I bought this West Marine Port Runner 6-speed folding bike for $80 USD at my local charity thrift store.

They do a nice job cleaning and lubing their bikes and this one was clean and gently used basically needing nothing except to be ridden.

I’ve schlepped my old steel frame single-speed Dahon Boardwalk folder all over the West in my small Mazda 3 sedan so this lightweight aluminum model is an upgrade for me.

I tried all the gears and brakes in the parking lot, folded it up in the trunk and paid up, a good deal considering that any item bearing the West Marine logo is sure to be priced like a Pentagon toilet.

Looking the bike up online I learned the Port Runner II model had been recalled for frame cracking and breaking.

A West Marine rep did quickly answer my query reassuringly but I’ll probably ride my Port Runner pretty sedately anyway just like I ride all my bikes since my hip replacement.

I haven’t weighed it yet but it feels about 2 kg or 5 lbs lighter than my Dahon folder which probably weighs 30 lbs or so.

With the light weight and the gears it’s easy to pedal or to lift and makes short work of the bike trail’s short hills. Gearing is on the low side.

The seat was awful so I swapped in the slightly less brick like sprung Serfas gel seat from the Dahon.

Ergonomically the Dahon is a worse fit for my arthritic frame than the old Dahon, with a shorter tiller post and a seat post that doesn’t extend quite as long either.

But the lighter weight and the handy gears compensate somewhat and it is not a chore to ride or lift or fold, and noticeably lighter to carry for an old person than the steel Dahon.

Yacht people like folding bikes for the same reasons I do. Fun to ride with lots of utility and takes up little space when you’re not riding it. Lots to like.

Unless noted, all text and images by todgermanica.com.