Folding bikes info please

Publius Ovidius · Aug 12, 2013

Hello collective wisdom of NSC

we are after a couple of folding bikes and don't really want to spend silly money, which looking at tinterweb, you can pay anything!

Anyone got one or can recommend a make or model?

Cheers

Beach Hut · Aug 13, 2013

Brompton are the best but as always the best costs the most.

dougdeep · Aug 13, 2013

There's usually some in the Friday Ad.

teaboy · Aug 13, 2013

There are a good variety of folding bikes on the market now. Bromptons are generally regarded as the best, but you pay for the quality. British designed and manufactured too, if that floats your boat. Some others (such as Dahon) are fairly similar to Bromptons; others have tiny wheels; some have larger 26" wheels which will be more like a 'normal' bike but take up slightly more space when folded.

What sort of journeys are you looking to make? Are you after a folder for storage, transport or both?

Have a read of this for more in-depth info: http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/commuting/article/ww-Wise-Words-Folding-Bikes-0

alofbrighton · Aug 13, 2013

Dahon specialise in making good quality folding bikes. I own one and would thoroughly recommend. Lightweight,
easy to fold and rides beautifully- you only need 6 gears on one of these. I personally would go for 20'' wheels to iron out the bumps and potholes in our fair city and beyond. Just had a quick look and there are plenty on ebay within striking distance. Think I paid around£200 for mine (off ebay) barely used. People buy them with good intentions before crawling back into their cars.
Dahon incidentally make serious folding mountain bikes also so you can take on the train before blasting the hills wherever takes your fancy.Good luck in your search!

Lord Bracknell · Aug 13, 2013

teaboy said:
There are a good variety of folding bikes on the market now. Bromptons are generally regarded as the best, but you pay for the quality. British designed and manufactured too, if that floats your boat. Some others (such as Dahon) are fairly similar to Bromptons; others have tiny wheels; some have larger 26" wheels which will be more like a 'normal' bike but take up slightly more space when folded.

What sort of journeys are you looking to make? Are you after a folder for storage, transport or both?

Have a read of this for more in-depth info: http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/commuting/article/ww-Wise-Words-Folding-Bikes-0

I had a folding bike once, until I lent it to someone ...

The most important advice I would give is ... learn to fold the bike, without BREAKING it. Eh, teaboy? Eh?

teaboy · Aug 13, 2013

Lord Bracknell said:
I had a folding bike once, until I lent it to someone ...

The most important advice I would give is ... learn to fold the bike, without BREAKING it. Eh, teaboy? Eh?

And when things break get them fixed. Probably by ringing the shop/manufacturer you bought it from and asking them to fix it for you...

Pantani · Aug 13, 2013

Dahon warning! They have the worst after sales care I have ever encountered in the bike trade. Good bikes, if nowhere near as good as the Brompton's, but hope nothing ever goes wrong with them.

theboybilly · Aug 13, 2013

I have two folding bikes, a Brompton and a Trek-badged Dahon. Both are good but the Brompton folds so much better (and keeps the chain inside the fold so no oily mess on clothes etc)
In my opinion I wouldn't spend less than £400 on any bike nowadays if you want some sort of quality. If you want cheaper then eBay can be an excellent avenue to explore. I bought an almost new Specialized Langster of eBay for half price.
Oh, and on folders hub gears are best IMHO

public school boy · Aug 13, 2013

Pop down to Evans, as I did, and buy a tern. Very easy to fold and use. 7 speed.http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/folding-bikes

Theyorkshireseagull · Aug 13, 2013

I use one daily for commuting to avoid car park charges. Only a cheap one but has never let me down. Folds quickly and easily and fits in the boot no problems. Saxon is the one I had, they had an offer on for £99 when I got it.

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/cycling/bike-shop/folding-bikes

grubbyhands · Aug 13, 2013

I can recommend undoing the central hinge on your mates borrowed folding bike so he overtakes himself when he attempts to ride it. Hilarious.

Publius Ovidius · Aug 13, 2013

hi guys

thanks for the responses.

To be honest we only want a couple of bikes so we can take them down the new forest or cycle along the seafront ( in the cycle lanes of course) and want fold away ones so we can get them in the car as bike racks are a hassle and you cant get ones to fit my bloody stupid car on the back so I would have to have one on the roof!

I could have done with one when I commuted to london, but now its just social really.

Cheers

Nottseagull · Aug 13, 2013

First of all, don't buy two at once. If it suits just one of you then it saves having to return t'other.
If you order online from Halfords, you can get 10% off by using code B13BK01 (ends Wednesday). This still entitles you a free set-up for you if you collect instore (+ free 6 week service, I think). Mind you, it's hit or miss whether the staff at your local Halfords are competent.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...51_c165684_c165555_c165577%7D&channel=desktop

markw · Aug 13, 2013

Had a £800 Dahon 3 years ago and it was flimsy and not very well built, wore out in 2 years.... had my Brompton a year and love it, rides the same as the day I bought it with zero problems, its worth spending the extra on a Brompton as most owners keep them a long time, its a bike you could keep going for 10 years easily with good maintenance. I use mine to take the kids on cycle rides, their 2 bikes in the boot of estate and mine in the footwell.

Harry Wilson's tackle · Aug 13, 2013

Funnily enough I bought a Brompton yesterday and pick it up tomorrow. I've had a cheapo clone for 5 years, though, and have a good local bike shop for servicing. Whatever you buy, get it serviced once a year. Good luck.

Nottseagull · Aug 13, 2013

Harry Wilson's tackle said:
Funnily enough I bought a Brompton yesterday and pick it up tomorrow.

If it's a steel one I hope you're strong! I remember spotting one waiting at Manch Piccadilly so asked the owner if I could gauge its weight. Couldn't believe how heavy it was as I knew how expensive they were. Still, what can you expect for something made in London? They do fold up dead small, though.

teaboy · Aug 14, 2013

The weight shouldn't be a major issue - they aren't supposed to be carried far anyway.

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