Bazooka Beach
 

I ran a search here on BF for Bazooka and did not find much. As a 6'4" rider who needs to ride a train that does not permit full size bikes, this appealed to me. they claim it's 36 lbs, which is manageable IMO, especially for a bike this big. I'd consider switching out the handlebars and the seat and removing the rack to lighten it a bit.

http://www.bazookasports.com/popup.php?pr=3000

I really like the internal gear... what I really want is a vitesse D7HG, but it's pricier and would really be on the small side for me.

I like the retro styling but (for many reasons) I would not want to get on a train with a beast like that. I think you'd be better off getting a solid 20" or even 16" folder and doing something creative about extending the seatpost.

Cool looking bike! I understand the portability of a 20 inch folder would be better, but being realistic, you are a fairly big guy. A full size folder, whether it be the Bazooka, a Dahon, or any other brand, is probably a better choice for you. There are several more models you should look into.

Regards,
Edward

Edward, I stumbled on the bike from an article that listed several others.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008...ding-bikes.php

Looking around on Ebay today I noticed that the Dahon Jacks out there aren't really that much more expensive, and might be more practical for me even without the internal gears.

What I really need to do is test ride some folders. There is a Schwinn in one LBS that is clearly too small, and the Dahons in stock at another LBS are all 16" models, which are probably out of the question. I ride a 61 cm panasonic, a 23" hybrid and am building up a 25" Atala. 16" will be a non starter.

But then test riding can't really happen with whatever mods (thudbuster seatpost, etc...) that I might do to extend the post. It's a shame that there are not more folders around.

And I do hear you, rhm, but my ride will be a 22 minute jump from New Haven to Bridgeport. Barely worth finding a seat for, and I'm hoping the train ridership will be fairly light that far out.

I do have the perfect bike for you ... a 2007 / 08 Dahon 20 inch frame size Cadenza with 16 speeds.
http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/2007/cadenza.htm sells for 539.05 shipped to yur door it weighs 27 lbs thats almost 10 lbs lighter than the Beachcruiser ..completely different bike ..lol

This is a 07 but in all reality its an 08 ......08 were not brought into the US ( except one speeds and Internal 8 speeds) to give you an idea what good deal that is the 09 version has a msrp of 999 dlr !!!
I only have 20 inchers left no medium or small ..

Thanks Thor

Standalone,

I tried to visit that website, but the page won't load for me for some reason. Maybe they were doing some maintenance on that website at the time I tried to access it.

If anything, it seems like the big wheeled folders are a better bang for the buck!

Good luck on finding that ideal folder.

Edward

You may be right, but I wouldn't rule out 16" wheels just yet. I ride a road bike with a 60 cm (c-t) frame, so I'm guessing you are effectively only an inch or two taller than me.

Too true.

I agree that for that train ride you do not need to find a seat every time. But with a large folding bike, esp one with 26" wheels, you pretty well consign yourself to never sitting on any train. I must admit that have never tried a folding bike that big, so I am speculating; but I have taken my Raleigh Twenty on the train to NYC, and it was hell (of course that ride is more like 65 minutes). A small folder, which you can take nearly anywhere, gives you a level of independence you will not get with a big one.

Oh, and I just posted a new idea on how to extend the seatpost of a Downtube Mini in the "2009 Downtube Mini Review" thread... how do I link to that? Here, try

Awesome. This bike is also one of the ones I saw on ebay that seemed a better fit and a better deal than the beach. And a better weight!

Dahon Jack on the Train
 

I have a 26" Dahon Jack I take with me folded on Metra in Chicago. I won't say that it is super easy to get on the train but it's not as bad as you would think. I would have to find a space for it between the seat and a wall for example - I have some straps that would allow me to store it overhead but i haven't had to use them yet. Most everyone has been willing to move a package to let me fit my bike in at rush hour - most are impressed to learn about a folding bike not having seen them before, particularly 26 inchers. I used to have a 26" Bazooka Navigator and I like their bags that clip on the handlebars, unlike the Dahon you have to wear like a backpack - my "office" is a backpack so that wouldn't work for me. Finally I use the same bike for leisure riding and as a bigger person myself - weight not height - I can't see a 20" bike being that comfortable for me. My two cents.

Oh, and with Dahon be certain to look for a model with the removable handlebars. The Espresso does not. One thing I miss about the Bazooka is the integral crank to remove the handlebars and the sleeve to fasten them into the frame to keep the folded bike in folded position. The Dahon handlebars are free to flop around, though it's not a big issue when in the bag.