Commute in Style with a Quality Folding Bike for Sale

 

 

If you plan to take another look at a folding bike for sale, then you have made the right choice. These are one of the newest additions on the market today. Depending on what you are looking for in a bike, there may be one or more choices that you could consider. Some people view this kind of bike as ideal for commuting in a big city. When the bike is folded up, it is easier to use it on public transportation.  You can even take it inside any building, whether at work or a restaurant. Then, you don’t have to be looking outside every second to make sure that there are no bike thieves around.

Big City Commute

Let’s pretend that you are a New Yorker. Like other New Yorkers and residents living in big cities, it is not easy to get around the city in a vehicle, unless you want to deal with the heavy and monotonous traffic, let alone lack of parking. Your small apartment has refused to budge one more inch and the roadways have seen too many bike thefts. If you try to take a full-sized bike into a building or elevator, the concierge might look at you as if you are crazy. If you have to take the bus, the other commuters have to wait until you get your full-sized bike with its giant wheels maneuvered into the right place. On top of that, there are rush hour limitations or bans on bikes on certain public transit – so much for you to deal with!

The Solution

A folding bike for sale offers a viable option to fix this problem. Downtown folding bikes may be the solution that you are searching for. There are several models to choose from in order to fit your particular needs. However, all models can be carried on an elevator, in an apartment or even in your office at work. Here is a short description of some of the models and their features.

Downtube Mini Shimano Nexus – 8 speed

This small folding bike for sale has wheels that measure 16 inches and is compact enough for travel. Featuring 8 speed of Shimano Nexus interior hub, it carries no external shifter and no cogs or gears. Therefore, you don’t have to be concerned about any inappropriate shifting; neither do you have to clean the drive train nor worry much about additional maintenance. It is very lightweight, small and able to fit in a boat, RV or airplane during travel.

Downtube Shimano Nexus with Gates Carbon Belt Drive- 8 Speed
With no apparent external shifter, gears or chain, this baby is maintenance-free with no worries about in appropriate shifting or drive train cleaning. This folding bike for sale has wheels that measure 20 inches. If you have a boat or RV, you will really love this model. Additional features are included in this purchase such as:
•    Lightweight fenders
•    Kickstand
•    Durable rack
•    Sidewall rims
You will receive an upgraded frame quick release, integrated headset, folding pedal and stem. With the new high-rise handle bars, riders can make alterations to fit their preference without hindrance to the fold.

Downtube Folding Bike – 9-Speed Full Suspension

This folding bike for sale is one of the newest on the market. It is comfortable, preloaded with adjustable full suspension, both in the front and at the rear. Because the frames and wheels of most folding bikes are stiffer than full-sized bikes, more suspension is required. This bike has 9-speed full suspension, precisely what most riders require for more comfort. For upgrade and top performance, a premium drive train was put in as well as other high-end parts. If you want a bike that rocks, this one is the ideal pick.

Conclusion

With all of these options for picking a folding bike or sale, you stand the chance of having something unique that cannot be stolen and will provide the comfort you need as it relates to reliable transportation. No longer do you have to dread riding your bike to work and no longer do you have to park it on the dreaded streets of New York or other big cities. Get rid of the supposition and assumption that folding bicycles are not easy to fold, perform terribly, and need lots of pedaling. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Choose a Downtown folding bike for sale and you can’t go wrong!

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Flying with my Bike to Asheville, NC

Asheville, NC is one of my favorite towns in the states. Everyone is buying houses in Asheville including President Obama. Asheville is special for many reasons; it is close to the best east coast wastewater kayaking on the Chattooga. It is also close to some of the best hiking in the states, it does not get hot in the steamy summer months, and is home to two of the coolest College campuses UNC Asheville, and Warren Wilson College. The Downtown has an eclectic mix of an old artsy town; there are not too many cities like this in the South. There is a good reason so many celebrities are moving there.

Recently I was in the market for a house in the Asheville area however I lived 10 hours away. I searched online and found a great deal on a log cabin home just north of Asheville, not far from UNC Asheville.  I got a flight and brought my Downtube full size folding bikes with me in a soft suitcase. I jumped on an early flight to Asheville. We landed at11 AM leaving me plenty of time to see the house and hang out at UNCA one of the coolest college campuses in the western hemisphere!

I was going to take a taxi but there was bus service at the airport. The best part it only costs $1. So I unpacked my bike from the soft suitcase and collapsed the soft case onto the rear rack. I attached it with one bungee. On the plane I had my bikepacked in the suitcase, but once I arrived I have the suitcase packed on the bike, this is a great concept for traveling. I never considered doing this before, it just worked out on this

I got on the bus and I was complimented on my bike by everyone. I guess you could say I made a lot of friends on the ride. I had to transfer busses to get to UNCA campus. I biked to the house from there. Unfortunately it was half log cabin. The house was in poor condition, so I did not buy it, but I still had plenty of free time to play. So I biked back to UNCA for the evening until my 8PM flight.

Got back to airport took the soft case off the rack, put the bike inside. Checked it in and was home in no time. No baggage fees no hassles.  I thought to myself this is the way to fly. I was completely self-sufficient, and it cost me about $20 on food and transportation to spend the day biking around UNCA, and downtown.

On my next trip to Asheville I will take an extra day to stop in Biltmore Estates which is private estate and tourist attraction in Asheville. I will also book a trip on the Chatooga with wildwater at http://wildwaterrafting.com/rafting/chattooga-river-rafting/. Make sure to book the Chatooga section IV, it will blow your mind.

Multi mode transportation with a bicycle

Cycling to work is a great way to get fit and save money on gas. Many people cycle while using their boat or RV to help with transportation and assist with personal fitness. Below we will discuss different to use your bike with other forms of transportation.

1. Car and bike: This is a great option for people travelling on unsafe routes, or individuals living very far away from their destination. Ideally one would drive close to their destination, and then use the bike to finish the trip. Driving can help make the ride manageable, while cycling is faster within major metropolises and minimizes parking delays. Cars can complement bikes, and vice versa. For this type of transport you can use any type of bicycle.

2. Bus and bike: Buses can be used with bikes just like cars. This is a great option for riders in big cities with dependable bus service. Some cities have a limited number of bike racks on the front of buses.

Standard bikes are a great option here, as long as there is space on the racks. Folding bikes are better because they are always allowed inside the bus, which is especially important when the bike racks are full.

3. Train and bike: This is an ideal option for cities with subways or regional railway. Logically they are like buses; however they are more comfortable and much faster. Standard size bikes are normally not allowed on trains, but most trains allow folding bikes. Bicycle bags are always a good idea to hide your bike on trains, to minimize the risk of problems.

4. Boat and bike: This is a method of transport if you travel by boat and anchor at a dock. Folding bikes are the standard choice for boaters since space is a major issue. Normally men get bigger 20” wheel folding bikes and women prefer the smaller 16” wheel folders. Normally boaters travel to restaurants and shopping via bicycle. For security they can fold their bike and place it in a shopping cart while in stores.

Boaters always prefer internal hub bikes with belt drives to minimize corrosion issues, and to keep the bike safe in rough seas. They also prefer having bicycle carry bags to protect the bikes from the elements.

5. RV’s and bike: Space is a limited resource in RV’s, hence most buy folding bikes. RV’ers prefer internal hub bikes, because they are simpler to operate and they are maintenance free. Everything moves around inside an RV’s when they are moving, hence bicycle carrybags are important for RV’ers to keep the bikes safe and secure.

6. Airplanes and bike: Space is extremely limited in small aircrafts, hence they always prefer folding bikes. Both 20” and 16” wheel folding bikes fit in the baggage compartment in small airplanes (such as Cessna).

Folding bikes can fly on commercial airlines with no issues. 16” wheel bikes can fit in regulation sized suitcases and 20” wheel models can fit with minor accommodations. There are some soft suitcases which collapse and can be carried on the bicycles once you reach your destination.

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Folding Bicycles for Sale on the Internet

The folding bike market is normally broken into segments by wheel size. We will examine each segment listing the positive features ( pro ) and negative features ( con ) of each.

A. Full Size Wheel Folding Bikes:
The main brands in this segment are Dahon and Montague. The Dahon Jack is one of the most popular choices due to its low cost and excellent component package.

Pro:   

1. They feel like a normal bike, mainly because they are a normal bike that happens to fold in half.
2. They are smaller than a standard bike so they are more portable.
3. They are relatively cost effective compared to some small wheel models.
4. They use standard parts so they are easy to upgrade or fix.

Con:

1. Although they are smaller than standard bikes, they are still big and bulky.
2. You need to select the proper frame size to fit your body. Hence purchasing online may not be a good option.
3. They are heavier than standard bikes due to their folding nature.
4. B. 20" Wheel Folding Bike:
5. The main brands are Dahon and Downtube. The best cost effective choice is probably the Downtube Nova at $299, while the Downtube 9FS with 9 speeds and full suspension is the best bang for your buck.

Pro:

1. They are small enough to pack for airplane,  boat , or RV use.
2. Prices are reasonable with a wide range of possibilities.
3. Lighter than normal bikes because they are smaller.
4. Smaller wheels are more efficient than bigger wheels under 16mph.  Hence this bike is faster on hills and flats.

Con:

1. Many low quality folders with 20" wheels can confuse buyers.
2. They are slower decending downhill.
3. Some models may need a little disassembly to place in regulation size luggage.
4. Some models use proprietary parts.

C. 16" and 18" Wheel Folding Bikes:

The main brands are Brompton and Downtube. The Brompton is a great choice; however at a $1200 price we feel the Downtube mini is better. It is lighter than the Brompton and has a better component package (and it costs less than half as much).

Pro

1. Most are super compact and can fit in regulation sized suitcases without disassembly. Some even fit in overhead bins on airplanes.
2. They are very light due to small size.
3. They are cool looking and you are guaranteed to make plenty of friends riding one.
4. These are little rockets on hills and flats due to higher efficiency of the smaller wheel.

Con:

1. These cost much more than 20" wheel folding bikes.
2. Parts are harder to replace because the size is not standard.
3. Proper gearing is very difficult to configure on small wheels.
4. Less possibility for upgrades due to lack of parts. Especially relevant is the lack of 16" wheel suspension forks.
5. The ride is stiffer than big wheel bikes due to smaller frames which absorb less shock and small wheels also absorb less shock. Hence the rider absorbs more of the road shock. Overall we have to say the Downtube 9FS full size folding bikes is a great choice. It’s comfortable, folds compactly, has a racing quality drive train and costs only $550.