http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Folding Bikes Good Bad Or Just Plain Ugly? en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:08:39 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-50746 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:48:06 +0000 559 50746@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>cb, so I see, excellent, I have had no issues with the Montague, other than normal wear and tear that all bikes get. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-50307 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:59:18 +0000 cb 50307@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I see that EBC are stocking a couple of Montague models (is that anew development?) so maybe you will start to see a few more? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-50273 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:41:33 +0000 559 50273@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Got a Montague folder, as good as a mid range hybrid, before office improved bike facilities, took it into office and folded, left under desk till home time. In retrospect probably nudged employers towards providing dedicated facilities. </p> <p>Only seen one other Montague in Edinburgh or Glasgow, so shocked had to talk to the owner </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46446 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:25:39 +0000 cb 46446@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm convinced that Bromptons attract more than their fair share of really tall people. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46430 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:11:01 +0000 wee folding bike 46430@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>'the only people who ride bromptons are stylish young women, men in suits, and strange men' ?</em></p> <p>I better buy a suit. It's simpler and cheaper than the other option. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46424 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:08:20 +0000 David Smith 46424@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well @spytefear, You are of course right, I could have just asked "Good" Or "Bad" but I thought I would add the other two questions in there just for a bit of fun and to stir the comments up a bit - which I believe it's done :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46417 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:47:34 +0000 Arellcat 46417@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I would only get one if I had to get a train to and from work</em></p> <p>A couple of times recently I've come back from Glasgow on the train and it's been <strike>standing</strike> squeezing room only (admittedly I'm rarely on the train in peak times) and you would be lucky to board with a full size bike. One girl did manage it recently but she was only on for a couple of stops, and it took up half the vestibule area. For me the Brompton has become an exceptionally convenient bike. It's a bit heavy and slow, but I like its gently curved frame and cheery primary colours. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46414 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:46:32 +0000 SRD 46414@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>anyone see the thing in the guardian where someone (not the bike blogger) had said 'the only people who ride bromptons are stylish young women, men in suits, and strange men' ? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46412 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:36:20 +0000 spytefear 46412@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Strange that someone has answered the poll "couldn't care less" Ha Ha. </em><br /> Well it was an option. As was ugly. Seriously nonsense poll, Two options would have done Good vs Bad but as there are other options people can choose them.<br /> Personally I don't give a flying funk what anything <strong>looks like</strong> as long as it does what it says on the tin. Would it get me to work and back? Yes/No? Yes, probably. Do I think they are good or bad? Neither.<br /> I would only get one if I had to get a train to and from work </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46375 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:26:38 +0000 David Smith 46375@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Very good point @Smudge. Folders really do have many advantages :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46373 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:41:28 +0000 Smudge 46373@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@David Smith, re general ability to get around, imho it depends on the bike as much just as much as on a full size bike. I have a Dahon Helios and it will cover flat/downhill pretty much as quickly as a middle of the road "road" bike. I can't stand up on the pedals and power it up hills, but you can spin up in a low gear.</p> <p>The only thing that would stop me taking it big distances is the saddle (need to get a converter to put a brooks on the "I beam" lol</p> <p>It's huge advantage, as alluded to above, is the ability to quickly and easily fold it and stick it on the train/in a boot and use mixed modes.</p> <p>Advantages seldom referred to however are that with mudguards the small wheels throw almost no water/muck up so it's even easier to wear normal/smart clothes and not get dirty, the more upright position also helps to avoid crushing clothes, hence the other week I could commute to a (very) posh event wearing a suit and arrive looking comfy and presentable. Not impossible on my tourer, just easier on the folder. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46370 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:35:55 +0000 David Smith 46370@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Strange that someone has answered the poll "couldn't care less" Ha Ha. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46356 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:54:41 +0000 ruggtomcat 46356@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Love bromptons, very stylish, want one! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46344 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:07:56 +0000 wee folding bike 46344@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I broke 2.</p> <p>A few years later I heard that there was a problem with the lube they used. I'd be happy to try one again but Brompton's own 6 speed BWR based on a wide range SA hub has a fairly good range with less mass and mechanical drag. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46343 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:54:27 +0000 chdot 46343@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"because the SpeedDrive hadn't broken"</p> <p>I thought they were 'unbreakable Swiss engineering' or something. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46337 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:03:19 +0000 wee folding bike 46337@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>People have done all kinds of unlikely things on them. The longest I've done on a Brompton M6R is round Arran which is 56 miles. At the time it was an M12R because the SpeedDrive hadn't broken but I'd be just as happy using a BWR 6 speed these days. Actually my S2L-X would be fun to take round Arran if I had time. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46335 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:58:33 +0000 David Smith 46335@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Putting asthetics to one side, What does everyone think of their general ability to get you from A-B, which after all is what they are all about. So I think there is definitely a place for them for commuters and maybe even campers where space is an issue etc. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46323 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:13:00 +0000 crowriver 46323@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm. Looking at the current model of the Shopper it's near identical to the Swift (same hinge/latch, rear carrier, gears) except the Shopper has a basket and is painted lilac (yeuch) instead of gunmetal grey. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46321 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:24:43 +0000 wee folding bike 46321@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Earlier Bromptons didn't have the curve, just a joint.</p> <p>I agree they look good but my feeling on this is that the beauty comes from fitting the purpose in what looks like a simple design.</p> <p>I'm in two minds about the luggage rack. i've got one with and two without. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46318 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:33:45 +0000 recombodna 46318@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>yeah the stowaway is more cumbersome when folded up...!!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46317 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:29:07 +0000 kaputnik 46317@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Agree there are some horrible-looking folders on the market, but I find the Brompton is aethetically very appealing with its elegantly curved top (only!) tube and slender seat and head tube.</p> <p>The front-end of the Birdy just looks awkward .</p> <p>Some of the Bike Fridays are quite clean and functional in their looks, but a bit dull.</p> <p>There's nothing wrong with the looks of a Dahon, just a bit ubiquitous and run-of-the-mill as far as folders go.</p> <p>But I think folders should be judged first for their foldability and ridability and for their looks second. Making a bike fold into a small a space as possible is always going to give the designer some challenges in the looks department. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46315 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:22:46 +0000 wee folding bike 46315@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think some folding bikes are beautiful. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46312 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:57:30 +0000 Arellcat 46312@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think folding bikes are very useful but I also think many are incredibly ugly, partly through their need to include hinges and clamps and be certain shapes in certain proportions in order to fold neatly (or messily). Recombo has seen the effectiveness of small wheels in being able to carry silly large loads.</p> <p>cc, I think you should test ride a Birdy. It has a real 'big bike' feel, even more so if you put a Brooks on it.</p> <p>About one in three miles I've done in the past 18 months has been on my Brompton, and I don't even particularly like upright bikes! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46311 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:42:32 +0000 recombodna 46311@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've got a universal stowaway. Bit small for me but still ride it now and again... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46310 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:41:26 +0000 crowriver 46310@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not as much of a blast from the past as the Raleigh Twenty! Though there are similarities... The Swift is essentially a 'deluxe' version of the Raleigh Kompact/Shopper which are still available I think. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46309 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:35:10 +0000 David Smith 46309@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ah the Raleigh Swift - Now there's a blast from the past! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46307 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:17:47 +0000 cc 46307@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'd love a folding bike but I only feel comfy on upright bikes and haven't yet found a folder that's at all comfy for me. Ah well! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46306 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:15:50 +0000 crowriver 46306@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My wee Raleigh Swift (now discontinued by Halfords) is doing just fine. Can be picked up for reasonable prices second hand. </p> <p>It's not particularly light, nor is it fast, but it does its job, the ride is comfortable and the largely standard components make it fairly easy to customise. Handy for hopping on trains as part of a mixed mode commute.. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4393#post-46301 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:58:15 +0000 David Smith 46301@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Because of the cost of fuel significantly ever-increasing, so many people are investigating alternative ways to travel and get out and about. One of the more affordable options for achieving this is to purchase <a href="http://www.mycycleshop.co.uk/compare_folding-bikes.html">cheap folding bikes</a>. what are your views or experiences using folding bikes good or bad? </p>