What bike should I get? Still not sure...
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
What bike should I get? Still not sure...
Hey everyone,
I'm currently in the market for a folding bike that'll last and even with all the research I've done, I'm not 100% on what to get.
Wants
I've narrowed it so far
Honestly, if wish I could just get a BMX bike with long seat post and gears at this point if that existed, haha. Too bad that "hooligan" bike is hard to find.
Thanks!
I'm currently in the market for a folding bike that'll last and even with all the research I've done, I'm not 100% on what to get.
Wants
- Something I can upgrade parts to eventually, such disk brakes or maybe even internal hub.
- 20in wheels, and can take wider
- Okay to be used in park recreational trails, a few stretches of gravel, dirt tracks, and of course roads and pavements
- I'm in Toronto, Canada. Mentioning just in case there are options here.
I've narrowed it so far
- Bike friday, NWT or diamond. Can't find current reviews, so I'm wondering if they are still worth the buy. Seems like they check all the wants. Only issue being, I'm in Canada.
- Dahon, and there is a supplier in Canada called "powerinmotion.ca". But I'm not 100% sure if these frames are upgradeable in the future, or what life expectancy to expect from the newer frames.
- Helix looks really neat but looks like they are backed up for a while and $$$.
- Giant Expressway. There is a store in Toronto. Wonder if it checks the boxes though.
Honestly, if wish I could just get a BMX bike with long seat post and gears at this point if that existed, haha. Too bad that "hooligan" bike is hard to find.
Thanks!
Last edited by bingsu; 02-29-20 at 12:34 PM. Reason: Added Toronto
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 3,460
Bikes: Trident Spike 2 recumbent trike w/ e-assist
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1321 Post(s)
Liked 374 Times
in
288 Posts
BF Llama or NWT, either will work great for you. You can buy new, pre-loved from BF, or get a used one on CL.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,541
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 247 Times
in
211 Posts
You look for a folding bike but you do not mention any requirement about folding: need to fold (when, why, how often), size folded, ease of folding...
The BMX you mention is not a folding bike.
Do you really need a folding bike or just a small wheel bike ?
The BMX you mention is not a folding bike.
Do you really need a folding bike or just a small wheel bike ?
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
If worse comes to worse and none fit the bill I'm open to a small 20" bike, but that's the max my space can afford.
#6
Senior Member
I currently have both a Dahon Speed and a Bike Friday Crusoe. I owned the Dahon about a year before I got the BF. I enjoyed the Dahon, but the BF completely outclasses it. It really does feel like a real bike. The Dahon always had some wiggle and shimmy when I hit the bars (handlebars, not drinking bars ), but the BF is solid.
You could also look for a used Xootr Swift. They're reputedly very solid.
You could also look for a used Xootr Swift. They're reputedly very solid.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Posts: 986
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Supersix EVO 3, 2015 Trek 520, 2017 Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, 2022 Moots Vamoots Disc RSL
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 284 Post(s)
Liked 267 Times
in
140 Posts
I've fallen back in love with my Bike Friday Pocket Rocket. For you, I'd consider the NWT or the Llama like linberl said due to your desire for some gravel cycling. I haven't ridden my PR, but I'm currently getting accustomed to riding it again. I'm taking it to Washington DC on a business trip. I'm going a day before to ride it to Mt. Vernon, then after visiting that historical site, I'll come back to DC and do a small section of the C&O before dinner. In August, I'm bringing it to Oregon to do the Crater Lake Century. I've done the GFNY New York century in 2018 on my BFPR, and it was solid as a rock. And besides, there's no better feeling than passing someone on a folding bike, followed by the huffing and puffing you hear the other rider doing to try and pass you again. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't... it's still fun.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,173
Bikes: Surly Disk Trucker, 2014 w/Brooks Flyer Special saddle, Tubus racks - Duo front/Logo Evo rear, 2019 Dahon Mariner D8, Both bikes share Ortlieb Packer Plus series panniers, Garmin Edge 1000
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 405 Post(s)
Liked 115 Times
in
99 Posts
For the price I don't think you can beat it. I think I paid around $650 for it.
It will handle all kinds of asphalt riding, some harder gravel, and hard packed dirt. I would not want to ride any conventional bike on "loose" gravel. The trails I have been on that I would call "gravel" I wouldn't hesitate taking the Mariner on. If a portion was too loose or soft I probably couldn't ride on it with any bike I have anyway.
As for the size and fold-ability - the Mariner, stock, is very easy once you get the hang of it. I swapped out the pedals with combo SPD/platforms as that is the only way I can ride any distance (knee problems). Since the SPD pedals don't fold that is one constraint in my case that is different. The other is that I use Ortleib panniers and their handlebar bag. The mount for the bar bag uses a cable system to lock the mount to the bar. This works very well to hold the bag, however it renders the ability to move the handlebar for folding impossible. The only way to fold the bike is to back the cable lock off the handle bar bag mount by loosening 2 set screws and the cable screw itself. This takes more time to set up and break down (just the bag mount) than folding and unfolding the bike.
WIth that having been said, I make do with the bar bag mount and the way the bike works, for me, is just fine. I have been very happy with the Mariner and I ride it as a regular bike. It isn't just a "travel bike", I actually ride it locally as well as day tours here and out traveling. It has been an absolutely wonderful door opener so I can get some freedom of riding when I cant have a "big bike". And that is perfectly fine - I enjoy it, its comfortable (the stock saddle fits me wonderfully), and suits my riding.
You mention the ability to be upgradable. What I would like to do with mine is add a 2nd chain ring up front - with a lower tooth count. The gearing on the bike is OK for flat ground. The top end, for me, is just fine. I don't really want to be going any faster than I can crank out in top gear on the bike anyway. Climbing hills - now that is another story. That is where the stock gearing is weak.
I will also caution this. Some riders use their grip on the handlebars of a bike to twist around and gain more power in their crank strokes. I believe what I am referring to common from people that have learned to "race". Folding bikes are NOT able to withstand this type of force due to the tall masts/handlebar stems. There is too much leverage in the length of the handlebar post and you will likely break the frame in short order by doing this.
Lastly, the 20" bikes ride great. My "big bike" is a 700c Disk Trucker. Compared to the Disk Trucker the Mariner is very "twitchy". However, this is common to all the small wheel bikes. With that having been said, for it's class - the Mariner really does ride well. And I dare state that it rides even better loaded as you are putting on some mass to counter the twitchy'ness (by mass I mean panniers off the sides of the rear rack down low mostly).
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,541
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 247 Times
in
211 Posts
In your list of requirements, the point I see that can cause problems is the use of the bike on recreational trails, stretches of gravel and dirt tracks.
You should first look at the maximum tire width accepted by the frame with mudguards.
For this reason, Helix won't fit (only relatively narrow road or BMX tires, no mudguards).
For offroad use, a bike with full suspension would help I think.
Even if its not 20" wheels, I think that a Birdy will fit your needs: it folds well (not as well as a Bormpton but you probably do not need such an easy and small fold) and is easy to carry folded, it has full suspension, it accepts wide tires including off road tires.
#10
Full Member
I've fallen back in love with my Bike Friday Pocket Rocket. For you, I'd consider the NWT or the Llama like linberl said due to your desire for some gravel cycling. I haven't ridden my PR, but I'm currently getting accustomed to riding it again. I'm taking it to Washington DC on a business trip. I'm going a day before to ride it to Mt. Vernon, then after visiting that historical site, I'll come back to DC and do a small section of the C&O before dinner. In August, I'm bringing it to Oregon to do the Crater Lake Century. I've done the GFNY New York century in 2018 on my BFPR, and it was solid as a rock. And besides, there's no better feeling than passing someone on a folding bike, followed by the huffing and puffing you hear the other rider doing to try and pass you again. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't... it's still fun.
As others have mentioned you can't go wrong with a 20 inch Dahon. Affordable and can handle 90% of the terrain out there. Light dirt or gravel they handle fine, I've used mine on class 1 desert trails without issue. It's the bmx bike with long seat post you mentioned.
Last edited by kayakindude; 03-01-20 at 07:38 AM.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,546
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 980 Post(s)
Liked 580 Times
in
398 Posts
Just FYI, you can't just "upgrade" to disc brakes- the frame has to have integral mounting points for the calipers. Internally-geared hubs generally require horizontal rear dropouts, so conversion of a frame designed for a derailleur-based drivetrain to IGH involves adding a chain tensioner or "half links" to the chain.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,595
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 608 Post(s)
Liked 352 Times
in
225 Posts
Leaving out the upgrading criteria as SWEEKS suggets and I agree, there are a couple of other choices that are available to you in Toronto. For a non-folder you could look at the Moulton's. I test drove this bike here in Toronto and it was far superior to my Brompton. The Brompton won because of the fold, but the bike rides like crap. The other brand that sells well in Toronto is Tern. Urbane Cycles, I believe still sell them.
As others and even yourself mentioned, the Bike Fridays are a class in their own. They are essentially a handmade bike but you pay for this privilege. I don't think you can wrong with that brand.
Last check out the MEC Origami bike. They have two models and one is on sale. https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5053-259/Origami-Bicycle. MEC make great value bikes.
Have fun with whatever you choose.
As others and even yourself mentioned, the Bike Fridays are a class in their own. They are essentially a handmade bike but you pay for this privilege. I don't think you can wrong with that brand.
Last check out the MEC Origami bike. They have two models and one is on sale. https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5053-259/Origami-Bicycle. MEC make great value bikes.
Have fun with whatever you choose.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,541
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 247 Times
in
211 Posts
For a non folder, the Moulton XTB is probably what fits the best to your requirements.
It will outperform any folder or BMX bike. Its price places it also in another category of bikes.
The Brompton doesn't ride like crap, it rides pretty well on good roads.
Its main drawback is its comfort on bad roads where its small wheels with high pressure relatively narrow tires do not perform well. This will be the case with all small wheel bikes with narrow high pressure tires without full suspension.
Both the Birdy (folder) and Moulton (only separable) have full suspension and accepts wide tires.
It will outperform any folder or BMX bike. Its price places it also in another category of bikes.
The Brompton doesn't ride like crap, it rides pretty well on good roads.
Its main drawback is its comfort on bad roads where its small wheels with high pressure relatively narrow tires do not perform well. This will be the case with all small wheel bikes with narrow high pressure tires without full suspension.
Both the Birdy (folder) and Moulton (only separable) have full suspension and accepts wide tires.
Last edited by Jipe; 03-01-20 at 04:18 PM.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 629
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 230 Post(s)
Liked 146 Times
in
96 Posts
Hey everyone,
I'm currently in the market for a folding bike that'll last and even with all the research I've done, I'm not 100% on what to get.
Wants
I've narrowed it so far
Honestly, if wish I could just get a BMX bike with long seat post and gears at this point if that existed, haha. Too bad that "hooligan" bike is hard to find.
Thanks!
I'm currently in the market for a folding bike that'll last and even with all the research I've done, I'm not 100% on what to get.
Wants
- Something I can upgrade parts to eventually, such disk brakes or maybe even internal hub.
- 20in wheels, and can take wider
- Okay to be used in park recreational trails, a few stretches of gravel, dirt tracks, and of course roads and pavements
- I'm in Toronto, Canada. Mentioning just in case there are options here.
I've narrowed it so far
- Bike friday, NWT or diamond. Can't find current reviews, so I'm wondering if they are still worth the buy. Seems like they check all the wants. Only issue being, I'm in Canada.
- Dahon, and there is a supplier in Canada called "powerinmotion.ca". But I'm not 100% sure if these frames are upgradeable in the future, or what life expectancy to expect from the newer frames.
- Helix looks really neat but looks like they are backed up for a while and $$$.
- Giant Expressway. There is a store in Toronto. Wonder if it checks the boxes though.
Honestly, if wish I could just get a BMX bike with long seat post and gears at this point if that existed, haha. Too bad that "hooligan" bike is hard to find.
Thanks!
They are great riding bikes, but they are more of "bikes that break down for packing" than "fold and go".
Just get a Dahon unless again you have special needs like weight limits/stress, very tall, etc.
Likes For pinholecam:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 536
Bikes: Vilano Urbana, DownTube FS9, Montaque paratrooper, Nano mini-velo, Motobecane CX, Raleigh 20, MIFA folder, ROG Pony, Iverson Grand Touring folder, Exclusiv German folder
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 168 Post(s)
Liked 191 Times
in
119 Posts
If you live in/near a big city, go on Craigslist and test ride folders that are for sale.
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
tds101 I have been informed you have been known to be rude and speak before you think, all you know is the bad on something like the TERN company, they have improved, yes the past they have had problems, but doesn't everybody like you, let the thread starter do his own investigation before leaving negative comment.
Last edited by BillyD; 03-03-20 at 02:41 PM. Reason: insult
#19
Full Member
tds101 I have been informed you have been known to be rude and speak before you think, all you know is the bad on something like the TERN company, they have improved, yes the past they have had problems, but doesn't everybody like you, let the thread starter do his own investigation before leaving negative comment.
Last edited by BillyD; 03-03-20 at 02:43 PM. Reason: cleanup
Likes For kayakindude:
#20
55+ Club,...
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,316
Bikes: 9+,...
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1111 Post(s)
Liked 839 Times
in
584 Posts
tds101 I have been informed you have been known to be rude and speak before you, all you know is the bad on something like the TERN company, they have improved, yes the past they have had problems, but doesn't everybody like you, let the thread starter do his own investigation before leaving negative comment.
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...rn-recall.html
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
Last edited by BillyD; 03-03-20 at 02:43 PM. Reason: cleanup
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#22
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
then don't be negative towards my reply to the thread without explaining why tern is not good to you, I know enough about their problems in the past and they have made corrections towards the issues they had. Grumpy old man...
#23
Full Member
Perhaps you might be taken seriously if you didn't go negative and call a member names. How about telling the poster why Tern is a good option? What is it you most enjoy about the bike?
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,064
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 350 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 122 Times
in
90 Posts
Dahon k3 plus 16 has 9 speed cassette on 16 inch wheels with disc brakes for 500 to 600 dollars. But only available in Hong Kong. Under 10kg. You could probably put on a 10 speed 11-42 cassette with a 10 speed shifter and Shimano zee Rd, or else an 11-34t 11 speed cassette if it has an 11 speed hub, and double chainrings, altho the Rd is probably limited to SS short cage. It could probably fit in a regular sized regulation suit case without disassembly
Last edited by tomtomtom123; 03-03-20 at 09:03 AM.
Likes For tomtomtom123:
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,498
Bikes: Many Downtube Folders :)
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times
in
17 Posts
I would encourage the OP purchase ASAP. The coronavirus has broken supply chains. I expect everyone will sell out of inventory. This rational applies to all industries.
FYI several countries will not allow Chinese goods in. I believe this dynamic is likely to expand and could have horrible consequences for the global economy.
Please understand that if one component from a bike/TV/computer is made in China then the entire product may be part of a broken supply chain.
I don't think the modern world has experienced anything like this before. I'm curious to see how it plays out.
Thanks
Yan
FYI several countries will not allow Chinese goods in. I believe this dynamic is likely to expand and could have horrible consequences for the global economy.
Please understand that if one component from a bike/TV/computer is made in China then the entire product may be part of a broken supply chain.
I don't think the modern world has experienced anything like this before. I'm curious to see how it plays out.
Thanks
Yan
__________________
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.
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.
Likes For downtube: