I'm surprised this has gone on to 3 pages of posts. I was sure it would be a really short list. I am unqualified to add to the discussion as I am unaware of a Best Folder Under $300 (as compared to what - the Best Under $200?)

Heavy is a relative term. I do agree that 28 lbs. is not heavy for a budget priced folding bike, though it would be for a road bike for example, hence why I said it was a relative term. 28 lbs. is what the Flying Pigeon I used to own weighed equipped (fenders and rack) the same way as the Citizenbike MTA Metrobike. And when I removed those items, it weighed only 24-25 lbs.

BTW, that Flying Pigeon would have been a good addition to the "$300 or under" or "best under $200" list for that matter.

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

Have to add my 3 cents to this discussion: I have a nice road bike that I do my centuries on. But I never leave that in my SUV or even locked unattended outdoors. I don't like riding it at the beach b/c of sea spray in the air rusts and the sand all over the paths. I was looking for an inexpensive bike to always have with me to take a light ride whenever, whereever--not a pump your guts hilly ride with clipless and full outfit on. Just a causual ride and not worry if I chain it up to go in a store or restaurant--not the most attractive bike to steal. Maybe I am away on a business trip and just want to take it out and ride around a new community a bit. Hopefully it can make it up some inclines without me having to walk it too much. Comes with a rack on the back and fenders for no extra charge.

So after researching, I ordered on Performance Sale 20% off a Dahon Boardwalk for delivery to the store. Came to 187.26 with tax and delivery to the store. I really could not see how I could go wrong with this unless when I get it, it breaks right away. It is single speed so there can't be a derailer problem, only a front brake and with cromoly, so it should have enough weigh to be stable I was thinking. I just wanted a no hassle bike. Wish it came with better puncture resistant Schwalbe tires, but I guess I can always put them on later.

I also looked at the Eco 3 at 306.42 all in, it has 7 gears but some other reviews said it was less stable than the Boardwalk because it is a lighter alumimum frame. And it has a rear derailer that hangs down and can cause extra grease to come out in the car and was not sure how reliable a low cost Shimano compact is?

There are some nicer Dahon Models especially the one they make for REI: Flyby. But those models start to run over 500++ and at that price point I will now start to worry about theft and damage to the bike and baby it like I do my good bike. I was trying to get away from that.

Thanks,

There is a coaster brake in back.

I forgot about the Schwinns.. I haven't tried them, but they look really good. A steal is the Schwinn Loop, for $210 including shipping and canvas bag on ebay right now. (Amazon, through babyage, has them for 250 incl shipping) ... Alloy, 7sp, fenders, SOLID rack... 31 lbs!! And, height of handle bars is not adjustable.. Besides that, perfect. Looks like an aluminum tank! And people have had lots of success fitting electric engines on them, i saw on youtube!! FAST!

Ok, the other Schwinn, I can't remember the name, is about same price.. maybe $230-40.. Single speed. Looks nice too. Maybe lighter bike. Not as beautiful or as much of a tank as the Loop tho!

Haven't tried them, but they do look amazing, esp. for the money!! Good luck! I'm going for a ride on my Citizen now!!

My Citizen MetroBike crankshaft/pedal got very loose today and almost fell off after about 20 minutes of hard riding! So, this happened w/ a friend who had a tool set, and we popped the plastic cap off the side, unscrewed the bolt, and tried to bang it in w/ a hammer (w/ a piece of wood between hammer and crankshaft). But, he didn't oil it first, so it got stuck. We sprayed wd-40 on it, and it went in a little more, but is still about 1/4-1/3 inch sticking out. But, we tightened the bolt, and I rode on it anyway. Then, the crank got a little loose and giggly again after 5-10 mins of riding. Sooo... I don't have the proper tools to even tighten the bolt. Will take to a bike shop tomorrow, and hopefully they will get it in tight, and use locktite on both crankshafts so this never happens again. Also, one of the wheels is a little untrue, but nothing too bad. So, tomorrow for a quick checkup at a bike shop. Hopefully they can fix that crankshaft for like $5-10. They should really use locktite on those bolts at the factory so this never happens again to anyone else. If you get this bike in the mail, you should get a special wrench set to do this repair yourself, or take straight to bike shop to have them do this so the crankshaft/pedal doesn't fall off. Probably have them give the bike a once over before riding.. Otherwise, this bike is awesome though!! Especially great for short people who can lower the handlebars and get butt off seat and just fly!!

You just found out why it's recommended to have a bike mechanic go over any bicycle you buy over the internet or mail. For example, Dr. Yan the founder of Downtube is very adamant about his customers doing exactly that when they get a bike from him.

When I received my Qile Duo VST-II, I took it to a bike shop and had them do a complete tune up. It did cost me $50 but it was well worth it. I haven't had any issues what so ever. As a matter of fact, even after more than 4,000 miles of riding in the city, the wheels are still true!

Good luck with that.

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

I'll second that, and that's exactly what I intend to do as soon as I get my new wheel.

+1

Definitely smacks of "elitism". Not everyone wants to drop a ton of money on a bike, folder or not. That is their right and their prerogative.

There are a few good quality bikes in that price range. Will it be a Bike Friday Tikit (minus cracks!!)? Or a Moulton? No, not unless seriously used and/or abused. So you need to be realistic in what $300 can buy you.

There's the Citizen line of bikes which I can personally attest to their decent quality as I own one. They are a good bang for the buck. I would suggest if one is looking at Citizen bikes to get the "Gotham" unless you absolutely need smaller wheels, in which case, the "Tokyo" is a decent option. Note that the Citizens are pretty low geared which is great for hills but a little slow on the flats.

Dahon makes some very nice well-priced bikes. A Dahon Boardwalk S1 is a nice option.

Do some digging and you're bound to find some nice deals on folders in the $300 range.

Best!

You sir, are an elitist ... I love my meager Boardwalk and you, sir, are not good enough to ride it .

_____________

@ FantasyFreddie: Congrats on the Citizen bike.

It's always advisable, regardless if it's a $2000 bike or a $200 bike, to take it to a LBS for a tune-up if you bought it over the internets or second-hand. Things are NOT always properly installed by the labor or machines in the factory. Things also get knocked around and/or loosened in shipping. You absolutely have to take it for a good looking over at a LBS unless you or someone you know are proficient at tuning a bike and know what to check for.

A basic tuneup at a LBS costs anywhere for $5 to $30 depending on the LBS and what needs to be tuned up.

Good luck and enjoy your ride!

My LBS, Roy's in Brooklyn, tightened her up for $10!!! Now, she rides great. I can't go extended w/ butt off seat though. Got the gel seat in mail, but seat still hurts. Need new really cushy seat. Besides that, she seems awesome now. Will keep u posted how she holds up! She (Citizen MetroBike/Gotham) really does go fast once you pedal fast! But still, I would like taller gearing for sure! Great ride!! btw: saw Schwinn regular folder ("Hinge" single speed) on ebay for $174 including shipping I think! and as I said, "Loop" for $210! Which weighs less than a pound less than the steel Citizen Miami (which has adjustable handle bars, unlike the Loop).. NYC Craigslist has many vintage folders for under $200, and a sweet Swift Folder custom fixie for $550 right now too! Roy's in Brooklyn has many fixies too (Downtube, Schwinn, Dahon, others), as cheap as $220 or so I think. Great people and a great shop! I'm going riding now!

My Tokyo was giving me a sore rear end too. Rather than buying a new saddle, I decided to try tilting the front end up one notch. This was significantly more comfortable.

I just decided I do not want a hard seat pushing against my butt. So, I ordered a "Cloud 9" medium width seat w/ springs and gel from Amazon for like $27 including shipping. I hope/expect this to do the trick. Otherwise, I am quite happy w/ the bike. The hardest gear is just perfect for going up big hills. So, I definitely would like harder gearing. But, overall, a rockin, solid ride. I just spin fast tho on that Citizen Metrobike! I hope I can change it to a harder cog some day. But will live w/ it as is if not, I guess.. Will decide over next 2-3 days!! I just bought this for rain/snow riding!! -FF

About a week and a half ago I purchased a Dahon Eco 3 7 Speed Red for 270.00 plus tax on sale at Performance. Its made in China which concerned me, but I have ridden it a lot so far and its fine--seems well made for a folder. Its a lot of fun having that upright see and be seen position on the bike. I ride it near the beach a lot. The aluminum seat post has a very slow slip that I need to do something about. I tightened the clamp but it still slips about 1/4 inch every 30 minutes it seems. Any suggestions on this would be appreciated.

heres my take on this, maybe someone has already pointed to the LIGHT

Edit: Breakmeister is right, didnt mean to say it like that ive enjoyed a lot of wally world bikes =-)

Now if your asking this guys here, you might need a couple of papers more on a new folder. I dare tell you that if your going for a durable bike then try looking for used ones, the original owner absorbed the NEW price for you. He did enjoy it for sometime, but man! If a bike is well built it could last for 40+ years maybe more. So plz try getting a used bike.

sorry to see this good discussion a bit going down in quality
there is no elitistism in saying that a more expensive folder than X or B or C will in most cases give the respective owner more fun and more fun for the buck ...
The boardwalk is a fine bicycle and does its job very well .. so do other lower end bikes ... to me there is no best in any case... for me the truly BEST bike is the one which gets ridden and enjoyed . period . no butts and ifs and such ..

If that bike is a lower end model than thats fine .... there are a lot of folks which leave me in the dust with a sub 300 dlr bike , even if I have a mu EX under my sore butt ....

ok .... no matter what you get ,, as long as you ride it AND have fun .....

thor

Thor has it right. Fun doesn't have a set dollar limit. It is all about perceived value and I'm sure we can all offer testimony to the "Best Folder For the Money" (whatever amount that might be).

Thor has it right. Fun doesn't have a set dollar limit. It is all about perceived value and I'm sure we can all offer testimony to the "Best Folder For the Money", whatever amount that might be.

Clean the seatpost of grease. Get as much off as you can. And make sure that handle on the quick release clamp is perpendicular to the seatpost.

Thanks GeorgePaul. Handle has been perpendicular and I tried clamping it in the front and back with the same result. I was not feeling grease on the post, but it snever been cleaned so I will certainly clean it and test it again and see if that does the trick. Thanks again.

I cleaned post on mine and it still slid slowly down,so i removed the shim and cleaned it out inside and then put a little grease on outside of shim so it can close tightly without hanging up on inside of frame when compressed in frame tube.This cured the problem.Hope this helps.Cheers.

Three pages of posts and no one has mentioned the Worksman FMB and FMB3CB?

tcs

Those Worksman folders look gorgeous! A little over $300, but MADE IN USA!!!!, probably of steel that will last forever! Nice find! They also make a 7 speed that costs over $500 I saw.. Depends on budget and gearing needs.. Awesome to find folders made in USA for just over $300!!! They look like Schwinn Cruisers too! And look like built to last 100 years!! Wild! F

Keeping in mind the OP and the budget of $300,
the list so far:

Dahon Boardwalk S1
Dahon Eco 3 (only under $300 when on sale)
Dahon Licensed Technology Boardwalk
Downtube Nuvo
E-Z Pack 1 Spd
Citizen Miami
Citizen Gotham (=Metrobike)
Citizen Tokyo
Citizen St. Tropez
Kent Compact Nexus 3
Kent Compact/16
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20
Schwinn Hinge
Schwinn Loop
SRS 6 Speed/20
TEK 101
TEK 201 24 Speed/20
Worksman FMB