Talkin’ about folding bikes… your opinion is sought
Human Powered Cycles senior mechanic Lewis rides a number of small wheel folding bikes. He rides his Brompton folding bike to the shop, fold it up and leave it on the staff shelf… the rest of us park in a range of kinda in the way places out the front or in the showroom. We’ve sold a number of Brompton and Dahon folding bikes and will continue doing so. At present this is by special order however, give us your feedback below and let’s start a more comprehensive discussion on these extremely practical designs of bikes.
Lewis: “I recently chatted with Val on 3CR about bikes that fold and bikes with small wheels. We didn’t get onto a what to buy list & I’m not really going to do that now except by asking everyone reading this to comment on their wants of a folding bike.
- Brompton, Birdy, Bike Friday, Dahon, Mezzo – which do you choose?
- What do you want to carry?
- How far will you ride?
- Do you just want to get on a peak-hour tram or must the bike fit in the boot of a small car?
- Are you a boatie?
- An inadvertant bike hitch-hiker?
- A lover of all things techie?
- A small-wheel nut?
- A lover of good design?
- An apartment dweller?
- An international traveller?
- A pilot?
I think folding bikes are great for all these people.”
What do you think? Leave your comments here…
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I bought a Dahon Vitesse D7 for my partner and a Dahon Mu sl for myself, sadly not from yourselves, so that we can take our bikes away with us. I didn’t want to have to worry about racks on the car. I commmute from Thornbury every day on either my road bike or the Dahon into the CBD. I have to say I am amazed at how quick the folders are. Unfortunately I broke a spoke in the rear wheel a couple of weeks ago, but was able to fold it up get on a tram and take it back for repair without causing further damage to the wheel. For anyone short of space at home or at work these bikes are a great solution and great fun to ride. Now that I know that you can service them I will bring mine in after my free services finish.
Talkin’ about small wheels?
Paul.
I’ve got a BF tikit.
I bought it get some more riding into my daily routine (and I kind of fell in love with how it looked & how it rode & how it folded)
I live too far from work to commit ride all the way into the CBD regularily so I ride part of the way & train a bit & then ride some more. Fellow peak hour train passengers don’t seem to mind you having a little folding bike ’cause it doesn’t stick out awkwardly into the aisle.
If I get a lift home it can fit in the car boot easily (and quickly) & can be snuck into restaurant if I put the cover on & provided the tables aren’t too close together. Unlike big wheels. The added benefit is you don’t need to worry about locking it outside and someone nicking it.
On “driving to work” days I can also park somewhere cheaper and ride the rest of the way in to work (a lovely way of getting in some more cycling). You can pack/unpack it from the car boot in about 15 seconds – takes more time to put your helmet/ankle bands on.
I just bought a Montague folding bike! It’s a Montague Navigator, with full-size wheels, and I’ve been folding it up to store in my closet. My wife loves that it folds because my other bikes are strewn in the hallway of our apartment. I’m excited to commute with it and actually be able to get on the train if the weather’s miserable.
Hey Sonya,
I’d be really keen to see your BF Tikit next time you’re passing the shop, do pop in!
Lewis
I’m located in the northern part of Tassie and the bike stores here are only interested in road (racing), mountain and kid’s bikes. I’ve been into a couple of places inquiring about folding bikes and although they take details no-one follows up … I guess it is straying too far from the norm. I’m middle-aged and looking to change my commute from car to bike in order to cut down on costs and get fit.
What would I like in my dream folder?
* Quick fold but no too worried about public transport. Being able to store it easily in the car boot or next to my desk at work is fine.
* 20″ wheels – 16″ are just a little too small for me.
* Suspension or Big Apple tires to cut down on the bumps.
* An upright sitting position – damn that motorbike accident when young and stupid.
* Not too heavy.
* Hub gears are cool but I’m not that fit and have to traverse some hills. A Rohloff would be great but ouch … sticker shock. I really like the idea of a Shimano & Schlumfp combination. 80% of the gear range at around 60% of the cost.
* Fenders, racks, dynamo lights.
And if I was totally dreaming then lets throw in a Gates belt drive as well.
I am planning to ride from London to Bath (in a week) next year with my daughter. I am wondering if I should hire or buy folding bikes to take with us and use them for the rest of the trip in Sweden etc. We will be touring but only carrying clothes. I would use these bikes for later holidays off and on
I am leaning to the foldings bike option but the sticker price is a bit of concern. I am wondering if there is a cheaper range?
I don’t know too much about the types, I guess I am looking for the following
* 20″ wheels
* Not too heavy
* Gears
* Racks
* Suitable for a six foot man and a smaller version for my daughter
Hi Gavin,
If you don’t want to spend up big on your first folding bike (or bikes) then I’d say Dahon is a reliable and well priced option.
Give us a call if you’d like to talk further about your options.
Lewis
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