Should I buy a folder and which one? « CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Should I buy a folder and which one?

(22 posts)

Started 14 years ago by Smudge
Latest reply from Smudge
This topic is resolved

No tags yet.

Smudge
Member

Ok As I’ve been cordially invited to ( ;-) ) I’ll start a thread…

I’m sort of thinking of getting a folding bike and I’d like some input from those who use them, background is;
I commute a total of about 12 miles a day just now, though that is likely to rise by about 4 country road miles in the near future, my ride is currently a mix of city roads, cycle paths and the old railway (so mudguards are a must!). Because my run involves a train journey as well I reckon a folder could add convenience on the train.
My current bike is an old mountain bike converted to a hybrid with nice skinny road tyres (1.5 x 26) which copes well with everything but is obviously bulky on the train.
Incidentally, if it makes a difference I am not tall or heavy!!

So the questions are, in no particular order…

Would a folding bike suit me and my run? (Probably an impossible question lol)

What are they like on roughish/muddy tracks? (thinking of the old railway there)

Is a Brompton really £400 better than say for example the EBC Dahon made thing? (I admit I love the elegance of the folding design of the Brompton and the small size is nice, but I’ve never ridden one)

How much of a pita is it to fold and unfold your recommended model?

Oh and my works salary sacrifice scheme means whatever I get has to survive 5 years of commuting before I replace it… so it has to be durable.

Over to you ladies and gents… :)

Posted 14 years ago #
wee folding bike
Member

Smudge,

You can find some of my thoughts on Bromptons here:

http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79

(ADMIN EDIT - there are various posts on that thread, this http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-2254 is most detailed)

I'm doing a wee bit more than 12 miles a day just now and I have done 30 round trip commutes in the past.

Cycle paths are usually OK but off road is not. At least part of the problem is that there are no knobbly tyres available. The most tread you will get is a Marathon/Marathon Plus. If there is a lot mud then you can struggle to get traction. Grooved surfaces seem to catch the wheel a bit more.

I don't have a Dahon. I did see a nice thing they do when I was going to visit my auntie a few years ago. They can roll on one of their real wheels when folded. A Brompton has wee rollers which don't work well on anything other than very smooth surfaces. You can get bigger ones called EZee wheels (or some other spelling). They increase the height of the folded package a little but they roll better. With a rack you would fit four of them, with no rack you just use two.

Folding a B is no bother at all, I do it a few times a day.

My oldest one is a 2001 model. The frame has a bit of corrosion on the rear triangle. You could obviate that if you got the Ti option but that does add a bit to the price. I was using the 2001 model last week but today I used the 2006 one. Things which do wear out are chains, cables, pedals - esp the left hand folding one, tyres don't last as long unless you get the Marathon/Plus which will last a few years for me.

I suppose the best plan would be to try one before you buy. I had borrowed a Brompton a few times before I got the first one. I decided that if I was going to get a folding bike I'd get one that folded small but still worked like a cumbersome for the most part.

I find I do more bike trips since I got a Brompton because you don't need to worry about locking it up. It goes with you. You can also take it part of the way in the car or train. For example last weekend I had to go into Glasgow looking for a book. The memsahib was taking the boys to the People's Palace. I went with them in the car as far as the park then took the bike out of the roof box and cycled off to the shops. I will take it with me on holiday in the summer where I wouldn't be able to take a cumbersome.

You might enjoy reading this:

http://cyclinginheels.blogspot.com/

It's about someone learning to love the Brompton... and a bit about shoes too.

Posted 14 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

Leaving aside the quite convincing arguments about general flexibility of Brompton, if you are just thinking about a work commute then I guess it depends on your route - have you done it before and do you know if the trains are likely to be full of bikes?

My husband's been commuting down south weekly for almost two years now, taking a full-size bike on the East Coast line, and has had pretty good experiences. This week, for the first time (when popping back mid-week on a full-price ticket) he was unable to get a reservation on his preferred train. And last week, he had an unfortunate encounter with a train whose guard van wasn't actually at the platform when the train stopped. But other than that, I don't think the full-size bike has been a problem. Obviously, you have to get reservations, which can be inconvenient (again depends if you book in advance for cheap tickets or want to just be able to hop the next train).

On Scotrail, there are different issues, but I've now taken bike to Glasgow twice going and returning at peak times and had no problems (except getting in and out of Haymarket, when a folder would've been a blessing).

Posted 14 years ago #
Arellcat
Moderator

It does depend on how you'll be using the bike in terms of foldingness vs. ridingness. I bought my Dahon Helios SL to be a very lightweight bike that folds enough for a car boot, and it's a bike I've used for pottering to work, sprinting to work, and for 50 mile rides, including my stage of the C+ Great Forum Ride a while back.

Just as Brompton owners tend to part-fold their bikes as a matter of course by flicking the back wheel under, you part-fold a Dahon by flicking the handlebars down to the front wheel. This makes it into long thin package that fits on trains more neatly, a lot like Mike Burrows' '2-D' bike.

Posted 14 years ago #
chdot
Admin

Worth reading

http://www.atob.org.uk/why-fold.html

http://www.atob.org.uk/buyers-guide.html

http://foldsoc.co.uk/

Posted 14 years ago #
Smudge
Member

Thanks for the input chaps and chapesses, some reading for me there!
So far it looks like the concensus is Brompton is the choice if it can be afforded...

Posted 14 years ago #
wee folding bike
Member

There is an argument for locking a clunker at either end of your train journey.

Bike Trax have a few different brands so it might be worth trying them out before you order one.

I don't have any bother justifying the price as it's way cheaper than a car and even the memsahib agrees.

Posted 14 years ago #
cb
Member

Speaking of folding bikes, does anyone know what's happening with the Dahon Curl?

http://www.stridaforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&p=3717

Posted 14 years ago #
Smudge
Member

Hmmm seems I am going to be changing abode in the next couple of months so I shall wait and see where I end up, and then go and have a chat with Bike Trax more than likely :)
(It is distressing to read online tests that harp on about Bromptons from around £400 and then check the shops to find it's actually from about £750... such is inflation I suppose, sigh)

Posted 14 years ago #
wee folding bike
Member

Those reports are out of date so that's why the price is low. Even then the £400 quoted would be for the old basic model, called the C type, single speed with nasty rims, different BB and no mudguards. The one I got in 2001 was more than £600. At that time it was a T3, three speed with luggage rack and generator lights. I think the C didn't have a folding pedal either.

They had a sharp price rise recently but you might find last year's model for the old price if you sniff around.

If you want anything outwith the standard models in black or red then there can be a long wait.

Posted 14 years ago #
Smudge
Member

Thanks again for the info, I guessed they were old reports. Out of interest(!), are they easily upgradeable? ie. should a low use used one turn up is it straightforward to upgrade them to the better spec or is it better just to buy new in your opinion?
I'm guessing that there are so many variants the used price is impossible to estimate?

Posted 14 years ago #
wee folding bike
Member

Used ones aren't a lot cheaper or, put another way, they keep their price well so it is probably as well to get a new one unless you know what to look for and can try out a second hand one. Brompton keep a list of frame numbers so you could ask them to check if a used one is stolen.

The only difficult upgrade would be replacing the steel frame parts with titanium. The rear triangle is attached with a hinge which has thread lock on the bolts and you need a special £200 reamer to fit the bushes.

Adding a luggage bock involves 2 screws. Adding the rear rack means you need to replace the back mudguard as it's a different kind. Adding lights isn't difficult but if you get the hub generator then you replace the wheel. Going from the 3-6 speed needs a different chain tensioner, sprockets, cable and trigger. EeZee wheels are best speced when you get it as the rollers are thread locked and corrosion holds them in even tighter.

Although not technically an upgrade, more of a side grade, it is possible to change the handlebars if you don't like the kind you get at first but you need to replace the stem too as they have different lengths for the M, S or P bars.

Almost all current parts will fit almost all old Bromptons. The six speed only works on Bromptons made since the spring of 2001 and there are some issues with the anti rotation washers on that model because they only work with SRAM hubs and not the current Sturmey Archer models. If I want to replace the SRAM hubs on my oldest one I'll need to fettle some washers by hand or change the rear end of the bike for a newer one.

What bit are you having doubts about?

Posted 14 years ago #
shetlandic
Member

A couple of years ago I ordered a Downtube full-suspension folder from the USA... 9-speed derailleur, 20-inch wheels, a sort-of-Dahon-pattern aluminium frame, made in China but designed in the US by Dr Yan Lyansky and really very good indeed.
http://www.downtube.com
Including customs and freight it was still less than £350. It uses a variation on quick-release wheel catches for the frame locks and these work very well. It's a bit clunky and heavy but it comes with its own dedicated bag and I did a successful Scottish tour using buses and trains without any need for booking on 'a bicycle' or the slightest hassle from drivers or guards.

For a time they were available on eBay in the UK and I got an 8-speed model for about £200, new, which I still have (the other one went to my son for on-tour rock'n'roll bus equipment). It's tough. It survived a severe attempt at theft and vandalism outside the Horshoe Bar in Glasgow one Friday night. Worth looking out for. Replacing components is a bit of a hobby for Downtube owners - mine now has a rack, new tyres and a better saddle - and plans are afoot for new gears/brakes. They also look kinda crude and unusual...

Posted 14 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

Best line on a bike sales website: "Free kayak or surfboard rental with bike purchase." from http://www.downtube.com as cited above.

Posted 14 years ago #
Min
Member

I have a Dahon Vitesse HG and I am a bit disappointed with the quality as some parts seem to need constant retightening particularly the front stem and the seat post. I can't really recommend it for this reason though otherwise it is a great commuting bike since it is so easy to step on and off and the hub gears are fab for constant stopping and starting. It is also really nippy and maneuverable. I was happily riding 10-15 miles a day on it. I've switched to the MTB for commuting over winter as it feels safer on slippy roads.

Posted 14 years ago #
Smudge
Member

Yup, I have been looking at the Dahons, they're not as compact or stylish (imho) as the Brompton but a few hundred quid left in the pocket (depending on model) is not to be sneezed at, and if I change my mind I can always get a Brompton at some point in the future :-)

Posted 14 years ago #
chdot
Admin

"I can always get a Brompton at some point in the future"

I'm sure you've checked eBay - they really do hold their value.

Posted 14 years ago #
Min
Member

"Yup, I have been looking at the Dahons, they're not as compact or stylish (imho) as the Brom"

Yes, Dahons are not as compact as Bromptons but they should still be fine on the train I would have thought unless it is really overcrowded. It folds pretty quickly as well. Front stem down, seat down, fold in half and that is it. I can fold my pedals too but don't usually bother.

Posted 14 years ago #
Smudge
Member

They do... but to buy one in error and then sell would be to lose approx £200, and I have to consider whether I can justify £700++ on *another* bike pretty much at the same time as moving house (I also scuba dive using rebreathers so "hobby" cash is in limited supply!)
Equally, buying a used one for 2/3 price would seem silly as it would more than likely not be in the spec I would like so I would expend more money putting it into the spec I'd want, making just buying "the right one" new more sensible.
Or, I'm coming round to the idea of a visit to Biketrax, have a look at what's available, then (probably) get a Dahon, run it for a year or so and then decide. (not having used a folder before).

All in all not much is happening until I pin down exactly where we're moving to and then once I've done the new commute a few times I'll make a decision.

Now who was it said more choice is a good thing...? ;-))

Posted 14 years ago #
chdot
Admin

"more choice is a good thing"

Usually

But 'too much choice' isn't...

Posted 14 years ago #
Smudge
Member

Thanks all for the interesting and relevant advice btw :-)

Posted 14 years ago #
Smudge
Member

Resolved as having taken the train a little now it seems that there are plenty bike spaces at the times I travel and so a folder is not currently required :-)

I wonder if this merits a new thread though... stick with my clunky home made hybrid or get a tourer or cyclo cross or trad or better hybrid bicycle... :-o ;-)

(edited to add, I still fancy a Brompton, but perhaps not for a while yet...lol)

Posted 14 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.

// CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

About This Forum

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Should I buy a folder and which one?

Reply

RSS Feeds

Links