Originally Posted by
invisiblehand
Reading through the thread, I'd bone up on the standard maintenance for the bike. Do this first. Make sure that you pay attention to the headset which takes big loads since the stem post acts as a lever. Check the hinges too. Rear brakes typically suck relative to front brakes. You don't report any squeal or such. After you do your maintenance, can you lock the rear brakes during a stop? If not, make sure that the cables were not getting caught on something during the fold/unfold. If you're sure you adjusted the rear brakes well, perhaps there is an issue with technique.
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/chapter6a.htm
http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html
Regarding a different bike, if it gets the job done and the risk of theft is minimal, then I'd stick with the standard bike. Especially if the fit of the folding bike is sub optimal relative to a standard bike. Otherwise, you might want to try a more performance oriented tire.
Hmm. Well, I just rode to school. There seems to be couple of things I missed mentioning (and there was major squeaking yesterday, when it was rainy--I just thought that was normal). As I was coming to work, there is a part bit of a downhill. Today, I ended up pulling on both brakes as hard as I could to stop short of the traffic. I wasn't going fast and it took very long time to stop--almost didn't!! Also, when I am slowing down, it feels as if I am going over a slight bump every two seconds or so. I cannot feel it at higher speeds, but just as I am slowing, there is a sense of pull or resistance coming from the tires/wheels/brakes. I took a picture of the rear brake:
I don't think that cable is supposed to be sticking out like that. Some of the parts there feel loose and I can easily unscrew them with my hand. That cable wasn't there before.. Hmm.. I am going to take this back to the shop.
Originally Posted by
HGR3inOK
If we know where you are located we might be able to recommend a local bike shop. Viable solutions to some issues will vary with location.
-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA
I live in northern VA, the shop I took it was Bikes@Vienna. Thanks.