Can you ride bigger distances on folding bikes?
Discussion
I've never ridden a folding bike for any kind of distance, but since I want to commute to work more, and I don't cope well emotionally with things being stolen from me, I'm thinking a folding bike that can be brought into the office would be a good idea.
Something like: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/bfold-5-id_8202740.html
But will it be OK on a 12 mike commute with a couple of big hills? Or will it be a total misery to ride? I have no idea.
Something like: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/bfold-5-id_8202740.html
But will it be OK on a 12 mike commute with a couple of big hills? Or will it be a total misery to ride? I have no idea.
Plenty of folding bikes are used for touring etc, so just find the right one for you, the right weight tyres, handling and of course gears and you will be fine.
Costs vary a lot, anywhere from a couple of hundred, up to 15k for a rare Moulton, but for something halfway decent then anywhere up to 1k, but really you can pay a couple of thousand for something like a Birdy, Moulton etc.
Costs vary a lot, anywhere from a couple of hundred, up to 15k for a rare Moulton, but for something halfway decent then anywhere up to 1k, but really you can pay a couple of thousand for something like a Birdy, Moulton etc.
Burrow01 said:
I've got a Brompton and cycle around London pretty easily, but for anything hillier I'd like more than the 3 gears that mine has
This.12 mile on a Brompton (Or possibly a Dahon) - do-able (though I'd still rather use a proper bike). It will work fine.
12 mile on A.N.Other folding bike - no way.
Bromptons are expensive but they are leagues above in terms of quality, fully customisable and excellent residuals unlike just about everything else cyling.
ETA as they've been mentioned above, Birdy and Moulton probably in same category as Brompton, but I've never sold those so I wouldnt know.
croyde said:
I seen a guy doing circuits of Richmond Park on a Brompton giving the carbon frame racers a run for their money and leaving me for dead.
Even going up Broomfield Hill? Not to big oneself up, but it's the only bit where i'm faster than most people. But I can't imagine a Brompton going up that bit or the hill near Kingston Gate if you're going the other way. I really hate that twisty bit.fido said:
Even going up Broomfield Hill? Not to big oneself up, but it's the only bit where i'm faster than most people. But I can't imagine a Brompton going up that bit or the hill near Kingston Gate if you're going the other way. I really hate that twisty bit.
Well actually, my commute does cross Richmond Park, and the hill I mentioned is THAT hill. To be fair, I don't need ANY gears, because if I have to push it up the hill I could.But I'd rather ride up it.
I don't really want to fork out for a Brompton or similar... even second hand they are expensive. But I am aware that cheaper folders can give a really choppy unpleasant ride. I'll have to take a test ride on that Decatlon bike really, but I bet they won't let me bash out 12 miles on it!
Bromptons certainly are flexy if you try. Just sit in the saddle and pull the bars towards you! There's a great big unbraced U shape between the bars and saddle so it's not surprising there's flex.
Comfort is more about whether you can get your pedals, saddle and hands a suitable distance apart, rather than wheel size. You won't know that until you ride, or at least sit on, one. My bigger concern would be over how many 12-mile journeys you can reasonably expect of a <£200 folder before it starts falling to bits.
Comfort is more about whether you can get your pedals, saddle and hands a suitable distance apart, rather than wheel size. You won't know that until you ride, or at least sit on, one. My bigger concern would be over how many 12-mile journeys you can reasonably expect of a <£200 folder before it starts falling to bits.
Mr Gear said:
I've never ridden a folding bike for any kind of distance, but since I want to commute to work more, and I don't cope well emotionally with things being stolen from me, I'm thinking a folding bike that can be brought into the office would be a good idea.
Something like: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/bfold-5-id_8202740.html
But will it be OK on a 12 mike commute with a couple of big hills? Or will it be a total misery to ride? I have no idea.
Is there really no secure storage at work?Something like: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/bfold-5-id_8202740.html
But will it be OK on a 12 mike commute with a couple of big hills? Or will it be a total misery to ride? I have no idea.
Pothole said:
s there really no secure storage at work?
Not really. The bike racks outside are a real crime hotspot. I have taken my bikes in a couple of times and put them in an empty office next door, but security make a special exception for me because he knows how expensive they are. It's not something I can expect him to do if I ride every day.Mr Gear said:
Pothole said:
s there really no secure storage at work?
Not really. The bike racks outside are a real crime hotspot. I have taken my bikes in a couple of times and put them in an empty office next door, but security make a special exception for me because he knows how expensive they are. It's not something I can expect him to do if I ride every day.Pothole said:
louiebaby said:
Slightly OT, I complimented a fellow commuter last night for his track-stand, on a Brompton, in brogues. He was aged about 50 too. He smiled in thanks for the recognition as well.
Then went home and looked up 'track stand' in his OED?
fido said:
croyde said:
I seen a guy doing circuits of Richmond Park on a Brompton giving the carbon frame racers a run for their money and leaving me for dead.
Even going up Broomfield Hill? Not to big oneself up, but it's the only bit where i'm faster than most people. But I can't imagine a Brompton going up that bit or the hill near Kingston Gate if you're going the other way. I really hate that twisty bit.
No way now tho'
Mr Gear said:
Well actually, my commute does cross Richmond Park, and the hill I mentioned is THAT hill. To be fair, I don't need ANY gears, because if I have to push it up the hill I could.
But I'd rather ride up it.
I don't really want to fork out for a Brompton or similar... even second hand they are expensive. But I am aware that cheaper folders can give a really choppy unpleasant ride. I'll have to take a test ride on that Decatlon bike really, but I bet they won't let me bash out 12 miles on it!
Get a 2nd hand Dahon with a few gears and 20 inch wheels and that will be all you need. But I'd rather ride up it.
I don't really want to fork out for a Brompton or similar... even second hand they are expensive. But I am aware that cheaper folders can give a really choppy unpleasant ride. I'll have to take a test ride on that Decatlon bike really, but I bet they won't let me bash out 12 miles on it!
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