bickerton bikes
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Discussion

princeperch

Original Poster:

8,267 posts

276 months

Wednesday 22nd September 2010
quotequote all
I have a bit of an illness in that I seem to collect folding and small bikes (so far I have acquired a Brompton, a Dahon (now sold) and a Moulton).

I have now been offered the chance to get a Bickerton for the modest sum of £15.00. It requires a new seat post which can be had for about £18.00 quid.

I have read about them in the Brompton book which I purchased the other day and they have some history behind them as being one of the seminal folding bikes. I have never ridden one but understand that they are not great to ride.

Shall I add it to the collection anyway and irk my better half even more, (who does not share a love of small wheeled bikes), or shall I pass it over?

DrMekon

2,493 posts

245 months

Wednesday 22nd September 2010
quotequote all
I am slightly ashamed to say that I was once involved in the semi-deliberate breaking of the frame hinge of a Bikerton by means of bunnyhopping / Ot Pi style trials drops. Ridden harshly, they last less than 10 minutes.

IME, they don't snap as much as let go. I suspect that so long as you aren't going too fast, you could bring one to a halt. I wouldn't want to go more than 20mph on one.

As for owning one, if love of christmas cracker build quality and an enjoyment of things with no practical value combines with money being of no value to you, you should definitely go for it. Or you could just put your money in a bin.

--- just reread the numbers. At that money, you could use it for comedy purposes. Lend it to people you don't like, dare people to downhill on it, etc.

Edited by DrMekon on Wednesday 22 September 14:11

princeperch

Original Poster:

8,267 posts

276 months

Wednesday 22nd September 2010
quotequote all
are they that bad!!?

h4muf

2,070 posts

236 months

Wednesday 22nd September 2010
quotequote all
I have one for my "lemans bike".

It never, ever comes out to play until june the 12th smile

Mines braced a bit around the headstock and main pivot.



At Indianapolis



It's the most unstable,wobbly and downright dangerous thing i've ever ridden laugh

It's been round two full laps,endless prating about in the campsite and it just keeps going!

Also got the blue bag too!

Edited by h4muf on Wednesday 22 September 17:22

princeperch

Original Poster:

8,267 posts

276 months

Wednesday 22nd September 2010
quotequote all
it sounds like fun smile

DrMekon

2,493 posts

245 months

Wednesday 22nd September 2010
quotequote all
Seeing it gives a pretty good idea of how it rides, but now imagine that main beam was made out of upvc trunking and the bars out of cardboard tubes. You now have a pretty good idea how it rides.

CerbitonFlyer

155 posts

228 months

Wednesday 22nd September 2010
quotequote all
princeperch said:
or shall I pass it over?
Yes! They are truely gastly things hurl. Personally I wouldn't be seen dead on one, but each to their own I suppose