surveyor6

Bought a cheap folder today.
I bought it because I was tired of getting my regular bike stolen. I always locked them to something but the thieves got them anyway.
I can keep this one in the trunk.
If this one works good for me, I will probably get a better, lighter one in a year or so.

linberl

I bought my Bike Friday folders because the anxiety of wondering if my bike would be waiting was ruining the experience of riding. Stress-free ever since!

surveyor6

I woke up today really curious to see if my cheapie folder (paid $70, new in box) would be a realistically useful steed.

I spent a few hours on my new bender today making it rideable.

-I found two left pedals in the box. No righties. Things got better after that revelation.



With the seat and stem raised as high as allowable, I took a short test ride.

-It rode well overall. Actually exceeded expectations. Alas, handle bars are not tall enough.

The handle bars already have around 3 inches of rise, so I may have to buy some mini-apes to feel comfortable on it.

Schwinnsta

From the looks of it, you should have no problem raising the bar. Sometimes cables can be an issue. Bike companies often over claim what size people can fit. So the seatpost will allow for tall people, but unless they very fit, there will be issues with the handlebars.

mirfi

Have fun.

For inexpensive upgrades and advice go to your local bike collective. Like https://freewheelshouston.org. Those places usually sell leftover parts for cost. (I donate extra).

surveyor6

The seat is high enough. I was able to settle into a nice spin pretty quickly.
-The low handlebars make hard braking very uncomfortable for me. I am willing to add longer cables if required after installing new bars, Schwinnsta. I don't feel safe riding with the stock bars.
-I didn't realize it at the time, mirfi, but I bought this folder from freewheelhouston. The address at the link is the same place I bought the folding bike. Small world.
-I had already planned to donate a bike and some parts to them next weekend.

surveyor6

I got the new, taller bars installed with no bother.
The brake cables are still good but I need to swap the shifter cable for a longer one.

The taller bars are an improvement, but I still feel that I am sitting too far forward.
A big buckle in the sidewalk or an asphalt road canyon could result in a rapid face plant.
The seat can only be moved back another 1/4“ or so.
I may need to mount a banana seat before I feel comfortable on it.
Pic with the taller bars below.

surveyor6

I installed the longer shift cable. This grip shifter had different internals from one I had owned in the past. Reassembly following the cable change would have gone much faster if I had taken a pic before.
I adjusted the angle of the new high rise bars and I am much happier with them. I'm ready to ride this thing regularly.
-I would have sorted it out sooner, but I have been working on my motor scooter a lot. I let it sit too long between rides and the carb is gummed up.

twohsieh

This frame looks very similar to the older dahon roo. but not as "cheap"

surveyor6

Continuing Saga of my cheapo folder. (Can a story be a SAGA if it does not contain a Viking? I'm 1% Scandinavian, according to Ancestry.com)

-The width of the riser bars I added were making it difficult to fit through doorways and load into my covered truck bed. I cut 1-1/2" off each side of the bars. Problem solved.

-My cheapo folder is difficult to fold and unfold, so I don't try that much. The 20" wheels still make it easy to load it into the covered bed of my mid sized truck, unfolded.

-I got one of those tag along bikes for my grandson to ride with me off craigslist. When I take my grandson outside to ride his trike, he rides faster than I can run!

Folder and tag along.