primuspaul

amazon.com/Mountain-21-Speed-Suspension-High-Carbon-HM-Orange/dp/B0BWMVG5CB

Has all the stuff I want except for single speed (to avoid derailleur-related reliability problems):

1. Dual suspension
2. Dual disc brakes, with room for upgrading to hydraulic brakes
3. Mag wheels (no need to true them)

Is converting the two cassettes to single speed difficult/expensive? Is it possible to find compatible parts online inexpensively?

Overall is this bike totally awful, or is it usable with the modifications I mentioned?

veganbikes

No it is junk. Like total absolute junk beyond junk. The more stuff you put on a bike the more it has to cost or the lower the quality and in this case quality hasn't even accidentally gone within 2 miles of where that thing was made.

If they offered to send me an entire pallet of these and give me a $1000 to take them I would refuse.

Go to your local bike shop and find a bike or see if you can get some help looking at used older 90s hardtail, those could make a decent single speed that would be acres better than whatever that thing is.

Mag wheels are garbage unless they are super high quality well built but in the end they are generally still not a great idea. There is a reason why 99% of bikes out there have spokes and not because big spoke has kept mag wheels out of the picture it is because they are heavy slow and really hard to make a properly true wheel and if it is out of true you are out of luck and just have to buy a new one.

Just a single low end fork or similar quality rear shock will be around the price of that full bike and I generally wouldn't recommend either.

Disc brakes are fine but honestly I would rather have decent quality linear pull brakes than those and a cheap set of Tektro brakes is probably going to be worth more than that bike is and the bike cost way more new.

I hate to be such a downer but this one is beyond bad. Please don't waste your money.

Desert Ryder

Just so we all know what you're talking about...$129 + $100 shipping?..........Personally, I'd search local craigslist/FB marketplace ads for a fixie/single speed or an inexpensive bike to convert. There are sprocket kits or a flip flop rear hub laced to an original rim. If set on mag style rims, an inexpensive set off amazon could get you "the look".

https://www.amazon.com/Single-Bicycl...35&sr=8-2&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/100mmx135mm-F...zcF9tdGY&psc=1




I built a cheap fixie/single speed a few years back with parts sourced off amazon and ebay. I sold it and at least doubled my money.

2old

Normally you can't turn a FS bike into a single speed unless the bottom bracket and crank are coaxial because the chain tension will change as the suspension is activated. Might work on this bike because the rear suspension probably doesn't work.

primuspaul

yes I heard about needing to install a tensioner as well when dealing with fs, even for single speed. Perhaps I should look into hardtail
aliexpress.us/item/3256805517909614.html

Desert Ryder

From the links you've posted. I presume you are looking for a folding bike?

primuspaul

preferably yes.

CrimsonEclipse

Can you convert it to single speed? Yes

If you use this on anything but gravel and level paths, this bike will try to kill you.

veganbikes

I think you are looking at the wrong bikes entirely stop looking at Amazon, Alibaba and his 40 thieves and other similar sites go to a bike shop preferably one that specializes in what you are looking for in folding bikes (because I am presuming you are on planes, trains, boats and buses, often) Brompton does a single speed folder (as well as some IGH stuff) I believe Tern and Dahon at one point had single speeds and IGHs and if you are looking for mountain bikes, find a shop that specializes in mountain bikes and you will definitely want to ditch the folding mechanism 100000% as if that fails while you are on some single track that would really ruin your day and maybe your week and maybe months after that.

Just ditch the junk and be prepared to spend some money or wait a bit, save up money and test ride some bikes in the mean time to figure out what you want and what would work best for your riding.

SkinGriz

Understand in what way I’m agreeing with VeganBikes.
The problem with the bike you posted is the features.
Seriously, watch the above video and then ask yourself why you need/want suspension.

If bargain basement Amazon/Walmart type bikes didn’t try to look like expensive bikes, they might actually be pretty good bikes.
KISS.
Single speed or coaster brake, front dual pivot of linear pull.
No fake suspension. No bottom barrel disc brakes.
Focus on a decent frame, wheels, and bottom bracket. Then they might be decent bikes.

SkinGriz

Try this.

On OfferUp or Craigslist or FBmarketplace.

Put this in the search.

”Raleigh 20”