Folding Bike recommendations?

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
devonspaniel
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Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by devonspaniel »

First-time poster looking for some advice

I'm going to be starting a new job in about 3 months time that will require a train ride to Exeter & then a short cycle ride to the Hospital (about 15-20 minutes, relatively flat along the river).

I'm looking for a folding bike that will:
* Be easy to fold/unfold and stay locked when folded
* Is relatively light weight (max 15kilos but the lighter the better)
* Will easily adjust to my height (I'm 5ft 4) - currently my second hand ebike is too big and I get back ache if I ride it for too long.
* Has large enough wheels (and a rack at the back) that I can attach a pannier to it without worrying it will scrap along the road.
* Handle relatively well - I'm a competent, but cautious cyclist so want to know what I'm riding is well built and that I will feel secure.

I have lights etc. already so I'm not too worried about them being integrated.

I'm not really bothered about whether this is an ebike, I'd rather have a bike that is easy to fold and pick up.
Budget max £600, happy to look at second hand or new.
I have phoned a few of my local independent bike shops but all they seem to do is tell me the brands they stock, ask me to look at which I like and then they can do stock enquiries. I understand stocks may be low on some bikes at the moment, but I was hoping for somewhere to start in terms of model recommendations that may fit the bill.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :D :D
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gaz
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by gaz »

Welcome to the forum.

Previous thread. Finding panniers for a small wheeled folder that do not lead to heel strike may be a challenge.
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DevonDamo
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by DevonDamo »

devonspaniel wrote:Any help would be greatly appreciated :D :D


One of your key considerations will be what the train company's policy is towards bringing bikes on board at rush-hour. As I understand it, some will only let you bring a Brompton-sized folder as hand-luggage. That would mean if you have a bigger bike, you'd have to get it fitted into a bag so it becomes 'luggage' rather than a folded bike. That would mean lugging a big bag around with you and therefore you might prefer to have bought a Brompton-sized folder instead.

I'd get in touch with the train company and ask first.
Boring_Username
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by Boring_Username »

devonspaniel wrote:I'm going to be starting a new job in about 3 months time that will require a train ride to Exeter & then a short cycle ride to the Hospital (about 15-20 minutes, relatively flat along the river).


I've done something similar for years. Assuming your river route is on a relatively smooth surface, there really is nothing that comes close to a Brompton. In practice, in terms of what really matters day after day, the priorities are small size of folded bike, speed of fold, and it beats everything on that. You won't get one for £600, new or second hand (unless knackered / stolen), but over the long term it crushes the alternatives.
Last edited by Boring_Username on 30 Jan 2021, 9:44pm, edited 1 time in total.
Richard Fairhurst
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by Richard Fairhurst »

DevonDamo wrote:
devonspaniel wrote:Any help would be greatly appreciated :D :D


One of your key considerations will be what the train company's policy is towards bringing bikes on board at rush-hour. As I understand it, some will only let you bring a Brompton-sized folder as hand-luggage. That would mean if you have a bigger bike, you'd have to get it fitted into a bag so it becomes 'luggage' rather than a folded bike. That would mean lugging a big bag around with you and therefore you might prefer to have bought a Brompton-sized folder instead.

I'd get in touch with the train company and ask first.


GWR's policy is "max 20 inch wheels". (I know because I got it changed from the previous version that said "max 16 inch"!) South Western Railway are the main other company serving Exeter and they don't have a size restriction.

But tbh in this case I'd buy a Brompton anyway.
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DevonDamo
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by DevonDamo »

Richard Fairhurst wrote:GWR's policy is "max 20 inch wheels". (I know because I got it changed from the previous version that said "max 16 inch"!) South Western Railway are the main other company serving Exeter and they don't have a size restriction.

But tbh in this case I'd buy a Brompton anyway.


That's really useful info for the OP. Whether or not they return to the thread is another matter though! (There's a history on here of new users posting a question and disappearing. One new user who did eventually return told me that the reason for his delay in returning to his thread was that he'd had to wait for his post to be approved. I asked Mick F to confirm whether this was the forum policy, but he didn't reply.)
simonhill
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by simonhill »

A few other things to consider.

Is he eligible for the Cycle to Work Scheme? This could knock a chunk off the price of a Brompton.

Secondly, what is the storage at work? Can he take it inside as a Brompton is a very nickable bike.

Bromptons have bespoke luggage, usually attached to the front, which seems to work well. Putting anything on the back isn't so easy as on a full sized bike, plus it often affects folding.
PT1029
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by PT1029 »

Many Oxford - London train commuters have 2 "station bikes", which live at the station at each end of the journey. You want something functionable/reliable but old/tatty looking and use a quality/secure bike lock. If you can park the bike under CCTV, and use different racks each night, it is less likely to look abandoned.
When I worked in a local bike shop, people ended up making the decision to spend uneconomic sums when required to keep their rust bucket running to avoid having to buy a more theft worthy bike.
Something single speed or hub geared would be more weather resistant than derailleurs.
If your bike had a hub dynamo (might have to get retro fitted), your lights would always be ready. Once the wheel rims are grubby, the new dyno wheel won't look flashy. In my experience, dynamo lights rarely get vandlised.
Buying 2 reasonable used bikes for each end of your journey and retro fitting dyno lights + 2 X decent locks would be within your budget.
It also allows you to avoid the faff of getting your bike on/off the possibly crowded train.
Barks
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by Barks »

I’d support the two second hand bike approach - I used that for three years commuting in and out of Paddington and it worked really well. I moved onto a a Brompton for the next job because it involved lots of travel around the country rather than a daily routine - if you want a folder though, it is usually the best option for commuting despite the cost ( I think somebody has also mentioned the cycle to work scheme).
CathM
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by CathM »

I used to have a Halford's Carrera folding bike with 20" wheels, of similar design to a Dahon. It cost considerably less than £600 but the components, while adequate for my purpose, were not great. It was quite enjoyable to ride for a few miles over un-challenging roads. I kept it at my father's sheltered flat so that I could do his shopping and get a bit of exercise when I visited him by train, but it lived in a cupboard for occasional use and I wouldn't have relished folding and unfolding regularly it to carry on a train as it was heavy and awkward to fold. I was given a pair of cheap, anonymous panniers which worked very well with it - they didn't drag on the road or catch on the pavement, and they could hold an economy box of washing powder!

I now have a Brompton, and if you can possibly stretch to one of those I'd recommend it, it's fun to ride as well as being compact. Brompton luggage is expensive but there must be ways of getting round this. I don't like cycling with a rucksack, but would do it for short distances if my load wasn't too heavy. Good luck!
drossall
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by drossall »

gaz wrote:Previous thread. Finding panniers for a small wheeled folder that do not lead to heel strike may be a challenge.

I won't repeat what's in the other thread. If you can track one down, the Tern Cargo Rack and Dahon Traveller Rack (not sure it's still made) have a higher platform, meaning that you can hang normal-sized panniers off them. I had an earlier Dahon Ultimate rack, but I've sold it on. With a Brompton, the best place to carry a bag is on the front (it's attached to the frame, not the bars, so it doesn't affect steering. The easiest option is a Brompton bag, though you can make an adaptor if you can get the parts - that's what I've done. Or, there is an (expensive) adaptor to carry two standard panniers.
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horizon
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by horizon »

I'll say it just for the record (because the OP isn't the only person likely to read this thread and because I've said it before) that a 20" folder is IMV the best solution. It folds in 10 seconds, it is easy to carry, can have good quality parts and, because of its larger wheels, rides well. And a 20" is usually considerably cheaper than a Brompton. It can also carry full-size panniers on a full-size rack.

That said, I haven't tried a Brompton. I wouldn't therefore try to persuade someone against one. But I would say that on the principle that larger wheels are better, there is no real downside to a 20" folder. What downsides there are are in comparison with a full size bike: small wheels, weaker frame, proprietory parts, fewer gearing options, luggage challenges, price, etc. In these respects the Brompton may not be much better. I also think that comparing a Brompton with a Halfords cheapy folder simply isn't correct.

And now to trains. As many readers know, I also have a 24" Tern folder. Not only has it attracted many admiring comments from train staff over the years, but it has never once been questioned as to its suitability on multiple journeys on all sorts of trains. You don't need a Brompton to get on a train. And that's 24", not even 20".

I have no doubt that the Brompton is a terrific fold, is light, and will go where other bikes might not - under your desk and such like. It is a beautful bike and can do amazing things despite its small wheels. But it does cost and I do not believe it is the only answer to the question, "Which folder for a commute to the station?".
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Boring_Username
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by Boring_Username »

I have no doubt that the Brompton is a terrific fold, is light, and will go where other bikes might not - under your desk and such like.


As a Brompton fan, I am fully prepared to admit it is not light! Very heavy for something of its folded size. And this is sometimes an issue. But:

a) I have always assumed that hefty is what helps to achieve small fold (i.e. a light bike with similar fold would be very flexy)

b) Heavy matters while carrying, not while on wheels. And if it is very quick to go from carry to wheels - which the Brompton is - that is less of an issue
hoppy58
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by hoppy58 »

I’ve got a steel Dahon speed tr which I bought used for £400 in as new condition. Its got very good quality components and is lovely to ride, very smooth and with a great gear range. It also takes full size panniers on the rear. They do come up on gumtree eBay etc and If you can get one, then I would highly recommend. Only downside is that they’re a bit heavy.

I also had a cheaper aluminium Dahon vitesse which we used daily for years without fuss, a good basic fairly light 20” folder, and which we sold for the same price as we bought it!

20” wheeled folders do ride quite ‘normally’. I’ve only tried a Brompton once and it was a bit twitchy, although I’m sure you’d get used to it and it would be fine.

This shop, CH White .. https://foldingbike.biz/ is a folder specialist with a full range of spares..may be worth talking to them.
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simonineaston
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Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

Post by simonineaston »

Another vote for the Brompton / cycle purchase salary offset scheme. It's a winning combo. The Brompton is such a tried & tested solution for rail travel that it has to be on the short list, despite the cost, which the salary offset scheme does so well to make less painful. I'm not saying there aren't other suitable folders out there, maybe, but since the Brompton already addresses the majority of the drawbacks, it would be silly to ignore the make! And the 2 speed will probably be just the job...
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