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Re: T&T: folding bicycles

T
TSmith6410@aol.com
Tue, Nov 29, 2005 12:22 PM

We bought two new Montague DX folding 26-inch wheel bikes three years  ago.
During our dirt dweller days, we always had nice, new bikes, but  these bikes
are the nicest pieces of (bike) machinery we've owned.

After three years of cruising, I have now detected a speck of rust on a
bolt.  Fortunately, we were able to have lockers built behind our  Portuguese
bridge which have been marvelous storage spaces for the bikes.  Two bikes fit in
the starboard locker with all their miscellaneous equipment  (air pump, tools,
patches, etc.) and room left over.

Initially, installing the front wheel was a two-person operation until the
brake cables stretched a bit.  Now it's a simple, clean one-person  job.

We rode the bikes for two years in as-is condition out of the box even
though we knew the brake pads were dragging.  Surprisingly we didn't seem  to
notice the affect when riding, but holding the tires off the ground and  trying to
spin them revealed the drag. Finally last year we were near a bike  store who
tuned the bikes for us.  What a difference!  In fact, had we  done that
initially, we might not have had any difficulty installing the front  wheels early
on.

These are mountain bikes, so the top end of the 18-speeds probably allows
only 14-18 mph on the straight and level.  That's plenty fast for us; speed  has
never been a limitation in using the bikes.  The 26-inch tires vs small
tires are both a comfort and safety factor.

We have used them to rent and return rental cars ... just remove the front
wheel, fold, and throw them in the trunk.  Takes about 60 seconds per  bike.

We haven't taken them ashore via dinghy just yet.  I would expect that  to be
a two-trip evolution to get both bikes ashore in our 10-ft Boss  Boat.

Terry &  Christine Smith
M/V "Fiddler's Green"

Great  Harbour 37
currently Hilton Head Island, SC

We bought two new Montague DX folding 26-inch wheel bikes three years ago. During our dirt dweller days, we always had nice, new bikes, but these bikes are the nicest pieces of (bike) machinery we've owned. After three years of cruising, I have now detected a speck of rust on a bolt. Fortunately, we were able to have lockers built behind our Portuguese bridge which have been marvelous storage spaces for the bikes. Two bikes fit in the starboard locker with all their miscellaneous equipment (air pump, tools, patches, etc.) and room left over. Initially, installing the front wheel was a two-person operation until the brake cables stretched a bit. Now it's a simple, clean one-person job. We rode the bikes for two years in as-is condition out of the box even though we knew the brake pads were dragging. Surprisingly we didn't seem to notice the affect when riding, but holding the tires off the ground and trying to spin them revealed the drag. Finally last year we were near a bike store who tuned the bikes for us. What a difference! In fact, had we done that initially, we might not have had any difficulty installing the front wheels early on. These are mountain bikes, so the top end of the 18-speeds probably allows only 14-18 mph on the straight and level. That's plenty fast for us; speed has never been a limitation in using the bikes. The 26-inch tires vs small tires are both a comfort and safety factor. We have used them to rent and return rental cars ... just remove the front wheel, fold, and throw them in the trunk. Takes about 60 seconds per bike. We haven't taken them ashore via dinghy just yet. I would expect that to be a two-trip evolution to get both bikes ashore in our 10-ft Boss Boat. Terry & Christine Smith M/V "Fiddler's Green" Great Harbour 37 currently Hilton Head Island, SC