Which Bike to get?
 

Hello all. I recently just accepted a job offer in NYC. I live in NJ and would have to take the path train into the city, and i would have to park about a mile away from the train. With that in mind i decided to look into purchasing a folding bike to take with me on the train so i can commute once i get off the train, about 1 mile also. So that would be 4 miles a day.

My budget is 250-300. I know that won't leave me with a bike friday but thats not what I'm looking for. I was decided on a Citizen Miami, but a friend recently told me not to get one cause they are junk(any criticism on citizen is helpful). I read nothing but great things about them. Then he knows someone that has a Dahon Speed D7 for sale 275$. I don't know the condition of the bike at all.

The only bad things i heard about on the citizen is that it only goes 15mph. Does anyone know what the dahon would get up too?

I also heard of downtube but there 300$ bike is sold out =(.

Any advice or info on other bike or websites would be awesome!!
Thanks

the bike goes 0mph by itself.. speed is the work You, the Motor, Put out.

$300 is probably only going to get you a 1 speed, in NYC. (State + City sales Taxes)

I'll echo I've heard the Citizen bikes are not only geared very very low, they are very heavy for their size and their hinge mechanism I've heard is not as solid feeling as Dahon or Tern, but if you aren't going fast or down hills, I wouldn't worry about that.

I've heard only good things about Downtube but because I already have too many folders I would only buy one if they revamp their fold to make their models fit into a checked luggage suitcase without any disassembling (only the Brompton can do this that I know of, if their Mini Downtube could do this I would consider one. The Citizen Tokyo does not). The key is the width of the folded bike, of all those bikes only the Brompton folds like a scissor, every other uses the Dahon type fold like folding a piece of paper in half, and that just makes the bike too wide when folded to stay within 62 linear inches total.

Another option with good word of mouth is Origami, they have four models all priced just over $300.

And lastly, if you search Walmart Genesis Folder on the forum there are numerous threads about that bike, it's VERY affordable and people seem happy with them.

I have a Retrospec single speed that I ride all over the city. About 22 pounds about $300 sometimes you can find one used for less on Craigslist.

It's a bit low for a folding bike.

For that budget, I think you should first look at second-hand bikes. You might find a Dahon/Tern in good condition that would be better than getting a cheap one new.

As for speeds, unless you need to climb hills, a three-speeder is usually enough (lowest speed to start, second speed when you're riding in traffic, top speed when the path is clear).

Maybe there are better sites than Craigslist for bikes, so I'll let NYC riders chime in.

I walk over the Williamsburg Bridge 2 times a week (I'm a Track Inspector for NYCT) and I see Landmark Bicycles when I'm crossing. They sell used bikes, so see what they have.

http://landmarkbicycles.com

Or, go to Amazon.com and search for the Ford branded Dahon bikes they sell there. I just ordered one, and it'll be at my door by the weekend. I'm going to verify it's authenticity,... Then I'm going to keep it in my trunk for the times when I park and want to do little stops around the area I'm in.

PS: Here's the link to the thread with the Ford Dahon bikes: http://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...l#post17913356

PPS: Since your only planning on short rides, there's also the Dahon Boardwalk: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001UL...WQM1KC7DF9P08Q

mezzo,bike friday,diblasi,birdie,pacificx3,dahon ezzy,brezeer,big fish, strida,merc,animal,moulton,jango flick,swift...........
also don't fold like a dahon

Agreed, but can any of those other than the strida, which I consider un-rideable, fold small enough that without any disassembly they can fit into a 62 linear inches case like a Brompton?

Merc paciffic,
Mezzo,birdie,probably if remove wheels. I don't count removing qr wheels as disassemby.
Diblasi would be interesting. R4 would require front wheel removal R22 might go straight in and that's got 20" wheels.
I am just guessing. I don't travel on planes with bikes. Just making the point that there are many other folding methods other than a fold in half typical.

but a birdie folded over on its self with the wheels removed is a very small package.

tds101, did you get your Ford branded Dahon? How is it?

It should arrive today. I'm not expecting top notch performance, but I'll swap the wheelset and seat and give it a small performance/comfort boost asap. It's going to be my trunk bike, for lunch runs and such. I'll post an opinion later on.

I received the Ford Dahon C-Max, and it's an authentic Dahon product. That's the good news.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=461469http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=461470

Now, the semi-bad news. The bike, though a real Dahon product, is what I'd have expected for the price. I was hoping for better. The latches aren't the usual Dahon tough, and the parts ARE very low end. The brakes are in definite need of an upgrade, and even the brake levers are bendable cheap plastic. The frame isn't, IMO, as Dahon tough as I remembered either. Still, no problem for what I'll be using it to do - lunchtime errands, and the wife occasionally tooling around on it. She likes it. It does come standard with a rack & fenders, but I wouldn't put more than 20lbs MAX on the rack. And the fenders rattle!!! LOL!!!

I'd actually recommend a Dahon Speed D7 over this for most. As they do say, you get what you pay for. This is DEFINITELY a LOW END DAHON! Please, do NOT BUY IT!

UPDATE: After discussion with the Mrs I've requested a return. I'd rather spend a few more $$$ and get a nice, solid Dahon Speed P8.

A question I've pondered as well.

Anyhoo, a Dahon Classic III will go into 62" and they're readily available at well under the OP's budget ceiling.

Thanks for the awesome advice guys. I still haven't purchased one yet cause we just had our baby arive last week. Here is a picture of the Dahon that is available for me to get for 250$. I was wondering if it is too old for the price and if anyone knows anymore about it just from the pic.

Imgur

That Speed looks great. Don't worry about age. Bikes are not like cars, that one looks hardly ridden.