Hello!
I've recently relocated to Portland, OR and have been inspired by the bicycle culture here. I was forced to leave my mountain bike back home in L.A. and have been looking around on craigslist and the like for a replacement. After poking around on the web a bit, i've become enamored with the idea of a folding bike, and have more specifically set my sights on a Blanc Marine of France. As I am as new as it gets to the folding game, I was hoping for some first-hand advice on things to look out for. As it stands, the 16PM3 Blanc Marine seems well built and reasonably priced for a quality folder. Their 5 year warranty is also attractive. I don't need the smallest or fastest folder. I'm looking for a bike that will be comfortable for extended rides and be able to tote some luggage. I've been on the web for several days now reading about Bike Friday, Brompton, etc. These bikes sound great but are too pricey for my purposes. From what I've read about Dahon, they would seem a good alternative, only I read one thread by a guy who said his frame snapped unexpectedly after about 2 years and the bike was already out of warranty. I've been having a nasty time trying to find any information at all on the Blanc as it compares to other folders, as well as any user reviews. So please, if you have any information on these bikes, or can decipher anything from their website that i may have overlooked, i would be extremely appreciative! Thanks for reading, any advice at all is welcomed


here's the one I'm partial to: http://www.folding-bike-performance....-16pm3.htm.htm

(it is also available in a 20"- any thoughts on the pros of that model comparatively? I read something about increased tube availability for 20s)