Me: 6' - 230lb(~240 w/ bag)
Looking for entry level pricing under 200
Want basic folder for bopping around downtown mid-day(~3mi radius). Folder so I can keep it in the office.


Issue: I am looking at the citizen Tokyo for its base cheap intro price, see if I even like folders and they will work for me. Problem as you can see is I am right over the weight they post on the site. I flux from 220-230 and with bag just figure myself a bit over all the time.

Does anyone have experience with knowing someone being, or themselves are just over the recommended weight? I don't want to have to spend the money for a custom from Black Friday or jump up over 300 for a Dohan or another Citizen to get the 230 max weight.

Looking for opinion and experience if I should just give it up until I can or am willing to pay more or if being just over like that is not going to be a deal breaker and any bike signs I should look out for that I am too hard on it. I will be doing smooth rides and no crazy curb hopping. Also was looking for 16" wheels, would 20" make be a better choice if I am going to be pushing the limits like that. All feedback, points of thought appreciated.

Finding a good bike at that price range leaves you with looking at craigslist for used bikes.

I owned a 16 inch wheeled citizen bike and it developed a crack at the seatpost after some very light use, I think I was weighting in at 190 lbs around that time. Gave it away to my aunt and don't know what became of it.

I've owned a Downtube 8fs for about 2 years before I bought the citizen and it's served me well without issues, bought originally for $300 from the Downtube page.

Wheel size doesn't really matter, both will be strong but finding replacement parts for the 20 inch wheels is much easier since it's a popular wheel size thanks to the BMX crowd.

Expect problems if you are not going to work within the manufacturers weight limits.

I didn't know they even made bikes for under $200

smallwheeler please leave this thread.

Even if you were below the weight limit; things can still break.
Spoke, pedal, etc. Most bikes carry a 1 year warranty. I would
buy locally instead of online; so I can bring it back to the shop
if something does break. Having said that; I did buy a 2013
Citizen Tokyo used on Craigslist. My brother has 3 of them
and I borrow them when I visit. So I have experience riding
the Tokyo model before deciding on purchasing it. I weigh
around 200 lbs. But as you can see in my Cali video; I wasn't
easy on the bike. I don't think Citizen intended for this model
to go off road.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUUCa...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR2Te...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

Love those vids!! Great music choice too! Thanks for sharing!

and then another, and another, and another..

if you are already in China , the local prices may be cheap,
but in order to be shipped around the globe and sold in shops, people need a bit of markup

so as to eat, run the store, and live indoors.

If you can up your budget a little I think you will find Origami offers a couple nice bikes for the $. I'm close to your weight (225). I've been riding my Origami Cricket and really enjoy it. It has a weight limit of 240 and can accommodate riders up to 6'1". It is on sale right now for $299. Origami also has the Mantis with the same weight rating and can accommodate riders up to 6'4" and it is $339.

Origami's specs page image is goofed on Safari for me.

https://www.origamibicycles.com/Specifications.html

We are updating our web site and some pages still need work. Can I answer any questions for you?

Hi Pingis. I was able to see all the specs by copy/pasting the text contents elsewhere. No questions currently. Nice bikes!

I would stay away from brand new bikes that retail for under $200. These will probably cause more problems than they are worth. Craigslist should have something to fit your budget.

Om,
Yan