Westgl. Do you know what gear inch range you have with thr flyby?

Are there any effective steering tube bottle holders? I tried the one in the OP and the fit was too tight.

I am using the Bell Clinch 600 which has a rubber contact to the tube and velcro straps to tighten it to the tube. I wanted something that could be taken off quickly if I need to move it when packing. At first I was disappointed in the retention of the bottle. It fell off a few times on bumps. I had it positioned on the back side of the steering tube. Since then I moved it to the side of the tube which seems to work much better. After moving it I lost the bottle one time on a severe bump. Because the opening is now on the side, the bottle stays in much better. I even bought another cage since then. Walmart now carries them in the store. I initially saw it at Target.

That's a good looking folder for $200,,

It looks to have the exact same folding pedals as my $600 Dahon :P

I can say now that a 14-28 cog cassette would not be enough for me even with a 52T up front.

My Cassette is an 11-30,,52 chaining,, So far on my very few short rides I don't use the 30t much but I do use the 7th gear often,
and have dipped into the 11T a few times... 7th gear is a 13 T

I recently bought the Genesis Folding Bike a couple of weeks ago and I am looking to do some upgrades on the bike. I am undecided if I should switch to some bullhorn handlebars or get bar ends and an aero bar setup so I can be in a more aerodynamic position when riding. So far I am really enjoying the ride and have went on a couple 5 mile rides and average 14.2 miles an hour and I am also thinking of replacing the freewheel to DNP 7 speed 11t-30t to get some more speed. Any thoughts and recommendations is appreciated.

Thanks,
Cory G

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=444410

I installed bar ends and this stem extender. I like the reach. I was having some trouble with the fold at first but then I discovered that if I extended the handlebar past a safe riding position that I could fold it somewhat below the frame. That was easy and helped me keep the extender. Just one simple thing to add to the fold and unfold sequence. I think the OP mentioned wishing he had just put on bar ends due to the fold complication.

I am running a DNS Epoch 11-32 freewheel with a 53 T Chain ring. I like this combo so far and have done some long rides on it. No complaints. I live in a hilly area and wanted as low a gear as I could squeeze out. The 46 T original chain ring was not cutting it on the high end though.

Thanks a lot for the info. I think the stem extender would help out a lot. Can you tell me where you ordered it from? Also I will soon be upgrading the freewheel and chain ring to a similar setup as yours.

Thanks I'll pick one up.

How do you stop the handlebar stem from squeaking?

Oil it but don't go crazy with it like i did. I think I'm paying for my generous application of lube. I have had to re tighten some fasteners and the button just popped off at the handlebar joint. I found it but the spring was gone. It replaced it with a ball point pen spring which seems to be a perfect fit. The button has a friction fit to the rod with moves the latch pawl. My super deluxe lube appears to have crept into that area.

It was a bit of a panic at firat whenI couldn't find the spring. I was hoping to use the bike tomorrow morning. Now I can.

See post #146

How about the Tern Andros Stem a quick release stem on the ThorUSA site ?

So I went Genesis... and a couple of weeks in have no regrets. Solidly built frame and okay parts. Came with a bent rear axle, but Kent sent me out a new rear wheel and I had it in less than a week. Awesome customer service.
Added grease and adjusted hubs, headset and BB... all were very tight and binding. Now everything feels pretty good.

Went to my local bike co-op / non-profit and scored with an older STX RC rear derailleur which shifts much, much nicer than the Tourney the Genesis came with -- and it is all metal.
Took the Hookworm tires, Ergo seat and Planet Bike rack off my broken down Downtube and put those on the Genesis -- saved around $140 bucks there.
Changed out the uncomfortable grips, added bar ends for some additional reach, an IncrediBell, and I am in business.
Still want to change the Fleaby freewheel -- that is definitely the weak link on this bike. It knocks and occasionally slips... I just have to figure out if I want to change to a 7-speed configuration... but then I will need a new shifter, and I suspect a new chain.
What drivetrain upgrades are folks recommending?

Anyway, since I had most of these parts already, I have added a whopping $15. to my purchase price... so I am pretty pleased so far.

Thanks to everyone on this thread whose posts encouraged me to go this route. I think the Genesis is definitely a category killer... and the best value in the sub $500 price range.

Thanks for the info and encouragement. I am enjoying this bike way more than I expected. Was thinking it was a stop gap measure, but suspect I will keep it around. My only concern is the folding mechanisms. Anyone had any issues with these failing, breaking, etc. They seem a bit more complicated than necessary, so I wonder about the durability / longevity.

I think the Genesis is definitely a category killer... and the best value in the sub $500 price range.

I'm not sure I would agree with that. For your $200 you're getting a lot of cheap, heavy parts that people seem to spend a lot of time fixing/replacing. It seems to me most buyers would be better off starting with an Origami, Downtube, or the lower-end Dahons and Terns. Or buy used.

I stand by what I said with a caveat: you have to be a bike mechanic, technically proficient, or willing to learn, to really get the value out of the Genesis. I can pick up better parts and replace bit by bit... it is a hobby. Also, this is not necessarily the best bike for someone who is not familiar with bikes and just wants to take it out of the box and ride, though if your budget is $200. and you can't find something decent used...

For the record, it is as light as my Downtube was / and my friends Downtube. Though heavier than the Nova, it feels sturdier and has a less upright riding position that I prefer. It is about the same weight as my Melon Slice -- though the Slice did hot come with rear rack braze-ons, which limits the functionality for me. Most of the sub $500. bikes make compromises and use a number of cheap parts... my wife's Nova and the Genesis both came with low end Shimano Derailleurs... the one on the Nova broke and I replaced it -- on the Genesis, I replaced proactively.

Where I think the Genesis shines is the frame (consensus of my "folding bike" friends is that it is nicer than my Melon frame or Downtube frames)... though only time will tell about its durability.

I also like that the Genesis is a rigid frame. I just don't get most of the suspension folders -- too heavy and clunky and you lose efficiency. Maybe if you are going to use it a lot off road... but then I want a real Mountain Bike.

I liked Melon, but they appear to be out of business. Hasa impresses me, as does Origami... but no one else can touch $200.

Picture of work in progress http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=448298

More picshttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=448309http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=448310http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=448311http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=448316

I am a big fan of the Planet Bike rack I have been using the past several years. It can require minor modification to make it fit and be level, but it is a true functional rack... unlike so many provided by most folding bike manufactures . Most OEM racks on folding bikes cannot take panniers or for that matter, trunk bags/baskets that have a footprint nominally wider than the rack because it results in heel strike. The Planet Bike rack is positioned up from the rear wheel and back from the seat post minimizing the likelihood of heel strike. It is worth trying for riders frustrated by the low, flimsy racks that come stock on so many bikes.

:thumb:

If you act now, you can have one with apehangers for twice the price!

Custom Genesis Folding Bike $400 obo

And doesn't come with the front pouch or rear rack. Wow, what a bargain. He even mentions the original price of $200.

Perhaps. I have been using mine for about a year now without replacing any parts save the seat with a brooks I had laying around. I may add bar ends and new grips as well. It's been a great bike.

What's the deal with that seat?