Choosing foldable bike [Archive]

Koo

18-09-2008, 02:38 AM

I advice it is better to go with a friend who know about bicycle to a reliable bike shop which dun "rise" price any how. Go ask around 1st as I not so sure about how much and good are foldable bikes. I'm using a racer and mountain bike currently and not think about purchasing a foldable unless more rule are change.

I know Dahon has a shop near West Cost Drive near the former Ginza Plaza (now know as west cost Plaza). The shop is reliable as far as my cycling friends says.;)

bigbert

18-09-2008, 11:40 PM

Thanks, i can checkout this shop this weekend

Koo

19-09-2008, 01:59 AM

Check out these local bicycle forum and website for more information:

1) http://togoparts.com/ biggest in SG

2) http://www.smbf.com.sg/forum/

3) http://www.sgcycling.org/

The website for all local dealers of Dahon bicycles:http://www.speedmatrix.com.sg/webtop/Index/

The neartest to ur location bigbert is

Ulu Cycle at Blk 253 Choa Chu Kang Ave 1, #B1-03 Keat Hong Shopping Centre, S680253

I'm eyeing on possiblity of getting the Dahon's matrix series foldable bicycle. Too bad it is too bid to be carried up to "public transportation".......

bigbert

20-09-2008, 11:50 AM

Yes, i have already visited Ulu Cycle. The owner there is a bearded uncle. I have some talk with him and he adviced me to get back to me when i have confirmed my foldable bike requirments.

Koo

20-09-2008, 02:28 PM

I remember Ulu cycle dun have any Dahon foldable bike at display?:thinking: You can see some of the Dahon foldable bikes on display at this shop below.

My Bike Shop (Commonwealth/Clementi/West Coast)
25 Jalan Mas Puteh S128630

bigbert

21-09-2008, 06:02 PM

I saw a cyclist pushing his foldable bike like a trolley at MRT. It's slivery in color and the handles are black. And the height is slightly above waist level. Any idea what model is it? Jz88?

Koo

23-09-2008, 03:16 AM

No sure about "the country of make" of the JZ88. I guess it is China made and unknow grade aluminimum which can be bad in the long run. Dun compared to the "bicycle kingdom taiwanese" made Dahon is my take as it is built for international reputation and standands for people around the world.

I have bad impression about China products even bicycle grips are say to contain poisonous chemicals additive to reduce cost as said on news reports.:angry: Not to forget international bicycle built standard is not a must for China made bicycle as they dun care about it much, making life hard when you need to upgrade/modification and repair works to be done.:duh:

I dun trust local online buying of bicycle somemore, they are out to make a quick buck in this bicycle boom time. ("White mind" business sense JZ88 pop out suddenly when SMRT allowed foldable bike on board sounds fishy to me and somemore it is the "only" bike feature in the news report video.)

Koo

24-09-2008, 02:55 AM

I SMSed JZ88 given moblie number on the website, there was no reply up to my 2 question of country of make and frame matrial grades? My guess is he is a gutless "businessman" out to make a quick buck and dun care about the customer. (a loser online shop which will reap what it sow)

Any way there is more brands to what Dahon has to offer. Chance on this website when I bought a local cycling magazine.

http://www.diginexx.com/

A local foldable bicycle specialist shop/forum/dealer. But bear in mind the shop is that the distance need to travel when problem arises, my stand of have a local bicycle shop nearby is for good reasons.

bigbert

25-09-2008, 12:28 PM

Thanks. Maybe i will get from Ulu cycle or the shop at West Coast. I am thinking of exploring all park connectors in Singapore after i get my bike. But dunno when MRT can allow us to bring the bike onto train till.

Koo

26-09-2008, 02:36 AM

My hunch was right JZ88 is chomo steel frame which means it a "heavy" compared to aluminimum built models. The reply from JZ88 web moblie number says ist country of make is Taiwan which is....... maybe a lie. I sound very bias against JZ88 but the price it asking for is too much for its substandard foldable bike if one does a bit of homework.

I never have hopes for the local NPark bicycle park connectors.

1) Too many bad links exist between parks which results better off riding on road.

2) Many encounters with "deaf/ear phone thumping" people using the link who give you the "look" like they own the road/link/passage.

3) Too many white bends/speed reducers in the link which result in more wear and tear to your bicycle in the long run.

4) Parked motorbike on the NPark link which is ..........:beatup:
(i stop here in the list for now)

Since the late 1998, my neighborhood along with 2 others are poineers in a rent-a-bike program me start by a "government" back company which went kaput and then NTUC "took over/killed it" totally. I wonder was it due to a new article written by a public which resulted a total removal of the bicycles which could have been put to better use. My guess it is a loss for SG effort to go green due to "the long standing relationship" with oil companies/countries which is choking the world.:duh:

bigbert

26-09-2008, 11:31 PM

I thought of buying Jz88 at first. Luckily i did some homework before i decide to buy it. now i still pondering on which model to buy.

I believe that allowing of foldable bikes on mrt is also part of SG effort to go green. The world environment is getting for worse day by day. Especially in China where air pollution is 2 to 3 times worse than SG. I spent 1/2 year in China and i breathe happily after i return home to SG. The air quality is diff.

Koo

28-09-2008, 04:44 PM

This online shop caught my eye. I have seen "local" people using it at MRT trains, the bike seen was a nice candy red color. Very good specifications for a foldable bike equip with disc brakes. My consent is possibility of ease of upgrading some of the parts to Shimano brand.

http://easy2shop.wordpress.com/

http://www.chupr.com/auction_details.php?name=Foldable-Bicycle&auction_id=101279
(the cheapest same model foldable bike I can find for now at S$320)

Koo

01-10-2008, 04:12 AM

There seems to be a 14 inch and a 16 inch version of the disc brake foldable bike (Strida 5.0 bike is the name) mention earlier. IT is Taiwan made like Dahons

Go for the 16 inch version as it is more suitable for your built, bigbert, if you are choose the model as your ride. To bad there is no a bigger size version for bigger guys, as far as I know.

bigbert

01-10-2008, 10:39 PM

How bout Bike Friday Tikit? I have test drive the Tikit 24 speed today. And it really packs performance as claimed. It can reach a high speed without me having to keep paddling. But it comes at a hefty price above $2.5k.

Another model which i am considering is the Dahon Vitesse D7. It is avaliable below 1K. Any recommendation on which one to choose? Do MyBike shop allows test drive for their Dahon bikes?

Koo

02-10-2008, 10:02 PM

Another model which i am considering is the Dahon Vitesse D7. It is avaliable below 1K. Any recommendation on which one to choose? Do MyBike shop allows test drive for their Dahon bikes?

I think they allow test rides if you ask properly and set an appointment beforehand then to drop in suddenly.

The fastest foldable bike is the Pacific's Reach bike which has the same gear system as racer bikes. There is people who use Pacific's Reach bike to race in triathlons as far as I know.:thinking: This can mean its also a light bicycle which can be a speed demon depending how fit you are in cycling.
(I can max out at 35km/h on a flat road on MTB)

As for the Bike Friday Tikit 24 speed bicycle it is nice and clever design with lots of place to place pannier bags and even a cart behind but the price and brakes are not good and economical.

If you are think of getting the Strida 5.0 bike, please PM/tell me beforehand a few days earlier as I may consider getting 1 together and lets get a discount too.

Koo

20-11-2008, 09:54 PM

There seem to be S$300 Straida 5.0 foldable bicycle on Ebay for bidding, can try luck. :thinking:

Koo

25-11-2008, 03:11 PM

Found another foldable bicycle dealer in SG. I like their "Black Rhino" bicycle.

http://www.onespt.com/

meow

26-11-2008, 01:25 PM

wow impressive Koo.
The road bike looks sweet too.

Based on their specs, should cost a bomb.

Do you have a rough idea how much are these bikes?

:D

bigbert

27-11-2008, 12:36 PM

I have just bought Dahon P24 model. It's fast and agile and i have cycled from East Coast Park to Changi Pt with it. And from Pasir Park to East Coast Park. And it goes on the mrt with me also.

meow

27-11-2008, 01:13 PM

is it this piece?

http://www.dahon.com/us/mup24.htm

What's the price range?
<$1k?

meow

27-11-2008, 03:21 PM

btw bigbert, where did you get your bike? are Dahon bike expensive?

I'm thinking of getting a fold able road bike with budget <$1k.

thks
:D

bigbert

27-11-2008, 06:57 PM

Yes, this is the P24. I got this at my local bike shop. It is local dealer for Dahon bikes.

If your budget is less than 1k, maybe u can get the Dahon Vitnesse D7 model. Should be around $850. I have heard that this bike got very good reviews even when compared to bikes up to 4 times its prices. I am more kiasu so i got the P24.

meow

28-11-2008, 08:41 AM

thanks, I'll go take a look. :D

Koo

28-11-2008, 05:06 PM

i went to check out the "Black Rhino" bicycle. The frame alone cost 1.6k after "special offer"...... a real bomb!:duh:

Found a tasty bit of information on buying foldable bicycle oversea:

http://www.smbf.com.sg/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6308

I guess the current weight limitation in some carrier/airlines is still at 20kg is ok as most aluminium frame/base foldable bicycle is around 12kg +/-.

bigbert

29-11-2008, 03:10 PM

The Black Rhino bike seem to be made up of good parts. Its seat is a special gel material customized for comfort seating. I have enquired about the price but no reply from the dealer yet.

meow

29-11-2008, 05:56 PM

wow $1600 just for the frame :o

can it be fixed with normal bike parts & still foldable?:thinking:

Koo

01-12-2008, 02:48 PM

wow $1600 just for the frame :o

can it be fixed with normal bike parts & still foldable?:thinking:

My guess of meow's "normal bike parts" means the international standards system (ISS)/ Shimano(JP)/SRAM(US) parts. The Arinimal bicycles the company built the Black Rhino to ISS and still foldable.

Koo

16-12-2008, 03:51 AM

There is a whole page article about the Strida bicycle designer on Monday's lianhe zaobao (the morning Chinese newspaper) people section dated 15-12-2008.

There is introduction of the IF Mode bicycle which is way cool looking than the Strida bicycle but definitely dun not accommodate for the normal bicycle parts like Strida bicycle.:duh:

Koo

24-12-2008, 03:27 AM

I'm thinking of creating a small event/show of some foldable bicycles at my Community Club for the public to get to understand more about this range of bicycle.:thinking: Maybe try 1 type 1st to test water, best to start of with the Strida foldable bicycle.

Malakite

24-12-2008, 03:11 PM

I've been looking around for a good sized folding bike for a while and I stumbled upon this.....

http://www.diginexx.com/Swissbike.html

Full sized Mountain Bike thats foldable!.....Seems a little bigger than the usual foldable bikes, but wahhh looking good sia!

Only thing is, cheapest model is 1.3k... I'm eyeing the 1.7k model lol.
The link is for the local distro.

bigbert

24-12-2008, 05:10 PM

Koo

24-12-2008, 11:01 PM

in car trunk?

I believe some people who cycle will prefer to have their bicycle mounted on rear car rack for bicycle or a roof mount bicycle rack.

Malakite

25-12-2008, 06:48 PM

U planning to bring this onto MRT or put in car trunk?

I went down to the showroom yesterday, when folded up and put in the carrying bag.... can bring unto mrt. not too heavy as well. If anything, I think it's a little smaller than the giantic LV paperbag I've seen around town lol...

bigbert

25-12-2008, 10:27 PM

I got buy a carry bag for my Dahon bike but i didn't use it to carry the bike onto the MRT as the bag is quite big and bulky. The bike when folded is easy to place it in the car trunk. But just have to be careful when driving.

Koo

26-12-2008, 11:13 AM

Malakite, if you are considering to buy a full size foldable MTB bicycle, u must keep in mind that SMRT requirements can fail as most foldable MTB bicycle dun fit.

See SMRT requirements for foldable bicycles:
http://www.smrt.com.sg/upload/Foldable_Bicycle_Regulations.pdf

Malakite

26-12-2008, 02:24 PM

Wah... basket didn;t realise there was such restrictions.... But then again, I've seen people carry huge assed items on the train... oh well.

Koo

26-12-2008, 08:13 PM

I have seen people with full bicycle on MRT train, only remove the front wheel of the bicycle.........:o

Koo

29-12-2008, 07:44 PM

I have bought before in 2005, a full size 18' GT brand MTB frame into the SMRT before without anyway problems during late at night. For a full size foldable MTB bicycle to get on SMRT trains will have to see if the SMRT personnels want to do their job or not to curb/enforce rules. Because I view the biggest item to get on SMRT trains is a motorized wheelchair for disable people.

Koo

31-12-2008, 09:11 PM

I had made my proposal of an event using foldable bicycle to my youth community group people. Instead,I got a better idea of a hybird amazing race with public transports and foldable bicycles from the meeting.

Now my big problem is getting my hands on enough foldable bicycle for a tryout of the event.......(need at least 5 foldable bicycles). There is no bicycle shop nor rental one in Singapore, which has foldable bicycles to lend/loan/rent out......

I wonder how to solve unless I have to do a risk move of spending way overbudget.:(

Koo

10-01-2009, 02:05 PM

There is this local bicycle magazine called "Spin" which is price at S$2 per issue. I think it is good for locals in Singapore to support local magazine like this which is low cost and good in content. I just got my 2009 January issue, there is introduction of the Swissbike paratroop series foldable mountain bike.

meow

13-01-2009, 08:41 AM

interesting, where to get this 'SPIN' Mag?

Koo

14-01-2009, 03:05 AM

I got mine at "Buzz" the chain of newspapers/magzines/etc stand. But it seems to me, not all Buzz stands have the "Spin" magzine as far as I know. :duh:

meow

14-01-2009, 01:24 PM

ya, I cant find any at those newspaper stand.
will go try bookstore later :D

vallinasky

14-07-2009, 05:26 PM

I just bought this foldable bike from a local guy who imports from China. Price is only $260. It works very well for me. It has the disc brakes unlike other foldable bike that has the rim brakes, or those that has the disc brakes but are too expensive for me to afford. Think it is a very good deal.

Koo

16-07-2009, 08:55 AM

tsk tsk....'SPIN' Mag the local cycling magazine has increase to $3......50% increse!:duh:

meow

17-07-2009, 08:44 AM

no wonder, I saw the price at $3 still thinking whether I remember the price wrongly....anyway flip thr the mag, nothing much... even advertisement not much...:thinking:

Koo

18-07-2009, 10:07 PM

Prices of everything will go up never drop in SG. That includes little things like papers and magazines.:moneyface :( :duh:

Koo

15-09-2009, 09:08 PM

Car maker Land Rover also use to make foldable bicycle.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i253/JNHT/FONT.jpg

It seems there is a tax fee of S$70 if one import his/her bicycle back to SG. I got this information recent, dunno if its gone up already. (fella imported his prton bicycle from Malaysia)