Hi there,
I've had three full size folders since about 2006/7. And each was used daily on a journey that involved the bike being folded to put in the back of a car, unfolded and ridden to the station, folded for the train ride, unfolded to ride to work. Then the opposite on the return leg.
The first was a Rabbit.de bike. I can't find any reference to these online anymore (and I'm new so can't post pics). This was pretty good. Upgraded quite a lot on it, but I thought it looked good as it was essentially identical to the then Dahon Matrix frame. Easy to fold, no tools required and was ready to ride in less than two seconds.
I binned this however after someone knocked both me and bike flying on Marble Arch roundabout.
I then bought a 2009 Dahon Matrix - with the lockjaw system. Had terrible trouble with the wheels on this and snapped spoke after spoke after spoke. Eventually I bought a new set of wheels and they've been fine ever since - suggesting that the originals were badly built.
Unfortunately, one of the welds started to crack a bit and because Dahon no longer existed, I couldn't get anyone to honour the frame warranty.
This took a little longer to fold as it needed an allen key in two places, but still less than 15 seconds - though it did mean having to get the allen key out every time and put it back afterwards.
So while I was faffing about trying to sort that out, I bought a SH 2008 Dahon Matrix - this is the one that was identical to the first Rabbit.de. Rode that for about a year and then the seat tube cracked.
Went back to my 2009 - figured where the weld was coming apartr didn't look structural. So rode that and finally, the small crack in the weld turned into a huge crack in the frame.
I prefer the ride, looks and position of the bigger wheeled bikes, but am unsure what to get next.
The obvious replacement would be a Tern Joe, but the Bickerton Docklands looks identical in design ( and I prefer the way it looks).
In the back of my mind however, is the thought that in 4/5 years, they may also suffer from aluminium fatigue.
So I'm coming around to the idea of a Brompton (hence registering on this site looking for advice). I think it would be so much easier, better built, less likely to cause grief on the train. So I've hired one to see if I can get on with it and so far I really like it. Takes much longer to fold and unfold, but isn't that much slower (it was actually quicker on my route this morning).
Is there anywhere near you that does the scheme? I resisted the idea of them before riding one.
