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Any advice on choosing a folding bike?
I'm a regular leisure cyclist using cyclocross and hardtail bikes, but am now looking for a folding bike for regular commuting, no more than 5-6 miles a day, in town, mainly on the flat; plus occasional use on well-maintained cycle paths. Bike also needs to fold quickly and easily to fit into my estate car boot, and preferably into a medium hatchback boot too. A Brompton would be great but I think I won't use it enough to justify the cost, so have looked at Dawes, Dahon and Tern. Any suggestions on what to look out for and what to avoid?
Because I need to fit the bike into a smallish boot at times a full-size folding bike will not work, neither will just taking the front wheel off my other bikes.
Despite some of the comments from the experts I bought a Dahon in the end and am very pleased with it. Half the price of a Brompton and I feel it handles slightly better though it doesn't fold down quite as well of course.
7 Answers
- bikeworksLv 77 years agoFavorite Answer
It is good advice to forget about price when buying a commuter bike. The payback will be so fast that cost is almost inconsequential.
The best folding bike I have found for storage in a small boot is the Strida. They ride very well and there are some new features that make it even more attractive. I have recently taken a multi-speed Strida for several (for a folder) long rides and found it quite comfortable but as the miles ticked on handling became a bit of a chore. By the way, these were 20+ mile rides.
You said it about the Brompton. Many people consider them the best folding bikes made but their complex fittings tend to start making noise and you go squeaking down the road... if you have the means and truly plan on commuting 5 miles a day then this is the one for you.
I would NEVER consider a Dahon, the Dawes is a rebranded bike, and the Tern (every one of their models) is much too expensive for how it is fitted. In any case, I strongly suggest that you test ride each bike that interests you and choose the one that feels best.
- Anonymous7 years ago
Have you considered S&S couplings on a full sized bike? They might be too pricey, but the bike is apart from the take-down otherwise identical to a normal bike of similar style... because of this it might actually be more practical as a general purpose bike, rather than a purely commuting bike.
My problem (conceptual) with folders is that you take a rigid frame, and then compromise it's strength to that of a quick-release catch and hinge... Some of the better designs don't fill me with quite as much horror, but I'm still cautious.
S&S are a precision machined joint locked in place rigidly in a way which is stiffer and stronger than the uncut tubes. They can also be used on tandems, or other bikes with high strength and stiffness requirements.
- WleAtl-2Lv 77 years ago
the montagues do have a cool design
i have one , folding mt bike
do not get a 'frame coupler' type
these take like an hour to fold and unfold
they don;t really fold
they assemble and disassemble
cheap folders are heavy, wobbly, just not very good bikes
you CAN fit a road bike between the seats of a compact car by just removing the front wheel
has to be 4 door though
goes behind front seat, beween that and back seat
bromptons cost a LLLOOOOTTTTTTT
wle
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- GeezerLv 57 years ago
A GIANT Expressway 2 ( 2015 ) in wheelworld.com---its DESCRIPTION alone says the facts and the BEST---
- Anonymous5 years ago
yead 1 that wull fould on ur legae hehe
