As the title says really, just curious. I've never even been near one but a possible change in circumstances in the medium future means I might have to consider one.
Thanks in advance.
I've rode a few, they're fun (though this was just around a great big carpark, not on the roads in traffic)
Bromptons - Twitchy, flexy, but fast and comfy
Mezzo - Almost feels like a proper bike. Very fast and a lot of fun!
Dahons - So many options. The Mu Uno is a creakfest. Avoid.
Basically, to save all the rest of the argument here;
If you want a [b]folding[/b] bike, get a Brompton.
If you want a folding [b]bike[/b], get an Airnimal.
Bought a Brompton 6 months ago.
Frame = flexy. Soon get used to it though.
Brakes = shit.
Tiny wheels accelerate really quickly but don't hold speed very well. You can go teararsing into a corner and by half way round discover you've runm out of zip and need to start pedaling again.
Very nimble/very twitchy (delete as appropriate). Great fun in heavy traffic IMO.
Absolute hoot downhill, absolute dog uphill (no momentum off the wheels so you have to pedal every damn inch of the way). Position isn't great for climbing either.
Had a shot of a moulton once. Shocked by how fast and nice it was. Got to agree with the CFH summary though
I used to have a Dahon Jetstream P8, well made, good ride, full suss, nippy city bike, brakes not great but to be honest my other bike as formula r1s.
borrowed my dads dahon a few times and it's an alright commuter. very sit up and beg and a world away from the pompino i normally use.
folding bits are easy enough to use when you need to as well.
Awesome for wheelies and the easiest bike to bar spin Ive ever ridden!
I have a Dahon Vitesse with the afline 7speed hub. It has a rack, a handlebar bag, a bag to put it in, it's black, it folds in half with the handlebars down, has an integrated pump.
I bought it for simplicity on the train, I wanted something that rides more like a bike than a Brompton, yet it needed to be inconspicuous too, it's all of these and more, it's really quite brilliant.
I fold it and walk into shops without anyone batting an eyelid, no one has ever complained about taking in Museums either, and lots of people want to know more about it.
It wasn't that expensive, it needs hardly any maintenance, it carries stuff well and it's solid, no flex, simple gears, easy peddling.
Love it.
Don't like the Bromptons. Use a Trek and a Dahon Mu SL. In both cases, XTR brakes, decent tyres and better bar/saddle make a massive difference. The Dahon creaks a bit every three months, at which time you lube all the parts and hey presto! the creak disappears.