Another option is to get an even smaller cassette combinations. There are cassette that starts from 9 cogs instead of 11. You just need to trawl through the internet. Seems more logical too , rather than changing the front chain ring to 60T which actually looks ridiculous. If you can find the 9 cog, the gear is even higher than a 60 teeth chain ring.

60T/11cogs = ratio 5.454

53T/9 cogs = ratio 5.888

55T/9 cogs = ratio 6.111

58T/9 cogs = ratio 6.444

I come to realise that many riders wants to mod their bikes without actually understanding the theory behind the mods Study the facts because sometimes the general public is not always right. Your fellow riders might have done it and even he has bungled the mod and is regretting, he will never admit it. If this is the case, you will be blindly following without even realizing.

FOR REFERENCE the normal ratio , 53T/11 cogs = 4.818 ( for those not familiar, the ratio here means the number of revolution the rear wheels turns on one turn of the crank )

This post has been edited by etigge: Nov 27 2015, 11:11 AM

Ada lah bang! Also not expensive lorr. You can get from Amazon, my first google but I didn't check further. It's Shimano Capreo. The price is USD37.54 free shipping in US but don't know about here lah. Here's the link, Mau cepat-cepat beli lorr, stocks not many left.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-CS-HG70-Moun...e/dp/B00STRLUHI




This post has been edited by etigge: Nov 27 2015, 10:13 PM

Used one off course!

Brompton's folding patent has expired now so anyone can copy. Seems not many do anyway. Even the Dahon Curl which follows the compact fold design has improved on the design. Hence they can fold even more compact than the 'B' with an even bigger wheels. It's an exact 18 inch folder. They have also improved on the rear triangle fold where when attached, it is a rigid design rather than a damping system. So, that means you don't waste energy on the slight bobbing on the rear.

In Europe, UK specifically there's a company that makes the 'B' rear triangle. They enlarged the rear clearance for a normal 135mm hubs for the Rohloff systems. The triangle itself (custom made) cost something like 700+ pounds plus the Rohloff (14 speed) is about 2.5K Ringgit. Even if you opt for Shimano Alfine (11 speed) it's still about 1.5K Ringgit. IMO 'B' is all about money, that's why 'B' riders feels proud to ride one. It's a status symbol.

This post has been edited by etigge: Nov 30 2015, 10:06 AM

The Mu is one of the more expensive models. It's the most popular dolphin models used by foldies. The new Trinx is also the similar dolphin model and it has all the necessary components for a foldie. 18 speed Shimano Sora drivetrain, 451 = 22 inch high profile wheelset. If you can accept Trinx, it should be a bargain. Available in Kimbell Jaya within your budget, give and take a hundred or two. Haggle for freebies, they usually oblige. Like water bottle cage, water bottle, rear lights etc. Anyway, you might as well visit Kimbell Jaya (ask for Jimmy) and see the wide range that he has stock there.

I really can't comment on new rider preferences. Usually we advised something , they turn out something else. Also I might be quite biased towards Dahon. Not that Tern is not good but the extra price is just not worth paying. Other than these two, I see rides tend to have the temptation to change later after riding in a group. But then selling off a used unit is never easy because they expect to loose 15% to 30% which I think most buyers won't go for it, so they stick to the bike. Also many new riders stays to one bike and Dahon are quite low spec-ed for their cheaper units and many won't want to pay for upgrading of the bikes. It's never cheap. Some calculate by the percentage of the bike cost.

Eg. Bike cost 1K, so upgradings should never go beyond half of it. Then gain, the cost to mod a dual chainring already exceeded that. So, many will go for the full spec-ed with a cheaper price. That's why I tend to recommend the Trinx now. Our use, we will never exceed beyond the hardiness of the bikes. Maybe they need more maintenance. But even if they get the 18 speed Trinx, they will try to change to better brands because of peer pressure among the riders. Look at Bromptons, look at the sales. Many riders ride far and long and Bromtons are never meant for that, so suffer lorr! Many 'B' riders also have other bikes for tougher terrains.

Also, many riders don't understand that, in my case, I go for the best groupset that I can afford, maybe even forced to afford. It might even cost three times the cost of the bike. But those components stays with me even when I change the bike. Like when I rode the Dahon EcoC7, it was modified to Shimano 27 speed and when I wanted to change to Dahon Speed, every part is transferred to the Speed , although old, it is still durable. Then the new components from the Speed goes to the Eco C7 and sold off.

As for Dahon SUV, that's the most basic unit from Dahon to counter the cheaper foldies. The frame is quite guaranteed but the components, you know lah! Pandai pandai loh! I also know many who buys a cheap foldie and when they get serious, they go for a higher end bike and the old one pass it to their spouse, sakit loh their spouse.

This post has been edited by etigge: Dec 3 2015, 09:13 AM

This is the touring version of Dahon Speed. Nice choice and colour. Itu Se 'suku' have got 2 of the same but black.

This post has been edited by etigge: Dec 6 2015, 12:06 AM

There are many fake Litepro around but then how do we distinguish one from the other All of them are light. You can get a good seal bearing from GW Cycle Boutique in Kota Kemuning. I have actually use the normal integrated headset for mountain bikes on the Dahons and it does fit except you got to use a few old parts like the top cover and probably the spacer from the old headset. The bearing holder and the sealed bearing can fit into the 44mm headtube of the folding bike.

But the mountain bike headset is more expensive than the folding bike ones. So, makes no sense unless you have a spare old unit lying around.

Still best choice is GW Cycle.

Many years ago, GW was an importer for those container bicycles from Japan. Slowly they became an agent for Pedalsport. One of the brands then was Pacific Cycles which are IF Reach and Birdys. Later when Pedalsport gave up the franchise, GW took over and now they even have the President of Pacific Cycles visiting them. GW successfully maintained what Pedalsport failed to do. Now Pedalsport is the franchised importer for Bromptons but their main interest are SRAM and Rockshox.

I am sure you can test ride. You can use Fei Lee's or Phoebe's own bike.

caliper brake, I don't think so.


This post has been edited by etigge: Dec 8 2015, 08:37 PM

YES, The MU is about 2.6K now.

If you are really into the P24, it actually can be modded from a usual Tern Link. You have to start from the Link off course. The dual drive is still available online and 8 speed usual drive is everywhere. In fact the cost might be even cheaper. Just google SRAM dual drive and check the online sites. On the flip side, if the drive is the prime reason, there's no barring that other frames can be used, eg. Dahon Speed, MU, Falco or even their sister frames from FnHon.

Again, hahaaaha...................Why not the whole 30 speed with the regular FD and FD ? Also this don't make the rear heavy like the Link P24. It's really heavy at the rear. Cheers!

One word says all............No tembakking! Those bikes won't last you a few years.

Go for the more reputable brands like Dahon, Tern or even Raleighs which is well within your 1K budget. The Dahon SUV is about RM800 only. Tern is higher, the entry level is 1.4K but the Dahon Route which has similar specs is much cheaper than that. I think you should visit a bike shop and if you are in Klang Valley, go Kimbell Jaya. Stocks most of the brands available, even the MIT, TXed which are hard to come by. Go 'cuci mata' also OK mah!

This post has been edited by etigge: Dec 11 2015, 12:10 PM

When SRAM started, they don't have an internal gear division. They then took over SACHS. Those days, only Sturmey Archers and Sachs are the main players. Sturmey Archers is around even when I was riding a Raleigh Chopper 1977 (also 3 speed) and they lasted till today. After SRAM took over Sachs, the price skyrocketed because of their branding and not necessary because of their expertise. So, why limit yourself to a SRAM ?

Sturmey Archers actually have 5 and 8 speed (if I can recall). The 5 speed shares the same interior measurements with the 3 speed. That means if you can buy the 5 speed innards ( probably from UK ), you can fit it into a 3 speed Brompton hub. SO, that converts the 6 speed into 10 speed. Nobody here does that here. I have actually bought an old SA hubs and dis-assembled it and rebuilt it and it is actually not that hard. Alas, Brompton owners don't trust non-Brompton owners to do their precious bikes so I never service for anyone before.

I would rather go for the Shimano Alfine which comes in 8 speed (very cheap nowadays) but the 11 speed would cover more ratios. A cheaper option will be the Shimano Nexus which is 8 speed. Best option of all, I would say IMO is to hunt for a used Rohloff in eBay. 14 speed which covers almost the entire 3 X 9 speed of the conventional FD and RD gearing systems. Also Rohloff are maintenance free!

Cheers!

Look for Happy Cycling or Foldie and Me.

New folding bike coming. Launching this 20th December. Folds like a Brompton, much much lighter than a Brompton and wheels a full 18 inch, bigger than a Brompton. It's marketed at USD2400 for the regular black colour and USD2500 for the blue/black ones. Fully carbon fibre inclusive the handlepost and handlebars, seat post too,Interested contact Chedech at
https://www.facebook.com/chedechbike/







This post has been edited by etigge: Dec 14 2015, 08:22 PM

You still need a cassette opening tool. The one shown is just to hold the cassette. And also you need a spanner wide enough to unlock the cassette opener.

I don't think they planned to put in a rack. Their description of the foldie is folding velo hahaaa. I think it is 11kg but if you carry one around and especially if you are a lady, a 11kg foldie is much much more relief than a 14kg + Brompton. My only doubt is the flexing and creaking found in most carbon frames. Even the Oribike creaks like nobody's business. Still, waiting for the blasted Dahon Curl to be launched so that comparisons can be made is wiser.

Still no answer from anyone yet? Many members here are polite. From here I hope you can deduct what the opinions are.