CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

Folding bikes are handy things

(17 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by crowriver
  • Latest reply from Darkerside

  1. crowriver
    Member

    I was reminded of this the other day. Had travelled out to West Lothian by train, taking the folder with me. Almost took a full sized bike, but thought I'd better bring the folder just in case space was an issue.

    I was glad I did, as on arrival at the station coming back, learned that the next three trains were cancelled due to overhead line problems. What to do? Mid-evening, tired, not looking forward to cycling all the way back into Edinburgh, though just about doable I would be home in maybe two hours rather than 40 minutes.

    So I doubled back and flagged a (First) bus, took the bike on folded, no problem. Stowed in the wheelchair space. Bus into centre, cycled from George Street instead of Waverley. Result!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. wee folding bike
    Member

    I'm about to pass a rescued Raleigh folder on to my auntie who wants to take up cycling after a 40 year gap. It will fit in her car so she can take it to the park and get her sea legs back. Someone at work was going to toss it out so I volunteered to look after it. It had been siting under the bench since before Christmas. Yesterday I took the trailer with me and brought the folder home on it.

    I had hoped it would be a Raleigh 20 as they make good Q bikes and have hub gears but it's a derailleur of some kind.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. crowriver
    Member

    Hub gear would certainly be less hassle. This is one reason why I now use the silver 'bucking bronco' AluBike folder almost exclusively in preference to the Raleigh Swift. Hub gears: only 3 speed, but that's usually plenty for city riding. The other reason is hub dynamo lights...

    The folding Twenties are good bikes. Odd rim size though, not many tyre choices in 451. Presume yours is a more recent Raleigh, maybe a Swift (alloy) or Stash (steel) or maybe one of the Ikea Raleigh folders?

    My other half gets on fine with her Swift mind you. Not needed very much maintenance, and neither has mine though it's seen a lot more use. Single chainring plus derailleur does not seem to create big problems. A proper half chainguard would be useful mind.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. wee folding bike
    Member

    I haven't had a close look yet. I'll check it all works before passing it on to my auntie and try to remember to take a photo.

    It is blue so that would be IKEA's colour.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. crowriver
    Member

    Does it look like this?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. wee folding bike
    Member

    Yes. It seems to fold in the middle then the steerer tube folds over the top of the saddle.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. wee folding bike
    Member

    Took it out for a spin after boys went to bed. It goes, stops and shifts gear. It's a bit short fore and aft but that will let my auntie be more upright which is probably a good thing.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. Smudge
    Member

    Back mudguard on my folder sheared today (no doubt due to Edinburgh's delightful road surfaces), so onto the mtb for the commute tomorrow for the first time in over a year, this is going to be culture shock!! (2.1" off road knobblies and a sit up riding position :-o)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. crowriver
    Member

    Yep. Ikea folder, given away to Ikea employees Xmas 2006 I think. Solid bikes, if a bit heavy. The so-called cyrillic folder is one too.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. Darkerside
    Member

    As a sly mention, I'm vaguely keeping an eye out for a folding twenty, as it would be a neat hack bike to not be concerned about abandoning in town. Just in case anyone sees one lying in a skip...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    Some people like playing with Raleigh Twenties.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. Darkerside
    Member

    I'll admit that most of my interest is based around:

    • It's really small, so it'll fit in the bike cupboard alongside the 'bent and tourer
    • It's really small, so therefore surely doesn't count as n+1. n+1/2 at most.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. crowriver
    Member

    There's an entire community of Twenty enthusiasts and customisers/restorers.

    The most famous proponent of the marque was of course the late Sheldon Brown.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. wee folding bike
    Member

    The Common Wheel in Glasgow sometimes have 20s in folding or cumbersome flavours.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. Darkerside
    Member

    Good recommendation, their website suggests they have a few. Might wander along...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. crowriver
    Member

    @Darkerside, can't remember if you're in Glasgow or Edinburgh, but if the latter I have a fairly stock (non-folding) Twenty you can try out if you want.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. Darkerside
    Member

    Glasgow sadly, but thanks for the offer. As it happens they have a folding Twenty; 'It's a green one with a picture of David Soul on it'. Sounds, uh, ideal...

    Sadly they're only open mon/tue next week when I'm away, so I won't be able to get across until the week after. Fingers crossed!

    Posted 12 years ago #

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