Old 06-05-08 | 10:13 PM
  #7  
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MnHillBilly
Joyously Phred
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 126
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From: 600 miles from the nearest flat road

Bikes: Raleigh Passage 3.0, Giant Halfway 2007 folding, Trek Lime Easy-Step

That's a great deal - give it some consideration.

I looked at a number of folders after getting tired of trying to rack my '07 Raleigh Passage. My '07 Halfway is my preferred vehicle. I commute 7 miles each way on it, and it's smooth. Shifts better than my Raleigh, which means I can handle hills that would otherwise task me. Feels solid, handles solidly. The only caveats are the same they would be for any folding bike - you can't pound it on rough pavement or stunt jump with it and expect it to survive - anyone who may be riding it will need to know to pay attention to potholes and things like that.

I'm 5'9" and find the reach to be comfortable, but as another poster mentioned, you can add extensions if you "really" find it to be bothersome on a long ride. I'm also an "Athena" - meaning the 250-lb range (and steadily dropping the more I use it) so I'm especially cautious about not pounding pavement with it - and it's held up fine, this is the 2nd season I've used it, still just starting back to my commuting at this point yet.

Things that I've "tweaked" for my own enjoyment of the bike: I wrap bungie cords around the two wheels after I've folded it up to keep the wheels together - just makes it easier to carry as one piece on elevators and the train, etc. The bag that comes with the bike is fine, but 28 lbs to carry on one shoulder was bothersome for me - I find it easier to carry by hand via the frame to manoeuver.

The rear rack is nice, though small, obviously for what it's attached to - but I've managed to bungie a foot pump to the rack, I have a medium Banjo Bros seat bag to carry tools and gear, and I just this afternoon figured out a way to create homemade waterproof paniers that are of a size suitable to carry small things for my commute on each side (photos to be posted within the next week or two).

A great ride, and at that price, you'd be getting a bargain!
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