I'm considering getting a folder for hostel-hopping by Amtrak.

Right now I think the Dahon Vitesse looks good, but the montague's look good as well...and if downtube still sold front suspension bikes instead of full suspension (really, what's up with that?) they might be perfect.

a few things I want.

1. can be carried on train, obviously, without any hassel or having it leave my person. I don't think all folders can do this...
2. have a rack. I'd be attaching my backpack to the rack, which makes traveling much more pleasant.
3. IGH preferably. It might double as a winter bike.
4. larger-ish wheels. I dunno, I might be spoiled by 700c wheels, but when I think of those tiny wheels going at high speeds, it doesn't seem safe.
5. preliminary budget is $600 or less.

Also, it seems to me like lots of storage cases for these things are way overpriced. I mean, can't they simply be stuffed in cheap luggage?

The last I heard, Downtube will be releasing a few new models in early September.

Wow, Yan just sent me a reply.

If you live in the greater philadelphia region...at the horsham, PA warehouse they are liquidating returns of the FS IGH bike for $200. I might go this weekend.

Trust us . Do not worry about the smaller wheels. The bikes handling and tyres are the most important aspect. 20" wheels are fine. 16" can be OK also

+ on small wheels. I just commuted for the first time on on 8" wheels (CarryMe DS 2010) , I overtook full size bikes q (even a guy on carbon fibre triathlon bike?) and it felt quite safe actually because you are very close to the ground, you feel even safer than up there

Check out the Xootr Swift, do a search. Comes very close to the ride of a road bike from what I have read.

A mad man from the Pacific harrassing carbon fibre boys tut tut lol!

I found out last week how bad carbon fibre is, most cheap carbon fibre frames are built in China, to sand down CF you need to do it underwater (because of the highly toxic chemicals) but guess what, this is expensive & time consuming, so they give them 20Cent paper masks, but at least they get "lightweight" CF lungs.

I guess what I am trying to say is... I do my bit

Edit:
According to my phone:
Max Speed: 36km/h
Av Speed: 24km/h

Hi
I have a Montague Paratrooper. I notice the newer range includes quite a few 700c wheeled bikes.

For the use you describe they may be a bit bulky when folded compared to a Dahon.

I understand your concerns re small wheels but they are usually okay.

By the way I have modified my Paratrooper to make it more road and travel friendly. By fitting 24 inch wheels it is quite easy to dismantle it and pack it in an airline legal suitcase.
Rob

I over take an awful lot on my go faster modded Mezzo( 16"). Carbon fibre race bikes,full sized bikes have been eaten up, I am not even that fit. Never really been overtaken on it, except red light jumpers,who usually get re-caught.

Hi there -

Just jumping in re Downtube. I have just had a very bad experience dealing with them which I won't go into in detail. In brief, what pertains to your question about suspension though, is that there is a front suspension only model on the site is the 8H but it is, I believe, heavier than advertised. They tried to tell me that all foldy bike manufacturers posted bike weights wo/seats, pedals, etc but I didn't find that to be true, but I did find the 8H to be heavier than expected and heavier than advertised (by my scale it weighted 34lbs rather than the 26.5lbs).

The Downtube was a little more solid feeling than the Citizen but I think that solidness contributed to the unexpected weight.

About your budget - there seem to be Citizen and Downtube and maybe a Dahon below that and everything else is above (or at least the one's I was researching).

I ended up with a Citizen.

I just tried to send you a pm but couldn't because I don't have enough posts yet. Oh well.

I, for one, can't even stand those microscopic 700c wheels. Clearly one needs at least 36" wheels for safety and not an inch smaller!

According to Amtrak's website, they accept all folding bikes as long as the bike is folded when you bring it on board, so I wouldn't worry too much about folded size.

Nice.



how is the stability on the Mezzo? would love to try it out, that stem looks.. interesting

This guy raced vs full size carbon bikes (200 of them) and he didnt do to bad on a "small wheels" folding bike..

um, what did you want to say?

As Jur says it depends on the bike and the quality of the suspension. I have test ridden a Dahon Jetstream EX with dual suspension, the front forks being German A (€900 suspension0 and it works beautifully and is fully adjustable. Adjustable suspension means you do not really have to employ it on smooth roads but it comes into its own on rougher surfaces or trail riding.

I had Schwalbe Marathon Apple tyres on a Dahon Cadenza 8 and they acted very effectively in absorbing vibrations on rougher trails but it did help that the wheels were also 26".

What are these new-fangled Schwalbe Marathon Apples?