There has been much written about Downtube folding bikes. So what is going on with them? Are they better than their competitors? Let’s list some of their main competitors:
1. Dahon- They created the folding bike market in the early 80's. They have some very nice models, such as a full suspension Jetstream (MSRP $1300). The Downtube9FS full suspension bike has more speeds and retails for $549. Dahon's base unsuspended bikes are excellent quality options. The Dahon Speed 7 is their base 7sp model and retails for $550. The Downtube Nova has similar components and geometry and retails for under $300. In short Dahon's bikes sell for almost doubleDowntube models with similar components.
2. Bike Friday- Bike Friday is one of the biggest folding bike companies in the USA. They build their bikes in the USA and have a great reputation. Their bestselling bike is the Tikit 8sp which has a super fast fold retail for a Tikit start at $1698 ( 8sp model ). The Downtube mini's are smaller, lighter have better Shimano Nexus 8sp internal hub drive train for under $600. The Downtube 8H has a suspension fork to increase comfort, and adds a carbon belt drive for $699. They offer all this for less than half the cost of a Tikit. A Tikit with the Shimano Nexus hub and carbon belt drive retails for over $2200. Tikits are great but the price leaves something to be desired.
1. Dahon- They created the folding bike market in the early 80's. They have some very nice models, such as a full suspension Jetstream (MSRP $1300). The Downtube9FS full suspension bike has more speeds and retails for $549. Dahon's base unsuspended bikes are excellent quality options. The Dahon Speed 7 is their base 7sp model and retails for $550. The Downtube Nova has similar components and geometry and retails for under $300. In short Dahon's bikes sell for almost doubleDowntube models with similar components.
2. Bike Friday- Bike Friday is one of the biggest folding bike companies in the USA. They build their bikes in the USA and have a great reputation. Their bestselling bike is the Tikit 8sp which has a super fast fold retail for a Tikit start at $1698 ( 8sp model ). The Downtube mini's are smaller, lighter have better Shimano Nexus 8sp internal hub drive train for under $600. The Downtube 8H has a suspension fork to increase comfort, and adds a carbon belt drive for $699. They offer all this for less than half the cost of a Tikit. A Tikit with the Shimano Nexus hub and carbon belt drive retails for over $2200. Tikits are great but the price leaves something to be desired.
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