20" wheeled compact city bike?

tigerstyle · 17 Nov 2012 at 09:28

A shop near me has a bike I quite like the look of and if a new job goes well might treat myself too, but would like some ideas on what else is out there first.

Bike in question is a 'Decide2Ride Boogie'

There is a slightly cheaper one with a normal cassette on the back and not a nexus hub, but same frame. I'd like to try Nexus tbh
I don't need it to fold, just be small and easy to zip around on.
A rack/front basket is a must as it'll be my grocery getter on 2-3 trips per week to the supermarket! Another idea is a 24" MTB style bike and get a bigger rucksack for stuff. Would prefer gears over single speeds due to lots of hills here.

[DOD]Asprilla · 17 Nov 2012 at 11:20

I'd go with the normal cassette one. Nexus hubs are very very heavy. I notice the afine hub on my shopper, especially when it's fully loaded.

Saundie · 17 Nov 2012 at 12:05

I would also suggest going for a normal derailer, not only for the reason of weight as mentioned by [DOD]Asprilla, but also the fact that getting the back wheel off is more difficult with a Nexus/Alfine hub. With the Nexus/Alfine hubs, you will need a spanner to get the axle nut off, and a hex key to detach the gear change cable from the hub. This is not a fun task to have to perform in the dark or bad weather.

It may be worth checking out Dahon's range of 20" wheel bikes - I know you said you didn't need to be able to fold the bike, but it'd probably come in handy. Their bikes seem to have a good reputation, and are pretty competitively priced.

tigerstyle · 17 Nov 2012 at 16:07

[DOD]Asprilla;23184530 said:
I'd go with the normal cassette one. Nexus hubs are very very heavy. I notice the afine hub on my shopper, especially when it's fully loaded.

I had a quick google, 1.5KG! wow, have never ridden one, would have to try one first, unlikely I'll be out in all weather on the bike, so the weather sealing isn't a big issue for me, but the simple maintenance on the traditional gearset would be good.

Want to stay away from folding as there are a few kerbs to hop around here, and loads of old grannys around to impress. Paying for a feature I'll never use with it already being snapped in half.

Can't get the pic on imgur, but my other idea is this style of frame bike, similar dimensions, and bigger gears by the look of it too, but I like the simple single chainring approach. hmmm decisions...
http://www.samchuly.co.kr/products/prod_view.html?b_code=1270