KneesUp
Guru
I'm looking on eBay and the usual place for a folder for the first time because I'm going to have to start train commuting in a few months - but only 2 days a week initially. The station is 3 miles from my house, and the end station is about 2 miles from where I'll be working.
I notice that 24" folders seem to go for less than 20" ones (I can't stretch to a Brompton) but obviously the trade off is a bigger folded size (but probably a better ride?) I think the train service I will be using initially will be fine - it's a regional service going from a city to a smaller town, and I'll be not at full 'peak' - there is a chance I won't even have to fold it some days. However, I suppose that at some point, if I have a folder, I'll be going on busier trains, and hopefully getting away for weekends on public transport as the kid gets older and I guess then a bigger fold might be a problem?
However, only Eurostar and National Express seem to give an actual size limit for folding bikes - and the 24" (and most 20") bikes are too big. Everyone else just seems to say it has to fold and (sometimes) also that it has to be in a bag. So, I suppose my question is, will a 24" folder cause me issues on public transport outside of London? For reference, the folded size of one of the ones on eBay is 42x89x76cm which is significantly bigger than a Brompton at 59x57x27 but not huge compared to a typical tern 20" at 40x80x73. I'm very unlikely to be working in London again, so I would guess that if I do take it to the smoke, it will be off peak - would that size be ok on the tube etc off peak?
Thanks.
I notice that 24" folders seem to go for less than 20" ones (I can't stretch to a Brompton) but obviously the trade off is a bigger folded size (but probably a better ride?) I think the train service I will be using initially will be fine - it's a regional service going from a city to a smaller town, and I'll be not at full 'peak' - there is a chance I won't even have to fold it some days. However, I suppose that at some point, if I have a folder, I'll be going on busier trains, and hopefully getting away for weekends on public transport as the kid gets older and I guess then a bigger fold might be a problem?
However, only Eurostar and National Express seem to give an actual size limit for folding bikes - and the 24" (and most 20") bikes are too big. Everyone else just seems to say it has to fold and (sometimes) also that it has to be in a bag. So, I suppose my question is, will a 24" folder cause me issues on public transport outside of London? For reference, the folded size of one of the ones on eBay is 42x89x76cm which is significantly bigger than a Brompton at 59x57x27 but not huge compared to a typical tern 20" at 40x80x73. I'm very unlikely to be working in London again, so I would guess that if I do take it to the smoke, it will be off peak - would that size be ok on the tube etc off peak?
Thanks.