fast folders

jedster

I'm being obliged to rethink my commute. Coming to the unfortunate conclusion that a folder would give me some really useful options. The default option is a Brompton but ideally I'd like something a bit more sporty. Wish list includes:

1. Must be easily foldable for a train leg - I'd like to ride an Airnimal but it just isn't a real folder as the wheels need to come off.

2. It needs to fold reasonably small to stow on the train without making me an antisocial @rse - no 26" wheelers

3. Openminded on gearing although I have something of a bias to hub gears. I may want to ride a 1 in 10 hill so a SS is probably not a goer

4. reasonably fast/low riding position

5. In an ideal world I'd be able to get a hub dyno wheel

6. budget is flexible for the right machine

The best option appeared to be a Dahon Speed Pro TT but apparently the UK agent has stopped importing them.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
J

simple_salmon

J

The Dahon Speed Pro TT is a great machine but, like all non-Bromptons, doesn't fold up that small. It's fine for a car boot but quite big for a train.

I ride mine a lot and it will happily do a reasonable '10' as well as it can do a steady 100. Worth tracking down if you don't mind the 'quite big to carry' problem.

RyanB

Dahon Mu anything. Preferably the Mu SL but failing that Mu P8. Taken mine on the train every day for the last year and it zips along nicely. Doing London to Paris on it in September. Yeah Bromptons fold up great, but I really don't like the ride (nor the nutty professor look). You should also consider a Mezzo.

Jehannum

You could have a look at...

http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/ and

http://www.atob.org.uk/price_tag.html

if only for an idea of what's available.

HTH,

Doog.

Clever Pun

tweak the gearing on a brompton and it's pretty damn swift

dilemna

jedster wrote:

I'm being obliged to rethink my commute. Coming to the unfortunate conclusion that a folder would give me some really useful options. The default option is a Brompton but ideally I'd like something a bit more sporty. Wish list includes:

1. Must be easily foldable for a train leg - I'd like to ride an Airnimal but it just isn't a real folder as the wheels need to come off.

2. It needs to fold reasonably small to stow on the train without making me an antisocial @rse - no 26" wheelers

3. Openminded on gearing although I have something of a bias to hub gears. I may want to ride a 1 in 10 hill so a SS is probably not a goer

4. reasonably fast/low riding position

5. In an ideal world I'd be able to get a hub dyno wheel

6. budget is flexible for the right machine

The best option appeared to be a Dahon Speed Pro TT but apparently the UK agent has stopped importing them.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
J

This question comes up time and time again. Search is your friend. What is comfortable to you may not be to some one else and vice versa. Try as many of the folders as possible. The Brompton is so popular because it is a good bike but would still be useless for YOU if it did not fit. Find a decent bike shop and ride some bikes. You are the one who is buying, so buy what you are comfortable with. WRT public transport the Brompton is the clear winner others just can't match the quick, compact and neat folding which is essential if travelling on a train in rush hour. You don't want to be causing an obstruction or risk injurying other passenbers or getting lube or oil on them as they squeeze by with transmission bits, frame, etc sticking out. A Brompton sits neatly in luggage racks still enabling other passengers to use it as well.

If you do go Brompton then IMHO the ride is excellent but I am biased. The six speed hub is the one to go for it will get you up the steepest slope and see you cruising on the flat quite nicely. Don't get the rear rack and lights but fit a pannier front block and touring pannier instead, spds, small Titech bar ends and a seat post extension if need be and you are away. If you need extra carrying capacity then use a seat post rack with QR - quick release. It will do the the Aubisque, Soulor and Tourmalet without protest and sit quietly without problem in the luggage racks of the Eurostar and TGV 8) . They are a great object of curiousity in France so be prepared to meet alot of people wanting to know about them and enjoy their surprise when you tell them it is a British design and NOT French.

Brompton build quality is excellent. I have not had a single problem in 6.5 years of ownership. The hub gears have been 100% reliable I have not even had to adjust them. I just keep the chain clean and well lubed replacing it when it gets worn. I have yet to wear out the Kevlar tyres or have a puncture. Happy days.

TheBoyBilly

As the owner of a Trek-badged Dahon-designed folder I can thoroughly recommend 20" folders for the train. If I can't store mine in the cycle area of the carriage it is easy enough to fold down to go on one of the racks by the doors. If these racks are full I just fold the bike into a V-shape and drop the seat so that it sits tripod-like in the doorway that is on the side of the train that will not be utilised at the next stop. On my journey I only have to move the bike at one stop as all the other platforms are on the "nearside", if you see what i mean. My bike rides pretty well and is uber-useful being my workhorse throughout the week and for trips to the shops - it has paid for itself many times over.
I would suggest the Dahon Vitesse D7HG with 7-speed hub for around £575

cee

fast folders???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByKmsHdhra8

prawny

I rode with a guy on a brompton the other week, he was going 20mph+ on the flat with the 6 speed hub and he said he had a 10 mile commute. I was very impressed it's the folder I'd go for although if I lived somewhere flatter i'd go for the 2 speed P type

ris

i used to put my airnimal joey on an ic train to bath every day, it fits pretty well in the luggage rack, or across the front of it if there are bags in there (i was only going one stop so i could get away with it).

i'd occasionally get some looks for carrying it on but by being the last one on the train i generally avoided the worst of the grumpyness.

if you are looking for something a bit different then perhaps a bike friday, they seem quite sporty to me, a pocket rocket can go some but they ain't cheap.

avon valley cycles in bath has virtually every folder you can think of to try out. if you are close then it is worth a vist.

stuaff

I'm inclined to agree with RyanB, Mu SL would be my pick. Chap over on BikeForums is selling his- well, hasn't said it's sold yet- at an absolute bargain £650, over £400 off list (it's an unused, still in the box, 09 model- http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=539555 ).

RyanB

You know it makes sense

jobless

Brompton without a doubt. I have the 2-speed and it punches well above its weight on my 10miles from marylebone to richmond. It handles well, accellerates well and is plenty fast enough in the standard 2-speed guise that I have. I did contemplate upping the gearing but to be honest I haven't found a situation where I would need to go any quicker. I get a lot of comments from other riders like "that is fast for a brompton" whereas it is actually a reasonably rapid bike.

Make sure you get the schwalbe tyres though as the standard ones are cack.

If you can afford it go for the Ti version and get the clear laquer - it looks simply awesome.

One of the best bikes I have bought.

jedster

Thanks for the comments.

I'm 5'9" so I doubt getting a fit on any folder will be that hard, and it's not as if I plan on riding centuries on it.

Much as I admire the way that Brompton's fold and appreciate the quality, I do identify with the "mad scientist" comment and they are very idosyncratic.

I agree that the Mu SL looks like a good package but I reckon the Mu XL sport might be a better option - it's a little heavier but I suspect the hub gear and the mudguards are worth the weight. Also like the fact that it has a klickfix (sp?) bracket on the head tube - nice touch. Seen a decent offer on one as well. Mu's seem to fold pretty small even if they are bigger than Bromptons.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a London bike shop where you can see a range of folders?

Bike Friday's look really good but sound expensive and les convenient folders than even Dahons?

Cheers,

J

stuaff

jedster wrote:

Thanks for the comments.

I'm 5'9" so I doubt getting a fit on any folder will be that hard, and it's not as if I plan on riding centuries on it.

Much as I admire the way that Brompton's fold and appreciate the quality, I do identify with the "mad scientist" comment and they are very idosyncratic.

I agree that the Mu SL looks like a good package but I reckon the Mu XL sport might be a better option - it's a little heavier but I suspect the hub gear and the mudguards are worth the weight. Also like the fact that it has a klickfix (sp?) bracket on the head tube - nice touch. Seen a decent offer on one as well. Mu's seem to fold pretty small even if they are bigger than Bromptons.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a London bike shop where you can see a range of folders?

Bike Friday's look really good but sound expensive and les convenient folders than even Dahons?

Cheers,

J

Fudge's on Harrow Road. Excellent range in stock, Brommies, Giant Halfway, etc, as well as Dahons, plus very helpful staff. Not actually bought anything from them, but they've got a good rep. http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/

jedster

StuAff,

perfect, thanks - Fudges looks just the job and is handy for me as I travel through Paddington.

J