Embarrassed to ask but........ Folding Bike Advice?

[Gnarlybluesurf]

Right new job in August involves either 1hr 30 drive eachway every day or 1Hr Train with a cycle to and from the station. So it looks like I may be in the market for a folding bike !!!

I'm aware of the Bromptons and Dahons but quite keen on any other brands too as appart from folding up these bikes appear a lot of money for their spec.

So a light reliable bike with 20" wheels would be great.

Saw this but know nothing about it... looked a reasonable spec for the money.

http://www.buybuybicycles.com/absolut_carbon_foldi...

Any experience anyone or advice?

[DrMekon]

http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/ < loads of info

The simple answer is that you get what you pay for, and if easy of folding and carrying when folded is your primary concern, get a Brompton. For me, it wasn't, and I got a Dahon D7HG. It was a lovely bike, and at a push, I could average 19mph on my commute (7 miles). However, it was a bit creaky, annoying on a train, and uncomfortable to carry. If I was commuting by train regularly, the Brompton's unsurpassed fold would be the deciding factor for me. I'd get an S2L, the bigger seatpost, and a S-type bag. Not that I've obsessed about it, or anything (gulf colours, blue middle, orange ends).

[Sloe]

Gnarlybluesurf said:

http://www.buybuybicycles.com/absolut_carbon_foldi...

We've (the GF and I) just gone through the process of checking out the options for a folder.

Having a look at the link above, carbon and folding and £600. I'd avoid it like the preverbial, just seems far too cheap for the money. At that price I doubt very much the join in the carbon main tube (where the bike folds) can with stand the forces that can go through it, resulting in either a very sloppy handing bike or one that breaks after a few months. Carbon is a much more expensive material to work with than steel or ally, so there's a reason for the main manufacturers only offering those alternatives at that price. Also, kit that's important for a folder, like mud guards and a rack aren't there.

We ended up buying a Mezzo D9, reasons? It rides better than all the others (Brompton, Dahon etc), as the frame doesn't fold so is stiffer and more responsive. Also as the frame doesn't fold and is ally, it's lighter too. Kit and finish were better than the Brompton and Dahon too.

The folding mechanism, process and resulting size of folded bike is a little way of being as good as a Brompton, but quite a bit smaller than a Dahon. But as it rode so much better than a Brompton, we wern't bothered. My OH and I could collapse the Mezzo in less than 10 secs after only trying half a dozen times. So what said about it's complexity is unfounded, they just need a little practice.

From my experience, a 20 in wheeled bike is quite good for the riding (not massively better than a 16 though) but becomes a bit of a hassle once off it, due to the folded size and resulting carrying options.

If you can, get yourself down to a large Evans, they usually have quite a good range of folders, or I think there's a shop in Bristol or Bath that only sells folders.

[Lord Pikey]

I know its not what you asked but what about keeping two cheap bikes at each train station?

[Roman]

Carbon wouldn't be my first choice of material for something that's going to get knocked about on a train.

I'd suggest saving yourself £300 and getting the mag framed Urbanlite 20":
http://www.buybuybicycles.com/urbanLite2_folding_b...

If you remove the mudguards, rack etc (as per the spec of the carbon bike) and replace that awful saddle with a light road saddle the weight is going to be much closer to that of the carbon Absolut too.

[Gnarlybluesurf]

Thanks for the advice.

I have thought about a cheap bike at each end but one of them would have to be left on the street overnight and the prospect of them getting vandalised thus arriving to no transport has to be considered.

I agree carbon has to be an odd choice for a folder it just looked good spec for the money. In any case I emailed them for more pictures and info... they told me it's a prototype and the real thing won't be til september... not much use.

Bromptom I've been told by other owners have a funny bouncing feeling to them as there is a big rubber bung between the rear wheels and the main frame also making pot holes etc feel odd.

I like the look of the Mezzo especially as the rigid main frame seems less likely to fail though there have been some concerns on the front wheel locking in from reviews... I quite like the look of this now.... BUT THE COST!!!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mezzo/d-10-200...


With all the reports of parts failing on all the folders I'm thinking there is probably little to be gained buying 2nd hand rather then from the LBS who I can go back in to complain to !!

Any other ideas... am I really going to have to spend some serious cash?

Many thanks