The usual 7 speed freewheel cogs of most bikes are actually 14T/28T. The small cog is the same. Difference is if you have a Megarange, the last gear makes it much much easier for hill riding although there's limitation. The 34T is the same as the lowest gear of a 9 speed but it skipped 2 ratio. Another way to make riding uphill easier but at the expense of high gear is to decrease the size of your crank (foldies are usually 52T or 53T) , usually 48T of a tourer bike or a 44T of a mountain bike.

This post has been edited by etigge: Dec 16 2013, 08:09 PM

I see that there are very less information in regards to the Java Fit 16 speed.

It is actually using Shimano Altus 8 speed behind and with avid mechanical disk brakes which you hardly find. The price is also cheaper alternative than the Dahon or Tern.

But there are really new and not much marketing. Anyone has any experience?

There are many Java Fit users and mostly are the 16 speed version as the 8 speed ones does not differ much in price wise. One feedback I get is that the ride is good, nice to ride and the price at RM1500 averagely is quite OK for the specs given. Many buy the Java because of the disc brake that it is shodded with. Sadly, most V-brakes shodded on foldies are the cheap types but I assure you once a better V-bake is changed, the braking power is better if not on par with the mechanical (cable pulled) disc brakes of the Java Fit. Personally I find the frame geometry short, the distance between the seat and handlebar is short. So, for higher than 5' 6" riders, you have to ride quite upright. There is a Java Fit club in Taiping where it is more popular.

For your info. the frame cannot take harsh riding though. You get creaks and noises if ridden harshly after a few months. Also there is no places to screw a mudguard or bike carrier is you so want to. A minor fault though. I have always advised, the first priority must go to the frame True, you must be prudent but a better bike like Tern and Dahon is prudent on the long term though. I feel many don't ride for a long time. So, conclusion is, it's a good buy if this riding is a passing fad for you. Usually those riding the Java will eventually change to better bikes if they continue riding either by peer pressure or performance. Happy Riding

This post has been edited by etigge: Dec 17 2013, 12:56 PM

Hey. Thanks for the info. What type of V-Brakes consider good? Is the tektro good enough?

It's hard to explain. There's modulation and also the stiffness of the calipers. During those days when there were no disc brakes, there were many manufacturers like Avid with the Arch Rivals and the Single Digit 7s , Shimano with the XTs and XTRs, Cane Creeks and many more CNC American makers. But many has since stopped producing. The good ones nowadays are limited to Avid SDs , Ridea and Shimanos. I think Textro has a good model but very rarely seen here. Even the Kinetix that are originals for Dahons are quite flexy but acceptable. A good and cheap one would be the Avid SD3 which can be found for RM120 for the calipers and levers in BBS but many bike shops don't sell them. The reason, only they know!

You can order Shimano XTs or Deore from Taobao, China though. That's also good.



This post has been edited by etigge: Dec 17 2013, 04:43 PM

i lke v-brake, but the oyama come with calipers... it will be good if can mod it to v-brake and change to bigger tyre.

recently, i've to press the rear brake quite hard (deep into riders position) on my TL C7...
i think this is adjustable (similar to motorbike), only question is where's the adjustment point ?
the highlighted red in below photo ?

it should be at the part where the wire come in..

i.e. the chrome part in below picture.

question: any brompton user here?

i was checking the rack thing. is there any alternative rack to replace it?

guys,

i need some advise. i just bought two 20" Jap's USED foldable that were shipped-in for rm200 each. i can say its the 'aunty-type-bike' that you can see in jap drama and all parts i believe still the original ones.

the ride, i just tested still very rigid and solid. no worrying sound, loose parts. break, gear still in good condition.

problem is >> original parts means RUST, PAINT FADE, STAIN here and there.

question >> if i walk in a bike shop here, can i have most of the parts like brake handle, tyre, rims, gear, seat, handle etc changed. do they have parts the suit this type of bike here? or will the bike shop even 'layan' me!!

anyone have experience in enhancement to this type of bike??

This post has been edited by vincentwmh: Dec 20 2013, 04:22 PM

Where are you staying. GW Cycle boutique in Kota Kemuning is undisputed king of the Japanese bike scavenging. In fact his cycle business started with a container of this type of bikes. I am sure bike shops can improvise or modify the bike but forget about taking it to air cond bike shops like many in KL/PJ. Try those apek apek shops and they are cheaper. Tyres and rims are standard 20 inch types. The only thing I don't like these Japanese bikes are the brakes! But they are still available parts though. If you are in Cheras area, Kimbell Jaya in JAlan Taman Tun Hussein Onn can service and repair it for you.

thanks etigge,

me in johor bahru. u are right, i think i will 1st try out those apek conventional bicycle shop. TCSS around to get more guidance. yes, i noticed also the front & rear brake are different. the front type i have seen it, same like like my school time bike, but the rear ones look odd to me. its something like a hub, fixed at the opposite side of the gears of the rim.

sorry, me 2/10 bike noob. my last bike was my form 5 school bike

This post has been edited by vincentwmh: Dec 20 2013, 05:41 PM

ur rear is using band brake right? apek shop will be able to help.

Hello sifu sekalian, I am new to folding bike and thought of getting one. I have a deal for the new Java TT 7speed for RM 860. Is it good for beginner like me? in terms of quality? or you all have any other recommendations?

The problem with 7 speed is, when you have improved and want to tackle some hills and wants to upgrade, the upgrade is damn costly because of the rims! Anything with 8 speed or more is easy as they use cassette type cogs at the rear. For the 7 speed and below, they use the old fashion freewheel screw in type which limits you to a small number of combination. The 7 speed rear gearing actually starts from 14T till 28T while a cassette type 8 speed is 11T till 30T which gives a better lower and a better higher gearing. Tambah sikit and go for a Dahon Boardwalk D8. I can recommend you a shop selling at RM1030. Alternatively, I rather go for Louis Garneau POP which sells for the same price and 8 speed. You must be also attracted by the disc brake.

how much is the current price for tern link d8 now?
any good shop to recommend?

I think it's going for RM1500+ in Sew Leong, Dengkil. If you order from Kimbell Jaya, Taman Tun Hussein Onn, it's even cheaper but have to wait for the order to come. He doesn't stock Terns , only Dahons. Bike shops in PJ definitely cost more because the rental and their clientele a bit standard lah!

yes yes, now i know its called 'band brake' now. apek shop here i come!!

thanks

oh, thanks thanks!

Just upgraded my 7speed to 9speed with the biggest cog 36T which is now a great uphill cycling for me & wifey.Using SRAM gripshift ATTACK which is for more better than Shimano gripshift.Going for a family ride in FRIM this weekend.