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

[cybertect]

reading OP = fail.

@ oneflewover

I've a couple of fairly steep hills to negotiate on the way to my station, so that was a consideration. I was just about able to get up them on the 3 speed model, although I'm a bit out of form and was fairly lightly loaded.

The 2009 6-speed* Bromptons have a new wide range hub that goes from to 33" to 99.5" compared to the 47" to 84.5" range on the 3 speed.


* a 3 speed Sturmey with two cogs and rear derailleur

 

[Oswaldtwistle]

I popped up to Velorution in W1 on Monday and hired a Brompton for 24 hours to see how it worked out for me. Rode back through the city and over Tower Bridge to the office.

Tell me more about doing this? The website was less than helpful. Is it open to anyone who wants to hire, do you have to be a prospective purchaser or what?

Can you just turn up, do you have to leave a deposit or pre book or what?

Sorry, so many questions but like I say the website was pretty darn useless.

 

[cybertect]

Just turn up with either a passport or driver's licence. I'm not sure what else they would accept if neither of those are available. They kept my licence as security till I brought the bike back.

£15 for a day, £10 for a half-day.

Probably best to phone in advance to be sure they have one available. I called at about 10am and went to pick it up at lunch time.

When I went to hire mine a couple of foreign (they sounded German) tourists were returning their Bromptons after a day's sightseeing, including Abbey Road.

e2a: according to the LCC, Action Bikes in SW1 also hire Bromptons

http://www.lcc.org.uk/documents/bike hire shops london(1).pdf

 

[Oswaldtwistle]

Cheers I have a driving licence, so the idea could be a goer

Only 15 quid? ......(gets excited about the prospect)

Last question I promise..,.Do they provide locks and insurance and stuff, or do you have to take responsibility for that stuff

 

[cybertect]

Locks are available. I didn't bother, but the German couple had them with theirs. I don't know if it's an extra charge.

Insurance. Dunno.

 

[oneflewover]

Just an afterthought, buy the bag that fits to the front. It fits great, rides really well and nice to carry off the bike. Expensive but good value.

 

[London_Calling]

Those Germans, eh. Even now they scare me with that organisation shit

Nice thread!

 

[cybertect]

Just an afterthought, buy the bag that fits to the front. It fits great, rides really well and nice to carry off the bike. Expensive but good value.

Yep, I ordered one of the new 'C' bags with the bike and a cover for when it's folded. Might as well make the most of the tax breaks on CtW.

I heard a bit of weight on the front improves the steering too.

 

[editor]

Fuck me, they're pricey!

This one looks good though, even if it dues cost a wallet thumping £675 (upwards)...

http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/brompton_avc_s6l.htm

 

[cybertect]

There's no way I could have justified it without Cycle to Work providing a nearly 50% discount. With all the goodies, mine's coming in a smidge over £400.

 

[London_Calling]

Fuck me, they're pricey!

I was looking at a Mahon from the USA yesterday - even with £116 P&P it was cheaper than the lowest UK online retailer .

 

[cybertect]

Fuck me, they're pricey!

This one looks good though, even if it dues cost a wallet thumping £675 (upwards)...

Besides, your Jetstream P8 is £831.91 from the same store

 

[cybertect]

Got it a couple of days ago: here's my new steed

 

[rennie]

I've got one and it rocks!

 

[oneflewover]

Gratuitous Brompton picture x2. Mine

 

[editor]

Besides, your Jetstream P8 is £831.91 from the same store

Crazy money! I got the 'outdated' model from the previous year and paid a whole load less!

Can I just add: I fucking love bikes, me.

 

[Wolveryeti]

Clown bike.

Yick.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Got to expand on the Dahon thread; my train is loaded with Brompton Bods. 1st class bikes, local, engineered to perfection. And they ride really well.

But they do look a bit odd.

And, more importantly, the folk who lug em on to my train...well, they're all odd bods. Sinister, the lot of them.

And that's all it takes to choose a proper bike that takes 15 seconds to unfold and lock tight

(enjoy anyways)

 

[oneflewover]

Got to expand on the Dahon thread; my train is loaded with Brompton Bods. 1st class bikes, local, engineered to perfection. And they ride really well.

But they do look a bit odd.

And, more importantly, the folk who lug em on to my train...well, they're all odd bods. Sinister, the lot of them.

And that's all it takes to choose a proper bike that takes 15 seconds to unfold and lock tight

(enjoy anyways)

On first riding, you feel very self conscious, especially up here in Leeds (lot more common when i've had it down in london.

I've had kids point and laugh and had old women applauding when riding and putting up and down.

Now i have a sense of well being knowing how mobile I can be with little effect on others even whilst on my 25ml commute.

 

[Jazzz]

These things are silly

I mean what's the point of having a bike that won't get stolen and you can take on public transport

 

[Herbsman.]

These things are silly

I mean what's the point of having a bike that won't get stolen and you can take on public transport

bare jokes innit

might as well get a blinged up fixie with no brakes, then at least he can post a crying thread when it gets robbed or he fails to skid-stop in time to avoid a pregnant lady who neglected to look before crossing tha road

 

[cybertect]

 

[Structaural]

some bastard thrashed me on a brompton

That happens to me occasionally, you know when I've got a cold and stuff ,

They must be cleverly geared.

(thousands of Bromptons in Holland, I see about 5 a day on the trains).

 

[sir.clip]

Fantastc Choice cybertect.
I hope it fulfills your expectations.
I have been riding a brompton for around 2 years. After riding many types of bicycle: Including single speeds, shoppers, bmx, tandom, elecrtic, road, MTB, unicycle & hybrids. The Brompton is Champion of city bicycles.
I've taken it on the Tube, Train & Bus. Its been on Euro-star in a chinese laundry bag. Absolutly hassle free hub gearing..

I do like the laquered frame. The welding is so impresive so why not show it off.. 10/10 ol' bean.

 

[cybertect]

First mod from shop spec today.

I bought and fitted some Eazy Wheels, which have proper bearings on them (a bit like skate wheels)

(not my pic)

which, with four of them fitted to the rear rack, allows me to do

e2a: the kit comes with a rubber bung that goes into the bottom of the seat-post, so that you can use it as a brake and stop it rolling about when you need to, like on a train.

 

[London_Calling]

I really don't want to be impressed.

I know I definitely want a decent tourer, but that means having a second bike for the city . . . it's becoming a worry, this Brompton thing . . .

 

[Boycey]

i hate all folding bikes and especially hate small wheel bikes... but it must be said, if you have to do either (or both!) then brompton is the way to go. the raw lacquer job is fucking cool too.

 

[lintin]

i need a folding bike

does anyone know where to get these cheaply but reasonale quality. i will be travelling by tube and trian and need to get about

 

[editor]

Budget? Will you only be wanting it for short runs along roads?

 

[XR75]