Which folding bike??
Discussion
I want something with the whole package, light, rugged, able to use in town and off-road/country paths etc etc as I live in a village and will use paths to get to work. I am not too bothered about price but I am NOT looking for something flaked in gold and that costs 5k.
Any tips please?
I also dont want to look like a prat on something that looks rediculous with tiny wheels and large handlebars, so I want something that looks slightly masculine. I have been looking at the Montague Paratrooper Pro but also the Dahon Jetstream P8. I would love the Jetstream EX but you cant buy this great bike anymore.
Any other suggestions/reviews on folding bikes would be appreciated, thanks
Any tips please?
I also dont want to look like a prat on something that looks rediculous with tiny wheels and large handlebars, so I want something that looks slightly masculine. I have been looking at the Montague Paratrooper Pro but also the Dahon Jetstream P8. I would love the Jetstream EX but you cant buy this great bike anymore.
Any other suggestions/reviews on folding bikes would be appreciated, thanks
I use my Brompton every day on rough towpaths and no problems.
Brilliant bit of engineering, and made in Britain too. If I could replaceine now I would get the one with flat bars instead of the basic sit up style bars, and I may buy the longer seat post, but other than that I can't really fault it. The reason for wanting those style bars us to give me a slightly more forward stance.
I am biased though!
Brilliant bit of engineering, and made in Britain too. If I could replaceine now I would get the one with flat bars instead of the basic sit up style bars, and I may buy the longer seat post, but other than that I can't really fault it. The reason for wanting those style bars us to give me a slightly more forward stance.
I am biased though!
I've also got a Brompton (M6T) style and have done about 350 miles on it in the lat 8 weeks. It's pretty light, folds neatly and feels indestructible. I'd definitely pick the six speed gearbox again as it's a big help with hills compared to 3 speed models. I'd also consider the rear carrier essential - makes parking much easier. I'm ok on the standard height saddle and although the current M style handlebars are a bit sit up and beg, I think I'd be uncomfortable of the lower riding of the flat handlebar though of course this is very much personal preference. Mine cost £1k but I'd happily spend it again - very impressed with the quality.
For any public transport use, fold is very important. Does it sit upright without falling over? Can it fit in a luggage rack or between seats? Does it keep the oily and pointy bits out of the way so you won't ruin your (or other passengers') clothes? Crucially, the train companies have maximum luggage size that they allow on the train - above is at their discretion. That goes for bikes too, so worth having one that's inside the dimensions.
A Brompton is a yes to all those. It'll cope with light off-road stuff fine, although small wheels mean a little more care needed with potholes and the like.
The Montague Paratrooper is great if you want a real MTB that can be made a bit smaller. You wouldn't want to carry 29lb any distance, and you'll have to carry the front wheel with your other hand. The Dahon suspension is pointless, and IMO the fold is poor - way too wide and they tend not to stay folded if left on the train (I was watching one slowly take up more and more space on the train home this evening). It's no wonder you see a lot of Dahon owners not even bother to fold them.
Airnimal are good but again, a compromised fold for a better riding bike. Can be a bit pricey too.
I looked at everything out there a couple of years ago when I was shopping for one - in the end, I decided that if you're going to get a folding bike then get the one that folds best. There's a reason the commuter trains in London are packed with Brompton owners - they are fantastic folding bikes. Bought an S2L (flat bars, lighter 2-speed transmission) and still really like it.
A Brompton is a yes to all those. It'll cope with light off-road stuff fine, although small wheels mean a little more care needed with potholes and the like.
The Montague Paratrooper is great if you want a real MTB that can be made a bit smaller. You wouldn't want to carry 29lb any distance, and you'll have to carry the front wheel with your other hand. The Dahon suspension is pointless, and IMO the fold is poor - way too wide and they tend not to stay folded if left on the train (I was watching one slowly take up more and more space on the train home this evening). It's no wonder you see a lot of Dahon owners not even bother to fold them.
Airnimal are good but again, a compromised fold for a better riding bike. Can be a bit pricey too.
I looked at everything out there a couple of years ago when I was shopping for one - in the end, I decided that if you're going to get a folding bike then get the one that folds best. There's a reason the commuter trains in London are packed with Brompton owners - they are fantastic folding bikes. Bought an S2L (flat bars, lighter 2-speed transmission) and still really like it.
Great thanks for the advice and reviews.
I had a feeling I would need to be heading down the Brompton route if I want to use it on the tube, so I will take a look and see what models I like. There is a Ltd Edition one on Evans but not sure I want to fork out £1450 or whatever its going for.
I will keep looking but thanks for the tips so far, much appreciated.
I had a feeling I would need to be heading down the Brompton route if I want to use it on the tube, so I will take a look and see what models I like. There is a Ltd Edition one on Evans but not sure I want to fork out £1450 or whatever its going for.
I will keep looking but thanks for the tips so far, much appreciated.
I got this in the end, ordered it today, Dahon Jetstream P8.
They dont make them anymore, so managed to find one of the last 2011 models available for sale in the UK and on sale. (£200 taken off the RRP).
I am very pleased and look forward to getting it, should be a riot using it on and off road. I dont think I will be needing it to go on the tube anymore, hence my decision. I was thinking of something I could take on weekends/trips away that I could pop in the back of my 4x4 and at work I could pop it out and ride it to town and back during lunchbreaks.
Thanks again for all the tips and advice
http://www.chwhite.btinternet.co.uk/html/dahon_jet...
They dont make them anymore, so managed to find one of the last 2011 models available for sale in the UK and on sale. (£200 taken off the RRP).
I am very pleased and look forward to getting it, should be a riot using it on and off road. I dont think I will be needing it to go on the tube anymore, hence my decision. I was thinking of something I could take on weekends/trips away that I could pop in the back of my 4x4 and at work I could pop it out and ride it to town and back during lunchbreaks.
Thanks again for all the tips and advice
http://www.chwhite.btinternet.co.uk/html/dahon_jet...
If I was you I would get a brompton, there is noting better then that brand! this bike for example: http://www.foldingbikesguide.com/brompton-s1e-sing... I have had for over a year, and not 1 single problem, highly recommended.
JonFree said:
If I was you I would get a brompton, there is noting better then that brand! this bike for example: http://www.foldingbikesguide.com/brompton-s1e-sing... I have had for over a year, and not 1 single problem, highly recommended.
I doubt he's waited 3 and a half years to buy one, even my wife isn't that indecisive!MG511 said:
I doubt he's waited 3 and a half years to buy one, even my wife isn't that indecisive!
Haha quite the opposite, I have had 2 other folders in the meantime. I had the Jetstream P8, then Brompton S6 Barcelona Edition (which I totally loathed and felt like a tool riding) and for the last 2 years I have had a 2011 Dahon Jetstream EX, which I bought new out the box from a shop in Holland. I have to say I dont really use it now, as I have a Focus Mares CX 0.0 cyclocross bike. The EX is cosy, tucked up in the shed.
Edited by seadragon on Wednesday 23 December 15:37
I'm always really surprised when people can keep up with the normal bikes around them on a folding bike.
I realise, of course, that that's not really rational, and that there's no reason why small wheels should necessarily make for a smaller commute. It's all about the gearing, and the wheel size just triggers an assumption in my mind.
The guy I saw smashing the blue trail at Swinley on a Dahon last Saturday as fast as the full sized bikes all around him, on the other hand? That took some seriousl skill!!
I realise, of course, that that's not really rational, and that there's no reason why small wheels should necessarily make for a smaller commute. It's all about the gearing, and the wheel size just triggers an assumption in my mind.
The guy I saw smashing the blue trail at Swinley on a Dahon last Saturday as fast as the full sized bikes all around him, on the other hand? That took some seriousl skill!!
I had a Tern Link D8 for three months and it was crap. Very poor quality components and general built quality. Plus sides were it was a decent ride and v-brakes were good. However, the food was very poor and it was awkward to carry.
I bought a Brompton through CTW and haven't looked back. it's done about 800 miles since then and it's all ready paid for its self because I save £4.60 a day because I'm not using the Tube.
My is an M3L (3 speed m bars) in orange and blue. The bars feel a bit cheap and grips are poor in the rain, but other than that it's brilliant. Folds really small and stands upright when it's folded, which the tern didn't.
All you have to do is look round London and the Brompton is the dominant folding bike and there are many reasons for that.
If the OP, goes for the luggage, then I strongly advise looking at alternative brands to the Brompton bags. I have the S-Bag. The best way to describe it is a £10 bag with a £100 clip attached. I have £15 bags from sports direct that have more internal pockets than the Brompton bag 😒
I bought a Brompton through CTW and haven't looked back. it's done about 800 miles since then and it's all ready paid for its self because I save £4.60 a day because I'm not using the Tube.
My is an M3L (3 speed m bars) in orange and blue. The bars feel a bit cheap and grips are poor in the rain, but other than that it's brilliant. Folds really small and stands upright when it's folded, which the tern didn't.
All you have to do is look round London and the Brompton is the dominant folding bike and there are many reasons for that.
If the OP, goes for the luggage, then I strongly advise looking at alternative brands to the Brompton bags. I have the S-Bag. The best way to describe it is a £10 bag with a £100 clip attached. I have £15 bags from sports direct that have more internal pockets than the Brompton bag 😒
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