Recommended Foldable Bike?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by CarlF

Cotemar,

Those E-Twow scooters look pretty nifty. Is it fun?

Block Island's not flat. Did they make it up the hills or did you have to push?

Do you think performance would still be OK for a 180lb person?

These E-Scooters are a blast to glide around on. My Wife Loved it. No sweating.

Block Island is pretty hilly and it was not problem for these scooters. We passed a lot of bikes going uphills.

These are rated for 220 lbs

[SailingwithSoul]

I've had the Citizen Tokyo from Folding Bikes by Citizen Bike. It was a fantastic bike. So much so, that it was stolen over a more expensive Dahon nearby. I highly recommend them over the more expensive folding bikes. They have an excellent locking system that features both a bolt and the clamp. The more expensive models feature lighter weight and larger wheels. I'll be buying my second soon.

[CarlF]

Cotemar,

Thanks

Where did you buy the scooters? There doesn't seem to be much distribution.

Carl

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by CarlF

Cotemar,

Thanks

Where did you buy the scooters? There doesn't seem to be much distribution.

Carl

I purchased the first two to be brought into the USA.
We in the USA do not see the value in adults scooters here, but overseas these E-Scooters are common and used everyday to get to and from work.

I had to purchase them from China.

[flagorio]

We have a 21 speed Bike Friday which folds into a bag or a suitcase ( large Samsonite plastic sport luggage from the outlet store). We tow a burley single child trailer (used from Craigslist) for the dog and provisioning.
We also have a Giant aluminum 7 speed folder which my wife loves ($ 500 new)
We stow in bags and spray the inside of the bag. We use gloves to avoid grease.
ALSO you can now get galvanized chain (special order through most bike shops).
My problem with scooters and powered bikes is I get lazy and stop riding the bike.
Also I ride for provisions in the morning BEFORE it gets hot.
We store everything in the unused side of our dinette and under the table. Even the trailer folds and goes into an Extra large REI Duffel bag. No grease, no scratches!
We keep lights separate from the bikes (planet bike 2 watt head light and similar tail lights that detach) as we have knocked them off the bike into the drink.
We also have the ABUS ULock (security level 13) and two cable locks.
If you leave you bike on shore, for a long time, you need the heavier lock and we don't like to schlep.
I considered a Brompton but too few speeds for me.
The dahon, which I commuted on every weekday for six months, started creaking and groaning, so I sold it, YMMV.
One last comment, I buy bikes used off craigslist now because people buy them thinking they are going to get exercise, etc and they sit for years.
Or better yet the spouse is selling after the divorce. I pick them up for 10 to 25 cents on the dollar.
We also tour on our folders to explore around our cruising areas and camp or stay in motels.
Just my thoughts...


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[gonesail]

if you just want to ride down the dock to the corner then any folding bike or scooter will do. if you want something that can go several miles and haul groceries then you need a full size folding bike with 10 or more speeds and 26" tires. these things are awkward to store and somewhat heavy and the chains will rust and stain your clothes. i had a montague bike with fat tires that was a blast (before it was stolen) and could go 20 miles with no problem.

[Cotemar]

We picked up groceries and liquor all the time with the E-Scooters. It’s easy peasy with a back pack.

20 miles is not a problem and no sweating is required.

[Scott Berg]

Love our Bromptons
Chain folds to the 'inside' and the geared hub means less to break in a locker
Plenty of low gearing for the kind of riding cruisers do and a long, 'bike-like' wheel base
Not cheap but mine is 15 years old and with usual maintenance rides like new


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[mcerdos]

Here is a good product. Made in the USA. Very high quality and reasonably priced.

Electric Bicycles That Make Sense - ProdecoTech E-Bikes

Hope this helps

[Moody46CC]

We have Dahon Mariners. Not particularly light, but they fold up nicely. Keep them in Dahon Bags which I usually lash to the pushpit on each side of the boat. The bag with its handles makes it easier to get them into the inflatable. We mostly use them for local trips and provisioning, but one can easily go for 10 miles since they have gears. Not sure if the frame is steel or aluminum, but the rest of the components are aluminum or stainless, to include the screws. They have plastic chain guards so no grease. In the winter they are in my attic or storage shed. Use that spray anti-corrosion stuff for outboards. Do an annual maintenance service, and that's about it. They have a front bag on the handle bar and rack in the rear.

Worth the effort of hauling them around as they increase your land mobility a good bit.

[gin_miller]

Thanks everyone for your feedback - it is exactly what I was looking for!

Much appreciated,
Ginette

[oldragbaggers]

We have two Citizen Miami bikes that we carry on the front of our teardrop camper. We plan to carry them on our boat as well. I won't claim they are perfect, but they are pretty darned good for their very reasonable price tag of $199 each. They are steel, but as others have stated, when it comes to rust it's not really the frame that is the problem anyway. I have carry bags for them. The upside is they are very comfortable to ride, and with 6 speeds you can handle most moderate terrain. They fold and unfold very easily. The biggest drawback is their weight. With the racks installed they weigh 34 pounds so hoisting them in and out of a dinghy would probably be a real chore.

Citizen Bike folding bike shop | Portable & Folding Bikes | MIAMI Citizen Bike 20" 6-speed Folding Bike with Steel Frame

[ShaktisBoy]

Downtube 9FS is a great folding bike at a reasonable cost. It doesnt have that clown bike feel soo typical of folding bikes. We have one now and are getting another shortly.

[SailFastTri]

Just a couple of comments about prior posts. (Will omit the quotes).
1) The newer Dahon Mariner that I recently bought on eBay (last years model, I think) is an aluminum frame and rims with stainless and aluminum parts. The chain is stainless. I also have a Dahon Piccolo (16" wheels) which also has an AL frame and rims with chromed steel parts and conventional steel chain. It's 9 years old and still going strong with only minor maintenance. It looks good too.
2) A coating of Corrosion-X is advised on any bike or electric scooter. Any chains should be well oiled/greased. A salt environment is hell on any equipment.
3) I used to have some cheap Chinese no-name bikes that were all steel frames and rims. The paint bubbled from rust at any tiny scratch and this eventually rendered the rims/brakes unusable. It was either switch the rims for AL or ditch the bikes, which unfortunately weren't worth investing in. It's worth it to pay a little more, or don't pay more but buy a better bike on eBay or Craigslist.

[SailFastTri]

Another comment with regard to bags. I've used them and find it's not worth it. It's just extra effort to pull out of them or put the bikes back in them. Plus purpose-made bags don't really provide weather protection.

If you're going to leave bikes out on deck, I think it's better to get one of those soft-sided weatherproof car-top luggage carriers. They're rugged, have good weather seals, are made of waterproof laminated heavy cloths, and have tie-down straps/loops/eyes sewn in.