Folder or bike at each end?

[User169]

Looks like I'm just about to sign up to a train commute since the distance is too far for me at least to cycle.

I live about 2km from the train station, will have to change trains once or twice and will have a 5km cycle at the other end.

It seems to me the options are to have a bike at each end or to use a folder for both ends.

If I go for the folder, I could get something really good (i.e. quick), but there's the obvious faff of having to fold and unfold and I'm not sure how easy they are to get on/off busy commuter trains. On the other hand, if I have cycles at each end, I'll basically need a couple of total clankers.

Any thoughts?

 

[4F]

Decent folder.

 

[RedBike]

Another vote for a folder.

As the rides at either end are relatively short you might be able to get away with a small wheeled folder like this .

(I haven't got a clue what that bikes like. It's just the first small folder I found on the net).

 

[Tynan]

how long is the whole commute?

 

[User169]

how long is the whole commute?

40-50 km each way

 

[RedBike]

40-50 km each way

25/30miles?
My commute is 25 hilly miles each way (There's two 25% hills!).
I don't ride it every day, i'm just too lazy; but it is possible.

However, if it was a choice between riding and catching two trains then I think I would probably ride most days.

,,,,,,,,,,

I've just found a bike with even smaller wheels.
http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/sinclair_abike.htm]ink[/url[
Probably completely impractical.

 

[Willow]

would it be practical to cyle there one day and catch train home and vice versa the next day? i guess prohibiting factors would be one way ticket cost and somewhere to leave bike

 

[Notsoblue]

Are you sure you couldn't take a full size bike on the train? Local trains tend to be too packed to allow for this but if your journey involves an intercity train its no problem. I commuted from Bath to London for a while and the bike went in the guards section at the front.

 

[Bug]

Ditto Notsoblue. I take my full-size bike on the Portsmouth - Waterloo train and it's no problem. The only problem is that they use suburban trains on that long-distance route so the bike space is shared with flip-up seats. If I don't get on the train home early enough it's an interesting journey... Guards are fine about it, though - don't bat an eyelid even when they have literally had to climb over my bike to get through the train!!

 

[Origamist]

It probably won't surprise you, but I'd go with a folding bike.

I'm assuming from your post that if you're worried about space on a commuter train with a folder - a diamond frame is going to be out of the question due to lack of room/provision.

If space is at a premium, the smaller the fold the better. Try various makes models and see what you feel most comfortable with. Unfurling a folder is not really much of a faff - the Bike Friday Tikit can be done in 5 or so seconds. Others take longer, but it often takes more time to get off a crowded train than it does to unfold a bike.

I guess you can extend your commute due to the 1 or 2 train options and a well set up folder can easily handle longer trips. I have done 100miles + on a 20" folder before and that only had one gear.

 

[Morrisette]

I think you will find with a journey involving 2 trains that the major faff is the first train being late all the time leading you to miss the connection - that happens quite often to people on my train!

But, bikes - I have a clunker that I leave at the station. I do own a folder (and in fact I used it on my commute today) but I found the clunker option to be less hassle. However, things I would consider:

Can you leave the clunker close to the station(s) (walking a distance to collect the bike will get annoying fast) - and what's the parking like? Is it safe-ish? What's it like at night/in the winter? Are you going to be totally stuffed if one of the clunkers 'goes missing' (I've have one nicked so far)?

 

[LOGAN 5]

I think it's complicated having 2 rubbish bikes at each end as one could and frequently does go missing with a colleague of mine and you have to maintain them remotely (pump tyres, brake adjustments etc and maybe in the dark too) plus sort out lights for each or at least get the same brackets and remember to take the lights off. You've got the walk to and from the extra locking up/unlocking extra keys etc etc. Then there's the mindless vandalism of a left bike. There are many stations particularly in London where you wouldn't see your bike for long. What happens when you go away and leave it for any length of time, again likely to go missing.

I've got a folder and it goes in just fine on commuter trains and I only half fold it most times. It's quicker and simpler to do this than faff about with 2 bikes.

 

[Sig SilverPrinter]

Never have any problem with my folder getting on trains.It fits under the bit where the seats join back to back .Unfolding takes about 10 secs probably quicker than unlocking your bike

 

[User169]

Thanks all for your helpful comments. In the long term, I think the best option (for me) will be to get a folder. In the shorter term, I'll leave my bike at the station at the home end and walk at the other end since I can get a metro to within about 1km of where I need to be.

I'll be leaving my bike here in the mornings so the challenge will be to remember where I've put it!

 

[Dayvo]

Holland is a great country!

I've visited many times, but would like to spend a few years there, sometime!

http://www.micquality.com/cycling/cycling_netherlands/report/delft.htm