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Newest Citizenbike: The Barcelona

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Newest Citizenbike: The Barcelona

Old 09-15-09, 09:18 PM
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Newest Citizenbike: The Barcelona

Retro looks, low step over, 3 speed IGH, 2 sizes.

https://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.a...&product_id=22

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder
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Old 09-16-09, 12:19 AM
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Thank you. Great looking bike for pooteling and shopping. Personally I can not understand why not at least 30% of the bikes on the road is foders.
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Old 09-16-09, 07:00 AM
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Originally Posted by badmother
Thank you. Great looking bike for pooteling and shopping. Personally I can not understand why not at least 30% of the bikes on the road is foders.
That is exactly what I was thinking it would be great for. This bike would right at home on tree shaded streets lined with shops, parks, lakes or a quiet country road. It has that dignified look to it. Nice contrast to their sporty Gotham model.

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Old 09-16-09, 07:06 AM
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wow it's very similar to the dahon Ciao but half the price!

https://dahon.com/us/ciaop8.htm

I wonder how they compare to each other in ride quality?
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Old 09-16-09, 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Azreal911
wow it's very similar to the dahon Ciao but half the price!

https://dahon.com/us/ciaop8.htm

I wonder how they compare to each other in ride quality?
Interesting question. I do understand why there is a price differential between the two bikes. The Ciao sports an 8 speed hub versus the Barcelona's 3 speed, and it is just a bit more of a complex machine than Citizen Bike's offering. But the Ciao does seem like it's a bit pricey in spite of that. However I think the Barcelona has a more classic folder look, reminiscent of a much simpler era .

Who knows when we'll have a review on the Barcelona, but I wonder if we have any current Ciao owners who can give us their impressions as to ride quality and such?

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Old 09-17-09, 06:37 PM
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I just noticed that Citizen Bike has posted two more photos of the new Barcelona, one of them shows the bike folded. Notice that the bike folds exactly in half placing the wheels side by side.

https://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.a...&product_id=22

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Old 09-19-09, 07:02 PM
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Great retro look with a clean fold.
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Old 09-19-09, 07:42 PM
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Very solid looking little bike.As you say it looks like something from a simpler time,nicely put.
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Old 09-19-09, 11:53 PM
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Very classy looking. It seems like they have it geared very low. Looks like a 38t crankset, which means it'll be ridiculously low geared unless a 13t or 14t sprocket is installed out back.
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Old 09-20-09, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by K6-III
Very classy looking. It seems like they have it geared very low. Looks like a 38t crankset, which means it'll be ridiculously low geared unless a 13t or 14t sprocket is installed out back.
Those bikes are generally geared low for easy, effortless pedaling. I used to own a 3 speed 20" bike (Non folding) that was probably geared about the same as the Barcelona. You had two very easy gears and the top gear was high enough to be usable.

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Old 09-21-09, 12:39 AM
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Yes, gorgeous..

iT does look gorgeous.. and I am a very happy owner of a Citizen Metrobike/Gotham, so I can vouch for their quality. However, it does also look like it has a generally similar design/shape to the Schwinn Loop, which only weighs two pounds more. Big differences are that Loop has a deraileur, and also a non-adjustable handlebar, which might be important to some people. But, it is almost half the price. Just a thought. The Barcelona is stunning though.
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Old 09-21-09, 09:09 AM
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Nice bike, but why does it have to weigh 30lbs?!?
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Old 09-21-09, 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by ShinyBiker
Nice bike, but why does it have to weigh 30lbs?!?
In order to achieve a low step over height, the frame must be shaped like a "U". This uses more material to make up the frame, and thus increases weight. Secondly, durability is not sacrificed in the name of achieving the lightest weight. These bikes were always pricey back in the day, and people expected them to last.

Remember the purpose of this type of folder is not for performance riding or multi modal use, although the train is commonly used when the distance merited it. Traditionally these folders were called "shoppers" in Europe, and Asia. It was common to see people ride them to the markets to buy their groceries, the newspaper, pick up fresh bread from the local bakery, or for leisure riding in general. Of course the folding feature meant that space which is at a premium in a small "flat" (apartment) as they call it, is conserved.

In fact my own folder, the Qile Duo VSTII (see avatar) is an Asian version of a shopper. And believe me, the Barcelona is light compared to it.

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

Last edited by edwong3; 09-21-09 at 02:34 PM.
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Old 09-26-09, 08:28 AM
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Wow, what a beautiful bike. I was just looking at the Ciao and the other Dahon step through, wishing I could afford one. The Schwinn Loop didn't appeal to me like this one. I load my Giant Suede into my car when it's too muddy to ride around my house (dirt roads) or if I need to ride back from the mechanics on car servicing day. Since the Suede weighs around 30 lbs., this looks so much easier to carry in the car. Hmm. Would love to read any reviews. Thanks for posting!
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Old 09-26-09, 06:45 PM
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Question about gear inches and low gearing on the Citizen bikes:
As compared to the 8 speed Dahon Ciao (24-74" gear inches) and the 8 speed Dahon Glide (30-92" gear inches), what would be the gear inches for the Barcelona 3 speed? I have never understood the formula on the Sheldon Brown site.
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Old 09-26-09, 08:20 PM
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You could always email Citizen Bike to see if they have the answer for you. If they don't know that exact range in gear inches, ask them if they can tell you how many teeth the chain ring, and the rear cog have, the length of the crank arms, and also which 3 speed hub is used by the Barcelona. I think the hub is a Shimano Nexus.

The tires are easy as they appear to be standard BMX (20"x1.75") size. With that data, it is easy to find the gear range using the online gear calculator by Sheldon Brown. Just input the variables in the designated areas on the calculator, and click on the Calculate button, and you'll have your answer.

Hope this helps.

Yes that bike is beautiful, isn't it?

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Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder



Originally Posted by Rosie8
Question about gear inches and low gearing on the Citizen bikes:
As compared to the 8 speed Dahon Ciao (24-74" gear inches) and the 8 speed Dahon Glide (30-92" gear inches), what would be the gear inches for the Barcelona 3 speed? I have never understood the formula on the Sheldon Brown site.
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Old 10-03-09, 07:30 AM
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After emailing Citizen Bike, they kindly responded with some info on the Barcelona and the Miami:
Barcelona -the BARCELONA Citizen Bike has a rear Shimano Nexus 3-speed internal hub with a 14 tooth cog. The front chainwheel is a 32 tooth chainwheel with 152mm crank arms. The Shimano Nexus hub is a model SG-3R42.

The tires are Kenda Kwest 20 x 1.75 (65psi) tires in a custom cream color made exclusively for the BARCELONA.

Miami- The MIAMI Citizen Bike has a 6 speed Shimano derailleur with a rear freewheel that ranges between 14 - 28 T over six gears. The front chainwheel is 46T with 170mm crank arms

Although I don't know if I used it correctly, I calculated a gear ratio of 31 - 58 inches for the Barcelona, and 30-61 gear inches for the Miami. Please correct me if I used the gear formula at Sheldon Brown wrong.
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Old 10-03-09, 10:25 AM
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Hi Rosie8,

Yep! I ran those figures on Sheldon's calculator and came up with the same results pretty much. The Miami in particular is geared just like my Qile Duo VSTII folder. And the Barcelona is geared very much like the New Century 20" NON folding bike I used to own years ago. It's meant for easy low effort cruising. I think it's pretty cool that Citizen Bike was able to give you that data.

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder



Originally Posted by Rosie8
After emailing Citizen Bike, they kindly responded with some info on the Barcelona and the Miami:
Barcelona -the BARCELONA Citizen Bike has a rear Shimano Nexus 3-speed internal hub with a 14 tooth cog. The front chainwheel is a 32 tooth chainwheel with 152mm crank arms. The Shimano Nexus hub is a model SG-3R42.

The tires are Kenda Kwest 20 x 1.75 (65psi) tires in a custom cream color made exclusively for the BARCELONA.

Miami- The MIAMI Citizen Bike has a 6 speed Shimano derailleur with a rear freewheel that ranges between 14 - 28 T over six gears. The front chainwheel is 46T with 170mm crank arms

Although I don't know if I used it correctly, I calculated a gear ratio of 31 - 58 inches for the Barcelona, and 30-61 gear inches for the Miami. Please correct me if I used the gear formula at Sheldon Brown wrong.
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Old 10-03-09, 06:33 PM
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Yes, I was impressed that Citizen replied in such detail in a timely manner.

Glad Sheldon Brown's calculator worked too!
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Old 10-04-09, 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Rosie8
Yes, I was impressed that Citizen replied in such detail in a timely manner.

Glad Sheldon Brown's calculator worked too!
Well I admit that I don't own any Citizen Bike products but have heard good things about their customer service. Also, I find appealing any company that sells a decent product at affordable prices.

I have a lot of fun sometimes playing with that gearing calculator myself

Hopefully we'll hear from someone who purchased a Barcelona, and honor us with a full review.

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Old 10-06-09, 08:18 AM
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I get the feeling that Citizen may be offering the product that a lot of people are looking for, a low priced, good quality, reliable, usable, bicycle. Is there a downside to their products that i haven't read about yet ?
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Old 11-15-09, 04:06 PM
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Seen a Barcelona today!

Today I got a chance to finally see a new Citizen Barcelona up close. While resting under a gazebo in Cady Way Park here in Orlando, a young woman went by riding her Barcelona toward the parking lot. It was the "Ivory" colored model with the optional basket. I was on my non folding full size beach cruiser, and rode over to the lot to introduce myself as a folding bike owner. She was preparing to fold the bike, and put it away in the trunk of her car.

According to her, she had just gotten it, and was very happy with it. She told me that she has also received a lot of compliments. I took a closer look at the bike, and noticed how good the fit, and finish was on it. No surprises why she got so many kudos.

I did mention to her that I participate in a folding bike discussion group, and had mentioned the Barcelona here, but in retrospect, I should have invited her to register with Bike Forums, and hopefully participate with us. Maybe I should get my printer running, and print out some business cards with the web address of the forum, and give it to any folder riders I happen to encounter while I'm out, and about.

Getting back to the Barcelona, the bike is absolutely beautiful, even more so than the photos on Citizen Bike's website.

On a side note, last week, on that same bike trail, there was another girl riding a Citizen Gotham (the older model), about 20-30 yards or so in front of me. I was on my folder (Qile Duo), and had to really push myself pretty hard to gain any distance on her. I finally got to within 15-20 feet of her but by then, I was, let's say, a bit winded! She once again pulled away from me, and couldn't help but think that in addition to the fact that she was probably about half my age, the Gotham is a faster bike than mine. I guess there should be no surprises there either.

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

Last edited by edwong3; 11-15-09 at 05:30 PM.
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Old 11-15-09, 04:20 PM
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Cady Way Trail is nice. I remember when they first finished it. I'll be back in Orlando around Christmas, but I haven't decided if I'm bringing my Tikit with me or not.

--sa
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Old 11-15-09, 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Lalato
Cady Way Trail is nice. I remember when they first finished it. I'll be back in Orlando around Christmas, but I haven't decided if I'm bringing my Tikit with me or not.

--sa
I've been riding the CWT for years, but now I am lucky to live only three blocks from where my street crosses over the trail. Hardly a day goes by that I don't ride on at least a short length of the trail when I'm going somewhere, and ride it about twice per week for some considerable distance like when I ride to the Cady Way Park where I met the girl with her new Barcelona.

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Old 11-29-09, 04:14 AM
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I'm a diehard Dahon owner that's interested in purchasing the Barcelona for my wife. Although she's not a "bike person," I think that this would be the perfect bike for her to cruise around town for shopping... plus it's great exercise, as we all know.

The price of the Barcelona is a bargain compared to the similarly styled Glide and Caio models that Dahon offers. I wish I could see one in person. Does anyone else have experience with this model or know anyone that owns one.
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