choice and my money. Period.

BikeKraft

Atombikes,
Looks great. I never did find a rack made for a 20" wheel bike so
just put one on that I had on hand. A little high but not really a problem.
I also let a little air out of my 100psi tires, much better.
I may even put the squishy originals back on and run them ragged.
Thanks again for a great thread!!

Midwest Ullrich

Flew the Genesis to Savannah Georgia. Went over the cobble stones without any major mechanical issue. All the hinges are tight. The bike did not collapse as i rode. Steer did flex fore/aft. The gears also jumped but once i found the "sweet" setting, it stayed. I caught a lot of people attention too. Overall a functional bike that does its job and fits the bill.

atombikes

Great pic. Thanks for the update with your impression of travelling with the bike. It's nice to have a bike with you while travelling even if you don't use it every day.

roving70

change the bottom bracket, freewheel to 7speed and rear derailer...smoother and faster ride for a total of ding..ding..ding! $ 66.50(the price is right!). the parts remove are all working well...it's just me having fun upgrading it. no luck on the fd...need to buy the litepro mu fd adapter.

roving70

sweet...like the candy kitchen!

BikeKraft

roving70,
What freewheel is that?
And is the derailleur new?
It looks like the old one.

atombikes

Thanks for looking into the front derailleur situation. As you know, I already eliminated the generic folding bike derailleur bracket sold on ebay for around $25.00; hopefully you will have better luck with the Litepro. Although I must say, the problem I had (the single fat stiffener tube) is welded in such a location that it might also prevent the Litepro from working either? It will be an interesting experiment and not too costly.

I currently have the 52/42 chainrings on my bike (no front derailleur so always on the 52) and I thought that if I had to downshift to the 42 I could do it manually, but I must say I haven't found a hill yet on my regular rides that require that downshift. So I may remove the 42 and move the 52 to the inboard position to clean up the chainline a little.

roving70

bikekraft,

shimano mf-hg37 tourney 7 speed freewheel 13-28 and the derailer shimano tourney a070 7 speed short cage.

Olderfart

Roving70

Nice job! I'm interested in what 7 speed shifter you chose? Also, was it necessary to change the derailler? Wouldn't the original one have worked? Did the original chain need replacing? It looks to me that it would be narrow enuf. I'm getting set to order parts. I already replaced the freewheel with the TZ20, but it would be nice boost the top speed a little. I'm not ready to muck with the chain ring yet, like Atom. Baby steps.

Olderfart

By the way, since I'm a newbie here I must thank Atombikes and all of the other contributors for a great thread. I have thoroughly enjoyed following along. Of course I had to have my own Genesis. It arrived in good shape. After a few tweaks it was rolling. Since then I have replaced the seat, grips and freewheel. I added a rear rack. Now, what next?

atombikes

Not sure you will be able to gain any speed with a derailleur swap- not sure that's what you meant though?

The pic I posted above is using the stock KMC chain, but I did remove a link and use a "Missing Link" in it's place to be able to easily remove and replace the chain. In it's current state, the chain is probably 2 or so links too short with the 52t chainring, but no one's complaining (everything still works fine). The same chain will work fine with 6,7, or 8 spds. Moving to a 9 spd cluster would mean changing out the chain because of the width of the spacing between cogs.

If you want to replace the rear derailleur, splitting the chain will make that job WAY easier.

Olderfart

Atombikes

thanks for the info. I thought I could increase top speed by going to the hg37 freewheel, like Roving70. It has the 13 tooth cog. I believe the existing derailleur should adjust for the 7 speed freewheel. I would need a 7 speed shifter.

xraytech

Does Dahon outsource their frames?

That looks like a Dahon MU Frame.

BikeKraft

Hey Olderfart
I ordered the same freewheel as you and added the Shimano Acera SL-M310 Rapid Fire Shifter, Right (Black, 7-Speed).
I have an extra (better) derailleur in my bone pile I may put on.
I may be older than you so you best stand upwind.

Olderfart

Sounds like a good plan. I haven't ordered anything yet, so may wait to see how yours goes if you are close. I jumped too soon on the shimano 6 speed freewheel, then immediately thought I should have gone for the 7 speed with the 13 tooth wheel. All part of the fun, I guess. I usually only try to go downwind. Oh well.

roving70

olderfart,

i returned my 6 speed shimano tourney sl-tx30 and replace it with 7 speed. old derailer works fine but long cage and wont match my cranks. did not change the chain just split it like atombike said...it'll be easier to replace the derailer.

enjoy upgrading!

roving70

just got avid fr5 brake lever 2 finger and slim line kool stop bpad with it.

atombikes

Nice. I like the thumbtap shifters.

trrubicon06

atombikes...Can you post a picture of the bike folded with the bullhorns? Just ordered this bike yesterday and I'm full of ideas. Thanks!

jimboach

Congrats, but that's not an arguement one way or another. You're simply stating facts. I, on the other hand, am not really arguing either. I'm just stating my view on the matter. You love your bike and you're proud of it and I respect that. Good for you. The only thing I would suggest is maybe be a little less defensive. I'm not judging you nor should you even care which is obvious you don't. You're happy with your purchase and you stand by it. I tend to look into where I spend my money very closely as I am very political. I would say that both politics and biking are my hobbies. I would never dream of spending ANY money at Walmart but i'm obviously in the minority on that given it's size. I'm also in the minority in car ownership so there's that. I obviously don't think like the average american but I try to influence others by setting an example. Hey man, enjoy your bike bought with your money.

By the way, I respect the whole framebuilding thing. I work in auto body, heavy collision, restoration, rust repair, etc so I respect a fellow welder. If I had access to a TIG, I'd probably give framebuilding a shot, myself. Maybe walmart will have a Lincoln Electric or Miller TIG on sale soon.

trrubicon06

jimboach...please stop. It's one to voice concerns about the mechanical aspect of this bike, but please leave your political views out of this thread. Discuss that in the off topic forums. This is about the bike.

And I thought atombikes had posted my folded picture request...no, it was a post about politics Great bike atom and thanks for sharing and helping me make my purchase.

atombikes

I cheat by pulling the stem out and hanging it by the bottle cage:



If I rotate the handlebars I can leave them in the stem. But it's not a quick fold because the handlebar clamp is not quick release.

I think using ergo bar ends would yield the same type of hand position as the bullhorns, without the interference. I will probably swap out the bullhorns this winter.

derekpte

is the fork spacing 74mm front and 120mm back?