http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Which folding bike to buy? en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:32:22 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82823 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:44:51 +0000 Uberuce 82823@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Took delivery of SRD's Dahon folder last night. It's a light wee thing; definite pass on the finger test, although since it needs folded up to balace it, it's got friendlier mass distribution. </p> <p>So far all the riding I've done is from my flat to the Tesco along the canal, but I'll be riding it from Zazou to work tomorrow for a better feel of its capabilities. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82815 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 23:30:05 +0000 Smudge 82815@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've merely stuck the carradice on the back of my saddle to save me taking a daysack tomorrow, looks a bit stickyouty and wide tbh, I'll maybe have to investigate what can neatly go on the rack, or maybe a front bag :-/ </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82813 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 23:00:41 +0000 Biketrax2 82813@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well here's a picture of a plenty of luggage carrying potential spotted at the recent Brompton World Championships at Blenheim.<br /> it belongs to Heinz Stucke, the intrepid world traveller.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robmcsporran/7882684330/"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7882684330_61f9ea14a7.jpg"></a></p> <p>Rob </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82781 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:17:59 +0000 crowriver 82781@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Arelicat, Carradice saddlebags are very elegant and practical things, but especially on folders: due to the extra long seatposts there's usually plenty of room for a full saddlebag. I've an old Cadet/Junior on the saddle loops of the AluBike 'bucking bronco'; Also recently fitted a 'factory second'* Nelson to the Pashley Fold-it, attached to the lower part of the rear saddle springs. </p> <p>For quick jaunts or errands a saddlebag is all you need. For the commute I add a rear pannier, sometimes two.</p> <p>* Looks perfect to me, but Carradice's QC standards are very exacting it seems. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82778 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:01:57 +0000 Arellcat 82778@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>So I would say Bromptons are a bit more limited for luggage options unless someone proves otherwise.</em></p> <p>I have a custom rack for my Brompton that lets me attach a pair of panniers to the front, AM Moulton-style. I can even hang my 40 litre recumbent panniers from it, but that's a little ridiculous. A rucksack + Brompton C-bag is a very useful combination, or perhaps C-bag + Carradice saddlebag for on-bike luggage.</p> <p><em>Rear carrier suitable for carrying spare Brompton or spare person.</em></p> <p>Spare Brompton:</p> <p><img src="http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a470/BeckyT_bike/Miscellany/bromptontransport.jpg"></p> <p>Spare person:</p> <p><img src="http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a470/BeckyT_bike/Miscellany/highres_17382484.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82744 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:02:16 +0000 fimm 82744@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I once rode my Brompton while wearing my triathlon club cycle coat. Never again, I felt a proper wally. And some bloke asked me if I did triathlons on that bike! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82726 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 21:00:03 +0000 Smudge 82726@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Tulyar, wow! Would like to see that, and I thought my LHT was heavy fully loaded for touring! :-o<br /> Ref saddle, I ditched the standard one almost immediately and fitted a B-17 ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82725 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:57:59 +0000 Tulyar 82725@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>NB My Brompton is in "whatever colour the replacement parts came in when I broke the last one". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82724 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:56:15 +0000 Tulyar 82724@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Must load some images of Brompton luggage options - I clocked the digital weighbridge at Dover Eastern Docks at 180Kg with the trailer once , and had a calculated GVW of over 250Kg at the Moulton weekend in 1997 (1-speed hydraulic brakes &amp; trailer).</p> <p>Rear carrier suitable for carrying spare Brompton or spare person. Surprised Arellcat hasn't popped a post in, she has well tricked out 6-speed but finds standard saddle gives problems with seams (I agree on this as every time I've had to ride a standard saddle I get sore inner thighs) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82722 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:44:03 +0000 Smudge 82722@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>lol, there may be... but I don't have one to hand, given my Brommie is in "proper" black, maybe I should take my style cues from the Blues Brothers :-)) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82721 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:22:42 +0000 chdot 82721@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Smudge - you seem to be implying that there <em>is</em> a picture of you on a Brompton with a suit and tie!!</p> <p>I was merely offering 'style options'. </p> <p>Here's another</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/3579689032/"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3320/3579689032_cdf4a6deb3.jpg"></a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82720 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:09:54 +0000 Smudge 82720@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@chdot, lol, this could take some time, given that I wasn't at the BWC! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82719 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:07:29 +0000 Smudge 82719@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>hmm, tempting, though I think their smallest may be a bit big for me... and I have a carbon fork in my parts bin if I wanted one on a pacer.<br /> Have to say, I do like the "trad" straight top-tube on the pacer. I looked on ebay for a decent older frameset but there are too many ok framesets <em>way</em> overpriced as "ideal for converting to fixed" (even when they're clearly not!) :-( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82718 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:48:50 +0000 wee folding bike 82718@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Should probably have mentioned this:</p> <p><a href="http://www.atob.org.uk/folding-bikes/" rel="nofollow">http://www.atob.org.uk/folding-bikes/</a></p> <p>Prices and specs might be out of date. Brompton haven't supplied bikes with SRAM hubs for a few years. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82717 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:41:50 +0000 Uberuce 82717@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That Pacer is a handsome devil too, I freely admit. On paper the Equilibrium looks a better deal, though - heat-treated all-singing Reynolds 725 steel with a carbon fork over the Surly's bogstandard 4130 for £50 more. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82715 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:35:33 +0000 chdot 82715@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2900016466_a390ab6676.jpg">Or</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82714 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:34:02 +0000 Smudge 82714@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Chdot, not in that pic ;-)</p> <p>@Uberuce, I'm trying hard to resist the temptation to re-frame my Giant OCR with a Surly Pacer frame (that I can't really justify/afford) :-s </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82704 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 18:19:49 +0000 Uberuce 82704@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Croix de Fer's coming out in slate grey next year. Very tempted to build something up from that frame or the Equilibrium's. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82701 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:07:25 +0000 chdot 82701@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/a_scale_large/1200-1/photos/1269431.jpg">Spot Smudge</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82699 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:55:19 +0000 Smudge 82699@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's strange, though I seldom do it, I only really feel properly dressed on a folder when I'm in town and wearing a collar and tie ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82674 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:21:52 +0000 Greenroofer 82674@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've followed <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220#post-81890">fimm's advice</a> and paid Biketrax a call.</p> <p>I've never been there before.</p> <p>Luckily it was on Friday, after a hot afternoon standing at a funeral in too-small shoes. I was unsuitably dressed and my feet hurt. I wasn't in the mood for hanging around.</p> <p>This was lucky because my goodness BikeTrax is a gigantic warehouse of temptation. I focussed on the Bromptons (and fimm's right, they seemed to know their stuff), and made sure my mind didn't wander to the Genesis Day One Alfine, to the nice saddles and to all the other shiny stuff.</p> <p>It's the kind of shop where I think I could spend a lot of money very fast... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82312 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:22:36 +0000 chdot 82312@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>New PY thread -</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8249" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8249</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82308 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:14:40 +0000 Smudge 82308@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ok,how does next fri morning sound to everyone then? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220&page=2#post-82287 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:25:18 +0000 kaputnik 82287@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Perhaps you should go in for upper thigh strength enthusiasm, Uberuce, and grow yourself a pair of "Foerstermanns"</p> <p><img src="http://velonews.competitor.com/files/2012/04/PopeyelegsTW6_312-109-280x421.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220#post-82283 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:02:11 +0000 Uberuce 82283@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD: thankee! I promise that any folding done will be at the designed-in hinges, thankyouvurrymuchmrKaputnik. </p> <p>That reminds me, though, of my vague notion to get back into lower arm strength enthusiasm. After I've safely returned the Dahon, mind. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220#post-82274 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:07:43 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 82274@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't have a folder, but will likely try commuting one day next week on the newly rigidified Soul, so will head along on that, and steal a shot of numerous wee bikes.</p> <p>Can make pretty much any day save Monday next week. Shouldn't. But I am <em>not</em> being dragged down by work. And the caffeine hit always helps. Oh yes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220#post-82273 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:07:16 +0000 kaputnik 82273@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In his weightlifting days, Uberuce used to fold bike frames for fun. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220#post-82270 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:55:17 +0000 SRD 82270@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sorry I'm not going to be around for this meetup. I'm enjoying the Dahon. Hard to find a bike more different than the Helios (but confusingly also called a Helios). </p> <p>It is superlight. I've not folded it yet cause it is so easy to just carry up the stairs unfolded. there aren't many bikes that a 5 foot tall lady can say that about. </p> <p>And the gearing. wow. I know I said I'd never get another derailleured bike, but I am getting reconciled to it.</p> <p>Uberuce, if you'd like to borrow it to ride to the meet-up, I'm sure that could be arranged. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220#post-82231 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 22:01:59 +0000 chdot 82231@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not this one -</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/7839310628/"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7839310628_e0712bae7b.jpg"></a><br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/7839310628/">pretend Brompton</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8220#post-82161 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:35:12 +0000 Greenroofer 82161@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ Laidback. Rhino looks fun. Can I assume that it doesn't fit under the £1,000 Bike to Work threshold? </p>