To my great surprise my mother in law has asked me to look for a folding bike she can take to the park.
Years ago she had cancer and still has week hands and not much lifting strength.
I don’t know if this is going to be a flash in the pan so I’m thinking a budget of about £200. She has no idea of costs but says she douse not want to spend much.
What would you recommend.
Her car is a Toyota avago, so not much boot.
The locking leavers need to be easy to do, and light enough to lift in and out.
Moon on a stick?
I genuinely wouldn't bother, for £200 it's going to be heavy, fold badly and awkward to use.
As above, it'll be a £200 deathtrap
Decathlon do em for around that - never been near one, but their kit is generally cheap and decent.
I have just picked up an immaculate Tern folder 2nd hand for a short park and ride commute. It was a just over £200. I ideally wanted a Brompton but that was way out of my budget. In the world of folders light is very expensive, The Tern is is easy to fold, I have had it in the back of my daughters C1 without any issues. It might just be the weight that will be a problem. When I spoke to my LBS who deal in some high end folders the Tern was the one that they recommended I should look for as a solid reliable folder.
As other/s say, the weight is the issue @ that budget. I’ve had a few folders. The lightest of which was a Dahon Mu P8 @ 12kg so still not light.
I bought one lightly used and it was still around £300 going back nine years.
There is a Dahon Mu Uno (singlespeed) which is lighter still.
Here are some weights:
https://discerningcyclist.com/best-lightweight-folding-bikes/
I notice they mention the Fabric folding bike. That’s listed online at €279
Single speed or geared version. Single speed listed as 10.9kg
Not familiar with it, neither the Brexit tax, but maybe worth a look?
https://fabricbike.com/en/bicycles/folding-bike.html
re used Tern, I’ve thought about it but there have been issues with recalls in the past which put me on guard: https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/1061112-expanded-tern-recall.html
Not a follow-up to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon then?
OP, I’ve also had a Downtube folder which come well recommended and it was well made IME. There’s a model 8H on ebay at the minute.
Thanks for the reply all.
I think I have to switch off my best bike possible head and turn on the in reality it’s going to be a flash in the pan so find something clean and well maintained.
But some good directions to investigate.