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help me decide - does speeds makes a difference in 20 inch wheels???

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Old 06-26-11, 10:24 AM
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Kc2ine
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help me decide - does speeds makes a difference in 20 inch wheels???

Hi Guys,
I'm just considering dahon S1 and dahon speed D7 and have hard time deciding which one to choose. S1 is tempting because of the much lower price like 200$ lower and rear hub break which I like, but D7 on the other hand is appealing because of 7 speeds gear. I'm not sure though if any speeds gear on such small wheel bike make a difference anyway.

Can somebody advice who tried both? is the really big difference on those two in performance and ability to climb small hills? Is it worthy to pay that much more to have option of changing gears?
I'll be using it for commute and trips up to 6 maybe 8 miles.
thanks
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Old 06-26-11, 10:27 AM
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Where do you live? Hills or flat? What is your budget? Welcome to the fold.
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Old 06-26-11, 10:31 AM
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I have been considering the Speed Uno https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/speeduno.htm better frame and parts than a S1 and if I needed the gears I can add a IGH hub with 2,3,7,8,9,11 or 14 gears.
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Old 06-26-11, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Dynocoaster
Where do you live? Hills or flat? What is your budget? Welcome to the fold.
as for now in Fort Lauderdale, so rather flat. Budget is tight, but I don't want to buy something and then regret it month later.Anyway not more then 500$.

Last edited by Kc2ine; 06-26-11 at 10:43 AM.
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Old 06-26-11, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Dynocoaster
I have been considering the Speed Uno https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/speeduno.htm better frame and parts than a S1 and if I needed the gears I can add a IGH hub with 2,3,7,8,9,11 or 14 gears.
yeah, but also 100$ more expensive...
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Old 06-26-11, 10:56 AM
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the one speed should be fine. Have you checked Craigslist?
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Old 06-26-11, 10:57 AM
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I just received my Citizen Gotham 1 in the mail this past Friday and it' been a great 20" wheel bike with the single speed. The terrain around here is mostly flat, but I have went over few small bridges and rolling hills without any problems at all.
Bike has been a joy to ride and it has been everywhere I take my other bikes so far. I have already finished 47.23 miles on mine in the last 3 days and it's been a great purchase in my opinion.

They did just raise the price though to $289 was lucky to get mine at $269...still a fine price for a fine bike in my opinion though.

I think you and anyone else would do fine with it....not a fast bike, but you can get going pretty good with ease and not tire quickly even after a few miles of pushing it.

https://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.a...&product_id=31
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Old 06-26-11, 11:01 AM
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These are a good deal https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/bik/2461459095.html
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Old 06-26-11, 11:02 AM
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If you want to modernize and fix up a vintage this is the way to go https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/bik/2437229432.html
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Old 06-26-11, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Dynocoaster
what kinda comapny is downtube, any good?
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Old 06-26-11, 11:14 AM
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BTW, do dahon bikes comes with any carrying bag or the bag is extra?
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Old 06-26-11, 11:16 AM
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Yes, many a Downtubes were purchased on this forum. Do a search downtube and and check out the threads
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Old 06-26-11, 11:16 AM
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https://www.downtube.com/ This is the company website.
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Old 06-26-11, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Kc2ine
BTW, do dahon bikes comes with any carrying bag or the bag is extra?
The bags are extra.
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Old 06-26-11, 11:22 AM
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If you dont need it to fold, these are very cool and new to the US. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-now-available.
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Old 06-26-11, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Dynocoaster
If you dont need it to fold, these are very cool and new to the US. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-now-available.
Unfortunately I do need a fold.

So far nobody tried to answer my question - do more speeds make a difference in such small wheels bikes?
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Old 06-26-11, 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Kc2ine
Unfortunately I do need a fold.

So far nobody tried to answer my question - do more speeds make a difference in such small wheels bikes?
I would say, it makes a difference like any other bike. Each gear is translated to a ratio called Gear Inch https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/ an for the same gear inch you get about the same affect regardless of the wheel size. Having multiple GI's (one per 'speed') makes it easier to adjust do varying conditions (speed, slope, etc).

Personally I prefer to have at least few gears. In general, the stronger rider you are, the less you need gears.

Hope that this answers your question.

Edit: you may want to take a look at this local company. They have decent high value bikes.

https://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.a..._category_id=1

Last edited by kamtsa; 06-26-11 at 12:34 PM.
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Old 06-26-11, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by kamtsa
I would say, it makes a difference like any other bike. Each gear is translated to a ratio called Gear Inch https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/ an for the same gear inch you get about the same affect regardless of the wheel size. Having multiple GI's (one per 'speed') makes it easier to adjust do varying conditions (speed, slope, etc).

Personally I prefer to have at least few gears. In general, the stronger rider you are, the less you need gears.

Hope that this answers your question.

Edit: you may want to take a look at this local company. They have decent high value bikes.

https://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.a..._category_id=1
thanks for tip, this one looks great!

https://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.a...&product_id=24



I have citizen watch, is this same company?
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Old 06-26-11, 01:10 PM
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and is alloy frame strong enough???
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Old 06-26-11, 01:59 PM
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Kc2ine I have the Gotham 1 that is the single speed version and it feels strong enough. I have been riding it everywhere I take my other bikes without any problems.

I am 5'7 155 lbs though...I think max weight is 220lbs.

I highly recommend the Gotham even if you get the 7-speed it's really nice in my opinion.
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Old 06-26-11, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Kc2ine
I have citizen watch, is this same company?
No, of course not.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_Holdings
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Old 06-26-11, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Kc2ine
Unfortunately I do need a fold.

So far nobody tried to answer my question - do more speeds make a difference in such small wheels bikes?
Yes; they make exactly the same difference as gears on a bigger-wheeled bike do.
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