[Closed] Your suggestions please for folding bikes.... Sub £1k

If you're going to be folding and unfolding a lot then the brompton is the best. Others may be better value, but they don't fold/ unfold as well or as quickly.

Worth looking at the Mezzo too. Jon Whyte designed, uses standard cycle bits as much as possible (unlike Brompton) and the alu frame doesn't have a fold in the middle so feels much less flexy. Not quite such a compact fold, although I do like the reassuring "clunk" as the bits lock together. Quicker to unfold than a Brompton, no twiddling wingnut things.

Brompton are decent though and probably the best resale (if that may be an issue down the line). Remember you can get accessories on C2W so include any luggage and other bits she may need as it's pretty expensive stuff.

Probably best if your wife tries as many different folders as possible. The Bromptons fold small but I prefer my Dahon. It is a bit heavier and doesn't fold as well but I think it rides better. Dahon have a much bigger range of bikes available as well. Ridgeback do a couple of folders too. I think they are basically rebadged Dahons but are sometimes a bit cheaper. The Mezzo looks like a pretty handy folder.

Check out this site. I think it is mainly aimed at men with beards and sandals but some of the info is useful:

http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/

If she's on the train, I'd say Brompton. I got one on C2W, and am well chuffed.

Stupidly expensive compared to Dahon's, but they fold up properly. Dahon rider's I see on my train commute all seem to be very reluctant to fold them. No hassle with the Brompton. Brompton also fits nicely under my desk at work.

They ride OK, felt a bit twitchy on my first ride, but now it just feels like a bike. I went for the 6 speed as I like to sit and spin, and have plans to use it for more than just commuting.

Oh, and tell her to get ready for people to ask questions about it, loads of people have stopped for a chat whilst waiting at the staion.

using on the train everyday? Brompton simples..

don't worry about 'special' brompton parts, not that many and lots of places stock stuff.. and not as many 'special' parts of people make out.

It has the best fold, stands up properly without the need to bungy it to the train.

also Brompton luggage works very well lots of choice from wicker and cloth baskets to courier bags etc

also bromptn dealers and the factory are very helpful for things that might go wrong.

had mine nearly 5 years..

2 and 3 speed are imho the best bets

very versatile bikes, did the c2c on mine - was fine

+ with a brompton you can take part on the Brompton World Champs as well! get fun day out

Get an Airnimal Joey mate. Absolute quality, far better than the more conventional small wheel bikes.

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

Brompton - fold very small, fairly light and easy to carry, ride reasonably well.

Mezzo - Awful ride, Brakes are rubbish, lots of bits to go wrong.

Dahon - Ride very well, fold is bulky and it falls over, heavy and awkward to carry.

Airnimal - You have to take the front wheel off to fold, enough said.

The reason bromptons are so popular is that they offer by far the best allround ability.

(I own a Dahon speed and have commuted via train into london for the past 3 years, ive ridden all of the bikes above.)

Get an Airnimal Joey mate. Absolute quality, far better than the more conventional small wheel bikes.

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

yes they ride real nice, shame the fold is not at good as it could be..

I fold my brompton at least 8 times a day...

Best thing about bromptons is they fold up so small so easily.
On a train they will go by your feet if not too busy.

Also no bother on the tube or taxi etc.
They ride pretty good too.

Only downside is you get laughed at occationally by yoofs.

Dahon's ride better....... although if the journey includes public transport the Brompton wins every time...

spare parts.... you can get just about every part even for the oldest bromptons....I've had the opposite experiance with Dahon and getting spares has proved difficult.

resale.... after a year it's almost certainly worth what you actually paid for it using the cycle to work scheme

Only downside is you get laughed at occationally by yoofs.

yer and you try turning up to a construction site on one....

'ere did which kid did you steal that off'

'does it come with stabilizers'

'ere look his bike is broken, it is all in bits'

😆

I can confirm what everyone else said...

Owned a Dahon, rides great and the 'speed pro' is super fast, but its useless for packed commuter trains. Just too big to fit behind a seat or in the luggage rack so it annoys everyone (including myself). Also, the oily chain sits on the outside mucking up your clothes. And the folding mechanism can wear out.

Brompton is the only choice if it needs to go on a commuting train! i'd get one with all the extras - SON hub dynamo, luggage etc..

Cheers all..
Mrs MM is all of 5ft 1 and a bit so I guess the Brompton may also be best as it won't be any bigger than her when folded!!
Seriously though the train - all but empty when she gets on in the morning as we're pretty much first stop on the line but carnage as they get towards town, carnage when she's coming home..... again, looks like Brompton rules!

no thanks to rootes1 though - well not for mentioning the option of wicker baskets..... I just know they'll end up on the list, if only because 'they're pretty' and so she can put her bliddy knitting in it..... 😉

Oh - and no worries about being laughed at by yoofs - seems she had that last night when out on her baby On-One - couple of 'em hanging out the window of a corsa with a bean tin exhaust..... 😀

<goes off to look at the brompton options list>

Ah - Ha! One outstanding British sccess linked to another...

"Once again, a serendipitous encounter turned the company's fortunes around. Julian Vereker was an entrepreneur who had successfully turned his audio equipment company, Naim Audio, into one of the most highly-regarded manufacturers in the market.

On the back of that successful (UK manufacturing) venture, Julian had gone on to buy and establish companies in other fields, including yacht manufacture. While berthing one of his yachts in the French port of Cherbourg in 1982, he was surprised to find a woman taking an interest in two rather basic folding bikes on the deck. A friend of Andrew's, she persuaded Julian to contact Brompton if he was interested in seeing a superior design; Julian did just that, bought two bikes for himself, and proceeded to alter the design of his yachts to accommodate two or four Bromptons as standard.

When he was told in 1984 that the Brompton was no longer available, Julian's disappointment was noticed by Andrew and, once other options had fallen through, he approached Julian in September 1985. Within weeks, Julian had joined the company, lending the business some serious commercial acumen." 😀

no thanks to rootes1 though - well not for mentioning the option of wicker baskets..... I just know they'll end up on the list, if only because 'they're pretty' and so she can put her bliddy knitting in it.....

haha!

Wicker is not an official basket option, Bromptons own basket is cloth (good though)..

unofficial wicker basket here:
[img] [/img]

http://www.hembrow.eu/brompton.html

also a hook on one made from boat sails
http://www.cyclechic.co.uk/shop/brompton-basket-p-121.html

Si

Just thought i'd update - thanks again all for the contributions!
We went to Harry Halls on Monday, Andy was a great help - Brompton user as well.
Long story short, MrsMM has gone for the 3 speed M Series in black, 'cos it's stock, it's 'stealth, and she wants it asap when it gets signed off on the CTW scheme... £900 all in with added extras - clothing etc - no wicker baskets, though she did get all excited by the Brompton World Champs poster in the shop window...
Thanks again.
C

Good stuff!

I shall be at the BWC 2010 defending my title!