FOLDING BIKES

gbs
gbs Posts: 450
edited August 2009 in Commuting chat
My daughter needs a folder for the daily commute - Chiswick to W Middlesex Hospital, about 6 miles and flat.

*any safety issues?
*the brompton steel frame 6 gears has been recommended.

All comments welcome
vintage newbie, spinning away

Comments

  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    There shouldn't be any more safety issues with a good folding bike than with a normal bike - probably better than some of the "bikes" I see on the roads. Bromptons are pretty tried and tested.

    If it's flat, she probably doesn't need 6 gears. The 3 speed version should be plenty sufficient.
  • Stuey01
    Stuey01 Posts: 1,273
    I'd be looking at Dahon, specifically the ones with slightly larger wheels, makes for a quicker and smoother ride.
    The Cadenza was reviewed in Cycling Plus last month and they liked it. Doesn't fold up as easily or as small as a Brompton though, so if that is important then it might not be for you.
    Not climber, not sprinter, not rouleur
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    Mmm Bromptons, I don't need one, but I want one anyway. :?
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    if it is flat go for a singlespeed brompton.


    No rack, lightweight front wheel, stelvio tyres. Really fast and light for a folder.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    prawny wrote:
    Mmm Bromptons, I don't need one, but I want one anyway. :?

    one of us one of us one of us
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
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    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • Gav2000
    Gav2000 Posts: 408
    Stuey01 wrote:
    I'd be looking at Dahon, specifically the ones with slightly larger wheels, makes for a quicker and smoother ride.
    The Cadenza was reviewed in Cycling Plus last month and they liked it. Doesn't fold up as easily or as small as a Brompton though, so if that is important then it might not be for you.

    I have a Cadenza and think it's great. It's got 26" wheels and isn't really train sized but if you need a bike to store in a limited space at home or work it's great. Mine lives in the back of my car for lunchtime or working away from home rides.

    Gav.
    Gav2000

    Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
    Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
    Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
    You'll hear about him ever'where you go.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    prawny wrote:
    Mmm Bromptons, I don't need one, but I want one anyway. :?

    Are you feeling OK???? :shock:

    Has the heat got to you :wink:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    Folding bikes are an abomination against all that is good and kind (I'm kind of on the fence here :lol: ).

    Tell her that for the same money she could have a proper bike at either end. Like me. And I'm ace :roll: .
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • coffeecup
    coffeecup Posts: 128
    I've a Dahon which takes the miles pretty well. Don't know if I'd fancy doing 6 miles each way on a 16" wheel brompton though.

    And is it really flat?? Have you cycled it? Often you won't notice a gradual incline in a car but you'll soon notice a mile of gradual uphill on a Brompton
    Time you've enjoyed wasting, hasn't been wasted

    Bianchi L'Una, Bianchi 928 C2C 105, Dahon MU SL
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    coffeecup wrote:
    I've a Dahon which takes the miles pretty well. Don't know if I'd fancy doing 6 miles each way on a 16" wheel brompton though.

    And is it really flat?? Have you cycled it? Often you won't notice a gradual incline in a car but you'll soon notice a mile of gradual uphill on a Brompton

    After I finished fudging about with a brompton, it's really not too bad (although I have very vaguely been trying to sell it, so go figure).

    I wouldn't go as far as to say I enjoyed riding it, but for 6 miles I reckon it would be plenty useable. It's really not going to be ridden for my 17 mile commute, though.

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