Folding bikes, which one is best for doing around 16 miles a day?

Bike Forum

[closed]

Folding bikes, which one is best for doing around 16 miles a day?

23 posts & 15 voices | Started 2 years ago by richc | Latest reply from richc

Tags:

No tags yet.

richc - Member

I have landed a Job, which is around 16 miles from where I live, with a very easy way to cycle in (The Bristol to Bath cycle path). The downside my new place to work doesn't have showers at the other end, so rather than being the new stinky bloke, I am thinking of getting the train to work and cycle back.

However due to train restriction (the train is the high speed one to London, so not very bike friendly) and the PITA of storing the bike at the other end, I am thinking about a folding bike as that way I can cycle to the station, take it on the train and then cycle back without booking it in and/or fighting with the guards everyday.

So anyone used a folder for a 16 mile commute each day? and if so which one? I am guessing I want one with bigger wheels?

Posted 2 years ago #
bikewhisperer - Member

Pacific and Airnimal are both very well made, have mostly normal components and run on 24" slicks.

Posted 2 years ago #
SpokesCycles - Member

Anything above 20" tends to get cumbersome- especially 26" ones which don't end up much smaller anyway.

The Dahon Vitesse P18 is a great bike for this sort of thing.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/folding/product/vitesse-p18-09-34611

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/dahon-vitesse-p18-item131064.html

They're good because, unlike bromptons, they don't use many specialist bits so you can get replacements anywhere, you don't have to be a total freakshow to ride one and they're easier to look after. Folding isn't quite as quick, but is sub 10 seconds when you're used to it.

Posted 2 years ago #
mattjng - Member

I cycle that route every day. There definitely used to be a guy who did it regularly on a Montague, who always seemed to be going at a reasonable speed.
I have no idea how foldable it was, or even how easy he found it. I no longer see him anymore, so I am not sure if that is a bad sign!

Posted 2 years ago #
StirlingCrispin - Member

I think I'd be looking at something like a Dahon SpeedPro.

(says a man who loves his Brompton but is happy to admit it isn't ideal for that sort of mileage!)

Posted 2 years ago #
slugwash - Member

I've got an Airnimal Joey which is a nippy & versatile, long ride friendly folder. However, if I had to take it on a train everyday at busy times then for a stress free journey I'd go for something that folded down easier, quicker, more compact and in one piece, probably with 20" wheels or less. The Bristol -Bath cycleway is fairly flattish isn't it. You should be able to find a suitably compact mid-price folder that meets all the criteria and is up to the mileage.

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

The Dahon looks good comprise, I will track one down to have a look at one. My new workplace runs the cyclescheme, so that helps.

Posted 2 years ago #
natcot - Member

I'd second the SpeedPro recommendation. I used a 2008 model for 18 months for daily commute of 30 miles. It was a fantastic bike (still miss it!), fast and very lively due to the small wheels. I only sold it because I found part of my commute could be done off road.

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

Any reason why you chose the Speedpro over the Vitesse? is the riding position better?

Posted 2 years ago #
rootes1 - Member

i have a happily done that sort of mileage on my brompton each day, but there are folders that ride better...

Airnimal Joey is nice, though PITA as you have to disconnect the stem and take front wheel out + odd tyre size.

Pacific (they make airnimal) Reach is nice - rides well

don't be put off by brompton parts - easy to get in bath and london

another one to look at is a Swift Folder.

there is a shop in bath area that has loads of folders... can't remember the name

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

The little wheels on the Brompton put me off, the 20" wheels seem a much better idea

Posted 2 years ago #
rootes1 - Member

edit..

Avon Valley Cyclery
Rear of Bath Spa Railway Station

http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/

they stock nearly all folders you can buy!

Posted 2 years ago #
rootes1 - Member

the little wheels on the brompton means it folds up and you have fit in luggage racks, under desks.. but yes you do get a harder ride and you have to watch for pot holes, not that their are any in london or anything

also the flat bar bromptons feel better to ride.

best bet to go to Avon valley and take a look as they stock all makes of folder - if you are not on the train everyday then more complex/less convenient folds are not such an issue.

Posted 2 years ago #
SpokesCycles - Member

I recommended the Vitesse purely because it's on offer. The Speed is our best seller.

Posted 2 years ago #
chiefgrooveguru - Member

16 miles on a Brompton is fine but I don't know if less foldable foldies would be easier for that mileage. It's a very quick little bike but you have to have your wits about you when riding it! What's the surface like on that cycle path? Bromptons hate going off tarmac, the small high pressure tyres sink into softer surfaces and really slow you down.

Posted 2 years ago #
rootes1 - Member

What's the surface like on that cycle path? Bromptons hate going off tarmac, the small high pressure tyres sink into softer surfaces and really slow you down

i find mine fine off tarmac on bike paths etc - about as good as any other bike with high pressure tyres road based tyres

though with my bikes i have wheels are the oppo extremes.. 29er mtb and 700c road bike plus the brompton (that fold up to less than the dia of the a 29er wheel.. big wheel def roll better over bumps.

Posted 2 years ago #
tron - Member

A very light one. I have a cheap folder, and it's fine for putting into a car boot or whatever, but an absolute pain in the neck when putting it into its bag or lugging it around a station.

Posted 2 years ago #
PhilO - Member

+1 to visiting Avon Valley Cyclery.

It's certainly possible on a Brompton, and the fold is unbeatable, but I'd tend to agree with those who say it's not the ideal compromise for that type of use.

What's the budget? If money was no object, I'd be out buying a R&M Birdy like a shot. Not cheap, though.

I had an unfortunate experience with the hinge of a Dahon a few years ago, so woould tend to avoid them myself, but that's personal prejudice!

Posted 2 years ago #
avdave2 - Member

Mezzo might be worth looking at. It folds small enough for the train but the main frame is in one piece so it doesn't ride like a bike with a hinge in the middle. I've ridden one a couple of times and was impressed. A friend who is no lightweight also tried it and found it handled far better than his Dahon.

Posted 2 years ago #
buzz-lightyear - Member

I recently go this very cheap 16" Pyramid from Lime Marketing. Design seems OK but next week will be the real test when I take it to Germany for commuting.

Posted 2 years ago #
blue_mountain_goat - Member

My Mezzo regularly falls to bits and no-longer folds without the chain falling off! It was an original one however so the new design may be better. I would not want to ride 16+ miles daily on 16" wheels. What's the train like? On my, into London rush hour train, there is a bike area so I never need to fold the thing. if you have this too I would get something with bigger wheels.

Posted 2 years ago #
I_Ache - Member

Get a bike bag and a road bike.

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

That would be a total ball ache, especially on the high speed commuter train, so a folder seems the way forward.

I will look in Avon valley Cycles on Monday, and see what they have to offer.

Posted 2 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Topic Closed

This topic has been closed to new replies.

Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine

Bike Forum

Folding bikes, which one is best for doing around 16 miles a day?

Topic Closed

Don't miss…

Singletrack

Website & Forums

Exits