Hi all,
I’ve just got myself a job near Ealing (about 40 minutes walk from the station) and am considering getting a Brompton to give me back some free time as I have a further 40 walk to my home station.
Does anyone else out there have experience of using one of these on a computer train? I cannot bring my normal bike onto the train as they are no longer allowed.
Many thanks.
experience of train bike commute?
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philw
Re:experience of train bike commute?
I go to work every day on my Airnimal via the train and it works fine. I cycle about seven miles each way each day across London.
It's not much of an issue really. When the trains are full some customers seem to resent the bike a bit, but I've not had any trouble and they'd probably resent suit-cases too.
I cycle quickly, hence my choice of machine. I wrote some BS about the thing here:
http://www.wigglesworld.klebos.com/stuf ... /index.asp
Perhaps I will update that now I've been doing that commute for a couple of months.
It's not much of an issue really. When the trains are full some customers seem to resent the bike a bit, but I've not had any trouble and they'd probably resent suit-cases too.
I cycle quickly, hence my choice of machine. I wrote some BS about the thing here:
http://www.wigglesworld.klebos.com/stuf ... /index.asp
Perhaps I will update that now I've been doing that commute for a couple of months.
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Tony Smith
Re:experience of train bike commute?
I bought a used Brompton last year and do very little mileage on it but wouldn't get rid of it. Here in rural wales the lack of gear range and effective brakes can be a disadvantage but in a flat place like Cardiff the short wheelbase makes it very nimble and little wheels let me accelerate away from lights faster than on my tourer. It really does only take 30 seconds to fold and the front pannier (or in my case an old laptop bag strapped to the frame) is a bonus. It's the only folder I've ever owned so I can't advise how it compares with others but for a regular commute it's probably the best
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cycling-rod
Re:experience of train bike commute?
I found my Brompton T5 very handy for cycle-camping. It carried a load well, and fit inside the tent at night! On one particular tour I had to travel from Burnham on Crough to Eastbourne (due to lack of time)by train and had no trouble getting on a crowded London tubetrain with my Brompton hidden from view inside a bag, home-make from deckchair canvass.
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Sean
Re:experience of train bike commute?
As my commute will primary involves boarding a very crowded train (and possibly a tube) I need a bike that folds into a small luggage size. However my company scheme only seems to apply to Dahons!
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philw
Re:experience of train bike commute?
I'd check with your specific train operating company if you're particularly concerned, but on WAGN/ One they specify only that the bike should fold, not how large it should be. Actually there's not a lot in it, and just about any bike's smaller than tourist luggage.
My morning and evening train-commute is about 50 minutes each-way and outside of school holidays there there are always people standing all the way. At the London end of the track there is generally no free standing space on the train.
There's no problem with my airnimal in those circumstances. I can't imagine anything worse this side of the northern line at rush hour. The only feedback I've had from other train-commuters is questions about the bike: mostly people expect folders to be "shopper" bicycles so they're quite surprised when they see something which looks rideable.
My morning and evening train-commute is about 50 minutes each-way and outside of school holidays there there are always people standing all the way. At the London end of the track there is generally no free standing space on the train.
There's no problem with my airnimal in those circumstances. I can't imagine anything worse this side of the northern line at rush hour. The only feedback I've had from other train-commuters is questions about the bike: mostly people expect folders to be "shopper" bicycles so they're quite surprised when they see something which looks rideable.