Which folding bike?

[beanbag]

I'm in the market for a new folding bike. My crappy Oyama St. James almost killed me the other day when the stem snapped off while riding in heavy traffic. I managed to jump off unscathed but I was lucky to get away with it.



I need another folding bike for my commute so what is the recommended choice. Quality is everything as I'm not risking another near death experience!

Ideas?

[hornetrider]

Everyone will tell you to get a Brompton but I went leftfield and got a Btwin Tilt - it's cool and the gang (for a folder!).

[beanbag]

hornetrider said:

Everyone will tell you to get a Brompton but I went leftfield and got a Btwin Tilt - it's cool and the gang (for a folder!).

I actually quite like the look of these. Not a fan of the automatic 2 gear hub, but they appear to have a 3 speed SRAM hub which looks cool.

Anyone else had experiences with this folding bike?

[Kell]

I have had one Rabbit.de and two Dahon Matrix and I really like the feel of a full size bike.

The Rabbit.de


The 2008 Matrix


The 2009 Matrix


But I would say that the quality is not up there with a Brompton and the residual value is feck all too.

Having said all that, I've just realised that Dahon now doesn't exist. Think the line up has been replaced by Tern, which don't look as good.

[beanbag]

I should add perhaps that whatever I buy must fit into the boot of a BMW 1 series hatchback....known for a very small capacity boot! Unfortunately the full-size folding bikes wouldn't work.

[Andy OH]

beanbag said:

I should add perhaps that whatever I buy must fit into the boot of a BMW 1 series hatchback....known for a very small capacity boot! Unfortunately the full-size folding bikes wouldn't work.

Looks like a Brompton is a distinct possibility.

[Kell]

I'd be surprised if one didn't fit. I know we have an A6, but it used to go in the back of our Mini Hatch (seats down) and I've even had one in the back seats of our Mini convertible - had to put the roof down first mind.

[beanbag]

Kell said:

I'd be surprised if one didn't fit. I know we have an A6, but it used to go in the back of our Mini Hatch (seats down) and I've even had one in the back seats of our Mini convertible - had to put the roof down first mind.

I don't want the faff of having to put the seats down all the time. The beauty of a smaller folding bike is literally taking it out of the boot and off I go. I then leave it in the boot during weekends and I don't have to worry about it unless I need the boot space for something else.

I also have dogs so they go in the back often. Last thing I need is them covered in oil!

[hornetrider]

beanbag said:

I also have dogs so they go in the back often. Last thing I need is them covered in oil!

One model of the Tilt actually has a rubber drive belt rather than a chain, which is a genius idea. Designed with commuters in mind.

http://www.btwin.com/en/city-bikes/folding-bikes/1...

Edited by hornetrider on Tuesday 14th October 14:10

[beanbag]

hornetrider said:

beanbag said:

I also have dogs so they go in the back often. Last thing I need is them covered in oil!

One model of the Tilt actually has a rubber drive belt rather than a chain, which is a genius idea. Designed with commuters in mind.

I saw this in their product feature list. Very neat idea and that's combined with a 3 speed SRAM hub gears. I may pop down to Decathlon after work to check them out.

[Kell]

beanbag said:

Kell said:

I'd be surprised if one didn't fit. I know we have an A6, but it used to go in the back of our Mini Hatch (seats down) and I've even had one in the back seats of our Mini convertible - had to put the roof down first mind.

I don't want the faff of having to put the seats down all the time. The beauty of a smaller folding bike is literally taking it out of the boot and off I go. I then leave it in the boot during weekends and I don't have to worry about it unless I need the boot space for something else.

I also have dogs so they go in the back often. Last thing I need is them covered in oil!

Fair enough.

[Kell]

One thing to bear in mind if you do get a small one is a Brompton fits almost perfectly in the clear bags they sell in IKEA.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/1005677...

Edited by Kell on Tuesday 14th October 17:12

[Ultraviolet]

Will an Airnimal fit? They seem to be less geeky than a Brompton..

[beanbag]

Ultraviolet said:

Will an Airnimal fit? They seem to be less geeky than a Brompton..

They look very finicky. The fact that I have to dismantle half the bike to fold it pretty much kills it for me. I might as well get a normal bike and take the wheels off. It would be just as quick. Not to mention they are hugely overpriced from what I can tell.

I'm going to take a look at the Btwin Tilt 720 this evening. It looks like a pretty decent bit of kit (albeit very heavy), but I like the belt drive and it also has a manual 3 speed hub. The folding mechanism looks pretty neat too and to top it off, the frame comes with a lifetime warranty so the manufacturer clearly have confidence in their product.

Added to that, there are two Decathlon's in my vicinity whereas the nearest Brompton dealer in the South of Spain where I live is over 120km away.

I'm still open to any other suggestions but I will post an update on the tilt if I get it or not.

[hornetrider]

Good luck with it. The folding method is great, clicks in half just by pulling a lever under the saddle then you drop the bars down, job jobbed. You can then wheel it around holding the saddle.

Also the chain guard going under the main chainring provides a stable base to stand it up, and you can then sit on the saddle using the folded bike as a stool. I really like it. And I also like the fact that they're a bit left field from the usual choice.

[oyster]

Btwin tilt new £480, used £150 - net cost £330.

Brompton new £900, used £700 - net cost £200.

[beanbag]

oyster said:

Btwin tilt new £480, used £150 - net cost £330.

Brompton new £900, used £700 - net cost £200.

I appreciate that, but you are quoting UK prices and I live in Spain which are very different.

Added to that, the nearest Brompton dealer is well over 100km away from me. If anything were to go wrong, I don't fancy driving 60 miles to get it sorted when I pass a Decathlon every day.

I love the Brompton bikes and it would be great to have one but it's just not practical where I live.

[croyde]

oyster said:

Btwin tilt new £480, used £150 - net cost £330.

Brompton new £900, used £700 - net cost £200.

Thanks. That was the maths that made me buy mine. My Specialized Allez Comp and my Specialized Langster were worth fek all when I sold them, barely used, after 3 years, in order to fund a Brompton.

After months looking at secondhand Bromptons that were demanding very high prices, I went new in the end and even got 10% off by joining a London Cycle Club that cost me £18.

[oyster]

croyde said:

oyster said:

Btwin tilt new £480, used £150 - net cost £330.

Brompton new £900, used £700 - net cost £200.

Thanks. That was the maths that made me buy mine. My Specialized Allez Comp and my Specialized Langster were worth fek all when I sold them, barely used, after 3 years, in order to fund a Brompton.

After months looking at secondhand Bromptons that were demanding very high prices, I went new in the end and even got 10% off by joining a London Cycle Club that cost me £18.

Which club was it?

[croyde]

LCC.

London Cycling Campaign, not a meet up club. Well I don't think so.