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 cheap folding bikes. what are your views or experiences using folding bikes good or bad?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff
Folding Bikes Good Bad Or Just Plain Ugly?
(29 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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My wee Raleigh Swift (now discontinued by Halfords) is doing just fine. Can be picked up for reasonable prices second hand.
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..
Posted 12 years ago # -
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!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Ah the Raleigh Swift - Now there's a blast from the past!
Posted 12 years ago # -
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.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I've got a universal stowaway. Bit small for me but still ride it now and again...
Posted 12 years ago # -
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.
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.
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!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I think some folding bikes are beautiful.
Posted 12 years ago # -
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.
The front-end of the Birdy just looks awkward .
Some of the Bike Fridays are quite clean and functional in their looks, but a bit dull.
There's nothing wrong with the looks of a Dahon, just a bit ubiquitous and run-of-the-mill as far as folders go.
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.
Posted 12 years ago # -
yeah the stowaway is more cumbersome when folded up...!!!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Earlier Bromptons didn't have the curve, just a joint.
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.
I'm in two minds about the luggage rack. i've got one with and two without.
Posted 12 years ago # -
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.
Posted 12 years ago # -
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.
Posted 12 years ago # -
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.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"because the SpeedDrive hadn't broken"
I thought they were 'unbreakable Swiss engineering' or something.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I broke 2.
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.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Love bromptons, very stylish, want one!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Strange that someone has answered the poll "couldn't care less" Ha Ha.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@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.
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
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.
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.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Very good point @Smudge. Folders really do have many advantages :)
Posted 12 years ago # -
Strange that someone has answered the poll "couldn't care less" Ha Ha.
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.
Personally I don't give a flying funk what anything looks like 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.
I would only get one if I had to get a train to and from workPosted 12 years ago # -
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' ?
Posted 12 years ago # -
I would only get one if I had to get a train to and from work
A couple of times recently I've come back from Glasgow on the train and it's been
standingsqueezing 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.Posted 12 years ago # -
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 :)
Posted 12 years ago # -
'the only people who ride bromptons are stylish young women, men in suits, and strange men' ?
I better buy a suit. It's simpler and cheaper than the other option.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'm convinced that Bromptons attract more than their fair share of really tall people.
Posted 12 years ago # -
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.
Only seen one other Montague in Edinburgh or Glasgow, so shocked had to talk to the owner
Posted 12 years ago # -
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?
Posted 12 years ago # -
cb, so I see, excellent, I have had no issues with the Montague, other than normal wear and tear that all bikes get.
Posted 12 years ago #
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