Folding bikes - Brompton, Dahon, Mezzo etc - recommendations and chat

[editor]

Folding bikes (Take 2)

I know that the last time folding bikes were mentioned here, the poster was sent [packing with a chorus of cruel, jeering laughs ringing in his ear, but I must admit to being tempted.

I like to travel around the UK a lot, and reckon that jumping off a train at a country station and then being able to scoot off on a bike would be the dog's bollocks.

They're not cheap, but some don't look quite so ridiculous either:

More bikes here: http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/

Opinions, advice, ridicule....etc?

 

[aurora green]

Folding bikes are cool.

 

[editor]

Oh look! There's even a 'Folding Society' for folding bike people!
http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/

 

[tobyjug]

We have three folding bikes, and very useful they are too. (They were cheap second hand ones)

 

[fucthest8]

The last thread was one of my favourite ever. I believe the conclusion was that they were "utter pony".

I stand by that decision.

And frankly, the sight of you on one would amuse the hell out of me. Thanks for the mental image

 

[citydreams]

I got overtaken by one yesterday

I think you can even get folding mountain bikes now

 

[editor]

Look at the speed of this 'folder'! http://www.kinetics.org.uk/assets/multimedia/birdfold.mpeg

 

[citydreams]

he's so fast he doesn't know whether he's coming or going

 

[citydreams]

here's the daddy:
http://www.montagueco.com/

 

[aurora green]

Wow. There's nothing compromising about that.

 

[Dubversion]

will self is often seen on his Brompton.

good enough for me.

 

[gaijingirl]

Bromptons are excellent. I have an extremely serious cyclist friend (recently cycled from Beijing to London/currently training for some mad 800 kilometre bike ride) who gave me a go on his and once I got used to it, I loved it. We met at a coffee shop. He got off his, folded it up, went in and sat down, whilst I spent the next 10 minutes in the rain looking for suitable bike parking that was visible from the shop (and didn't find any)

They're very fast and I'm regularly overtaken by gentlemen in suits on them... ... they are the only bikes that can be taken as hand luggage on the Eurostar, you never have to worry about restrictions on trains (I wanted to take my bike down to Kent tonight for a sporting event but cannot as bikes are not allowed between 16:00 and 18:30 on the line I wished to use - so I can't do it!!)

They aren't cheap, but they do (so I've heard) keep their value quite well so you will make good money back if you decide to resell. Similarly you can knock a couple of hundred pounds off the price by buying second hand.

If it wouldn't annoy the hell out of my boyfriend who has only just been bullied into allowing yet another bike to be stored in our flat (that's 5 now) and who is, quite rightly, getting concerned about the amount of credit I'm running up on such things - I'd get one myself.

Additionally you can take them on a plane really easily and bingo... immediate transport at the other end!!

But if you do get one, don't do what another friend did, which is to realise whilst speeding down a very steep hill that she hadn't properly tightened the screw which holds the frame together... the frame started to fold underneath her and she had to throw herself off before hitting the traffic...

 

[xes]

*nudges fucthest8 and giggles*

 

[smashthestate]

Look at the speed of this 'folder'! http://www.kinetics.org.uk/assets/multimedia/birdfold.mpeg

i've had a go on one of those birdies and it was
the cheapest one is the red one - maybe i should say "least expensive" - its about £800.
anyway, IMHO it felt like a proper bike compared to the most expensive brompton (approx £600 iirc) which felt like riding some sort of toy.
birdies have more gears too which is useufl if you ever end up in sheffield / bradford etc.

 

[djbombscare]

stands next to Fuct a xes and also giggles


Sorry it just reminds me of the old ladies back in the 70's with there boggy browny green coloured lil shoppers

 

[xes]

stands next to Fuct a xes and also giggles


Sorry it just reminds me of the old ladies back in the 70's with there boggy browny green coloured lil shoppers

Naah,they always remind me of one of these old things

Topped of with some suited bloke in his 40's with a top hat.

And an umberella.

 

[FreddyB]

I had a 50cc folding moped complete with bag to put it in (you'd have to be one strong sod to carry it about) on my boat. Theidea being I could scoot down the towpath to the pub when I was out and about and then scoot home again.

It folded, it didn't float.

 

[editor]

stands next to Fuct a xes and also giggles

Thing is, when I'm jumping off a train at a remote location and pedalling away while you're left hanging about like an overripe plum, I suspect the guffaws might be coming from my direction.

From the far distance, natch.

 

[Velouria]

Thing is, when I'm jumping off a train at a remote location and pedalling away while you're left hanging about like an overripe plum, I suspect the guffaws might be coming from my direction.

From the far distance, natch.

... until the frame folds underneath you cause you forgot to tighten the bolt

Me, I'd love one but too much money...

 

[alfajobrob]

Airnimal...the answer

Thing is, when I'm jumping off a train at a remote location and pedalling away while you're left hanging about like an overripe plum, I suspect the guffaws might be coming from my direction.



From the far distance, natch.

http://www.airnimal.com/Chameleon.php

nice, again not cheap though.

 

[xes]

Thing is, when I'm jumping off a train at a remote location and pedalling away while you're left hanging about like an overripe plum, I suspect the guffaws might be coming from my direction.

From the far distance, natch.

Not when we pass you a couple of minutes later in a taxi

 

[Firky]

Don't man, just get a lightweight bike with quick release.


I've ridden one as my bro's mate runs a cycle shop... I was petrified! Every manhole cover and kurb I went over felt like the bike was going to snap. Sorry but I like my frames to be solid

 

[Firky]

Not when we pass you a couple of minutes later in a taxi

.

 

[xes]

slighlty but anyway.

 

[Cloo]

I’m borrowing a foldy at the moment to learn to practise riding on now I’ve learned how to (not ideal, I know, as not very stable, but it was available to borrow from my bro-in-law!). It does the trick for short, rides, though. It’s from Bike in a Bag - he usually uses it for the short ride to the tube station if he doesn't feel like walking.

 

[Firky]

slighlty but anyway.

It was on my HDD, been waiting for an excuse to use it !

 

[editor]

Not when we pass you a couple of minutes later in a taxi

But then my laughing resumes when you realise that there are no taxis available for three hours, and by the time you finally get to the pub, it'll be closed and we'll be pissed

 

[Tricky Mickey]

http://www.dahon.com/

i considered one of this lot's bikes a while ago, they look nice and not too spoddy. The Brompton has something of the sandals-and-socks geek about it for my taste.

I went for a full size in the end. Get a light bike and you can run round with it on your shoulder - and most trains have guard vans to stash your bike in anyway.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

this would interest me

we're going to be seeing loads more of these things in the next few years - esp electric assisted foldies which are currently taking Japan by storm.

 

[citydreams]

http://www.airnimal.com/Chameleon.php

nice, again not cheap though.