chucky

Update:
I just sprayed WD40 all over the hinge and that seemed to do the trick.

tilfold

Hi ShinyBiker,
I have been in UK and very pleased whilst riding the DOWNTUBE FS9 along Grand Union Canal from Birmingham towards London. Mudguards had been fitted by very kind and versatile people from the former Pashley showroom bike shop, The Cycle Studio at Stratford upon Avon. The fitted mudguards from a Pashley Picador tricyle, looking great and fitting well.
The really great Carradice Limpet System I put on the front fork, worked very well, even on bumpy roads and at high speed. Itīs a shame, that they are not more produced. Of course, I had my Carradice Camper Longflap saddlebag fitted on the seat tube and at least (but not necessary), there has been a rack for the seat tube with the bike. I managed it to be clamped to the steering tube, on top a versatile Karrimor bag, what could be used as a rucksack.
Heavy load for a folding bike, but I had to cycle a lot and have had to be prepared for rain, so I went to the Peak District as well. I have had no punctures or breakdowns at all, having a good journey.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/folding...ol-390786@N25/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/folding...ol-390786@N25/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/folding...n/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/folding...n/photostream/

Best regards from Hamburg, Germany

Til

ShinyBiker

I recently relubed/reconditioned the front suspension fork on my FS DT. Here's the write-up:

https://utilitycyclist.blogspot.com/2...ube-front.html

Cristo

Downtube bike owners...
I had an interesting conversation with Yan about whether a 9FS would fit me because I have limited flexion in one knee due to several ACL repairs. I wonder if anyone who owns a Downtube 9FS can help me with a couple measurements? I'd like to know if the seat post can extend such that the distance FROM the top of the peddle at the topmost position of the crankset TO the top of the saddle in the center (fore-aft) position can safely be set to 25 inches. If so, what then is the distance FROM the top of the peddle at the bottommost position of the crankset TO the top of the saddle? Or, knowing the crankarm length would allow me to calculate this. Thanks very much, in advance.
Cristo

jur

My Downtube had a 170mm crankarm, which is what most crankarms are. Sometimes you get 5mm shorter or 5mm longer, rarely anything else.

Cristo

Thanks for the info, Jur. I see in the specs that the 9FS has 170mm crankarms. Can anybody on the list who has a 9FS help me with this measurement? It's basically whether the seatpost is long enough for the inseam measurement to be set to 36 inches - that is, from the top of the peddle at bottom dead center to the top of the saddle. Thanks - I really appreciate the help!

MiniMee

This thread seems to be deep in the archives. Perhaps this will bump it up. I'm new here, the proud owner of a Downtube Mini, bought on Craigslist. I am greatly enjoying riding the bike path along the Hudson River in New York City. If there are other Downtube riders here, do give a shout out!

Tom Stormcrowe

I see you found it!

crackerdog

I only have one folding bike, the Mini. It gets used for trips around town and any bus or ferry rides I need. It seems a bit small for me but it works. Welcome to the Mini world.

DVC45

Wish I have a Mini.

MiniMee

Thanks for the welcome, crackerdog! I'm only 5'4" so the Mini is perfect for me, but it seems solid enough for a taller person. DVC45, I found mine on Craigslist. I bet you'll find one eventually. I wonder why Downtube stopped making this model. It seems so practical.

cmcanulty

I asked Yan and he said everyone wants one but no one buys. I got the maybe last one with rear derailleur in wharehouse, I added a small chainring and front der. so now have an awesome range.

MiniMee

Pity he discontinued them. Congrats on getting yours!

JosephLMonti

I think the issue was with the pricing. At the end of their run, Minis would cost $500 with the shipping. Not that $500 is an outrageous amount of money for a nice folder, its just that other Downtube models were $100+ less at that time, so the Mini seemed overpriced.

cyclecharge

Hi, I imagine that has already been answered/covered already on this gigantic thread but, has anyone tried an electric conversion (hub motor) on a Downtube bike? If so, which models did you use and how easy was it? I'm particularly interested to find out drop-out (front and rear) spacing (in millimeters if you don't mind) on Nova and 8FS/9FS to see whether a hub motor is feasible.. I reckon I'll need a minimum of 100mm clearance. I know some people forcibly widen drop outs on small folders but don't know if that would be safe to do with Downtube frames...any thoughts?

I'm also a bit concerned about the drop outs being aluminum perhaps not being able to handle the torque from (250W/36V) motor... I would prefer a rear hub setup...but would consider a front hub on the full suspension Downtube, if the fork is more likely to handle torque better...

Welcome any thoughts or advice!

ShinyBiker

cyclecharge,
If I remember correctly, the fork spacing on the rear is 135mm. I don't have experience doing that, but this guy did it:

https://electric20inchfolder.blogspot.com/

cyclecharge

Hi ShinyBiker thanks for that link very interesting, maybe I can get some advice from him. I noticed he's installing a whacking great 1000W motor on that Downtube by the looks of it. He must be crazy. No wonder he needs a custom built torque plate to combat the strain on the aluminum drop outs!

I personally would put the lightest and smallest motor possible in. 250w max. Kinda defeats the object else of having a light-weight folder if you're gonna throw on 6-8kg of weight with 72V battery and huge motor. But that's just me, each to their own I guess.

RVD72

My bike is obviously not a downtube but I did recently complete a e-bike conversion on my Dahon Speed D7.

I didn't go as far as this other guy in the blog. Like you, one of my rules was to keep the bike light and portable. A 72v Ping Battery definitely would have been too heavy for my purposes.

Please note that I use lipo batteries for reduced weight. Lipo is NOT for everyone (especially those looking for a simple plug and play and forget about it type solution).

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/vie...hp?f=6&t=34958

chessyang

There's some new Nova 2012 he posted on the website. as of the time of this post Ordered the red one.

here a link i found for 3 more pictures. i hope he adds more but the over all Nova seems unchanged from picture to picture.

https://downtube.com/images/2012_Nova/

Back Stabbath

would looooove to find an 8speed FS used in NYC! or nova!

DVC45

I love my Nova ' lots!

Dynocoaster 

Derailleur looks different. What type of hinge is that?

DVC45

RD is an older Shimano 105. Folding hinge is what came with the bike.

Dynocoaster 

Sorry I should have been specific. I meant your rear derailleur and the new hinge on the 2012 Nova.

cyclecharge

Hi where did you buy the Nova from? There don't seem to be any dealers in UK, only one (chocolate vello), but he advertises old stock and doesn't respond to e-mails.

I'm curious also... what camera did you use to take the photo? I've never seen a digital camera with a time and date stamp and I'm looking for one myself!