tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post5338999125048488672..comments2023-11-05T01:50:47.040-07:00Comments on Bike Commute Tips Blog: New bike: Giant HalfwayPaul Dornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03893190816290007375noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-18324724818865301332014-06-04T09:43:24.229-07:002014-06-04T09:43:24.229-07:00It is now June 4, 2014 and I have just purchased a...It is now June 4, 2014 and I have just purchased a barely used 2008 like Paul's here in Madison, WI for $450. So how did I do on price, and how has Paul's done over time?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-12462171094379642042012-03-14T21:30:41.824-07:002012-03-14T21:30:41.824-07:00I commute on Caltrain, and I've never actually...I commute on Caltrain, and I've never actually seen a cyclist get left at the station due to overcrowding on the bike cars... but I've seen it get pretty close. Maybe they've added more trains (or more bike cars) since this article was written?<br /><br />I just have a superstitious fear of single-fork front wheels. I wouldn't try to defend it logically, but I'd be afraid a pothole or speedbump would make my bike fold up in ways the manufacturer never intended...Artie Moffahttp://www.bicycle-comics.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-70646073236754021852011-04-22T11:17:50.025-07:002011-04-22T11:17:50.025-07:00@anonymous: It's nearly impossible to make an ...@anonymous: It's nearly impossible to make an online recommendation about a bike to a particular person through email (much depends on your riding style, risk tolerance, distance, color preference, carrying needs, fitness, budget, etc.) My best recommendation is always to visit a good local bike shop and have the staff assist you. Have you visited <a href="http://bikecommutetips.blogspot.com/2008/01/warm-planet-bikes-opens-in-sf.html" rel="nofollow">Warm Planet Bikes</a> in SF (near Caltrain)? Or <a href="http://mikesbikes.com/contact/san-francisco-pg175.htm" rel="nofollow">Mike's Bikes in SOMA</a>? <br /><br />I can vouch for the utility of the Giant Halfway, a very serviceable bike. You might also consider Bike Friday, Brompton, Breezer and Dahon folders. In recent years more folding bikes have entered the market, and that's a great thing.Paul Dornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03893190816290007375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-6655013873564726782011-04-04T21:09:01.548-07:002011-04-04T21:09:01.548-07:00Great looking bike.
I would like anyone's advi...Great looking bike.<br />I would like anyone's advice on which folding bike I should buy. I plan to use it to commute from San Francisco to Oakland via BART. I weigh 170lbs, 5ft 9inches tall and 39yo. I have never ridden a bike regularly or used it to commute. I am a recreational runner and fairly fit, exericising 8-9x/week.<br />I would love any recommendations! Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-58722133637277738512009-10-05T13:58:05.319-07:002009-10-05T13:58:05.319-07:00I've used my halfway to get to and from work e...I've used my halfway to get to and from work everyday for almost 2 years no problems and never get bumped on public transit. I have the transbay commute. Bike rack full? I can bring it inside. Folding bikes are always allowed on BART.Renéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13903740279774664523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-18041927929572765842009-10-03T13:13:21.070-07:002009-10-03T13:13:21.070-07:00I was happy with my Giant Halfway for about the fi...I was happy with my Giant Halfway for about the first 500 miles until the T-bolt that prevents the handlebar stem from folding broke. That makes for a nasty crash. Beware! If you have a Giant Halfway - I'd advise rigging some kind of second latch or saftey chain to prevent the stem from folding. I checked my bike before the ride and the stem felt loose, so I turned the T-bolt about a half-turn to remove the slack. But the bolt broke before I even rode a mile.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-7949419634871988112009-05-19T06:17:00.000-07:002009-05-19T06:17:00.000-07:00This bike is super. I have been using for 2 months...This bike is super. I have been using for 2 months and very satisfied. the price is quite expensive but comparable to the advantagesprasetyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10970060314192292582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-32879610355897740712009-04-20T08:06:00.000-07:002009-04-20T08:06:00.000-07:00We've started to sell the Giant range of folders i...We've started to sell the Giant range of folders in the UK, and we think the designs are well thought thru and a bit quirky, particularly the clip!<br />The Halfway is an excellent bike for the money, fantastic build quality. I can't understand why its not more popular? Perhaps Giant don't do enough to promote it?foldingbikehuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07441499711484802380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-49040697598838068792008-11-03T08:37:00.000-08:002008-11-03T08:37:00.000-08:00The Halfway looks fine and I'm sure it's everythin...The Halfway looks fine and I'm sure it's everything you say it is (and frankly I'd like to try it), but one disadvantage has got to be that it has unique parts. The hubs, for example. I see your point about not having to remove the wheel to fix a flat, but if the wheel itself ever had to be replaced, you'd have a headache. Probably not an issue for most people, but something to think about. It wold be easier to get it replaced in San Francisco, for example, than it would be in Fairbanks. Not the case with a bike using more universal parts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-83406169845951265942008-08-19T06:18:00.000-07:002008-08-19T06:18:00.000-07:00enjoyed knowing all about them ...as I never had ...enjoyed knowing all about them ...as I never had one.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://spabeachresort.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow"> Beach Resort</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-7352527320720943032008-08-18T11:51:00.000-07:002008-08-18T11:51:00.000-07:00Paul, I would love to see pictures and description...Paul, I would love to see pictures and descriptions of your updated stable on your tips website.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-47741505403984048362008-08-18T11:33:00.000-07:002008-08-18T11:33:00.000-07:00Of the regulars I see on my daily intermodal commu...Of the regulars I see on my daily intermodal commute, there is only one "foldie". He rides the “Coaster”. This is a heavy rail commuter train that connects San Diego to the Los Angeles Metrolink in Oceanside, where I board southbound to San Diego. Bikes are not an issue here, as these are large cars with adequate space. I transfer at Old Town to the San Diego Trolley Light rail system. I have no trouble here, but this is largely because at this point I am traveling opposing the rush hour, to almost the end of that line in the eastern El Cajon suburb.<BR/><BR/>I like Giant bikes, and the FCR3 was my first choice for a commuter. (I went with a Trek 7.5 FX, ‘cause when I went to buy, the Giants were sold out everywhere ;( ).<BR/><BR/>The one sided fork is a clever idea, but I would prefer a quick release on a conventional fork. Lesson 1 from engineering 101 is that EVERYTHING flexes. I am a big guy, and think that asymmetrical flexing would be a problem.IgorTheCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00330322277192124934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-3839486259111241832008-08-18T08:36:00.000-07:002008-08-18T08:36:00.000-07:00@ anonymous: I'm also north of 200#, and am famili...@ anonymous: I'm also north of 200#, and am familiar with broken spokes on rear wheels. On most bikes I prefer at least 36 spokes, with quality rims (Mavic, etc.) The Halfway has 28 spokes (14g) on a 20 inch rim, with serviceable but not outstanding alloy rims. At this pricepoint, the wheels are functional, and comparable to the wheels on other folders in this price range (Dahon, etc.)<BR/><BR/>One of the endorsements of the Halfway was from my friend Richard, who is also a heavy rider who uses his everyday, and I mean <I>every</I> day. It's not just his commuter, it's his recreational ride. He loves it. And bought a <I>second</I> Halfway.<BR/><BR/>I haven't ridden the Halfway much at this point, about four days. But I'll post on its durability. I also understand that smaller wheels are <A HREF="http://www.dahon.com/news/dahonnews/11212002.htm" REL="nofollow">generally stronger</A>, though I'd welcome insight on that.Paul Dornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03893190816290007375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-59362600592144521512008-08-18T07:20:00.000-07:002008-08-18T07:20:00.000-07:00Hey Paul. How's the wheelset on the Halfway? I am ...Hey Paul. How's the wheelset on the Halfway? I am a heavy rider around 200 pounds, in the past I have experience trouble with rear wheels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-91825592236729825772008-08-17T17:19:00.000-07:002008-08-17T17:19:00.000-07:00One of my friends in Santa Cruz bought the Giant H...One of my friends in Santa Cruz bought the Giant Halfway maybe 18 months ago (?) and loves it. It's been working out very well for him for his commute from Santa Cruz to his job in San Jose via the Highway 17 bus.<BR/><BR/>I've tried various folding bikes from Bike Friday, Birdy, Strida, Dahon, Giant and others. When I finally scrape up the $$$ for a folding bike I'll make a decision about which to get.Yokota Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04808661100114872654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-78692902284522439062008-08-16T19:56:00.000-07:002008-08-16T19:56:00.000-07:00Nice Giant bike! Unfortunately, the weak link rem...Nice Giant bike! Unfortunately, the weak link remains, namely, the transit system. I can't bare the thought of taking anything onto an overcrowded bus/train or waiting forever for a transit vehicle to show up or waiting longer than forever for a train system breakdown to clear. I invested in a Bionx electric assist for my Trek 7300. Brushless rear hub electric motor, lithium ion battery pack, and handlebar controller/throttle fit beautifully into the bike. I get to work twice as fast with half the effort and never have to give a second thought to public transit. Now that's freedom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-53069244186341051932008-08-16T10:28:00.000-07:002008-08-16T10:28:00.000-07:00Paul, cool machine. What is the stable up to now?...Paul, cool machine. What is the stable up to now? 12? 15? I know the Central Valley is dead level, but have you had a chance to try that 48-28 gear on any steep hills yet?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-65144682137499482012008-08-16T06:28:00.000-07:002008-08-16T06:28:00.000-07:00Nice. I would have recommended a Birdy (for a lot ...Nice. I would have recommended a Birdy (for a lot more $$$$), or a Brompton (for a few more $$), but that Giant always struck me a very good value.PM Summerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08841490283131875648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36250316.post-34229461885890280672008-08-16T04:06:00.000-07:002008-08-16T04:06:00.000-07:00I was looking for a new commuter bike last year an...I was looking for a new commuter bike last year and as it happened, the one that I enjoyed riding the most happened to be the Dahon Cadenza. This one's a little large as folding bikes go - it's a full size bike when unfolded. However, given its size it folds up relatively small (and quickly) with two hex nuts releasing the frame to fold the front wheel to the back (sideways).<BR/><BR/>Once I had a folding bike, though, I found that it was *very* useful. My work takes me to different projects both in the local Toronto area and to other provinces or even other countries. Before, bringing a bike wasn't possible on local trips and a hassle on longer ones. Now I am able to use it much more, folding it up and sticking it on the train here in Toronto, unfolding it in Quebec, 800 km later and riding it to/from work.<BR/><BR/>I've been intrigued by the smaller folding bikes like the Bike Friday Tikit but am not sure how it would be to ride for the larger commutes I do (in the neighbourhood of 15-30 km at times...)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com