The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby CommuRider » Sat Jul 09, 2011 2:54 pm
- no CF or Ti version yet or belt drives.
At least it is a recognition that it is a growing market.
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby raistian » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:39 pm
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).
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby rkelsen » Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:30 am
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby jet-ski » Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:35 pm
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)raistian wrote: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).
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby zephy » Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:24 pm
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby myk » Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:33 pm
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.
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby jet-ski » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:12 pm
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby raistian » Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:26 am
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby myk » Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:34 am
$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?
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby raistian » Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:56 pm
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby jet-ski » Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:23 pm
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 wrote: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?
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby myk » Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:43 pm
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.
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby jet-ski » Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:36 pm
If you really wanted you could just swap the cassette on it for a whole $30 or so.
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby myk » Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:06 pm
Nice bike the Friday, but not quite in keeping with the thread title
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby raistian » Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:06 pm
Could you please elaborate? I like the idea of making my Oyama better at climbs - without spending a fortune of coursejet-ski wrote:If you really wanted you could just swap the cassette on it for a whole $30 or so.
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby myk » Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:42 pm
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 .raistian wrote: Could you please elaborate? I like the idea of making my Oyama better at climbs - without spending a fortune of course
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.
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby jet-ski » Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:26 pm
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.
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby raistian » Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:53 pm
Thanks myk, jet-skijet-ski wrote: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.
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.
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby jet-ski » Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:55 pm
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby raistian » Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:25 pm
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby sam1975 » Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:12 pm
Hi rkelsenrkelsen wrote: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.
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
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby rkelsen » Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:36 pm
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.sam1975 wrote:Hi rkelsenrkelsen wrote: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.
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
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Re: The Expensive Folding Bike Thread
Postby CommuRider » Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:58 pm
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/
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby Pax » Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:46 pm
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!
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Re: The Cheap Folding Bike Thread
Postby Pax » Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:11 am
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:
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