Cali Cruisin’ on Two Wheels

[Bryan G]

Gotham 3 Citizen Bike 20” 3-Speed Folding Bike with Belt Drive. $679/ea
 

My wife and I bought two citizen bikes that fit through a 1967 M20F baggage door with the seats still in, and it has definitely been an awesome “ride” since. I have removable split back seats, but I am able to fit two of these bikes into the back without taking them out. The downside is you can’t fit anything else back there, you’ll have to slightly rotate the bikes and it’s a snug fit. But if I lean the seats forward a tiny bit, they fit very well side by side with plenty of room to fit extra gear. The upside? Fits… light weight, 20” wheels, greaseless 3 speed belt driven, super simple folding system, sturdy, accessories (folding basket/carriage bag).
 

Unfortunately they aren’t in stock right now, but it would be worth the wait! You could definitely consider the Tokyo 16” model, but  it’s steel instead of alloy and I bet the smaller tires would make the ride tough over any sort of bump. There is also an electric version (lil London/London), but this manual model is workable even in the hilly areas of SLO, Monterey, and Santa Monica.

Ordered these bikes after spending months scouring MS, from the Dahon models to the Brompton. I didn’t see anything about these particular bikes, did some measurements and went for it. Check it out!

[Prior owner]

We have two Tokyo’s that fit into the D with enough room for baggage for two people for a three day weekend. Your bikes are nicer, though- the larger wheels are a huge plus….the smaller wheels aren’t so bad on bumps, but they create a geometry that makes the bike almost impossible to use for any hill climbing, even with a 6 speed Shimano gear set.

 

[carusoam]

Looks like a great discussion for Erik…. @aviatoreb.

Andrew added a video the other day of a bike and a powered wheel thing…  @Hyett6420…

Everyone has to get the last post Mooney mile…  

Best regards,

-a-

[Igor_U]

  On 7/1/2021 at 4:25 AM, Bryan G said:

Gotham 3 Citizen Bike 20” 3-Speed Folding Bike with Belt Drive. $679/ea
 

 

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Bryan,

These are really nice. My wife bought me Tokyo with 16" wheels and it is a good ride on flat (used it when I commuted to KMWH for work) but it is heavy with steel frame. It is also somewhat small size for my 6'3" height.

Gotham seems much nicer and I assume Al. alloy frame. Would it fit through the baggage door or it has to go through the main door in front?

Enjoy those...

[Bryan G]

  On 7/2/2021 at 6:04 PM, Igor_U said:

Bryan,

These are really nice. My wife bought me Tokyo with 16" wheels and it is a good ride on flat (used it when I commuted to KMWH for work) but it is heavy with steel frame. It is also somewhat small size for my 6'3" height.

Gotham seems much nicer and I assume Al. alloy frame. Would it fit through the baggage door or it has to go through the main door in front?

Enjoy those...

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They go right through the baggage door. I initially had the fender kit with luggage rack on the back of one, but that one wouldn’t fit through the door. Took it off, and both fit right through without any issue. Same with taking them out. The al alloy is super light too which helps.

Hills aren’t bad at all, it’s only a 3 speed but we can make it up some fairly steep hills in SMO and MRY. Usually about a 3-4 mile trip one way, the return is always up hill…haha.

 

[cliffy]

I realize that "biking" is the "new" in thing among the younger crowd but for us older (and maybe more portly) pilots "biking" don't cut it any more. Last bike I owned was 40 years ago. I guess I just out grew them :-) :-)

BTW, back in the day I designed and built the first 36" 10 speed skinny tire COLLASABLE bike that I carried in my Cessna 140 while next door a company was cutting Hinda 50cc motorcycles in half to fit into small airplanes  (182s etc) They sold hundreds of them (Circa 1975)