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

[sir.clip]

This single speed brompton would beat most 18 speed hybrids on a straight road...

Just takes a bit of ingenuity...

 

[Lo Siento.]

Why is it nonsense?

Here's an example of a small wheeled bike that will easily match speed with a hybrid:

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/twin-pylon-8878

I'm not sure which part of a folding bike you think will slow it down?

It's £6,000 worth!

Not like I've got a degree in Physics or anything, but I cycle all the time, and I've never been overtaken by a folding bike in my life (the reverse happens constantly, and plenty of regular bikes overtake me)

 

[sir.clip]

I've never been overtaken by a folding bike in my life

You have never lived...
Let one go by time to time & experience the joys of life..

 

[soulman]

We have a bit of a range of bikes here - our two most recent purchases being folders. I really like them. We've taken them abroad twice now - once to a city (Zagreb) and the 2nd time to an island (Hvar) where we previously took our road bikes. On Hvar (and surrounding islands) we tend to do some pretty steep climbs and quite long distances and took our road bikes there over New Year. A few weeks ago we took our folders and I was actually really impressed with how well they handled it all. We were also able to take them off road on both macadam and really rough footpaths. It also meant when we got to a "tunnel" (1.5k hole through a mountain with no lighting, regular road surface and only room for one vehicle at a time), we were able to wait for a van to come and hitch a lift with the bikes. (On the way back we rode through with a car behind us for safety - just amazing!!) It also meant we could get them both into one bike bag and only paid to take one on the airplane - plus all our ferry trips etc, we just carried them on and didn't pay. We could also take risks - like cycle off for really long rides to quite remote places with no public transport etc.. because we knew we'd be able to hitch lifts back or pay someone to drive us home if things went tits up.

We've also taken them down to the coast here on the trains - we very often take our bikes on trains as neither of us are good in cars - and it was a LOT easier than the big bikes.

I still use my big bikes like before, but I have been pretty impressed with the versatility of my folder.

There are more and more folders coming on to the market now from £99 (Halfords) right up to Brompton and the lovely Airnimals....

Nice photos. Not sure it would be my destination of choice but looks lovely anyway... Plus those folders are coming in at the £500 mark. So I guess you can get something solid and functional without paying out stupid money!

 

[editor]

Nice photos. Not sure it would be my destination of choice but looks lovely anyway... Plus those folders are coming in at the £500 mark. So I guess you can get something solid and functional without paying out stupid money!

Mine cost something like £350 and it's very well made.

 

[soulman]

It looks very well made too. But it's not showing up on the Dahon site. Perhaps you could point me in the direction of a folder like that for that kind of money.

 

[editor]

It looks very well made too. But it's not showing up on the Dahon site. Perhaps you could point me in the direction of a folder like that for that kind of money.

You have to look around for shops selling last years lines at a discount, but here's a nice larger folder for £280:

http://www.foldingbikehut.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/43

 

[soulman]

It's the fold that makes me uncertain about some of these lovely bikes. Are there folders that don't have that tell-tale fold?

 

[gaijingirl]

Nice photos. Not sure it would be my destination of choice but looks lovely anyway... Plus those folders are coming in at the £500 mark. So I guess you can get something solid and functional without paying out stupid money!

They were £400 each.

We go to Croatia a lot because of family ties and it's stunning. We might take them to either Japan or SE Asia this summer.

 

[soulman]

It's the fold that makes me uncertain about some of these lovely bikes. Are there folders that don't have that tell-tale fold?

I knew I'd seen a folder with no hinge on the mainframe of the bike - www.mezzobikes.com

British designed as well, but expensive.

 

[editor]

It's the fold that makes me uncertain about some of these lovely bikes. Are there folders that don't have that tell-tale fold?

What makes you "uncertain" about the fold?

 

[soulman]

They were £400 each.

We go to Croatia a lot because of family ties and it's stunning. We might take them to either Japan or SE Asia this summer.

Ah right, on their website they're retailing at 499 now.

 

[soulman]

What makes you "uncertain" about the fold?

Two things really. Where they generally are on the frame, and the issue of flex.

 

[editor]

Two things really. Where they generally are on the frame, and the issue of flex.

I strongly urge you to try one out first and see if you can feel any flex.

 

[gaijingirl]

Ah right, on their website they're retailing at 499 now.

We got them in a sale - stroke of luck. We did try Dahons and they are fine - I've seen Ed's and had a go on one. There's nothing wrong with them. The reason we went for the ones we have is that all the parts are generic and easily obtainable, whereas I have heard that it can be quite difficult to get Dahon spares. I imagine this is not such a problem in London, but as we tend to take our bikes to some quite rural places (there is no bike shop on Hvar for example) we needed bikes that could be fixed easily.

ETA... I've definitely not felt any "flex" whatsoever - and we've come down some pretty big mountains on them.

 

[editor]

Hot or what?

The range is headed-up by the flagship SwissBike XO - a full size mountain bike with 26" wheels that folds down to a 36" x 28" x 12" size in under 30 seconds via a quick-release system that doesn't require tools. The company's patented FIT (Foldable Integrated Technology) System which facilitates the quick-folding without breaking any of the frame tubes is the key to maintaining the structural integrity of the bike. The bikes also include the CLIX Wheel Retention System which enables one-handed wheel removal and importantly, a safety lock system which prevents frame from folding even if the quick release isn't tightened.

The top of the line, 27-speed, USD$2,250 XO model include a frame constructed from custom drawn 7005 aircraft grade aluminum tubing, hand-welded, double butted rear triangle and Rockshox Recon 351 Suspension with 85-130 travel and disc mount. Alloy rims, CST Maxis Flyweight Kevlar tires, Sram derailleurs and double butted alloy handlebars are also standard issue on the XO. The range is completed by the USD $865 LX and the USD$679 TX models with clever folding pedals and a soft-carry case available for all models.

http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/swissbike_a_fold_able_work_of_art.php

 

[Strumpet]

I'm not a bike geek (altho might be when I finally get round to buying one) but MMMMMMmmmm I want one!!

 

[Crispy]

That is hot as hell. WANT.
Although you do still have to take the front wheel off. If I was going to get a folder, I think it'd be a wheel-on model.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

At bloody last, they've managed to make those foldy bikes look non shit!

 

[editor]

That is hot as hell. WANT.
Although you do still have to take the front wheel off. If I was going to get a folder, I think it'd be a wheel-on model.

Yeah, but that's gotta be a small price to pay for such a lush bike. I mean - look at it!

http://www.swissbike.com/productxo.html

 

[twistedAM]

Yeah, but that's gotta be a small price to pay for such a lush bike. I mean - look at it!

$2,250 Tidy though.

 

[editor]

The next model down in the range ain't half bad either in its bad bwoy black matt finish - and for around £450, it's not a bad price.

Color Matt Black
Frame 7005 Series Aluminum Front and Rear Triangle
Fork Spinner®Grind CL Suspension, disc mount, adjustable preload with CLIX™ Ramps
Rims Jalco ®Alloy, 32 hole, Double Wall, CNC Sidewall, Black
Tires 26" x 1.95" Knobby Front and Rear Specific
Hubset Black, Alloy sealed front and rear, front with CLIX™: WRS
Spokes 14G stainless
Saddle Cionlli®Black with comfort groove
Seatpost Alloy, Micro Adjust Post
Handlebars Alloy, 30 degree rise
Stem Alloy Direct Connect
Shifters Shimano® EZ-Fire Plus
Front Derailleur Shimano®
Rear Derailleur Shimano® Deore LX
Crankset SR SUNTOUR®42/34/24
Speeds 24 speed
Brakeset Frontromax ®Disc with dual pad adjustment. Rear: Alloy V-Style, with alloy levers
Pedals Bear Trap
Bottom Bracket
Sealed cartridge
Frame Sizes 18”, 20”
Stand Over
Heights 29", 30"
Folded Size 36” x 28” x 12”
MSRP $865.00

 

[editor]

This one looks a bit weird though:

TX MOUNTAIN BIKE (MSRP-$679.00)

 

[Kid_Eternity]

This one looks a bit weird though:

TX MOUNTAIN BIKE (MSRP-$679.00)

I actually like that one more than others...very nice set though, been thinking of getting a bike again recently too.

 

[Crispy]

You could just wrap some gaffatape round the tubes for that monocoque look

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Fugly.

 

[soulman]

*looks for the fold*

 

[damnhippie]

i like the black one. looks like they might weigh a bit though! ...i tried out my mate's folder and it has heavy as a really heavy thing.

 

[upinsmoke]

I really need to learn how to ride a bike, that one looks like fun.

 

[ChrisFilter]

I really need to learn how to ride a bike, that one looks like fun.

It's less fun than a proper bike, but does look more fun than your normal folding bike.

Besides, when all you're doing is cycling from London Bridge to wherever, why bother with a really expensive model?