Originally Posted by
Plainsman
Thanks all!!! I’m not a heavy rider (160 lbs / 72.5 kg), but my legs are long for my height (cycling inseam is around 35.5 inches if memory serves). I’m primarily a road cyclist, but dabble in gravel too. But I love riding all bikes, including the hybrid bike on trails. This would never be my primary bike (thus wanting to keep the cost low), but I ride very frequently, and my goal here is to have a bike I could perhaps keep at work under my desk (replacing a lunchtime walk with a ride on the nearby bike path), and also having something easy to take on trips that aren’t really cycling focused (camping, simple weekend getaways, etc).
I like your idea of getting the stock bike first. I was drawn to the Zizzo because it has a 33.9 seat tube which seemed compatible with most telescoping after market posts if I wind up needing one. I need to study the detail a bit on the handlebar clamp though. At 160 pounds max, I’m hoping seat tube flex won’t be too much of an issue though.
If money were no object I would be looking at a Bike Friday or maybe a Tern Venge, but I can’t justify anything close to that for a bike that will not be my primary ride. I figure some simple cheap tweaks (like even argon style bar end grips) will get me close enough to a riding position I’m used to and make those short rides fun though.
I really appreciate all of the feedback!
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I have a Zizzo Liberte and it's been a great, low-cost entry into the world of folders. When my girlfriend lived in Washington DC, it was great for multi-modal trips to visit her, and we even did a ~30 mile ride around the perimeter of the capitol.
But if you're a racer and a roadie, it won't give that roadbike feel. For that, you'll need a Bike Friday or something similar. I purchased a used Pocket Rocket with the travel suitcase for around $700 last year and it's been a great bike. It has slightly larger 20 wheels (ETRO 451 vs 406) which isn't that big a difference but it really contributes to making the Pocket Rocket feel like a good steel, 700c bike. It doesn't fold too quickly or too compactly, but you might be able to do a quick fold that fits under a large desk.
If you're in the NJ/NYC area, I'd let you try mine. It might even fit you better than me as the reach is a touch long for me (I'm 5'-8" with a 30" inseam