Hi -
I am new to the folding bike scene, and I have a little bit of a conundrum. Where I currently live has lots of access to pretty easy trails, through fields and such. I would like a folding bike that can take those trails, so I was considering the Montague DX. I also like the full-sized wheels on that. However, I am moving to the city in three months and will want the bike to commute and for the subway. So I am also considering a Dahon D7 or maybe a Dahon Espresso. I am not sure what the difference is between them besides wheel size (I cannot find a good review of the Espresso). Finally, I am considering a Downtube ISFX. Could I please get some feedback on these bikes, and whether the non-full-sized bikes can take an easy trail? Cheers!

I have ridden my IXFS off road many times. The bike handles well in light trails. There are a few things to watch out for:
#1 trails with many obstacles ( roots, rocks, etc ). Smaller wheels do not hold momentum, hence they will have a hard time with such trails.
#2 Down trees, and deep dips are dangerous. The smaller wheels will rotate around these obstacles....in other words it will throw you off the bike.
#3 Sand, and mud....thinner tires do not handle these well.

Thanks,
Yan

In my experience yes, a Dahon can take an easy trail.Simply be a careful rider.

How true. Instant endo. Perhaps more accurately, the frame with you on it will rotate around a stationary front axle.

I agree with Yan. (By the way, I saw about 10 Downtubes on the bike path today on our 45 mile ride.)

Chatrider, the only point of having a folding 26" bike in New York City is that you might be better able to fit it in a cranny in your small apartment. It won't be any easier to take the bike into the subway folded than unfolded. Unfolded, full size bikes are allowed on all subway trains, but not Metro North. That said, the Jack is a great urban utility bike, whether or not you fold it.

I regularly ride on trails with my 18" wheeled Birdy, and have never had a problem. But I wouldn't tackle anything rocky, anything with deep ruts, or any drop offs.

Wow 10 Downtube's in one ride? Sales have really picked up in recent weeks....hopefully it keeps up.

Thanks,
Yan

when did bikes become disallowed on Metro North?

"Metro North" has complicated rules, basically if the conductor wants your bike off the train they can order it off. If you think you will be on the train when it is crowded I would bring a drop cloth, or even large garbage bag to wrap it in, turning it into a package. In the mornings PATH requires you to fold, and they have cops at the major stations to make sure you do.

As to trails the issue is really the tire width. Folders tend to have narrower widths that do not work on loose or muddy surfaces that allow the bike to sink. On hard packed trails you will also have a rougher ride due to the small dia wheels.

The full size folders mostly allow you to put them in the trunk of a car, which seems better than the roof, the cargo bay of a bus. They are also useful if you are doing a day trip on a commuter railroad.

I think Metro North does not allow bikes on the rush hour trains (approx 6 to 9.30am inbound and 4 to 7.30pm outbound). You also need a bike pass, which is easy to get. Don't know about folders rules but I think it think a bagged folder would be no problem anytime.

My local commuter rail system doesn't allow bikes on rush hour trains. But they are talking about conventional "stiffy" bikes.

If you fold it and put it in a bag, it becomes luggage, and they should have nothing to say about it. I had a talk with my conductor about it once. He said the concern for full-size bikes is just space. But for folding bikes, it is grease, oil, and sharp edges messing up the seats and peoples' clothes. Fair enough. This was before I had a bag for my Kent. He made me move to the back of the train car and told me that I'd need to get a bag for it if I wanted to continue to bring it aboard. So I did, and all was well.

In the course of my daily commute I normally ride my DT Mini for about a half mile of the towpath of the Delaware and Raritan Canal (in New Jersey), which is not paved. No problems there, but the pedalling can be pretty hard work when the trail is muddy (this is true on all bikes, but both narrow tires and small wheels seem to exaggerate this effect a bit). Last week I rode the same bike on about a mile of the bridle path in Southhaven County Park (on Long Island); there I bogged down in the sand a couple of times, which was a nuisance; but no real problem. I had to go over a bunch of roots, which was okay (I took 'em slow), and some loose pebbles (they shot out from under the tires when I hit them) ... but again, no problem with due caution. I did not encounter any steep hills, and I don't want to; I am a wimp about that sort of thing.

So yes, I think a folding bike can handle trails pretty well, assuming the surface is hard enough and you adjust your riding style to suit conditions. In other words, slow down, hold tight, and keep on pedalling, and you'll be fine.