Citizen Rome - Cheap 16" Belt Drive, Anyone?
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Citizen Rome - Cheap 16" Belt Drive, Anyone?
Hi all, been out of the folding bike game for several years. I'm now back living in the US and looking to buy a modest folder. Was thinking about getting a Strida since I like the quick/simple fold and the belt drive. Did a Google search for "belt drive folding bike" and came across this bike from Citizen, ROME Citizen Bike 16" 1-speed Ultra-Light Folding Bike with Belt Drive.
16" wheels, belt drive, only 20lbs, and only $359. I tried to do some research but besides their own product page and this article which seems like a paid ad, https://www.digitaltrends.com/outdoo...e-citizen-bike, I literally could not find any other mention of it. Not a single mention of it on here either. This seems like a pretty amazing package so I was kinda surprised by the lack of reviews and information.
My only concern is the folding hinge, all the other Citizen bikes seem to have that cheap thread type hinge where you need to screw and tighten the bolt. I had a cheap folder before with this exact type of hinge and it was unbearable. But the Rome seems to have a straight latch hinge without the need for screwing and tightening.
So does anyone have any knowledge, info, or experience with this bike?
16" wheels, belt drive, only 20lbs, and only $359. I tried to do some research but besides their own product page and this article which seems like a paid ad, https://www.digitaltrends.com/outdoo...e-citizen-bike, I literally could not find any other mention of it. Not a single mention of it on here either. This seems like a pretty amazing package so I was kinda surprised by the lack of reviews and information.
My only concern is the folding hinge, all the other Citizen bikes seem to have that cheap thread type hinge where you need to screw and tighten the bolt. I had a cheap folder before with this exact type of hinge and it was unbearable. But the Rome seems to have a straight latch hinge without the need for screwing and tightening.
So does anyone have any knowledge, info, or experience with this bike?
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I didn't end up buying this bike, but I did some research into it.
Two considerations:
1) It's a single speed, so is your commute very flat or very short? What if the gearing is low? Are you okay with not having a high top speed?
2) The belt drive is NOT Gates CDX. That's why it's cheaper than other bikes with belt drive. If someday the belt needs to be replaced, you'll have to buy the replacement through Citizen.
I am intrigued by their muffin airless tire option. I've tried bikes with muffin tires and they're not bad. It'd be nice to not have to worry about pumping or flats.
Here is an email I got from them regarding the belt manufacturer.
Two considerations:
1) It's a single speed, so is your commute very flat or very short? What if the gearing is low? Are you okay with not having a high top speed?
2) The belt drive is NOT Gates CDX. That's why it's cheaper than other bikes with belt drive. If someday the belt needs to be replaced, you'll have to buy the replacement through Citizen.
I am intrigued by their muffin airless tire option. I've tried bikes with muffin tires and they're not bad. It'd be nice to not have to worry about pumping or flats.
Here is an email I got from them regarding the belt manufacturer.
The TOPTRANS belt is not directly compatible with GATES. Replacement belts are $29. We could always arrange a spare belt with your purchase as well.
If you need any detailed information, please contact me at contact us at 1-800-682-9579 (Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm EST).
Thanks!
Avery
If you need any detailed information, please contact me at contact us at 1-800-682-9579 (Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm EST).
Thanks!
Avery
Last edited by minbikemaxfun; 10-07-18 at 12:07 AM.
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Seems like a cool little bike, but didn't see any reference to 'gear inches' in the tech specs.. That might be a concern.
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I didn't end up buying this bike, but I did some research into it.
Two considerations:
1) It's a single speed, so is your commute very flat or very short? What if the gearing is low? Are you okay with not having a high top speed?
2) The belt drive is NOT Gates CDX. That's why it's cheaper than other bikes with belt drive. If someday the belt needs to be replaced, you'll have to buy the replacement through Citizen.
I am intrigued by their muffin airless tire option. I've tried bikes with muffin tires and they're not bad. It'd be nice to not have to worry about pumping or flats.
Here is an email I got from them regarding the belt manufacturer.
Two considerations:
1) It's a single speed, so is your commute very flat or very short? What if the gearing is low? Are you okay with not having a high top speed?
2) The belt drive is NOT Gates CDX. That's why it's cheaper than other bikes with belt drive. If someday the belt needs to be replaced, you'll have to buy the replacement through Citizen.
I am intrigued by their muffin airless tire option. I've tried bikes with muffin tires and they're not bad. It'd be nice to not have to worry about pumping or flats.
Here is an email I got from them regarding the belt manufacturer.
2. I didn't know that it wasn't a Gates drive, but I don't really mind what it is, as long as it works and is reliable.
3. The Muffin Tops are interesting, but I'm also a bit confused about them. I've read about airless tires before but those were made of solid rubber or foam. I thought these would be solid rubber as well but the site says "Airless: Filled with a natural, stable gas, integrated with macromolecular materials, Muffin® Tires will never need air and will never go flat." So it's airless but it's filled with other types of gasses? Which means it's not solid rubber? And it also says "Muffin® technology allows us to create a tire and wheel combination that weighs almost half the weight of traditional solid tires.", if it's really that light then I guess it really ISN'T solid rubber?
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Tern Verge Duo is likely a nicer bike than the Citizen Rome. The Duo has 2 speeds with automatic shifting.
If you're confident that you can pedal harder or faster when needed, then maybe a 1 speed is fine. I was definitely intrigued with the Rome but ended up getting something with more gears.
Maybe the muffin tire is like a hard memory foam and the little air cells/pockets are filled with some inert gas like nitrogen? I assume if it gets punctured, nothing would really happen, since the gas would leak out and get replaced by regular air.
Anyways, email them! They were good at answering my questions.
If you're confident that you can pedal harder or faster when needed, then maybe a 1 speed is fine. I was definitely intrigued with the Rome but ended up getting something with more gears.
Maybe the muffin tire is like a hard memory foam and the little air cells/pockets are filled with some inert gas like nitrogen? I assume if it gets punctured, nothing would really happen, since the gas would leak out and get replaced by regular air.
Anyways, email them! They were good at answering my questions.
Last edited by minbikemaxfun; 10-08-18 at 11:10 PM.
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Tern Verge Duo is likely a nicer bike than the Citizen Rome. The Duo has 2 speeds with automatic shifting.
If you're confident that you can pedal harder or faster when needed, then maybe a 1 speed is fine. I was definitely intrigued with the Rome but ended up getting something with more gears.
Maybe the muffin tire is like a hard memory foam and the little air cells/pockets are filled with some inert gas like nitrogen? I assume if it gets punctured, nothing would really happen, since the gas would leak out and get replaced by regular air.
Anyways, email them! They were good at answering my questions.
If you're confident that you can pedal harder or faster when needed, then maybe a 1 speed is fine. I was definitely intrigued with the Rome but ended up getting something with more gears.
Maybe the muffin tire is like a hard memory foam and the little air cells/pockets are filled with some inert gas like nitrogen? I assume if it gets punctured, nothing would really happen, since the gas would leak out and get replaced by regular air.
Anyways, email them! They were good at answering my questions.
I think I'm gonna give it a try and order it the next few weeks, found a $10 off coupon code too lol.
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Nice. Post a review and some photos if you can! If they had a local headquarters I would have gone for a test ride. The only thing I was worried about was the gear inches and whether it would be versatile enough for my needs.
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I checked with Citizen, the frame spacing for the rear hub does not allow multi-speed, freewheel/cassette hub to be used with the Rome frame.
Which is a big bummer.
Which is a big bummer.
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Thanks
Yan
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Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
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Citizen Bike (Citizen Bike)
Oct 10, 10:54 EDT
Thanks for the email.
The rear dropout is too narrow for a geared hub. The rear dropout is only 95mm on the ROME.
Thanks!
Avery
Citizen Bike
https://www.citizenbike.com
for going and being human.
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According to Citizen:
Citizen Bike (Citizen Bike)
Oct 10, 10:54 EDT
Thanks for the email.
The rear dropout is too narrow for a geared hub. The rear dropout is only 95mm on the ROME.
Thanks!
Avery
Citizen Bike
https://www.citizenbike.com
for going and being human.
Citizen Bike (Citizen Bike)
Oct 10, 10:54 EDT
Thanks for the email.
The rear dropout is too narrow for a geared hub. The rear dropout is only 95mm on the ROME.
Thanks!
Avery
Citizen Bike
https://www.citizenbike.com
for going and being human.
Thanks,
Yan
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Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
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This one is currently $499 + shipping.
https://www.downtube.com/downtube-mi...-folding-bike/
Anybody with recent experiences with this particular bike? Seems like an okay deal for a belt drive bike.
https://www.downtube.com/downtube-mi...-folding-bike/
Anybody with recent experiences with this particular bike? Seems like an okay deal for a belt drive bike.
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This one is currently $499 + shipping.
https://www.downtube.com/downtube-mi...-folding-bike/
Anybody with recent experiences with this particular bike? Seems like an okay deal for a belt drive bike.
https://www.downtube.com/downtube-mi...-folding-bike/
Anybody with recent experiences with this particular bike? Seems like an okay deal for a belt drive bike.
The belt drive model is: 22.6 ( 1st gear ) - 69.2 ( 8th gear ) gear inches
The chain drive model is: 28 ( 1st gear ) - 91 ( 8th gear ) gear inches
https://www.downtube.com/downtube-mi...-folding-bike/
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Last edited by tds101; 11-30-18 at 07:09 PM.