newbie to folders
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
newbie to folders
HI everyone..
I now you get a lot of questions about suggestions on which bike to get.. well i've been reading the forums and i still cant figure out which bike to get.
here are my stats..
female, 5'2" 120 lbs
want a folder to commute about 1 mile to the orange line (in california) from home and about another mile to work.. maybe an occasional 10 mile ride from work to home once or twice a week
would like to be able to attach a small pet carrier on the bike for weekend rides
i was looking to get a dahon speed 7, but after reading the forum i'm now leaning towards either the downtube mini or the downtube 9.
i'm a newbie when it comes to bicycles.. can ride it, dont want to worry about upgrading it.. and would really just want a commuter that i can buy, fold, carry to the office, and use for errands around town.
so.. which should i get??? best bang for the buck... budget upto about 450.. help!
thanks in advance.. great info in this forum..
I now you get a lot of questions about suggestions on which bike to get.. well i've been reading the forums and i still cant figure out which bike to get.
here are my stats..
female, 5'2" 120 lbs
want a folder to commute about 1 mile to the orange line (in california) from home and about another mile to work.. maybe an occasional 10 mile ride from work to home once or twice a week
would like to be able to attach a small pet carrier on the bike for weekend rides
i was looking to get a dahon speed 7, but after reading the forum i'm now leaning towards either the downtube mini or the downtube 9.
i'm a newbie when it comes to bicycles.. can ride it, dont want to worry about upgrading it.. and would really just want a commuter that i can buy, fold, carry to the office, and use for errands around town.
so.. which should i get??? best bang for the buck... budget upto about 450.. help!
thanks in advance.. great info in this forum..
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 1,010
Bikes: Bianchi San Jose, Dahon Mu Uno, Origami Wasp
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 118 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 23 Times
in
15 Posts
Dahon curve d3? Might be able to find a 2007 for under 400 with shipping. I did. I adore it!
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#6
trouble
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 21
Bikes: '92 MB-6, '92 RB-T, '08 DT Mini
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Depending on the terrain and your riding abilities, you might want more than 3 speeds. The Curve SL offers more but is out of your budget limit. The Downtube's really are a great "bang for the buck", though you probably need to add in how much it will cost to get a bike shop to set it up for you - 50-70 bucks?
#7
Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 32
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I purchased a Downtube Mini '08 about a month ago. Really like the bike. I'm 5'5" and it fits me really well and is very comfortable, at least for me. I got it on ebay and it came out a little bit cheaper compared to the website itself. I think they're trying to get rid of the '08s this way. Hope this helps. Goodluck.
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
hi folks..
decided last night that i'll go for the DT mini.. reviews are really great and the price is reasonable compared to the dahons..
now the important questions..
that kick stand should i put in?
rear or front rack?
dog carrier???? i have a yorkie..
thanks all!
looking forward to getting my mini!!!!!
decided last night that i'll go for the DT mini.. reviews are really great and the price is reasonable compared to the dahons..
now the important questions..
that kick stand should i put in?
rear or front rack?
dog carrier???? i have a yorkie..
thanks all!
looking forward to getting my mini!!!!!
#9
Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 32
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hi nj..
I was pretty much on the same path as you are right now... I also got the mini as mentioned earlier and was considering either a front and/or rear rack. I'm not sure if you've come across the threads about them in relation to a Downtube Mini but here are some that I've found. Hope it helps.
This one's about the front rack from Nashbar and some debate about its durability.
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/413439-tikit-2-pannier-front-rack.html
This one's about the rear rack being installed on a Mini even if it has rear suspension.
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/392503-downtube-mini-questions.html
Sorry, don't have any dogs (hopefully, someday I'll have one) so I have no clue with that one.
I was pretty much on the same path as you are right now... I also got the mini as mentioned earlier and was considering either a front and/or rear rack. I'm not sure if you've come across the threads about them in relation to a Downtube Mini but here are some that I've found. Hope it helps.
This one's about the front rack from Nashbar and some debate about its durability.
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/413439-tikit-2-pannier-front-rack.html
This one's about the rear rack being installed on a Mini even if it has rear suspension.
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/392503-downtube-mini-questions.html
Sorry, don't have any dogs (hopefully, someday I'll have one) so I have no clue with that one.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 3,095
Bikes: Too many....................
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
6 Posts
hi folks..
decided last night that i'll go for the DT mini.. reviews are really great and the price is reasonable compared to the dahons..
now the important questions..
that kick stand should i put in?
rear or front rack?
dog carrier???? i have a yorkie..
thanks all!
looking forward to getting my mini!!!!!
decided last night that i'll go for the DT mini.. reviews are really great and the price is reasonable compared to the dahons..
now the important questions..
that kick stand should i put in?
rear or front rack?
dog carrier???? i have a yorkie..
thanks all!
looking forward to getting my mini!!!!!
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
thank you all for the suggestions..
eagerly waiting for the bike to arrive..
i showed my sisters pictures of the bike.. and they were like.. that looks dorky... )
i think it's cute!
eagerly waiting for the bike to arrive..
i showed my sisters pictures of the bike.. and they were like.. that looks dorky... )
i think it's cute!
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
well. just got my bike today...
it seems the box took a beating getting.. and the bike arrived damaged.. the gear shifter??? the one on the handle is broken.. i emailed Yan about it.. i guess i should wait for it before taking it to the bike shop huh?
it seems the box took a beating getting.. and the bike arrived damaged.. the gear shifter??? the one on the handle is broken.. i emailed Yan about it.. i guess i should wait for it before taking it to the bike shop huh?
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Albany, WA
Posts: 7,393
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 321 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Damaged huh? I find it rather amazing and disconcerting that the delivery services can so comprehensively wreck a box. What the heck are they doing?? Driving over them? How difficult can it be to deliver a box intact?
#16
Senior Member
Yes, wait for the part to come in from Yan, then take it to your local shop. That way they can fix it and give you a tune up all at the same time. Might save you a little cash by doing it all at once too.
Congrats on the bike. :-)
--sam
Congrats on the bike. :-)
--sam
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i'm having a difficult time folding the stem..
am i doing something wrong here????
i saw the videos and the instructions.. it looks easy and smooth.. i've been trying to fold the darn thing for 30 minutes!
am i doing something wrong here????
i saw the videos and the instructions.. it looks easy and smooth.. i've been trying to fold the darn thing for 30 minutes!
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 68
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts