My DownTube 8H Experience
01-31-10, 09:23 PM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 64
Bikes: 1983 Schwinn Le Tour, 2009.5 DownTube 8H, 2011 Giant Defy 1
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My DownTube 8H Experience
I thought It would would be helpful for anyone think about buying a folder from the Internet. This is not a horror story, but there are things to consider. First and for most, if you are not a do it yourself-er then have a bike shop or someone who is knowledgeable about bicycle help you out. This is very important and the manufacturer recommends it! I had my budget set and decided a DownTube 8H was going to satisfy my needs. I put 12 miles on it and all is good so far. I guess I'm a pansy cause I don't like riding in the snow or 20 degree weather. Anyway, I’m happy with the 8H, but I’m not crazy about the seat, but it will do for now.
So I received my DownTube 8H on 12/29/09, box was abused thank you UPS, but all was in order and there was two items bouncing around on the box. A little black rubber cover that I think goes on the top of the handle bar adjustment screw and the plastic shipping axle nut/wheel tab.
I checked my bicycle from top to bottom and that helped me become very familiar with it. Here's what I did:
Out of box the tires were low, so I filled them with air (easy and typical).
I put black electrical tape were the kickstand clamps down on seat & chain stays. There were some chips in the paint.
I Adjusted the Sturmey Archer 8 speed hub to align arrow with yellow scribe and used the procedures from the web. Cool
Manuals:
In addition to the documents that came with the 8H, I wanted information about the Sturmey Archer 8 speed hub. The SA website did not have info on the X-RF8 (only the X-RF8W, newer), The only thing I could find was in the 2006 -2007 catalog. So I emailed SA support and had to explain that I wanted the technical specs. After a few emails they helped me and provided a PDF with technical spec. I was surprise that I had a 2-3 year old hub in a 2009.5 8H.
Reconfigured:
I relocated the chain ring to the inside for better alignment to the rear hub cog.
After the adjustments, I noticed the rear wheel with the SA hub did not spin freely. I thought it may needed to be grease or oil or I had to back off the hub bolts. I went for the bolts first and slightly loosen them and now it spins well, no binding. I lubed as well.
Problem:
The right side of the front (worse one) and rear brakes would not spring back. Black tension screw would not increase the spring back. I had to take the brakes apart. I found that it had a bent round tension plate tab on both of these APSE brakes. It looks to me it was installed wrong and it was tighten down on the tension adjustment screw so it did not work. To resolve this problem I had to bend it flat so it would align with the black tension screw. It now works, but the screw and plate does shows evident of this.
Minor issue:
The handle bar stem had some play in it so I put a small piece of plastic (like a shim) in the head tube part of folding joint to eliminate play. (Tightening the hinge bolt/screw did not help.)
For personal comfort:
I adjusted seat height and tighten down quick release and I angled the seat slightly down. I adjusted handle bar for comfort style position. I installed Schwinn 12 functions computer as well.
I found information, adjustment procedures, and reviews on the web and this help me to decide on the 8H. I did not not get this folder because I want a bike to help with a commute. It is more for carrying in my car for exercise and joy riding when I'm on vacation. I hope someone finds this info useful.
So I received my DownTube 8H on 12/29/09, box was abused thank you UPS, but all was in order and there was two items bouncing around on the box. A little black rubber cover that I think goes on the top of the handle bar adjustment screw and the plastic shipping axle nut/wheel tab.
I checked my bicycle from top to bottom and that helped me become very familiar with it. Here's what I did:
Out of box the tires were low, so I filled them with air (easy and typical).
I put black electrical tape were the kickstand clamps down on seat & chain stays. There were some chips in the paint.
I Adjusted the Sturmey Archer 8 speed hub to align arrow with yellow scribe and used the procedures from the web. Cool
Manuals:
In addition to the documents that came with the 8H, I wanted information about the Sturmey Archer 8 speed hub. The SA website did not have info on the X-RF8 (only the X-RF8W, newer), The only thing I could find was in the 2006 -2007 catalog. So I emailed SA support and had to explain that I wanted the technical specs. After a few emails they helped me and provided a PDF with technical spec. I was surprise that I had a 2-3 year old hub in a 2009.5 8H.
Reconfigured:
I relocated the chain ring to the inside for better alignment to the rear hub cog.
After the adjustments, I noticed the rear wheel with the SA hub did not spin freely. I thought it may needed to be grease or oil or I had to back off the hub bolts. I went for the bolts first and slightly loosen them and now it spins well, no binding. I lubed as well.
Problem:
The right side of the front (worse one) and rear brakes would not spring back. Black tension screw would not increase the spring back. I had to take the brakes apart. I found that it had a bent round tension plate tab on both of these APSE brakes. It looks to me it was installed wrong and it was tighten down on the tension adjustment screw so it did not work. To resolve this problem I had to bend it flat so it would align with the black tension screw. It now works, but the screw and plate does shows evident of this.
Minor issue:
The handle bar stem had some play in it so I put a small piece of plastic (like a shim) in the head tube part of folding joint to eliminate play. (Tightening the hinge bolt/screw did not help.)
For personal comfort:
I adjusted seat height and tighten down quick release and I angled the seat slightly down. I adjusted handle bar for comfort style position. I installed Schwinn 12 functions computer as well.
I found information, adjustment procedures, and reviews on the web and this help me to decide on the 8H. I did not not get this folder because I want a bike to help with a commute. It is more for carrying in my car for exercise and joy riding when I'm on vacation. I hope someone finds this info useful.
02-02-10, 07:59 AM
#2
half way commuter
hi mrodtoo, thanks for sharing your experience, I bought DT mini 2009 about 5 months ago and yes, there were few basic adjustment that I needed to do before I could ride the bike more conviniently. I adjusted the brakes, spoke tensions, and shifter cable tension. I also added few accessories like kick stand, fender and also swap stock tires with a lighter ones. Apart of it the bike is good and pleasant to ride.
