Thinking of a folder

[HobbesOnTour]

I only know about Bromptons and they've been ruled out - and I the reasoning seems sound. One thing I've not seen mentioned above is the Airnimal Joey. I don't know anything at all about them but I have an acquaintance who has toured on one so the name sprang to mind. Might be worth looking at, if only to rule them out.

Thanks. I'm familiar (a little) with Airnimal but unfortunately it's a Brexit victim as importing from the UK is quite expensive in terms of exchange rate and duties. There don't seem to be any dealers outside the UK.

 

[Drago]

Now the Intercity disc models appear to have been discontinued I'd be looking in the Tern direction.

I'd suggest a cup of tea and a sit down with pen and paper, write a list of essential and desirable criteria, then go find a proper shop and look.

Happy shopping.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I'd suggest a cup of tea and a sit down with pen and paper, write a list of essential and desirable criteria, then go find a proper shop and look.

That's pretty much what I'm doing... If you swap coffee for tea and a spreadsheet for pen & paper 😃

The issue is finding a 'proper' shop. And getting them to respond to emails. I'm over 3 hours away from the closest folding specialist so I want to do as much donkey work in advance.

Thanks for the input!

 

[ianrauk]

I'm also in the market for a folder for future use. Brompton are out. Been there, done that, overrated and over priced.

Walking down the road this morning I spotted a cyclist on a Tern. Very nice looking one too. Checking out their website it was a Tern Link D8
Great spec and looks for under a grand.

 

[T4tomo]

I'm also in the market for a folder for future use. Brompton are out. Been there, done that, overrated and over priced.

Walking down the road this morning I spotted a cyclist on a Tern. Very nice looking one too. Checking out their website it was a Tern Link D8
Great spec and looks for under a grand.

Decathlon's folder is mightily similar for half the price (9 spd sora model) cheaper still if you go with cheaper gearing options

 

[ianrauk]

Decathlon's folder is mightily similar for half the price (9 spd sora model) cheaper still if you go with cheaper gearing options

As much as I do like Decathlon and their gear. Their folders look nowhere near as nice. And, as you know, looks are important. Life's too short to ride a bike you don't like.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

Great spec and looks for under a grand.

Yes, I'm aware. Email to Tern and 2 dealers here in Spain are still awaiting a response!

Decathlon's folder is mightily similar for half the price (9 spd sora model) cheaper still if you go with cheaper gearing options

A new Decathlon store opened up near me recently and they are offering a type of long term bike rental across their range. I don't know if it's in the UK yet and I didn't look up the details but it's certainly an interesting way to try before we buy.

Airnimal Joey? I don't know the first thing about them but an acquaintance of mine has toured on one. Might be worth looking at if only to rule it out.

Sorry to quote you again but I did a little more digging....
Here's an interesting vid

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx4ILFt9KWc

However, the fold is horrendous to contemplate on a daily basis. And it's not exactly small when folded. What's interesting is that this model has a 9 speed triple setup and dynamo lighting.

 

[HelenD123]

However, the fold is horrendous to contemplate on a daily basis. And it's not exactly small when folded. What's interesting is that this model has a 9 speed triple setup and dynamo lighting.

I came here to say 'Airnimal Joey' but also that I wouldn't want to be folding it every day. It's a shame it would be difficult for you to come by in Spain as it will definitely cope with the Spanish mountains .

Edit: I've also taken it on a red mountain bike route (by accident!) and it copied fine.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I came here to say 'Airnimal Joey' but also that I wouldn't want to be folding it every day. It's a shame it would be difficult for you to come by in Spain as it will definitely cope with the Spanish mountains .

Edit: I've also taken it on a red mountain bike route (by accident!) and it copied fine.

Yes, I read that journal live when it was published. Had forgotten that you were both on folders so thanks for the reminder.
I've since managed to explore a lot of the same country - although in better weather

 

[raybo]

At the risk of, yet again, invoking your ire on linking to an article on my website, I wrote a review of my Bike Friday New World Tourist. I like the bike a great deal and have now toured on it several times, including rides over the Alps (including over the Grossglockner Pass) and through the Dolomites. I have no problem recommending it.

That said, the bike easily folds down to fit into a very large suitcase, but the same can't be said for taking it on a train. When my Bike Friday is folded, it is not a neat metal package like a Brompton. It is more like an assortment of pointy metal bits and is awkward to carry around when folded. I purchased a vinyl bag sold on the the Bike Friday website to hold the folded bike when I was traveling by bus or train and found a) it was hard to get the bike into the bag (I had to take things off the bike to do this) and b) this large, hard to carry bag didn't fit anywhere but the space between train cars where all the other oversized luggage goes. On one train trip, I ended up putting the bag in one of the spaces reserved for full-sized bikes!

So, if you want a folding bike that carries weight well and can be ridden day after day for thousand mile tours, then do consider the Bike Friday New World Tourist. If you are planning lots of multi-model (car, bus, train) travel on your tours, the BF NWT will be ok but the hassle factor isn't all that much different than a full-sized bike.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

So, if you want a folding bike that carries weight well and can be ridden day after day for thousand mile tours, then do consider the Bike Friday New World Tourist. If you are planning lots of multi-model (car, bus, train) travel on your tours, the BF NWT will be ok but the hassle factor isn't all that much different than a full-sized bike.

Yes, I read your very helpful review quite a while ago and again more recently. Thanks for joining the conversation and linking to it. There's some useful info in there.
The more recent reading highlighted the 'flopping' of the front wheel and resulting imbalance when taking photos - something I'm in the habit of doing too.
I note that BF now offer a larger bag for the folded bike for easier transport. I'm guessing you have the older, smaller one? I appreciate that it's not the most convenient to fold and carry but then again, my current steed weighs in at about 22/23kg so anything must be easier than that!

As for

At the risk of, yet again, invoking your ire on linking to an article on my website,

is it not time to let it go?
My problem was not a link to your useful website. My problem was a long dormant account coming to life with a glowing review of a product, a review that was replicated across several fora and which was, unfortunately, not terribly clear that it was a freebie.

 

[raybo]

I solved the front wheel flop by using some stretchy cord attached to both sides of the front fork and anchored behind one of the screws in the top of the main tube. It fixed this problem.

I don’t know about larger or smaller bags to hold the bike. The one I bought was a third party bag offered on their on-line store.

The first time I put the bike in the bag, I realized it was not a straightforward operation (is it ever?). The second time, I did it in a hotel room and lugged the 50 pound, awkward load to the train station, stopping to rest every 200 feet. My shoulder hurt all day after!

My conclusion after that tour was to still bring the bag, but to use it only as a last resort.

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

Yes, I treat the bag as a way of getting on/off the Eurostar or similar. Otherwise I try not to carry it folded. Last time I took the NWT on a ferry as hand luggage I wheeled it up the ramp to the ferry entrance and just folded it up for the last bit up the passenger stairs.