So, my hubby finally got his Gotham2! It's pretty cool.

Here are pics of it folded and unfolded, and also a pic of it next to my Barcelona.

IMG00203-20100209-1431.jpgIMG00204-20100209-1436.jpgIMG00205-20100209-1439.jpg

Delivery was super-speedy as with our other CB order, though the bike needed some extra adjustment when it arrived. The handlebars weren't aligned with the front wheel (quite noticeably), and they didn't send the hex wrench that would be needed to adjust it (I think this is an adjustment they don't think you're supposed to make yourself--they send the tools for the adjustments they do expect you to be making). Whoever did the final inspection clearly missed that one!

Compared to the Barcelona, the G2 folds up WAAAAAY tighter and smaller. I am still madly in love with my cruiser, but wow--it's no where near that tidy of a package.

He ordered the "large" size, and while my Barcelona is the "medium" size (those are the only two sizes they offer), there seems to be almost no difference is frame size. I have no idea if a medium G2 or a large Barcelona would look very different, but these sure don't.

He hasn't ridden it really yet, so I'll update when he has.

On a side note: we're so happy we found the world of folding bikes! We thought we'd have to be bikeless in our temporary living situation, and now we're thinking we can maybe ditch our old, cumbersome bikes altogether!

Hi Blueplate55,

Great looking bike! It makes a nice contrast with it's ultra modern looks next to the classic beauty of your Barcelona. I see he ordered it with some "goodies" such as the rack/fender kit, and the wider comfort seat.

We'll be looking forward to any feedback on how it rides and performs for your husband.

Happy Trails,
Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

You might not want to rest that bike, folded, on the carpet once you start using it. The chain is touching the carpet!

welcome to the fold.. you have no idea how many people did just that
and are now very happy to cruise along on small wheeled bikes.
Thor

I wonder if CB sizes their bikes like the Xootr Swift. In other words, maybe the size is just a reflection of factors like stem extension and seat post length rather than a difference in frame size. It would be interesting to know.

Nice!

With the top tube "cut out", does it make it lighter? I would think that the missing metal would. How much does it weigh?

Contrary to commonly thought, bike frames are actually quite a small portion of the total weight. So making the top tube different would have an almost negligible effect on total weight. Besides, 2 full tubes in parallel would be quite close to a single bigger tube.

I think the dual top tube is a stylistic move. Quite a good one actually. Or maybe Dahon threatened them about copying the Mu looks, so they changed something to effect the looks. Pure speculation.

According to Citizenbike's website, the Gotham2 weighs 25 lbs.

Edward Wong III
Qile Duo 5 Speed 20" Folder

It's noticeably lighter than the Barcelona, which weighs in at 30 (according to the website--I haven't taken it on the scale...). In fact, I've been offering (generously) to carry his bike up the stairs, so he can take mine up for me.

Of course, I've got the basket, and I usually have lots of stuff in it, which is probably making it even heavier.

The cut out interestingly helps with picking the bike up--it makes an easy handle.

Good pics. I am thinking about buying this bike. I live in South fla so I could probably pick it up from them. I like the idea that I could take it anywhere in the car without hassle. Havent been on a bike in year but this sounds cool.

Rob

BluePlate55,

So how does the hubby like his new G2?

That cutout might be a good place to mount a battery...

Hi
In Japan there are a wide range of folders. The Doppleganger range includes some bikes that look identical to your Gotham and Barcelona.

https://www.doppelganger-sports.jp/bike/

By the way if you wish to see some of the other types of folders available in Japan try this website.

https://www.cycle-yoshida.com/bicycle...lding_menu.htm

All the best
Rob

I've narrowed my search down between a Dahon, Downtube and the Citizens Gothic2. How does he like it, how well are the components holding up? Have you made any upgrades, or had problems upgrading? Super curious, I'm ready to buy...

The woman (Blueplate55) that started this thread hasn't posted any updates for quite a while, so I wonder if she even reads this site anymore.

She had bought a Citizenbike Barcelona, and posted a wonderful review on it, and then a couple of weeks later, her husband got the Gotham2, and we're still waiting on their impressions about that bike.

Hope everything is alright.

I've had a couple of minor issues with my Downtube FS8 (slipping gears, adjustment of main frame locking mechanism) but no troubles at all with my Citizen Tokyo which worked fine out of the box. Ofcourse, all shipped bikes should get a shop tuneup.

They're probably just having too much fun riding their new bikes! They really sounded like they are in love with their bikes - Fantastic!

I tried using PM for BluePlate but she has that feature deactived. Darn!!

I forgot I'd started this other thread!! My hubby is really enjoying his Gotham 2, though he tends to ride it like a BMX (since it's a similar size to the bikes from his childhood) so he's thinking of getting knobbier tires. The slim ones it comes with are good for commuting on roads, but we often ride over grass or dirt or gravel, and he'd like something grippier.

To be honest, I think the Gotham 2 is actually a better bike than my Barcelona. While I still love the look of my bike, the Gotham 2 is simply lighter, zippier, easier to fold, smaller when folded, and a bit more adaptable (since it has 8 gears).

The only thing we've noticed is that the handlebars make a weird clicky noise when he pulls on them or turns in certain ways. There's no movement, no looseness, just this click, that it's REALLY hard to replicate when he's not riding it. We think it's in the post, though we're not sure. I almost felt like I could *feel* something happen when I tried riding it and it clicked, but no parts moved in a way they weren't supposed to, which leads me to think it's internal.

It doesn't mess with the riding experience, but I'm hoping nothing's wrong on the inside! Any thoughts on what it could be??

Over all, both hubby and I are very happy with our CBs. I think the only bike that might pull me away from the Barcelona is the Dahon Glide, but it's not financially feasible right now, and the glow hasn't worn off the Barcelona enough for me to seriously consider it.

BluePlate, have you tried other folders before you made your Barcelona purchase? Just interested in hearing how the Gotham and Barcelona compared to others?

I spent a little time tooling around on my mother-in-law's Dahon one day, but it was before I was considering getting a folder for myself, so I didn't pay close attention to what model it was. I remember that it felt spindly--I felt like I was a bit teetery on the seatpost. She may have a 16" wheel model, or, I simply wasn't used to the smaller size yet (my previous bike was a cruiser/mtn bike hycrid with 26" wheels).

The next time I'm visiting, I'll have to make a more purposeful comparison. Just from having shopped around, I feel like Dahon generally does a better job covering all the bases of accessories. I love the built-in dynamo headlight, for example, and I like that the Ciao has more speeds than the Barcelona, but in most cases, I can't use the frills to justify the price.

As for the other major brands that are regularly discussed in this forum, I have no experience at all! I'd never even heard of folding bikes until my MIL got hers, and then it was only last year that we got our own. I was frustrated while shopping that very few bike shops has models for me to try--that seems to be one of the big obstacles in really being able to shop around.

I agree with you

That's what I was hoping to hear. My Miami rides nice but The Gotham2 looks like it has better components. It's looking like it may be my next Folder.

Blueplate55,

That "clicking" that you hear might just be a simple headset or handlepost adjustment. You should call Citizenbike, and see what they think.

Good suggestion--we'll give them a call and see if they have any suggestions. I'm hoping it's just a quirk that gives it character...