Ok, after lurking in the Folding Bikes thread for awhile, I decided to try a folder. I looked on ebay and decided to go with a (very) affordable folder. A Schwinn Hinge. I figured if I'm gonna get a cheap folder I'd get the name I trust the most. By the time I got it, it was too late in the evening to ride it around. It was easy to unfold from the box and I adjusted the brakes.
Even the pedals fold! Who'da thought of that! Tire pressure is right on (after I aired it up) and wheels spin freely. I'll find a blinkie for it, borrow a pannier bag from my other bike and take her on a test flight on tomorrows commute. I guess I shoulda checked the reviews here first but I figured for $170. I couldn't go wrong, could I?
Ernest







Dig that carrier rack!

Look, it even fits under my desk! How many bike forum members can say that they can fit their bikes under their desks?
Ernest

Big_e,
Congratulations on your frugality. It looks like you have a great folder there. By "great", I mean, it rides, and it folds, and those are the most important things.

I own a Strida, Brompton and I just picked up a Dahon Boardwalk for $200. The latter because I wanted a bike I could try locking up in NYC and if it got stolen - oh well.

I compare-rode them all recently. They ride different, and they fold different, and I like the more expensive ones better, but then again those are more expensive, and I don't know that I like the others 4-5x better.

Your Schwinn looks very similar to a Boardwalk. I prefer the look of the Boardwalk frame, but your bike has two things mine doesn't: a rear caliper brake instead of coaster, and a full length chainguard - both very nice.

thnx for posting the pictures,
Looks real neat. love that old time metal chainguard and spring clamp rack.

Enjoy your new bike, and welcome to the (ahem) fold!

Thanks everyone! The ride to work was effortless and she handles well going down steep hills at fast speeds. I heard a rubbing sound from the rear tire and at work a co-worker actually found the problem for me. She was admiring the bike and noted that the rear fender was too close to the tire treads so I gently pulled it and now its adjusted.
The ride home was pleasant and I actually had 1 car following me then they slowly passed as they admired and gawked at the bike.
Ernest

The pannier bags may be a little large, I'll have to find bags specific for folders.

Sounds like you're getting heelstrike on the panniers? Sounds familiar. Odd on a 20" bike.

One solution seems to be to ditch panniers and use a tall, skinny trunk rack. A taller rack helps. (I started a thread on just that fairly recently, and the folks here threw me some links that led to a few other links... and so on.)

You could also spend some time going through this guy's photos. He's got a bit of a frankenFoldingBike, but he's given a lot of thought to racks and adapters for mounting touring bags on a 16" folder. A lot of this stuff adapts well to commuting. (A handlebar bag and a small trunk bag makes for a dandy commuting rig all by themselves.)

On a 16" bike, you have to do all this stuff to even use a trunk rack, but on a 20" bike, I'm thinking it would let you comfortably use small panniers. Anyone here have experience with touring racks?

Thanks for that link. Yes, I had the heelstrike problem this morning. I solved it by moving the pannier bags back to the last hookable space on the rack. This is really my first time using racks and panniers. I've just installed them on two other of my bikes but haven't rode them yet. Racks and panniers are the bomb! No more backpacking for this dude!
This is right on time too since I plan to fold (bicycle) through downtown this Sunday.
Ernest

PS: That tall rack is a good idea. I fixed that heelstrike problem but I like the way that guy pimped his folder. Even has speakers on it.

Keep in mind that that mr-brown has 16" wheels. Reflecting on this, your rack may be nearly as tall as his already. (Reflecting on it more, that sounds somehow dirty.)

Steveroot over at Dahon forums has extended the back of his rack, I have seen pics of it.

I have made extra mounting plates for the lower mounting pounts of the rack, effectively moving it further backwards:

My DT inside my work place.


Yup, folders rule.

I love the way they can dissappear in the office. I don't know how I got along without a folder. It and the Flying Pigeon I have on order will become my main commuter/shopping/recreational bikes and my larger ones will be my weekend/recreational bikes.
I rode my Hinge up and down Katy trail and then rode around downtown. Downtown Dallas is great to ride on Sundays because there is little traffic. Great grills open along Main and Elm st. I rode to Farmers Market and had forgotten my pannier bags! There was a vendor selling fresh honey too! That's ok, I'll be back next Sunday.
The folding bike comes into it's own in a business district type setting. It can zip along side streets, alleys, crowded sidewalks and narrower thoroughfares that would make even full sized bikes hesitate. Altogether I put in 12 miles today.
Had fun.
Ernest

Does anyone have good suggestions for how to keep the seat from slipping down. Mine won't stay adjusted to the proper height. I am riding to/from work via the bike path along the Hudson River in NYC and whenever I hit a cobbled section the seat just slides right back down the post. I'd appreciate any good suggestions. (I'm also willing to believe that I am not locking it correctly but I think that I am...)

First, wipe the post and the inside of the post tube thoroughly with a cloth and a bit of rubbing alcohol. Then put a bit of oil on the clasp, being careful not to get any on the post. You may need to do this every few weeks - just make it part of your regular maintenance routine. Tighten the clasp hand tight with the screw before closing. This does the job for me, though I still sometimes have to readjust the saddle height after riding for about an hour, especially if the road has been rough, like the cobbled sections of your Hudson River path. It helps if I raise my rear off the saddle standing on the pedals for the biggest bumps - on a horse its called "posting".

Thanks! I will try that. I appreciate the response. I looked rather foolish yesterday with my body lower than the handlebars every so often!

Is the OP still enjoying his Hinge? Reason I ask is there is one on the local CL for just $60.

Yes, even though I now have 3 MTBs and 2 CVs I still have a pretty major FB itch!