Comments on: Talkin’ about folding bikes… your opinion is sought

By: lewis

lewis — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:21:23 +0000

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

By: Gavin Anderson

Gavin Anderson — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:26:19 +0000

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

By: Ian

Ian — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:12:30 +0000

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.

By: Lewis

Lewis — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:31:15 +0000

Hey Sonya,

I’d be really keen to see your BF Tikit next time you’re passing the shop, do pop in!

Lewis

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:27:42 +0000

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.

By: sonya

sonya — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:54:38 +0000

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.

By: Paul Bray

Paul Bray — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:38:48 +0000

Talkin' about small wheels? Paul.

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:18:01 +0000

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.