Oyama has introduced a wide range of folding bikes for the North American market. The Oyama CX 8 is a mid-range bike that is said to deliver high performance and reliability at an affordable price. There is little information about this bike on the Internet, so we might not know if this is really a good value. I’ve tested the bike for over a month and here is the full review.
Specifications & Features
| Weight | 29 lbs (13.2 kg) |
| Folded Dimensions | 33.5 x 24.5 x 15.5 inches (85.0 x 62.2 x 39.4 cm) |
| Speeds | 8 speeds |
| Frame | Alloy G609 Frame with MJ Joint |
| Forks | 20″ Alloy Fork |
| Cassette | Shimano cassette 11-34T, 8-speed |
| Crankset | Pro Wheel |
| Derailleur | Shimano Altus 8-speed |
| Wheels | 20-inch wheels |
| Tires | Schwalbe Big Apple |
| Brakes | Tektro Alloy V-Brakes. Alloy Levers. |
| Pedals | Foldable |
| Accessories | Fenders, rear rack, kickstand, bell |
| Color | Champagne |
| Manufacturer | Oyama – Made in China |
Unboxing Video
Product Images
Performance
My first impression of the Oyama CX 8 is that this is really a heavy folding bike. Although it has an aluminum alloy frame, the rear rack, Schwalbe Big Apple tires, and some steel parts add up to the weight. On the plus side, the bicycle feels very sturdy and reliable.
The CX 8 has a similar design as many other folding bikes on the market as it features the same folding mechanism. However, folding and unfolding the bike is actually more complicated in real-life usage. I appreciate that the handlepost is folded inwards to sit between the two wheels; this could make the folded size significantly smaller, however, I have to lower the handlebar’s height and adjust its angle in order to fit the post in the small space. Besides, I also need to slightly rotate the seat so that it doesn’t touch the handlepost; Only then, the two wheels can be snapped together. Notice that the magnet here is pretty strong; this makes the whole package easier to manage but you also need to be careful when separating the wheels.
Another disadvantage of the bike is that I can’t roll it in the folded position. This makes the bike less portable and inconvenient, especially when you use it for multi-modal commuting/travel and have to walk between stops.
Looking into the details, the Oyama bike doesn’t look as sleek as Dahon bikes in the same price range, such as the Dahon Mariner D7. Some parts like the chain guard and folding latches are flimsy and shouldn’t belong to a folding bike at this price. In fact, I had to take apart the chain guard and fix it because it was slightly bent during transportation.
Obviously, the Oyama doesn’t impress me in terms of design and build quality. Fortunately, the riding quality is not bad at all. In the past month, I used it to run errands and cycle a few miles to work. The CX 8 handle everything perfectly and I feel very comfortable riding it for short distances of less than 9 miles.
The 8 speeds help me climb some short inclines easily and shifting gears is smooth and easy. This is not really a fast bike but it’s more than enough for most urban commuters. I love that it comes with all essential accessories like the rear rack, fenders, kickstand, and a bell.
Conclusion
Pros
- Sturdy frame
- Very comfortable ride
- Adjustable handlebar’s height
- Compact folded size
- High-quality components
Cons
- Heavy
- Complicated folding and unfolding process
- Some parts are poorly made.
The Oyama CX 8 has a good look and great riding quality, however, it’s really difficult to justify the price because of some aforementioned design issues. There are some great choices at a lower price from Dahon and Tern, so you should consider carefully before making the decision. If you just fold or unfold the bike occasionally, this is still a decent choice.
Buy Oyama CX 8 Folding Bike on Amazon
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Reviewers have a responsibility to represent product in a clear and objective manner, unfortunately this reviewer must have been paid to write distorted and untrue reviews on the Oyama brand. How do I know this? None of the bikes shown are the models in distribution. I have seen both a Dahon and Oyama side by side, and compared them spec by spec, and this reviewer is inaccurate on all accounts. Oyama is less expensive, uses better components, has a double latch, serviceable hinge release (Dahon does not). Oyama offers service details and spare parts for all their mechanisms, Dahon is not serviceable. Oyama offers a CNC one piece, award winning upright handlebar post, and Dahon does not. Fold is intuitive and similar to Dahon, not clunky as described. Ride quality and balance is superb. Don’t take my word for it, go check them out.
That’s not true. None of my reviews is paid, so I always write honest reviews here. I didn’t have any complaint about ride quality of the bike. I’m not sure which Dahon you tried but this Oyama is absolutely overpriced.
I found this review did not describe this model accurately. But, In the end what is a opinion after all? Ride Safe everyone and and always check out multiple Reveiws?