I'm interested in possibly purchasing a folding bike that I can take on the train and ride across town to go to work- for health and convenience reasons mainly- and to cut down on driving. I'm turning into a fat fuck.

I'm checking out Dahon and Brompton offerings. Any PRF'ers have any insights?

I really like the Bromptons but they aren't cheap and parts have to be imported from England. Surprisingly, from what I saw, the fold was the most compact.

Dahon:



Brompton:

I know several people who have the Bromptons, but I have been told, by other people, that folding bikes tend to not last as long as regular bikes (which makes sense, really.)

I like the idea of a folding bike, but I've never actually folded/unfolded one so I have no idea if the action of folding it is smooth.

When I was much younger and my family took lots of summertime vacations on our boat, we travelled with a couple of Dahon collapsable bikes. They're neat, but when folded are somewhat cumbersome and heavy. Then again, this was 15 years ago, I'm sure they've come a long way since then. They rode nicely, from what I recall. I don't think I'd want to put a ton of miles on one, but they probably wouldn't be bad for a short commute. I believe both of ours were three speeds.

I have only ever ridden on one of these things.

If you want something that folds and looks a bit like a bike this could be for you.

If you want a bike to ride on any regular basis I would not advise buying one of these torturous contraptions.

madmanmunt wrote:I have only ever ridden on one of these things.

did you ride one for any significant amount of time? what kind?

madmanmunt wrote:If you want something that folds and looks a bit like a bike this could be for you.

If you want a bike to ride on any regular basis I would not advise buying one of these torturous contraptions.

how are they torturous? you know there are low end and high end variants of these bikes.

I already have a road bike actually. Problem is 60% of my commute is on a train. They allow folding bikes on the train.

I can't take a full size bike. If I wanted a full sized bike, I'd post in another thread about full sized bikes. That's why I seek enlightenment here on the PRF, and clearly, I have been disappointed.

mr.arrison wrote:did you ride one for any significant amount of time? what kind?

I borrowed one for about two weeks when my regular bike was stolen. Too and from work. About a 15 minute ride each way. Can't remember the kind.

mr.arrison wrote:how are they torturous?

It tortured my ass.

mr.arrison wrote:
You know there are low end and high end variants of these bikes.

Maybe mine was low end version, but even with better build and components you will still have the tiny wheels and similar geometry. Which is what gives the hellish ride and super shitty handling.

mr.arrison wrote:I already have a road bike actually. Problem is 60% of my commute is on a train. They allow folding bikes on the train.

I can't take a full size bike. If I wanted a full sized bike, I'd post in another thread about full sized bikes. That's why I seek enlightenment here on the PRF, and clearly, I have been disappointed.

Can you not lock up your bike somewhere near the station? How long is the ride? Any hills, potholes or high traffic?

My pal Zoe is a folding bike fetishist. She has one of these Birdy bikes. It was light enough for her to take on a plane to Norway last year. I believe they are even more expensive than the Bromptons:

http://www.birdybike.com/Models/models.html

These don't fold but separate and are top quality bikes:




http://www.alexmoulton.co.uk/

Is there a law that forbids taking a normal bike on a train in your location? Dig it up, folding and unfolding would be much bigger of a hassle than simply chaining (don't ever save money on a bike lock) or leaving in a place you see from your place.

Even without it, I wouldn't recommend a foldable bike to anyone, particularly someone with overweight (like me). Bike frame is supposed to be in one piece, tensions it has to resist are quite high.

Plus, the wheels! What is the deal with them? Steering lock must be really low on that, but that's about it from the good parts. And the frame! It looks like you will flip forward on any kind of downhill ride and fall aside on when you lean to the side even a slightest bit when turning (which sometimes is a must), which makes the nicely low steering lock irrelevant. What is this kind of bike for, riding in small circles at low speed? CRAP.

Bike-to-train commute solution: Two bikes, one locked at each end of your train ride.

The folding bikes are functional, but with my commuting money, I would buy two beaters.