Help me choose a bike please

mandark

Hi Everyone, I'm thinking of getting a new bike and I was wondering if you'd please help me out choosing one.

Basically, I'm looking for a folding bike that I use for commuting on the tube on weekdays (no more than 5 miles) and take it out on weekends while I go on my photographing expeditions in central London (which also means it should have a rack/carrier so that I can carry my camera bag).

I'd also like to take the bike with me when I'm off to the countryside, which means it may see some long distance action (read no more than 20 miles) in hilly areas and roads that may not be ultra smooth and be clobbered. I'm of average height and weight (read less than 6' and less than 150lbs), so I guess I don't have any special requirements.

For me, riding position is important, I'd rather have a bike that I'm comfortable riding in. It also needs to be gentle on my bum too . The bike needs to be reliable too, need less to say!

Budget wise, I can fork up to a grand (thank you c2w scheme hehehe).

Anyway, when I started looking for one, it seemed that a 3 speed Brompton would be the way to go, but now I'm not too sure. It seems that Bromtons are quite the city bike and isn't meant to be taken out in clobbered paths or the occasional off-road. It also seems that replacement parts for Bromptons can be expensive too, given they don't use off the shelf parts...

Now, I've looked into Dahon and they seem to do some pretty decent ones too (usage of off the shelf parts a plus too, so is 20" wheels). The only problem is, there are far too many choices. I thought the Mu XL fitted what I wanted, but looks too heavy?! And then there's the Dahon rebadges, looksidentical but cheaper... I wonder what's going on there?

So, to cut a long story short, whatdoyathunk? Which one should I go for?

Cheers.

P.S. I hope I'v given enough information!

artaxerxes

Hello mandark
Maybe one of the Airnimal bikes is what you are looking for?

the_hundredth_idiot

I'd second the Airnimal - they're pretty mean folders. But they are a lot bigger (when folded) than a Brompton. Might not win you any friends on the Tube.

mandark

Hi There,

Thanks for the Airnimal reference. Adds new dimension to my confusion :P
Joking aside, it looks like Airnimal's are built for performance, I wonder how comfortable they will be? Speed is not my main concern. Also what about luggage? The accessories section seems to be under construction :roll:

Cheers.

quote="linoue"]Hello mandark
Maybe one of the Airnimal bikes is what you are looking for?[/quote]

Roastie

I've been shopping for a folder for a while, not because I need one, but rather because I want one.

Dahon Mu seems to be the bomb, quick fold and the XL model can take Klickfix attachments which is great (esp for carrying your camera). Same frame as the others, just it is kitted out with 'guards which is very useful indeed. This is the one I'd personally go for.

Brommies are nice too, much easier and quicker fold and perhaps more convenient for combining with train travel. They also have good luggage options. The only reason I'd take the Mu over the Brompton is wheel size, the Brommie running on smaller wheels.

I reckon you should ride both and see which of the two you get on better with in terms of folding and unfolding. I think with all this included, the Brompton will probably win.

Airnimal? Very nice, but wholly unsuitable for taking on the tube. It really is a demountable rather than a folder - the fold is tedious and not something you could do in seconds. Luggage may also be an issue.

Geoff55

German folding bikes such as Birdy red have full suspension, ride very well and fold easily but not so compact as the Brompton. Worth a look. Having ridden a Specialized folder, Brompton and the Birdy Red, the Birdy was the only ride anything like a full sized bike feel.

Good luck

always_tyred

mandark wrote:

Hi There,

Thanks for the Airnimal reference. Adds new dimension to my confusion :P
Joking aside, it looks like Airnimal's are built for performance, I wonder how comfortable they will be? Speed is not my main concern. Also what about luggage? The accessories section seems to be under construction :roll:

Cheers.

quote="linoue"]Hello mandark
Maybe one of the Airnimal bikes is what you are looking for?

[/quote]
I believe that the rear triangle (if you can call it that) has elastomer suspension.
And they do a mtb version..... with a Rolhoff hub (I'm looking in another window).... wow that's pretty cool actually.....

mandark

Interesting... I'm kinda like in the same boat as you are, I don't really need a folding bike, but its just I want one ;-)

The Mu XL seems to be it. 20" wheels and hub based gears. The only issue I have with it is at its price (£800), its pretty heavy at 14.3/31.5 kg/lb! The Mu SL seems to be lighter, but geared towards performance over comfort.

Cheers.

Roastie wrote:

I've been shopping for a folder for a while, not because I need one, but rather because I want one.

Dahon Mu seems to be the bomb, quick fold and the XL model can take Klickfix attachments which is great (esp for carrying your camera). Same frame as the others, just it is kitted out with 'guards which is very useful indeed. This is the one I'd personally go for.

Brommies are nice too, much easier and quicker fold and perhaps more convenient for combining with train travel. They also have good luggage options. The only reason I'd take the Mu over the Brompton is wheel size, the Brommie running on smaller wheels.

I reckon you should ride both and see which of the two you get on better with in terms of folding and unfolding. I think with all this included, the Brompton will probably win.

Airnimal? Very nice, but wholly unsuitable for taking on the tube. It really is a demountable rather than a folder - the fold is tedious and not something you could do in seconds. Luggage may also be an issue.

Roastie

mandark wrote:

Interesting... I'm kinda like in the same boat as you are, I don't really need a folding bike, but its just I want one ;-)

The Mu XL seems to be it. 20" wheels and hub based gears. The only issue I have with it is at its price (£800), its pretty heavy at 14.3/31.5 kg/lb! The Mu SL seems to be lighter, but geared towards performance over comfort.

Cheers.

Did you see the Mu Uno (singlespeed)? It lasks the Klickfix attachment which the XL has, but is simpler and lighter. I am sorely temped - plus with a fixed hub it would make a rather eccentric fixie...

il_principe

Can I just ask - are you determined to use the tube as part of your journey? Is cycling the whole way an option at all? I only ask as one of the joys of commuting by bike is being able to avoid the tube, and what might seem like a long journey on a bike is often easy. To put this in context, my GF has recently started commuting via bike. Before this she did no sport and visited the gym sporadically, so was not very fit (in a cardio sense!!), yet she manages a 20 mile round trip with relative ease and door to door her journey time remains the same as it was on the tube. It'll lessen as she grows in confidence and speed. So don't rule out the no tube option, it may well be eminently doable, and of course would give you a far wider choice of steed (sounds like you need a CX bike)



http://www.cyclesurgery.com/1028003/Specialized-Tricross-Sport.html


http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/breed-2009-cyclo-cross-bike-ec017113

tardington

I've got a tricross sport. It is lovely, when I haven't broken it.

PS Mandark! What an excellent name! 8) (I'm assuming a dexter's lab ref?)

mandark

Dexter's Lab it is ;-) Ha haha hahahaha hahahahaha (doing the evil Mandark laugh :P)

tardington wrote:

I've got a tricross sport. It is lovely, when I haven't broken it.

PS Mandark! What an excellent name! 8) (I'm assuming a dexter's lab ref?)

mandark

Hi,
You've just asked a hard hitting question! Technically, it is an option for me, but it will be a bit of a ride, from Essex (near North Circular) to Waterloo, TFL reckons more than an hour and when I see that I have to go through Romford Road and Whitechapel Road, I get a bit of a dreaded feeling...

For the time being, I'd like to start off by getting as far as Liverpool Street on the Central Line and bike from there, which should be OK for me. hence I'm asking for a folding bike that will be good for a short ride, but has the potential to go places.

Cheers.

Il Principe wrote:

Can I just ask - are you determined to use the tube as part of your journey? Is cycling the whole way an option at all? I only ask as one of the joys of commuting by bike is being able to avoid the tube, and what might seem like a long journey on a bike is often easy. To put this in context, my GF has recently started commuting via bike. Before this she did no sport and visited the gym sporadically, so was not very fit (in a cardio sense!!), yet she manages a 20 mile round trip with relative ease and door to door her journey time remains the same as it was on the tube. It'll lessen as she grows in confidence and speed. So don't rule out the no tube option, it may well be eminently doable, and of course would give you a far wider choice of steed (sounds like you need a CX bike)

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/1028003/Specialized-Tricross-Sport.html
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/breed-2009-cyclo-cross-bike-ec017113

mandark

Hi,
I've seem the Mu Uno indeed. The single speed is a bit discouraging, since I do tend to freqent the countryside and I'm not sure how its going to perform when I'm going up hill.
ta.

Roastie wrote:

mandark wrote:

Interesting... I'm kinda like in the same boat as you are, I don't really need a folding bike, but its just I want one ;-)

The Mu XL seems to be it. 20" wheels and hub based gears. The only issue I have with it is at its price (£800), its pretty heavy at 14.3/31.5 kg/lb! The Mu SL seems to be lighter, but geared towards performance over comfort.

Cheers.

Did you see the Mu Uno (singlespeed)? It lasks the Klickfix attachment which the XL has, but is simpler and lighter. I am sorely temped - plus with a fixed hub it would make a rather eccentric fixie...

prawny

I'd go for a brompton, there's a guy that post on here occasionally (waving sausages) that I see sometimes on my commute home. He does a 20 mile round trip, and I've followed him for a bit on my road bike at 21mph. :shock:

He's got the touring handle bar type with a 6 speed hub.

They've got a bit of squish at the back and you can spec it with a brooks saddle, comfy comfy

inaperfectworld

i love my airnimal chameleon; it is a fast bike and very comfortable. i take it on tour doing 6/8 hour days in a row without any problem. i have a carradice quick release saddle bag which attaches to the seatpost and holds enough for touring (15 litres i think) . you can put a rack on it and use panniers.
i wouldn't want to use it for commuting daily as it folds and dismantles, so you have to carry the folded bike (and there is no clip so if you don't hold it correctly it unfolds) as well as the front wheel and saddle/ seat post and you might be carrying a bag as well. some people are happy doing this though. i would recommend you see one in the flesh before committing yourself.