Foldie that's nice to ride

secretsam

Any recommendations, would prefer maximum 20" wheels due to train restrictions?

Have heard that Bromptons handle a little "uniquely" - is this true?

roger_merriman

SecretSam wrote:

Any recommendations, would prefer maximum 20" wheels due to train restrictions?

Have heard that Bromptons handle a little "uniquely" - is this true?

small wheels and wheelbase so probably a bit fast/twichy, though plenty manage better than fine.

Agent57

When I first got my Brompton I was a little wobbly on it. The steering seems very direct, and the little wheels plus narrow handlebars made it seem relatively unstable. At first, I veered around a little when indicating to turn.

However, I got used to that very quickly; to the extent that getting back on a normal bike made it feel like a huge wallowing bus that took ages to turn.

Overall, I find the Brompton a lovely ride.

tgotb

Yeah, but you get used to it quite quickly; take one of the flat-barred ones out for a test ride and see what you think.

I set mine up with narrow tyres and the same position as my road bike, and tbh it's not a lot slower (fast enough to win today's Millbank sprint, for instance). At the Brompton World Champs last year, the leading bunch were averaging a shade over 25mph.

DrLex

Folding bike = Brompton
Folding bike = Airnimal

Also try a Birdy (example) and a Tern (selection) for completeness.

meanredspider

How tall are you? I didn't have any sense of the my Brompton being twitchy or unstable but I do feel like I'm riding a bike a couple of sizes too small - I'm 6'. I don't particular like the bike but it's very practical. I'll always take my steel Kona SS in preference even though I have to drag it up and down a steep staircase.

Koncordski

I'm biased because i've got one but they ride beautifully once you've mastered it. If you have a quick test ride it will seem really twitchy because you're not used to the fairly direct steering. Once you are comfortable on it you can embarrass many 'normal' bikes. Also if it's going on the train it's pretty much the only real choice, the elegance of the fold and the compact size means you won't be getting out of your seat every five minutes to stand it back up or placate some angry commuter with oil on their trousers. Compared to any other folding bike it's just better, tried a dahon and a tern before i bought mine because i was put off by the price, but it's the best at what it does.

Coach H

Got a Brompton (S3L) last week and so far its been great. Absolutely bonkers to ride (in a good way)
Only found it twitchy when out of saddle but easily got used to it.
Not done any significant rides yet, just sorting set up and out with kids but I cannot see it getting any more twitchy

Got mine as a toy really but now wishing I'd convinced the Household Finance Committee to let me have one on last years cyclescheme (especially as she has already borrowed it!)

secretsam

Thanks to all of those in the Brompton Supporters Club for their feedback

Does anyone out there have a foldie that's not a Brompton? If so, please make the case for your choice of collapsing bike :P

meanredspider

SecretSam wrote:

Thanks to all of those in the Brompton Supporters Club for their feedback

Although I have one, I wouldn't count myself as a supporter. I have it because I need it. That said, I've not seen anything on my travels that looks better....

drlodge

SecretSam wrote:

Thanks to all of those in the Brompton Supporters Club for their feedback

Does anyone out there have a foldie that's not a Brompton? If so, please make the case for your choice of collapsing bike :P

My Dad had a Bickerton, it creaked like hell and was horrid to ride.

rolf_f

I occasionally use a Dahon folder for work. It's OK but the folding stuff was designed by someone who had no interest in it; it works but not very pleasantly. Quite like riding it but it is slow on climbs and interesting on descents! If I were to buy a folder for myself, it would be a Brompton......

jedster

I thought seriously about a folder before deciding to stick with my two bike solution.

If you are going to be taking it on a busy commuter train then a Brompton is MUCH better than the alternatives. Any argument slightly in favour of the ride of other folders gets swamped by the annoyance of their bigger bulk / less easy fold.

rubertoe

I think Specialized have a folder with one previous owner.

secretsam

rubertoe wrote:

I think Specialized have a folder with one previous owner.

LOL might be a bit small, even for me. "Spares or repair"?

(IIRC, it was not a riding incident, apparently two team cars got over-friendly?)

veronese68

SecretSam wrote:

Thanks to all of those in the Brompton Supporters Club for their feedback

Does anyone out there have a foldie that's not a Brompton? If so, please make the case for your choice of collapsing bike :P

We've got one of these:

It's sh1t, but quite funny if you overtake anyone.

t4tomo

with the flat S bars the handling is fine, I think that reputation came from the classic M bars which were/ are a bit vague and occasionally flexy.

elbowloh

I used to have a dahon jack 7, bought (and subsequently sold) second hand.

It was a full-sized wheel hybrid. Didn't fold up particularly small, but small enough that they let me take it on the train during rush hour. Quite heavy, not sure how heavy compared to a Bromton though? Handled as expected with big wheels and regular flat bars.

seven gears covered all I needed in London. Sold it because I no longer got the train in to London!

I'd deffo recommend it if you think they'll let you take it on the train.

FoldingJoe

Used to have an Airnimal Joey Sport (hence the forum name). Really enjoyed riding it and there is a good review of one here.

http://philwigglesworth.net/BlogEngine.NET/post/2007/02/08/The-Airnimal-Joey.aspx

Folding is a bit of a pain, so it really depends on what you need the fold for. If you want something that folds fast, and is very transportable then the Brompton is certainly the one to go for. If you want something that is nicer to ride but isn't to great at folding then take a look at the Airnimals.

tgotb

Of course, the real advantage of a Brompton is that without one you can't compete in the Brompton World Championships :-)

walkingbootweather

We (I bought it for Mrs WBW, but I have ridden it more than her) have a Phillips Boardwalk (Dahon and Raleigh have also released what appears to be identical bikes also called Boardwalk). It has got 20" wheels, 6 Shimano gears, a rack and guards, and it folds in under 30s. It is nowhere near as good as better known brands such as Brompton and Airnimal but you can pick up mint examples for £100 or less. I suspect you would have to fork out £500+ for good examples of the better brands.

I have taken it on the train and have stuck it in the boot when I'm driving most of the way and need to ride a few miles at my destination. For instance I had a course of physio after an injury - getting in and out of the hospital car park was a nightmare and parking was £3-£5 a go (depending on how long I took). I used to park a couple of miles away and ride the boardwalk - total journey time was quicker, saved a few quid (probably paid for the bike in saved car parking charges) and arrived for physio already warmed up. What's not to like?

Used the Boardwalk a lot when I was first teaching the kids to ride - it didn't seem right to take the scalp of a 6 year old and was the only bike I could ride slow enough not to leave them too far behind.

I've done 20 mile+ trips on one and there are times when I'm glad to have a folder in the stable, but in general I'd rather ride pretty much any fixed bike for anything over about 5 miles.

iPete

They basically ride like an adults BMX, good fun hacking around town.

Also you can generally get a Brompton on a train without pissing many people off, they fit under some seats, generally out of the way and the fold means the chain is on the inside and won't grub up anyones stuff. If you get a really busy train those small things add up.

andrewc3142

A lot depends on exactly what you want it for.

I usually cycle in, but if I have to catch the train I want a bike for a short, flat stretch at each end. The Brompton is perfect for that. Folds really, really quickly, complies with even the pickiest application of train cycle policies and rides pretty well.

Oh, and with a cheap bag can be taken as hand luggage on Eurostar, which was brilliant when I spent 6 months weekly commuting to Brugge.

If you have a longer and/or hillier route at one or both ends of the journey and don't mind missing the train from time to time as you fold it and the odd argument with the guard, there are alternatives that probably ride better, although I haven't tried any personally.

When I got my Brompton they were fairly new to market and hard to get hold of, and I ended up with the 6 gear version with a rack. If I did it again I'd go for 2 or 3 gears only and no rack (and the titanium version if you have deep pockets). When you have to lug it around stations there is an appreciable difference.

ugo.santalucia

I rode a Brompton twice. The first time I thought the handling was horrendous, the second I thought it wasn't too bad after all, if I could manage to pedal at 2mph and not fall off. I think once you get used, there is a lot to go for in a Brompton. The quality of the bike is outstanding for the price. For the same money, you don't get the same quality even in products made in China!

menthel

We have an Brompton S3L at home that the wife mostly uses. Its great fun to ride shortish distances (I wouldn't want to do what a friend of mine did and do a LEJOG on one!) and as stated above, is quite like a BMX in its handling. The only thing I don't really like is the boingy rubber suspension block- it feels rather funny and I suspect sucks away my awesome speed.

rjsterry

ugo.santalucia wrote:

I rode a Brompton twice. The first time I thought the handling was horrendous, the second I thought it wasn't too bad after all, if I could manage to pedal at 2mph and not fall off. I think once you get used, there is a lot to go for in a Brompton. The quality of the bike is outstanding for the price. For the same money, you don't get the same quality even in products made in China!

We have two office Bromptons for general use. I've grown to love them despite the twitchy handling. Don't get one with a dynohub though - too much drag for such small wheels.

j_mcd

I've got a Montague Fit (http://www.montaguebikes.com/fit-folding-bike.html). They fold really easily but you do have to take off the front wheel. I've got mine on South West Trains without any problems.

They ride like a normal bike, mainly because they are one. Obviously I prefer my road bike but I've happily done the 20 odd mile commute on it when the train guards are in one of their shirty phases or the road bike is at the mechanics.

Bit of advice though, the kit on it isn't the highest quality and I would consider getting just the frame and then building it up yourself. That way you could put some decent gears and wheels on it.

secretsam

OK, so it's going to be used as follows: 1.7 miles this end, 4-5 miles in London, on the train in between. Lifting and carrying involved: basically, on and off the train. Needs to fold small, as train often very busy. And if I catch any part of myself on the damn thing whilst folding or if it oils me, there will be swearing...

andrewc3142

Brompton it is, then.

dhope

SecretSam wrote:

OK, so it's going to be used as follows: 1.7 miles this end, 4-5 miles in London, on the train in between. Lifting and carrying involved: basically, on and off the train. Needs to fold small, as train often very busy. And if I catch any part of myself on the damn thing whilst folding or if it oils me, there will be swearing...

There's a company I heard of a while ago.
Bimpton... Rompton... Br... nope, sorry, I'll let you know if I remember it

drlodge

dhope wrote:

SecretSam wrote:

OK, so it's going to be used as follows: 1.7 miles this end, 4-5 miles in London, on the train in between. Lifting and carrying involved: basically, on and off the train. Needs to fold small, as train often very busy. And if I catch any part of myself on the damn thing whilst folding or if it oils me, there will be swearing...

There's a company I heard of a while ago.
Bimpton... Rompton... Br... nope, sorry, I'll let you know if I remember it

Brickerton

Bronkerton

Bromptium