I've wanted a folding bike for a few years just for the portability, but never took the plunge. Now I'm at a new work location where it would be just as efficient (maybe even more so) to ride a bike to lunch as it would be to drive.

Previously I was looking at a few Dahons on Amazon... I think Mu P8 and D7 Speed IIRC, but part of the reason I didn't buy one was the cost since I really wouldn't have used the bike very often. Now I'm in the market for a new TV, so I want to spend even less, but I'm torn since "you get what you pay for" and I'd actually be able to use the bike fairly consistently so it would probably be wise to get a good bike and just delay my TV purchase.

That said, I'd still like to keep it under $500 and I don't mind buying used. And after flipping through this forum and reading the newbie sticky thread, I feel overwhelmed on what to get. I went to a local bike shop and they were of no help for folding bikes.

Details about me and what I'm looking for:
- I'm 5'4" & 115lbs so something lightweight would be awesome.
- My office is on the side of a mountain with ~100ft elevation change (all paved) to get down to the main road so I'm assuming I need something with a few gears so I don't die on my way back. Everywhere else is fairly flat.
- I'd be riding 5mi round trip max.
- Color makes no difference as I can paint it if need be.
- I don't need anything for offroading as I have access to a mountain bike for that.
- I currently only ride the mountain bike a few times a year and the only time I purchased a bike was ~20yrs ago at Walmart.
- Something that comes with a rack on the back would be a plus... or at least have the option to add a rack.

The Downtube bikes look cool and are priced right, but I'd never heard of them til coming to this site.

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Thank you