Finished project, minus pedals. Need to test ride and make final adjustments. Took me a while, its been fun!

What I can tell you is this. As it stands, it has cost me about RM2300. Probably the same as a
P8, but the components I have would be much better. It currently weighs 10.7kg. Perhaps the cheapest way to lose weight was the seat post and saddle. Don't think I can do much better now.

Took it for a brief spin just now and perhaps the gears needs to be run in, but it didn't feel as smooth changing as my normal bike, which has the 8speed Alfine hub. Don't think any deraillieur system can beat the smoothness of the internal gear hub.

Also I compared this bike with a friend's Brompton and while they both had approx the same wheelbase, the Brompton felt more refined and I wonder if it is because of the steel frame, or maybe it had an internal hub too? Anyway too early to judge. I need to ride it more. Oh, and funny enough the Dahon felt a bit more cramped, even though the distance from seat to handlebar is similar......

I don't know Ugo bikes, but I bet it is a 7 speed? And with freewheel screw-in cluster instead of cassette. If so, you will need new hub/wheel to be able to change gearing, and possibly the front cranks as well. I got caught with my first folding bike, not knowing anything before. This new one now has road bike gearing and even then it still not as comfortable at speed as a road bike.

You are right, foldies have limitations, speed is one of them, but they make up for portability. If you don't need portability, but a road bike.

It is about the wheel size though......not saying the small wheels can't get to higher speed, it is just harder to sustain that speed. If you have a 700c wheeled bike, you'll know what I mean.

I dare say a Moulton will not keep up with a road bike.

Hahaha! The joys of upgrading! Easy fix though.

Just buy a new cable and thread it through from the shifter side. You Tube is your friend!

If you guys want to buy from TaoBao why not try and buy a better bike as your shipping cost is going to be the same? The better bike with better component will most likely ride better. I know it is all about money, maybe save a bit more before buying? I've done this before and learned lesson....

Either rim would be fine. I'm more interested in the quality of the hubs. Slightly higher weight you would hardly notice if the hubs were real smooth.....Did you buy these locally or Taobao?

I've just picked up another foldie. A very unhappy looking Dahon Speed D7. It is now in pieces ready to be cleaned and re-assembled. It actually looks quite good with no real flaws. I'll see how it rides and may end up buying some new wheels. I wonder how much a better set of wheels cost, with say Novatec hubs in M'sia? Need new tyres too...

I'm in oz but sometimes in msia. You are probably right in regards to the variety available in msia. I'm amazed little wheels cost nearly the same as 700c wheels after including postage.

Nice! Have you ordered? Very similar to mine, except it is a 6 speed. It is full yellow. It sits on the shelf most of the time not ridden. Not enough time to ride bikes! Bromptons are nice riding if the gearing is right. I use the 6th gear most of the time which means the chain wheel needs to be at least a 50t. It is only a 44t now.

I'm the same, serious riding I'll still use a roadbike. Foldies, just ride for fun or to somewhere that I can bring the bike with me. I will always advise to stay away from cheap foldies as they ride terrible and you won't want to ride it.

for example...





So how much is this bike?

Free....... this lady gave it to me, she rode it twice. After I got it, went for a ride. what absolute rubbish!! Goes to show if you buy cheap it is actually expensive as you won't ride it! hahaha

No need suspension or disc brakes lah...

Go get a Dahon Speed with CroMoly steel frame. Guarantee you'll like it. Comfortable and quick enough. I've got a Speed D7.

Oh....I didn't mean to hurt anyone, but just to warn people about buying cheap bikes that you end up not using as they are not enjoyable to ride. Sorry!

This bike that I have, for example, the seatpost is near maximum, which means if you are taller than 1.7, sorry lah.... The folding mechanism is real scary and it will end up as a pile of rust one day. Every part of the bike except the wheels have some rust spots on it even though it is near new. Weight? don't ask....real heavy! Doesn't fold well, heavy, doesn't ride well......is there a point to it?

The riding position is all wrong, and cannot be adjusted. The gearing is way too low, so riding slowly ok, forget going faster. So heavy, crashes over bumps, etc, gear changes sloppy.

Comparing to the dahon Speed D7, this bike's riding position is easily adjustable, flows nicely, magnets locks securely, Neos rear deraillieur, although some people say is rubbish, shifts beautifully on my abused bike. Ride is comfortable and gearing is fine as is and you can easily do distances on it, which is quite comparable to the Brompton.

Bikes are just dumb machines. In all instances, there are no problems, sometimes just minor adjustments required. Difference between cheap and expensive is that faults that can be adjusted out or tuned out in the more expensive bikes cannot be done on a cheaper bike. I'm talking bad design, cheaper rust prone parts and parts that can't be upgraded.

Wow, looks like you have big gaps in your gear ratios and then a huge jump to 34T! What size chain ring are you currently running?

I too have a 52T front but I run 11-30T back. So far have not really needed to use 30T at all. Instead of changing down I usually stand up to pedal when there is an incline. I'm therefore curious how much you would use that gear. If not used often, you'll end up with a 6 speed bike.

I would suggest a light breakfast instead. You'll need to build up your stamina before tackling long uphill. Road in the picture looks flat, but I think it is a long gradual uphill stretch? These conditions, your 34T will not save you, LOL! Sometimes you need a more suitable bike for the occasion. A foldy has limitations as it it sometimes difficult to get leverage when pedaling off the seat.

When cranking uphill, breath deeply, you need maximum oxygen levels. Nothing beats training though....

No wonder you pengsan! You lose too much energy spinning on 34T and not getting anywhere. Go ride somewhere flat and just use 13T or 14T until you build up your stamina. Only after, go for a few hills. If you enjoy hill climbing later, sell the foldie.

For quiet running and smooth shifting, you must lube the chain and pivot joints of your derailleur. Bicycle maintenance is not a clean job, just wear disposable gloves.

WD40 is not a lubricant, do not use on chains. Always use lubricant designed for chains. Less wear on chains, chains stretches less, less wear on sprockets.