Choose the correct model for you.
I wrote my original review Dec 11, 2022 and promised an update after riding it a while. Still have mostly positive things to say. The convenience factor of keeping this bike in the trunk of my Honda Accord 8 months a year is enough reason to get a folding bike from Flatbike. I wanted to show pics of bike in the trunk but still do not see anything on this review website to download pics. The bike is sturdy and thus has held up well and I have no reason to think it won't in the future. I saw at least one review mention the quick release pedals coming off while riding. They're right about getting acquainted with the directions on this. I went through a spell where I couldn't keep them on while riding. And this leads me to a possible small design flaw. Bob maybe you can test this out. For several months I didn't have a water bottle holder attached. And I was able to keep the pedal on at all times while in my trunk. When I went to fold the bike the first time after installing the holder the pedal kept hitting it. No matter how I manipulated the pedal I couldn't get it past unless I took that pedal off. And that's when the pedal kept coming off every so often while riding because I wasn't sliding that sleeve over. A more intrusive instruction for dummies like me would be helpful Bob. Is it full size? I'm no bike expert to know what constitutes full size. Perhaps in a mtn bike it is. I have an old Raleigh C50. While riding the folding bike I don't feel like I do on that bike. One of the reasons is that the diameter of the rims on my old bike are 25" and the flatbike rims are 23 1/2". I can feel a subtle difference while riding the two. Bigger is better here. But that just might be a concession to folding it smaller. If you plan on riding long distances consider this. And this brings me to the title of my review. Absolutely buy a Flatbike. But choose the correct model for you! And here I have nothing but my own naivety to blame here. If you are riding in parks and places with some gravel and a little dirt and no really really steep hills. The 809 street/mtn is ok but you'd be better served by probably the road warrior. I thought the front suspension would give me noticeable extra comfort. It does not unless you are using it on a mountain which I am not. The gearing, I only use the 4 or 5 highest gears exclusively. And wish I had a few more gears to be able to go faster. Again, naive to gear setup and ratio's and all that to even ask about it. We are basically buying a bike sight unseen. I couldn't find a dealer anywhere here in NJ that carried a Flatbike to see it up close. I would have traveled for 2 hours to a dealer to look at one because they are expensive. Bob, if somehow you could partner with one dealer in big metropolitan areas to carry a floor model of your bikes, I bet people would come to see one if you advertised it. So this is my advice to prospective buyers. Ask a lot of questions. Bob will answer them quickly. And choose the right model!