Aryi

I used to ride my sister's huffy bike. I have limited space in my third floor apartment and I want a foldable bike that is affordable but has suspension and is not to heavy to carry. I really don't know where to start? I have done research on the Citizen Miami and the Downtube Nova for an additional $100.


What are the thoughts on the Schwinn?
What are some of the more affordable options? I will be using this bike to ride around the city and for exercise in the parks around my home that has a couple of hills. I really need help!!

no1mad 

Moved from Hybrids.

DoubleDiamonDog

Do you really need foldable or is light weight for carrying up 3 floors (good exercise by the way) more important? You'll get much more bike for the buck if it doesn't have to fold. If space is tight maybe you can hang it by one wheel?

tds101 

Gravity G29 SS 29er. Light weight (I use it most days as my 11+ mile round trip commuter, and I carry it up and down 3 flights of stairs), heavy duty, comfortable (I put Schwalbe Big Ben tires on it), and inexpensive. It's an excellent exercise/commuter/beater bike. And with its gearing it won't kill a beginner, and it goes up Hills easy as pie! I routinely pass geared bikes on an incline! Look it up,...

Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - Gravity 29 SS Single Speed 29er Mountain Bikes

atombikes

I'm not sure why you think you need suspension based on your riding conditions?

This is my choice for value folder:

20" Genesis, City Cruiser, Folding Bike, Green - Walmart.com

$199 and no shipping.

Here is the thread on my bike:
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...ding-bike.html

and a pic fresh from the box

stevekk

Looks like a Dahon.
How does that walmart bike compare to Dahon. Thanks..

I have a Dahon UNO, but they run around 400 dollars.
Been a good bike. It is a single speed bike.
With coaster brake.
Minimal maintenance, which is nice. Just get on and ride.
I just put Big Apple tires on it.

tds101 

Personally I feel a single speed is better for fitness, folding or non-folding. It forces you to work, and BAM! Fitness follows,...

Azreal911

I ride a single speed commuter for the fun and minimal maintenance but if you live in hilly areas like me it's not for everyone. If they aren't daily riders it'll take a little longer to build up strength and sometimes might discourage them if they have to end up pushing the bike alot which usually ends in some quitting the hobby altogether .

But for the OP I would say suspension is not really needed at all and for the $300 budget you have in mind any bike with suspension will be heavier and lower quality for sure vs a non suspended bike at the same price.

But with the downtube nova:

Downtube 2012 No Suspension Nova Bike

the bike sits right on your budget as well as i think you can later fit big apple tires on there, run them at 25-30 psi and you'll forget about suspension on pavements. Unless you are taking it on alot of gravel roads for long periods of time I don't really see a need for suspension besides adding weight to a bike.

Pinigis 

Take a look at our Origami Crane 7. It is very light and compact.

Www.origamibicycles.com

tds101 

Origami folding bikes are an excellent choice as well.

sdwphoto

I own both a Citizen Miami and a Brompton 6spd,so I have something at both ends of the spectrum.I can tell you the Miami is a very good bike for the price ,it's heavy about 30lb but it rides well with a good range of gears to tackle almost anything.And you did say you wanted to exercise,carrying it up three flights of stairs will do that.
The Miami is also very easy to roll when folded,you may find you can fold it and pull it backward up those three flights of stairs instead of under your arm,I would guess you may have to tilt the bike over onto free rotating wheel to pull it..The Brompton when you trick it all out comes almost to the same weight but I wouldn't trade either of them.

Aryi

Whew 30 pds yeah that is heavy. What is the approximate weight unfolded? Yes I want to get exercise by riding the bike not just carrying it up 3 flights! Whats other brands are not as heavy?

atombikes

The Genesis I linked to above is 26lbs out of the box.

tds101 

I'll be honest,...I wish I had kept my Xootr Swift a single speed (SS). I found it to be fast & damn fun to ride. No shifting, zippy, maneuverable, and nothing complicated to worry about. A SS, IMO, is my favorite type of ride.

Folding or non-folding,...geared correctly it's a fantastic exercise & commuting option (provided you don't have to deal with the hills of HELL!!!). Or, like on my Gravity G29, geared to climb. Not fast on the flats, and I spin out quickly on downhills, but I jet past geared bikes on the climbs/ascents.

fietsbob

$300 budget max limits you to the More basic 1 speeds , but it's still exercise.

lots of them like the one offered above ,, DaHon clones abound.. from PRC..

feijai

Folding bikes are much more expensive than equivalent "regular" bikes because of the complexity of the folding system and maintaining structural integrity, and because of economies of scale. My rule of thumb is that a folding bike will cost about twice the price of an equivalent quality non-folding bike.

You want a folding bike for $300. This means that you want a bike at about the quality of a $150 bike. I would urge you to reconsider whether such a bike is a wise, if not safe, purchase.

Furthermore, you have made the mistake of thinking that because a foldable bike has small wheels, it is light. They are not. Generally speaking foldable bikes are much heavier than equivalent non-folding counterparts, again because of the additional complexities involved in the folding mechanism. That you're looking for full suspension (which is generally heavy) also runs against your goals (light, good to exercise on).

I would urge you to reconsider getting a regular hybrid. Perhaps a Trek 7.0 FX Stagger DuoTrap S, which is $317 MSRP, likely less in stores.

tds101 

Check out the Retrospec SS folding bike is a great option for the price: https://www.amazon.com/Retrospec-Bicy...s=folding+bike

nycmessenger

For 289 that seem like a great bike for fitness but really any Walmart bike single speed (bmx) can keep you fit. I lost 35 pounds using a no frill single speed company road bike for 20 hours a week in nyc (as fast you can pace). It really depends on your commitment. I suggest a Walmart bike, find the lightest single speed bike.

tds101 

Not all Walmart bikes are acceptable, especially without modifications/parts upgrades. The bike I linked is actually something the OP might only need new pedals & a seat for. The Walmart bikes usually need complete overhauls,... I would know - my other family members always buy them and expect $1000 performance after I fix 'em up for them. Then they sell or give them away. A waste IMO.

nycmessenger

Yes, you are right I never own a Walmart bike before. It probably does break, the 289 would be the bike to buy then.

tds101 

Well, there's always a Citizen bike. Inexpensive & pretty solid for the price. I know a few people who own them, and they really luv them.

sdwphoto

folded or not the weight would be the same,however being folded gives a more compact mass to handle going up or down stairs.All folding bikes, except a few, are going run somewhere in the 25 to 30lb range and even a 20lb bike will seem heavy after the first set of stairs.There are some really low weight bikes but they may not fit whatyou have in mind.

tds101 

Usually the super light bikes are more expensive.

Aryi

I will check it out looking to have one by this Friday. How does it ride?

atombikes

It's a nice bike out of the box; it becomes a very nice bike with a little work and upgrades.

Read my post; it's now 6 pages long and summarizes both mine and other owners opinions of this bike.

Can't beat it for $200.