jimx200

I am going to get one of the Downtube bikes, but cannot decide on the full suspension or hardtail. I am 6-2, 215, and always appreciate the reduced shock effect to by body from my mountain and hybrid bikes. Does the rear "shock" DOwntube effectively reduce impact from potholes, etc.? I like the idea of a rack on the other model...can a rack be added to the full suspension bike? Anyone have regrets as to which model they purchased?
Thanks to all. I am looking forward to a new Downtube in the next week or so.
Happy New Year and ride safe!

downtube

The VIII is best for commuting with the rack, kickstand and fenders. However the FS rides much smoother, you can add a QR seatpost rack to the FS. Anyone else want to comment on the feel of the bikes? I am not sure I feel comfortable recommending my own products

Thanks,
Yan

Wavshrdr

I think it is much easier to add fenders, rack and kickstand to the FS version than trying to retrofit suspension to the other.

As a result I bought 2 of the FS (suspended version) for that very reason. My only complaint is the rear shock seems setup for a heavier person than the front forks are. For example I seem to sag the front forks quite a bit compared to the rear shock. The front forks have no preload adjustment whereas the rear shock does so you can dial it in somewhat.

If you have the $$$ the suspended Dahons are a better bike but you definitely have to spend a lot more on a Dahon to get a stepup from the Downtube. I have a fully suspended Dahon and it rides better and is lighter than my Downtube FS. But you can pick up a Downtube for about what you would pay for a low end Dahon without suspension so the Downtube is a great deal. One of the reasons I bought it was it seemed to be "overbuilt" a little and since I am a bigger guy, this was a benefit to me though the tradeoff is increased weight.

Yan's service and responsiveness is excellent too. I had some minor shipping damage and he promptly sent out a rear derailleur bracket to correct the issue. So I hope he will soon have a Brompton sized small folder and I'll be one of the first in line to lay out my money for one of them.

So I'd say buy the FS version and add rack and fenders if you need them. I use a clip-on rack to the seat tube, clip front and rear fender as well. I can remove them when not needed and save the weight. I definitely notice the suspension effect. Even though I bottom the front fork it still takes the edge off most bumps. I will look into trying to adjust the preload somehow and that should do it for the front forks.

af895

Jimx200: I don't own a Downtube but I came from a conventional bike background to a 20" folder - the KHS with full suspension linked in my signature.

Rear suspension goes a long way to make a 20" wheel (even running at 100-120psi) feel much more like a 26-29", well cushioned one. I did test ride several folders, some suspended some not, and decided on the KHS. (I didn't know about Downtube at the time)

I guess my preference would almost always be full suspension in a 20" wheeled folder. A suspension seatpost or sprung saddle also goes a long way in making a non-suspended model feel like it has suspension.

Wavshrdr

I just wanted to add on this remark. I have also bought Thudbuster seatposts for several of my bikes and in many ways the work better for me than a rear shock once properly set up. They weigh less and I can easily tune them for my body weight and riding style. I have added these to even fully suspended bikes and the ride is downright plush! This is also without being inefficient. This is also an option worth considering but it is more expensive than buying the FS version from the outset.

However if you do go with the non-suspended Downtube you could always add a Thudbuster seatpost later. I find the rear is more useful for me as I have a tendency to lift the front wheel over major bumps anyway. Another option too is going with tires like the Big Apples which are a great riding tire and pretty efficient too. Not as good as the Stelvios for speed but definitely pretty fast and amazing ride quality. I have a few sets of those on some of my folders and absolutely love them. They almost turn a unsuspended bike into one with about .75" of suspension travel.

Perhaps I have gone with overkill on one of my Dahons but I took my fully suspended one, added Big Apple tires and a Thudbuster seatpost. I too the time to dial in the suspension best I could for my size and the result is a bike that just glides over bumps that beat the crap out of my on my other bikes (even those with bigger wheels). From what I can tell I didn't give up much in efficiency either and on a long tour it really reduces fatigue (which can sap efficiency anyway).

RonL

I have the non FS model. The fenders, kickstand, and rack were the reason I chose it. The ride is comfortable with the front suspension and seat. Unless you were going to travel a lot of trails I would not get the FS.

hubs

I couldn't help but notice that you mentioned you are 6'2" ... I am just under 5'9" and can't get enough extension on the seatpost on our DT VIII FS without being just over the minimum insertion mark. I am female so my legs are proportionately longer than a guy my height but I'd be careful or prepared if I were you. Also the handlebars are very close to the seat. I wonder if you will be able to fit on either downtube model. In the other thread a 5'11" guy found the DT just too small for him. Be sure you read the other DT thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...0&page=1&pp=25

I can't comment too much on the ride ... I just got mine last week and have been fiddling with the bent rear derailleur (hanger) just to get smooth shifts. I also ride a Dahon SpeedPro which I just love even on city streets ... better on better pavement and longer distances.

Good Luck!

BruceMetras

I've been riding the white FS model daily for a few months and am totally pleased with it. The rear shock works well enough for me to use comfortably on trails as well as bad streets and launching from curbs (something that my hardtail folders don't like too well). The FS also looks cool and was easy for me to adapt a Shimano Nexus Redline 8spd hub with it's horizontal rear dropouts. Seatpost racks are available although I don't use a rack on mine. I like the FS 'platform' for it's adaptability to most kinds of riding. At present, I'm using the stock Kenda 1.75 'tread' tire up front for steerage in the dirt and a 100psi Kenda 1.5 'slick' in the back to help with rolling resistance. The price difference on ebay is negligible for the two models. It will be interesting to see what Yan rolls out for 2006 as the current offerings are great bikes at super prices.

Bruce

Wavshrdr

I am 6'2" also and when I first rode it I felt scrunched to the bars so I moved the seat back as far as I could in the rails and that helped a lot. My inseam is 33" and I seemed to have enough seatpost adjustment for me. I wouldn't want to be much taller though for the frame size. It isn't quite as comfortable as my SpeedPro was as for bar-seat-pedal relationship but I don't have to mess with the darn Pantour hub either!

Hubs- as for the bent derailleur hanger, Yan can send you another one. A quick and dirty option is to take it off and pound it flat. That worked until I could get mine replaced. Mine was pretty badly mangled but I was able to make it servicable.

Bruce- I too will be curious to see what Yan has to offer this year. I really hope the Bompton competitor will be in the works soon. I also went with the FS model because the price difference will inconsequential AND since I travel alot, it looked like I could break down the FS into a smaller package by removing the rear swingarm. The last was a major plus for me to fit it into a suitcase.

jimx200

Thanks everybody for the good information. Hubs, yes females generally have longer legs (no complaints here) vs. guys and longer torsos. My inseam is 33", so it should work according to Wavshrdr.
Maybe if Yan reads this size issue, he will comment.

downtube

I am attaching pics of the some 2006 bikes. Additionally, I will be making mid year (2006 1/2) changes to lighten up the bikes.

Let me mention some changes:
#1 FS has a thicker vertical rear derailleur hanger ( I hope these will never bend!)
#2 FS has disc tabs up front
#3 Alloy chainring on both bikes
#4 Adjustable angle with removable faceplate stem on both bikes
#5 Alloy upper stem on both bikes
#6 24H front wheel with 1.5" tire on both bikes (to lighten them up)
#7 Nice Head Tube Decal & Thicker right hand grip
#8 Upgraded the cables
#9 9sp upgrade with 48T chainring and 11-32 cassette will be availible in late March/early April ( will cost approx $60 extra)
#10 Adding a light unsuspended bike to the lineup in March/April called the VIIINS
#11 Adding an 8sp Sturmey Archer internal hub front suspension bike with horizontal dropouts in March/April called the VIIIH
#12 We will include carry bags with bikes for 2006....I almost removed them due to cost increases. I highly doubt the bags will be included in 2007.

The 2006's cost us much more than the 2005's and we will be having some shipment delays from our factory, so we will probably not do any $1 auctions on them. We only have about 100 2005's left. I am also fearful that a change in the Yuan, dollar exchange rate will affect our cost and sales.

Thanks,
Yan

downtube

I am 6' tall 33" inseam, and the bike fits me fine. I stretch out by pointing the bar ends down and hold them with most of my hand, my thumb wrap around the handlebar. I prefer the hand position to my other bikes....it just feels better.

The 2006's will have an adjustable angle stem which should help many taller riders, however they will cost a bit more and arrive in mid-Feb

Thanks,
Yan

Wavshrdr

@ Yan- any idea on pricing on the new models such as the NS or H? I'd definitely be interested in one each of these. Any new color choices? I should have bought 2 of the orange models instead of one of each. I personally am glad you have kept the bag option too. Great bag for the money. So far I love the bikes for the money!

downtube

I can not define pricing until I know my landed cost, however I can give reasonable approximations. The NS should be about $30 more than the VIII and the H will be about $120 more. I am only getting 20 NS's in March/April and 50 H's. Thus far I have had an amazingly high number of requests for both.

Additionally, I forgot to mention that we will not include fenders on any 2006 bikes ( except our first container). Unfortunately I was forced to make this minor cutback due to cost constraints.

FYI. We have sold over 500 bikes since June, and sales are increasing. We expect sales to top 3,000 bikes next year.

Thanks,
Yan

jimx200

Yan, your input is most appreciated! It's very refreshing to have someone such as yourself giving us quick feedback on your bike company. I wish you great success and look forward to riding a Downtube in the very near future.

Wavshrdr

@ Yan - Is the Hub version going to be with suspension? Any weight specs on the NS? Any chance of reserving 1 of each ahead of time? Will these first ones have fenders? What color choices?

Thanks!

downtube

NS will be black with 24H front wheel, 1.25" tires, lighter BB, alluminum fork, adjustable angle stem, rack and kickstand (no fenders). I do not not have a weight on it, and will not post the ACTUAL weight until I weigh it myself. The upper estimate should be between 24 and 25 lbs without barends, rack, kickstand, reflectors, and pedals...that is somewhat standard weight for an unsuspended steel framed bike with a steel fork and slicks (Note: we have an alloy frame, alloy fork, and alloy components)

H bike (8sp Sturmey Archer) will be a silver front suspension with front disc tabs and alloy crown and will not include fenders.

We have never taken backorders, logistically it is harder than selling products that are on hand. However we will start soon. Can you drop me an email later this month?

FYI we will also recieve black FS bikes in 8sp and 9sp starting in Feb.

Thanks,
Yan

jasong

Yan, what would you suggest to someone with a VIII that wants to go no-suspension? Where could we get a fixed fork? I really don't get much out of mine. Coming from a 700c background with rock hard riding, just having bigger tires is all I need.

Dahon.Steve

Agreed! It is refreshing.

On a previous point, my Dahons (Piccolo and Speed 8) are not ridable without a suspension seat post and Brooks Champion flyer with springs. A suspension seat post or Brooks Champion flyer is practically required on a bike with small wheels especially 16' inch wheels. A smaller wheel bicycle by default with it's shorter wheel base will provide a much harder ride so a suspension system is required. I can truly say that with a suspension seat post, I'm able to ride a hardtail folder for many, many miles. I've done over 40 miles on my Piccolo and more than that with my Speed 8.

I think the Downtube is a fine bike and I hope the owner continues to improve the product line. It's about time someone addressed this need for a full suspension folding bike that's affordable.

downtube

At this time, I do not have a source in the US for unsuspended forks. However I will bring some in later this year from China. I forgot to mention the NS bike will have a different frame design....it will be lighter.

I come from a MTB racing background, over the years I have broken every component on a bicycle.....including two frames. Therefore, I always prefer to add weight for comfort and safety. Most importantly, I want our bikes to be ridden. I do not want them sitting in someone's basement for years. Our FS is soooo comfortable, I take it everywhere instead of my carbon road bike (the bank, shopping, post office). I hope everyone agrees with this concept and our FS sales skyrocket, however I hope NS sales will be low. I doubt most casual riders will use NS's as often.....and I want our bikes ridden!

Thanks,
Yan

Tettsuo

Where did you get the rack and the fenders from?

downtube

Is this question for me? If so all our bikes are assembled in China. Most of the components are manufactured in China, however the drivetrain is manufactured in Taiwan.

Thanks,
Yan

Tettsuo

Actually, I just wanted to purchase fenders and a rack for my FS downtube and didn't know where to get em.

downtube

You can get a QR seatpost rack and fenders at any bike shop. I like Topeak racks with elastic straps built in. Keep in mind the rack can work as a rear fender.

Thanks,
Yan