Cheap Folder - is this worth a punt?

[punkypossum]

Sod it, I'm feeling adventurous, so I have just ordered one of those ebay ones - didn't really want 16" wheels or a restoration project, although the old raleighs are pretty cool, so the ebay cheapo it is!

It might turn out to be a nightmare bike, but hey - I'll keep you updated! Quite excited about it now, I have to admit!

 

[Crankarm]

A 1.5 mile ride?? Can't you walk instead? Surely this would be the most cost effective option.

 

[Banjo]

I bought a Compass Marine single speed folder about 4 or 5 years ago for £69.99 .Dont use it everyday but it does get a fair bit of use on holiday etc.

Its as heavy as a full size bike but rides really welll. Longest ride so far was 22 miles no problem at all.It would be nice to have gears but it is surprisingly good on hills that arent too steep.

I dont hammer it as I dont think it would survive to much abuse.It came with a luggage rack sidestand and bell.

 

[punkypossum]

A 1.5 mile ride?? Can't you walk instead? Surely this would be the most cost effective option.

Yes, I could walk, but although it is a main road it is in a non-residential area of town, so it's pretty dead at night apart from a few chavs hanging round occasionally, so being female I don't actually fancy walking it on my own in the dark (we are talking mainly late evening/night trips here...) Feel safer on a bike - I know that might be an illusion, but somehow I'd feel far more vulnerable walking it...

 

[Crankarm]

Yes, I could walk, but although it is a main road it is in a non-residential area of town, so it's pretty dead at night apart from a few chavs hanging round occasionally, so being female I don't actually fancy walking it on my own in the dark (we are talking mainly late evening/night trips here...) Feel safer on a bike - I know that might be an illusion, but somehow I'd feel far more vulnerable walking it...

A bike would indeed be preferable then.

 

[summerdays]

Feel safer on a bike - I know that might be an illusion, but somehow I'd feel far more vulnerable walking it...

I agree with you - at night in an area without lots of houses around I feel safer on a bike too.

 

[punkypossum]

Well, a large and very heavy box has just arrived - hopefully get some time tomorrow to unpack and assemble it in peace!

 

[robrinay]

I got hold of a Dawes folding shopper a few years ago with the intention of ‘doing a Sheldon Brown’ on it - he explained how to do a fantastic refurb on his website. Sadly I never got round to it and sold it for a slight profit.