The Cheap Folding Bike Thread

[CommuRider]

+ dynohub and discbrakes

- no CF or Ti version yet or belt drives.

At least it is a recognition that it is a growing market.

[raistian]

Revitalising old thread..

I just got my 1st folder: an Oyama 8 speed for less than $200 I think it's 2008 model. LBS was clearing stock - looks like it's been there for a while as there's wear & tear on paintjob.

Using it for short commute from carpark to office which takes 30 mins walking. Should be 10-15 mins of riding. Been riding it inside my apartment Will test ride it on bike path when it's a bit cooler.

Will lend/ give it to a bestie that's learning how to cycle - assuming I didn't fall in love with it.

Strangely enough, it doesn't have a model. Just says Oyama since 1966, Ease your life save your space & Folding Specialist (each phrase on different section of the bike). Google doesn't reveal anything (I got hits on newer models).

[rkelsen]

Was at Aldi yesterday and saw that the Crane Hinge is back. From what I've read, they're a decent folder for the money.

[jet-ski]

Revitalising old thread..

I just got my 1st folder: an Oyama 8 speed for less than $200 I think it's 2008 model. LBS was clearing stock - looks like it's been there for a while as there's wear & tear on paintjob.

Using it for short commute from carpark to office which takes 30 mins walking. Should be 10-15 mins of riding. Been riding it inside my apartment Will test ride it on bike path when it's a bit cooler.

Will lend/ give it to a bestie that's learning how to cycle - assuming I didn't fall in love with it.

Strangely enough, it doesn't have a model. Just says Oyama since 1966, Ease your life save your space & Folding Specialist (each phrase on different section of the bike). Google doesn't reveal anything (I got hits on newer models).

sounds perfect for your use, and good deal, though someone got my Oyama cheaper than that when I got a Bike Friday with a still perfect paint job . I think all the Oyamas are the same framewise and the only difference is the drivetrain and offered accessories (racks,mudguards etc)

[zephy]

picked up a peugeot folding bike a couple weeks back F U 22/5 model, haven't done any research on it yet.... but it was one of 6 bikes from a garage sale all it needs is a new gear cable and brake cable, tyres have stayed up, rims are true, paint is good..... weighs quite a bit though, wouldn't want to be carrying it too far folded up.....






.

[myk]

Has anybody got one of the cheap folding bikes from the outdoors shops?
Rays Outdoors was clearing them for $50, but I since saw similar models at Anaconda for $500, different branding but same thing.

They do not have folding stems, just a quick-release on the handlebar post.
And the seatpost was too short for most adults, but easily replace as standard (27.1mm?) size. You just need to find a long enough one.

I got a full suspension model - the only one left. Fun to ride at the park with little kids, but slow as a week in Adelaide.

[jet-ski]

no point buying one of them unless they are $50.... otherwise just get an Oyama from c r c or ebay.... Oyama is far better quality than the outdoor store ones (ie the quick release on the folding mechanism is a lot more robust on the Oyama than the ones I saw at Anaconda/Rays)

[raistian]

So I took my 1st folder for a spin a couple of days ago & was blown! Ride quality is 80% as good as my 29'er which cost 6x more! Gear changes are smooth, stiff, climbs well (for its size). Doesn't go very fast which is expected - oh and saddle could be better but still decent for short rides (15k).

[myk]

I like the look of those Oyama bikes at c r c. Much better value than anything I saw here by far.
$400 delivered for 9 speed, light weight and good folding mechanism.
I just don't understand why they chose such a small gear range. Bottom gear is 40" - high for such a bike.

> still decent for short rides (15k).

Only 15k !? What stops you doing 80km?

[raistian]

the lack of tubes, pump, water bottle

[jet-ski]

I like the look of those Oyama bikes at c r c. Much better value than anything I saw here by far.
$400 delivered for 9 speed, light weight and good folding mechanism.
I just don't understand why they chose such a small gear range. Bottom gear is 40" - high for such a bike.

> still decent for short rides (15k).

Only 15k !? What stops you doing 80km?

My Oyama climbed everything I threw at it in the Adelaide hills The problem was spinning out on the way down. 40" is fine for a city commuter, I dont think they are expecting you to be lugging heaps of heavy gear or riding up the Col Du Tourmalet.

[myk]

Sure 40" will get you there. It is equivalent to the 39:26 on an old-style racer, except no toe-strap to pull up with.
So will a 3-speed. It just seems silly to be grinding when you have 9 gears. Lots of small but steep climbs on minor roads here.
Why not put on an 11-34? No need for such close ratios unless racing.

Also, folding bikes are great to take on holidays. I did ride up one of the famous alpine passes on it.

[jet-ski]

My Oyama was closer to 38 though with 1.25 tyres on it.... which is the same as the lowest gear on my 2011 Giant TCR. Not a grind, though if you compared it to the ratios available on my Bike Friday which has a triple up front, then yeah the gear range is limited. I've only used the granny on the Bike Friday a couple of times, lugging 20kg of trailer up some very steep ramps up from the riverbank of the Rhine.

If you really wanted you could just swap the cassette on it for a whole $30 or so.

[myk]

Yes, I put a 13-34 alpine on the Dahon. Top gear is slow, but you can't do much with a freewheel.
Nice bike the Friday, but not quite in keeping with the thread title

[raistian]

If you really wanted you could just swap the cassette on it for a whole $30 or so.

Could you please elaborate? I like the idea of making my Oyama better at climbs - without spending a fortune of course

[myk]

Could you please elaborate? I like the idea of making my Oyama better at climbs - without spending a fortune of course

It depends what gears you have now. You said 8-speed, so is is probably a cassette not a freewheel. See http://sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html .
The cassette is the set of cogs, and costs about $30. How many teeth on smallest and biggest cogs now?
There is also the question of how many your dérailleur can cope with. Add another $30 for an Alivio dérailleur, get a few tools, and you hit the $80 minimum for free shipping from c r c
8-speed components are dirt cheap these days.

[jet-ski]

Yeah, what myk said

Pretty sure that my Oyama already had an Alivio derailluer so it would easily cope with the extra teeth.

.... go for ebay ... this one looks good!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Shimano-CS-H ... 33704bb7ae

though you will probably also need a cassette removal tool and a chainwhip to get the lockring off if you don't already have them.

[raistian]

Alivio derailluer so it would easily cope with the extra teeth.

.... go for ebay ... this one looks good!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Shimano-CS-H ... 33704bb7ae

though you will probably also need a cassette removal tool and a chainwhip to get the lockring off if you don't already have them.

Thanks myk, jet-ski

I'll report back with number of teeth & derailleur type when I got home. Does more teeth = better climb? I also don't have the above tools - so would get them or join the bike shed so I can borrow theirs.

[jet-ski]

More teeth on the back = easier to pedal uphill by spinning.

[raistian]

Largest sprocket has 31 teeth - how much different is it in climb-ability compared to 34?

[sam1975]

Was at Aldi yesterday and saw that the Crane Hinge is back. From what I've read, they're a decent folder for the money.

Hi rkelsen

Can you please let me know which Aldi store did u see the Crane folding bikes? I have been searching for a while but without success. Thanks in advance......

Sam

[rkelsen]

Was at Aldi yesterday and saw that the Crane Hinge is back. From what I've read, they're a decent folder for the money.

Hi rkelsen

Can you please let me know which Aldi store did u see the Crane folding bikes? I have been searching for a while but without success. Thanks in advance......

Sam

It was Airport West. But that was >3 weeks ago, and I haven't been back since then so I dunno if they're still there.

[CommuRider]

Saw this from Wiggle : Dahon with Nuvinci, 13kg.



2.5 times the price of my Oyama though. The NuVinci is tres heavy, wonder if they could do it for $500 cheaper and 2kg lighter with the Alfine-11?

http://www.this link is broken/dahon-mu-n-360-2012/

[Pax]

Thought I'd re-activate this old thread as I have just bought a Giant Expressway 2 for under $300 new...good deal compared to RRP of $449, and definitely qualifies as a "cheap folding bike". Would have loved to buy a more expensive one as the ride quality is clearly better but this is just for a couple of very short parts of my train commute to work (used to bike commute the 55k round trip, it but not doing that currently) AND for taking up the beach on days or weekends up there.

I'll be interested to see how it goes.

I am picking it up next Saturday so will post picies then if I can remember how to do that!

[Pax]

Picked up the Giant Expressway 2 last weekend. It was a great buy at $289 I think.

Mrs Pax and I just rode a bit on the local bike paths and I went to the shops on it. It felt like a good enough ride. Nothing fantastic of course, but comfortable and with a reasonable spread of gears, without being a rocket and I don't think it will do big long hills well, but that isn't what I bought it for!

The funny thing was that I couldn't stop smiling as I rode along because I felt a bit like a circus clown on a small wheeled bike ...I suspect I'll grow out of that feeling, but it was definitely fun to ride.

The fold:
It is quick and easy to fold and unfold, and fits into its carry bag easily and quickly (after one or two practices) but it definitely isn't super-compact. It can be wheeled along when it is folded, which is a good thing IMO.

Specs:
Frame: Aluminium
Fork: Chromoly
Handlebars: Alloy, flat
Shifter: Shimano Ravo Shift (twist-shift)
Front Derailleur: N/A
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tourney
Cassette: Shimano TZ21 14x28, 7-Speed
Crank set: Alloy Crank, 52T Chainring
Brakes: no-name ???
Pedals: Resin Compact Folding
Wheels: Giant Alloy
Weight: 12kg (including lights & mini -pump)

Things that are unfortunate:
• It doesn't have quick release wheels - but I am telling myself that is a good thing as I'll be leaving it in all kinds of public places.
• The saddle is not comfortable. It is a big cushiony thing so I will replace it.
• No mudguards (not so good for the ride from train to work wearing work clothes in the current chronically wet conditions in Brisbane). I'll track some down online soon I suspect.
• It doesn't lock into its folded position, but we made up a quick strap for that easily enough.

I will update this when I have done a few more "ks" on it (hopefully soon if the weather improves)

Photos below: