Foldie that's nice to ride

veronese68

Is this going to be like Ricks hoover thread when lots of people gave recommendations then he ignored the ones he didn't like?
I'm pretty sure there's one conclusive winner buried in this thread somewhere.

secretsam

drlodge wrote:

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

OK, but if I go for a Plankton, do I have to grow a beard? And would it be weird to fit SPDs to it and use proper cycling gear when riding (if I'm riding the damn thing for 10 miles a day, might as well be comfy)?

dhope

drlodge wrote:

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

Broxtium...
Broxton...
Braxton..
Traxton..
Trax.

Yep, that's it. Halfords Trax



Job done. Your fellow commuters will love you

drlodge

dhope wrote:

Yep, that's it. Halfords Trax



Job done. Your fellow commuters will love you

That's not even a BSO!

tgotb

SecretSam wrote:

OK, but if I go for a Plankton, do I have to grow a beard? And would it be weird to fit SPDs to it and use proper cycling gear when riding (if I'm riding the damn thing for 10 miles a day, might as well be comfy)?

I rode 30 miles on mine yesterday, most of that wearing lycra. The only issue is whether you feel comfortable standing/sitting on the train in full lycra (it's never bothered me), but that's got nothing to do with the choice of bike. And yes, fit SPDs (or an equivalent). The left-hand one sticks out a bit (whereas the Brompton pedal folds in) but it's not that much of a bother.

I know there is a big shaving thread somewhere on here, I don't think I could add to that...

You're already a cyclist, isn't it a bit late to start worrying about being weird???

Here's another thought: Park the idea of a Brompton, and try a Boris Bike for the first couple of weeks; it may not be as bad as you think. If it is, get a Brompton (or even hire one for a month first, so you know it's the right decision before you commit to buying...)

Agent57

SecretSam wrote:

And would it be weird to fit SPDs to it and use proper cycling gear when riding (if I'm riding the damn thing for 10 miles a day, might as well be comfy)?

I put SPDs on mine. The only downside is that it doesn't fold as neatly (since there's no longer a folding pedal; so it sticks out and you can't squeeze the bike between train seats as easily).

I sometimes wore proper kit on mine. But often didnt.


Me riding the 26 miler Great Manchester Cycle a couple of years ago

Koncordski

SecretSam wrote:

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...

Yep, brompton only then. SPD's don't stick out anymore than the original folding pedal and assist greatly with laying down the power awesome. I have 1-mile from home to my station, 40min train, then 4.5 miles to canary wharf. Hard suspension block, max 2 speed (for the weight saving), decent saddle and better handlebar grips (the stock ones are simply awful.

Oh and you can swap the chainrings for more speed, 58T for example.

secretsam

OK what's the difference between the 7,000,000 varieties?

secretsam

TGOTB wrote:

Here's another thought: Park the idea of a Brompton, and try a Boris Bike for the first couple of weeks; it may not be as bad as you think. If it is, get a Brompton (or even hire one for a month first, so you know it's the right decision before you commit to buying...)

Actually, I was going to try a Boris for maybe one day, sans lycra...or bring own bike to the smoke

meanredspider

What I do know is that when a Brompton loses grip (on wet cobbles, for instance) it goes down REALLY fast...

andrewc3142

And would it be weird to fit SPDs to it and use proper cycling gear when riding

People certainly do, but yes, it's a bit weird.

I tried Boris bikes when they first came out to use around town, to meetings, etc rather than commuting. Even got one of those fobs.

But I gave them up when I was late for a meeting having spent 30 mins finding a free bay to leave it in.

At Waterloo now they seem to work OK most of the time, but often there are huge queues, both to pick up and to leave them.

wgwarburton

SecretSam wrote:

OK what's the difference between the 7,000,000 varieties?

Less is More

Cheers,
W.

elbowloh

SecretSam wrote:

OK what's the difference between the 7,000,000 varieties?

Wow, that's even way more than Heinz!

Agent57

elbowloh wrote:

SecretSam wrote:

OK what's the difference between the 7,000,000 varieties?

Wow, that's even way more than Heinz!

IT'S OVER NINE THOUSAAAAND!

Coach H

SecretSam wrote:

OK what's the difference between the 7,000,000 varieties?

2 or 3 speed, S (straight) handlebars and L (Mudguards) and the colour is all you really need to know.

I got a 3 speed hub gear as I have no intention of doing much maintenance and I perceived that the 2 speed derailleur looked a bit 'garden shed design'. Riding it, I don't think you will often NEED the 3rd gear but see it as a freebie for having a hub gear. Not convinced, myself, that the weight saving between the 2&3 speed is a real word issue. Yes there is a weight difference but its not a step change IMHO.

The only thing irritating me about Bromptons is the mahoooooooosive relative cost cost of Brompton specific luggage (Ortlieb Mini-o, for Brompton £90 - Ortlieb 6m Handlebar bag, exactly the same as mini-o with R&K fixing £65ish). I am currently investigating using an Ortlieb City Front attached to an S-Type rack

tgotb

Coach H wrote:

2 or 3 speed, S (straight) handlebars and L (Mudguards) and the colour is all you really need to know.

I got a 3 speed hub gear as I have no intention of doing much maintenance and I perceived that the 2 speed derailleur looked a bit 'garden shed design'. Riding it, I don't think you will often NEED the 3rd gear but see it as a freebie for having a hub gear. Not convinced, myself, that the weight saving between the 2&3 speed is a real word issue. Yes there is a weight difference but its not a step change IMHO.

Not sure I agree - when it comes to the gearing, "it depends".

If you already like riding fixed/SS, a single speed may be fine. If, like me, you really like having lots of close-spaced gears, 6-speed is the answer (though the changes are a bit "special", because 50% of your shifts require both levers). For racing, I'm pretty convinced that 2-speed is the best option because the hub gear is less efficient. If you just want decent range, and don't mind wide spacing or a slightly less efficient drivetrain, go for 3-speed. In fact, I'd suggest you test ride the different gearing options to get a feel for what suits you best. (Pretty sure Evans do test rides).

Definitely get mudguards, you can always take them off (or leave them on) if you want to race. Don't bother with the rack; if you want to mount a bag on the bike the front luggage options are way better. Definitely get the straight bars, they're a lot more rigid (and also a bit lower). You can mount mini bar ends if that's your thing.

If you're tall (6' or more) the longer seatpost might not be long enough for you, but the telescopic one goes longer. Definitely worth checking this out in a shop before you buy. As someone said previously, get the harder suspension block unless you want to bounce your way along the road like a nodder on a full suspension MTB.

If you're that way inclined, there's plenty of scope for customisation. I have an 8-speed hub gear, and bull-horn bars (actually an old TT base bar) with a bar-end shifter, which gives me an almost identical position to my road bike; the trade-off here is that this has made the bike a lot more size-specific, so a shorter person would struggle with the reach (whereas an unmodified Brompton will fit almost anyone). I also have a conventional 2-bolt carbon seatpost shimmed into a cut-off Brompton seatpost, because the existing one was too short and my propensity for sitting on the nose of the saddle means I don't get on with single-bolt seat clamps.

jedster

Didn't fold up particularly small, but small enough that they let me take it on the train during rush hour.

Yeah, at the cost of pissing off everyone else who had to share the train with you. I think hateful thoughts every time someone brings a big wheel folder the crowded trains I have to use. Very selfish IMO

elbowloh

jedster wrote:

Didn't fold up particularly small, but small enough that they let me take it on the train during rush hour.

Yeah, at the cost of pissing off everyone else who had to share the train with you. I think hateful thoughts every time someone brings a big wheel folder the crowded trains I have to use. Very selfish IMO

Tbf to me, when I used to take mine, I used to go pretty early. Very rarely was that train that busy that people were rammed like sardines. It was no bigger than a large suitcase anyway.

Is it also selfish for someone to take their suitcase or a pushchair or a workman with his tools?

secretsam

Thanks all. I'm planning on using it in Aylesbury and Central London, so hills are not an issue. Will use rucksack so no need for bags. Straight bar definitely. Can you fit drops?

dhope

SecretSam wrote:

Can you fit drops?

Why stop there?

drlodge

Introducing the Brompton CX... :?

tgotb

drlodge wrote:

Introducing the Brompton CX... :?

I seriously considered it for Muddy Hell one year, but couldn't find suitable tyres...

andrewc3142

What Coach H said.

And I have a 6 speed with at least 3 more gears than I ever use, a rack I've never used and dynamo lights I took off.

Re flat pedals, seriously, spds can't really make a lot of difference on a folding bike on the flat (?) but decrease massively its flexibility as everyday city transport.

One thing I have noticed from seeing people with the newer Bromptons is that the frame appears to lock rigid, which seems to me a shame. A great point with mine is when you want to stand it, eg to buy a ticket, you just flip the back wheel under. Same for folding. Hopefully the lock thing is an option - if so I certainly wouldn't pay for it and wouldn't want it.

keyser__soze

Has anyone tried both a Dahon (looking at the Mu SL) and a Brompton? May be looking for a folder for stashing in the office cupboard after a 10 mile ride plus the odd occasional London-based train journey (which discounts a larger folder like an Airnimal) rather than lots of folding/unfolding so road feel is more important.

jedster

Is it also selfish for someone to take their suitcase or a pushchair or a workman with his tools?

Not unless they take a needless big one rather than choose something more appropriate.

secretsam

Took a look at the Bromptons in Evans London Bridge yesterday

Have to admit I was shocked when I noticed that the forks, instead of having a 'drop out' which is forged, they are simply pinched together tube ends. You expect that on a £75 BSO from Tesco, but not from something costing £900+. I appreciate the need to make economies, small scale, etc but that's not impressive.

ugo.santalucia

SecretSam wrote:

Took a look at the Bromptons in Evans London Bridge yesterday

Have to admit I was shocked when I noticed that the forks, instead of having a 'drop out' which is forged, they are simply pinched together tube ends. You expect that on a £75 BSO from Tesco, but not from something costing £900+. I appreciate the need to make economies, small scale, etc but that's not impressive.

Is there any reported problem on Brompton's dropouts? If not, who cares how they make them, as long as they work... Bromptons are made to work and work for years, not to be fancy and have flawless tube joints...
You can phone Tom Donhou or Chas Roberts and see what you get for 800 quid worth of "made in London"

t4tomo

meanredspider wrote:

What I do know is that when a Brompton loses grip (on wet cobbles, for instance) it goes down REALLY fast...

Yes not your ideal Paris-Roubaix bike.

One thing I have noticed from seeing people with the newer Bromptons is that the frame appears to lock rigid, which seems to me a shame. A great point with mine is when you want to stand it, eg to buy a ticket, you just flip the back wheel under. Same for folding. Hopefully the lock thing is an option - if so I certainly wouldn't pay for it and wouldn't want it.

Its just a small catch you flick aside when you want it to fold, but stops it folding /flopping if you are cvarrying it up steps etc. Mine is old style but I dont see the catch thing as an issue.

Agent57

Also, you can render the lock inoperable by turning the suspension block so the clip isn't aligned with the hole it's intended to engage with.

andrewc3142

Thanks. Just curious about the lock thing.