thanks again, first 9fs, now tokyo
 

i ordered a storm colored tokyo and got it just last week. as i mentioned on my other post, it looks like there were some slight updates mainly on the folding mechanism, color, and decals. here are some pics.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ttie/stock.jpg

here's some closer ones. the folding part on the handlebar post is identical to my 9fs. also, i was not expecting the off white and two tone colors on the fender, but it looks good.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ttie/front.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ittie/rear.jpg

i read most or all the tokyo discussions here prior to purchasing one. my initial impression upon seeing the bike is that it is a great bike for the price i paid for. there's even a printed note with the mechanic's name and signature who tuned the bike prior to shipping. i still took it to my lbs and they did a few adjustments just like my 9fs.

ill update later with riding since i have been only going around my place only since i bought it. also, i went ahead and remove the fenders and rack for a simpler, cleaner look. im also waiting for my big apples to arrive and will confirm if it fits. last thing i want to do for now is to update the saddle.

i just got back from my lbs and i thought the big apple install will be routine. turns out that the tires are both defective. the shop tried a bunch of ways to center it and it always come out uneven. they even tried the other tire thinking that only one is defective, but the same thing happened. this with my stock tube and also tried with a heavy duty tube. i went to another shop just to see if it can be done, but the same thing happened.

im returning the big apple to amazon and debating if i should go for a replacement or get something else. could it be that the wheel is not wide enough to fit these right? or am i just very lucky to have 2 defective tires?

Like the pictures, nice bike, shame about the big apples issue. 2 defective tires, how about that...

thanks. im looking at the label for the tires and the step by step pics show that the rim liner must be full width of the inner part. i wonder if that has anything to do with the issue i have. im not sure if the stock strip is covering the entire width of the wheel. ill bring this up to my lbs and see if they can try it out.

what size is the tokyo's wheel? 16" has 2 version: 305 and 349. i think big apple only fit on 349 wheel.

Other way around. Big apple only fit 305.

Tokyo most like has 305s...all the cheaper 16" wheeled bikes do.

i just verified 305 too via schwalbe site. ill try another bike shop and show them the label and suggestions from the site. maybe the third one will work.

Sounds like a bead seating problem. Sometimes with cheaper rims, the bead can be stuck in the well area of the rim, and having a severe uneven tyre as a result when inflated. Try talcum powder on the beads before installing the tyres again, and over-inflate a bit to get the bead to pop on the shoulder, and deflate to correct pressure afterwards.

ill bring all the info to the shop next time. im still thinking it is just harder to fit than other tires since both end up not fitting right.

current pics without the rack and fenders:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../nofender2.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ie/citpark.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...e/citpark2.jpg

i rode it a few times including to the usual park i go to. it rides good, less stiff than i was expecting since im used to my fs folder. i do have to get used to riding it since it is smaller than my other one. last pic folded and taking about half the space on my yaris hatch:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...e/tokinyar.jpg


i did get a few compliments on the bike including our neighbor and another customer on the bike shop earlier who asked about the bike and asked if i happen to be selling it after i told him how much it cost.

In some of your photos, the bike looks silver, but in others, it looks gray. I can see that one difference from my 2009 is the handlepost QR - not a big difference, but yours seems to have fewer plastic parts. Also, the seatpost looks like it has paint or a textured finish - that might help with slippage - mine is smooth shiny metal. Yours looks nice without the fender and rack. You may find it easier to roll when folded without that stuff, because you'll be able to tilt it back further.

I'll confirm that the wheels on a Tokyo are 305s.

it is actually brownish gray in color, that may explain the choice of fender colors (maybe i should consider brown saddle and grip later on). the seatpost is painted and so far has not slipped. ill keep it without rack and fenders for now.

ok, third shop tried and end up with the same result with the big apple tires. ill try to work with schwalbe directly first and get a replacement. in terms of fitting, it fits, but perhaps without the fenders (ill confirm this later).

i got a hold of schwalbe and submitted a warranty claim including the pic showing how the tires look like installed.

looks like they need to see the tires to make a decision. they also indicated that this happens a lot on a "low end" bike. since they mention that they will fit the tires now im thinking if i should try finding a test wheel to fit here to find out or send it anyways.

I've come across more oversized rims than undersized tires. And you are talking about cheap rims and high quality tires. Try to mount them on a different rim before sending them back.

Congrats on the new Tokyo! I have a question. Do you know by any chance what is the size of your new bike's chainring? I know that Citizen Bike states on their website that it is a 48 tooth, but from the photos you included of your Tokyo, it looks larger; almost like a 52 tooth or something like that. Then again, it might be an illusion that it looks larger because of the smaller 16" wheels.

Thanks for posting about your new bike.

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

thanks. i thought maybe 50 by counting a section with 10, but the next identical section is slightly short of 10, so i think it is 48.

i just got my replacement tires after a few weeks and now a bike shop is working on it. havent seen it, but the bike shop said the front fits perfectly, but they are having difficulty on the rear. im not sure what to make of it. should i consider leaving the back slightly off and try it to see if it corrects itself? i thought i read it somewhere.

ok, the shop was not able to fit the rear one at all. the staff did mention that one of the tires seem tighter than the other. i might still take it to another shop and try the "rear" tire to the front first to see what happens, or might just give it up. i might keep the tires since i am planning to buy another 16" soon.

Thanks for replying. Good luck with those tires!

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

thanks, i need luck on these indeed. i havent heard from schwalbe after 2 weeks, and now when i try to reply my email fails (did they block me? hehehe). i might get my lbs to fit one in the rear for now, and may do a single replacement if i get a response.

@mtbdt - Do you know the width of the hubs on your Tokyo? Are they a standard width or a custom size?

i think standard since the lbs fitted other 16" tires without issues.

finally got a reply. not sure why it took two weeks and a follow up, but they concluded that it is a rim compatibility issue. at least i was not reminded again for having a low end bike.

I put Big Apple 2.00" wide on my Citizen Gotham 7 without any issues with the rims. However I did take my fenders off.

Wierd that Tokyo bike looks nothing like the bike on the Citizen site. On the site the bike has chainstays and a different frame design, different handlebar locking mechanism and a few other things.

Your bike is like the Jieku.

JIEKU - Tianjin Fuji-ta Bicycle Co.,Ltd.

Maybe the frame shown on their Citizen site is an older model and that frame type is no longer made at the factory.

Looks a nice bike though.

If it is a fuji-ta that's not a bad thing they are great quality and the most advanced bike factory I believe in China. They make bikes for a lot of brands like Cannondale, Raleigh, Scott, Mongoose, Bianchi plus many others and many direct sellers probably including Citizen. Obviously price dictates component quality used but the frames are normally good whatever the material.

Those yellow mudguards/fenders on the original photos look like they belong on another bike, are they the right ones for this model ?