Folding bike for 7 mile flat journey - Adive Needed

[JT1988]

All,

I require a folding bike for a 7 mile journey along flat roads. I was wondering what advice people could give me as to what bike to get? Is a Brompton good for that sort of distance as I would probably sell it in a years time (after the cycle to work scheme is up) and they hold their value really well.

Thanks in advance.

 

[John the Monkey]

If resale value is a big consideration, you'll struggle to beat the Brompton, I think.

 

[LOGAN 5]

Brompton should be fine for a flat 7 miles. But if you ever want to do a hilly ride then they're not good climbers. Reliability is a real problem too. I've posted on here before about my endless warranty claims, repairs and replacement parts. I was wearing my Brompton out within two years. Got a Dahon Jack now which is great.

Bromptons fine for flat short rides where the fold is important eg for trains, busses, storage.

Larger folders like the Dahon Jack or Cadenza ride much better just like a normal sized bike. They're faster too. However, folded they're quite large and difficult to carry if needed.

 

[wafflycat]

Brompton will be fine. It has excellent resale value. There's a woman not far from me regularly uses her Brommie for cycle rides of up to 50 miles.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

My husband & I are almost 3 months into daily cycle of 5 miles each way, fairly flat, on fairly good quality roads, and our Bromptons work well. I also love the fact that it comes with me wherever I go, it lives under my desk at work and I now make a point of not carrying a lock so I can't (won't) leave it outside... (best way to stop it being stolen!).

If your trip is all on fairly well surfaced road, it'd be fine. The ride is a lot harder if the surface is rough, and I wouldn't take it on untarred paths either.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

bromptons don't climb well? sorry but that's not as clear cut as it seems. i've done a 50 mile ride on mine around hilly rossendale and hebden bridge. granted it doesn't climb like a fast road bike but climbs as well as a tourer. i'm 16 stone and don't have the reduced gearing so i have to stand to get up hills. i've not had any issues yet apart from a dodgy tyre which is being replaced under warranty, but to be fair that could happen on any new bike.

however i've not had mine long and only done 255 miles on it so i can't comment on longevity except to say there is a lot of people out there doing huge mileages on brommies and still love em.

 

[trsleigh]

Reliability is a real problem too.

Not in my experience, got my M6R+ Jan 2006 and have simply used it nearly every day since.
Only problem was one broken spoke after 2 years.
So impressed that I collected my new P6R+ yesterday.

 

[Crankarm]

Brompton should be fine for a flat 7 miles. But if you ever want to do a hilly ride then they're not good climbers. Reliability is a real problem too. I've posted on here before about my endless warranty claims, repairs and replacement parts. I was wearing my Brompton out within two years. Got a Dahon Jack now which is great.

Bromptons fine for flat short rides where the fold is important eg for trains, busses, storage.

Larger folders like the Dahon Jack or Cadenza ride much better just like a normal sized bike. They're faster too. However, folded they're quite large and difficult to carry if needed.

What a load of rubbish. Do you or have you ever actually owned a Brompton?

I have toured the Basque in SW France, climbed the cols of Pyrenees - Marie Blanc, Aubisque, Soulor and Tourmalet riding up to 80 miles a day on my L6 no problem. They are fine on gravel/stone tracks providing the surface is reasonably firm and hard.

As a folding bike no other comes close. As for reliability they are excellent. You must have a very punishing riding style to have so many problems with yours or have bought a lemon. I've had mine nearly 6 years without a single problem not even a need to adjust the hub gears. No punctures either with the Kevlar tyres. The only thing I did was remove all the cables and grease them as they appear to be assembled dry. The brakes are now spot on with lots of bite. I ride mine pretty much every day.

I tried lots of the opposition before I before bought the Brompton and none came close IMHO especially in the compactness, ease of assembly and folding, and storage departments.

Go for a Brompton but obviously take one for a decent test ride first. Fit SPDs and small bar ends. Don't go for a rack or Brompton lights version as this adds weight. Instead use the front touring pannier mounted on a block.

 

[CharlieB]

If resale value is a big consideration, you'll struggle to beat the Brompton, I think.

I'd say they're priceless. Just try to buy one.
Some of us are into our 5th month of waiting for one.
Nice product - just be warned that unless you can find a dealer with stock of the particular combination of gears/bars/colour you want you might just get one in time for an improvement in the weather next Easter.

From one bitter and twisted customer (who by the way has paid for his bike) who has had bulls5h1t from both dealer and manufacturer in equal and ample measure for the last two days.
I've now lost the energy and will to fight any more, and unless something radical happens by close of business today will be seeking a refund next week.

 

[trsleigh]

Don't go for a rack or Brompton lights version as this adds weight. Instead use the front touring pannier mounted on a block.

Whilst I agree the front block / pannier system is brilliant, I would always go for a rack & SON lights version.
The rack can be very handy for carrying something unexpected, unless you always take a front pannier. With dynamo lights you can forget about faffing with batteries and extra fittings etc.

 

[LOGAN 5]

What a load of rubbish. Do you or have you ever actually owned a Brompton?

I have toured the Basque in SW France, climbed the cols of Pyrenees - Marie Blanc, Aubisque, Soulor and Tourmalet riding up to 80 miles a day on my L6 no problem. They are fine on gravel/stone tracks providing the surface is reasonably firm and hard.

As a folding bike no other comes close. As for reliability they are excellent. You must have a very punishing riding style to have so many problems with yours or have bought a lemon. I've had mine nearly 6 years without a single problem not even a need to adjust the hub gears. No punctures either with the Kevlar tyres. The only thing I did was remove all the cables and grease them as they appear to be assembled dry. The brakes are now spot on with lots of bite. I ride mine pretty much every day.

I tried lots of the opposition before I before bought the Brompton and none came close IMHO especially in the compactness, ease of assembly and folding, and storage departments.

Go for a Brompton but obviously take one for a decent test ride first. Fit SPDs and small bar ends. Don't go for a rack or Brompton lights version as this adds weight. Instead use the front touring pannier mounted on a block.

Is yours the only opinion then? I'm not talking rubbish just stating my experience.

And yes I've owned three Bromptons. Stupid of you to even ask given I said I'd worn mine out.

Punishing riding style? A 25 mile round commute with a variety of hills plus some weekend hilly rides. I'm not going off road with it! Silly remark.

Within two years I had:
Replacement hinge (this happened twice on different Bromptons)
Replacement bushels (spelling?) in both wheels.
New wheel rims as mine had worn out.
So many sets of cables I lost count.
Broken rear mech
Worn out front changer
One of the bikes started creaking all over.
Replacement shim where the seat post fits. Again this happened twice on different bikes.
Rear brake continuously working lose - last bike I had dual pivot fitted which stopped that problem.

I spent £200 on repairs in two years which I've certainly not had to do on any other bike doing the same commute.

The opening post was asking for opinions. I gave mine and you have to "rubbish" it. Just state what you have to without getting aggressive with other posters. If I was considering buying a bike I'd like to read what others thought of it. Just listening to one person whether a good review or bad doesn't give a balanced view.

Go away and shut up.

 

[4F]

What a load of rubbish. Do you or have you ever actually owned a Brompton?

If you had read the post by Logan then I think you will see that they have and stated that in their post. Someone rattled your cage today ?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

actually, i agree with crankarm. your comments sounded like facts, not opinions. plus telling someone to go away and shut up, imo is not very nice. he has vast experience of bromptons (judging by his posts) and his opinions and posts helped me decide to test ride a brompton and buy one. £200 in 2 years is such a small amount of money, my mtb front ring is £110 alone. if i only have to spend £200 in 2 years as commuting costs, i will be very very happy.

 

[Crankarm]

Is yours the only opinion then? I'm not talking rubbish just stating my experience.

And yes I've owned three Bromptons. Stupid of you to even ask given I said I'd worn mine out.

Punishing riding style? A 25 mile round commute with a variety of hills plus some weekend hilly rides. I'm not going off road with it! Silly remark.

Within two years I had:
Replacement hinge (this happened twice on different Bromptons)
Replacement bushels (spelling?) in both wheels.
New wheel rims as mine had worn out.
So many sets of cables I lost count.
Broken rear mech
Worn out front changer
One of the bikes started creaking all over.
Replacement shim where the seat post fits. Again this happened twice on different bikes.
Rear brake continuously working lose - last bike I had dual pivot fitted which stopped that problem.

I spent £200 on repairs in two years which I've certainly not had to do on any other bike doing the same commute.

The opening post was asking for opinions. I gave mine and you have to "rubbish" it. Just state what you have to without getting aggressive with other posters. If I was considering buying a bike I'd like to read what others thought of it. Just listening to one person whether a good review or bad doesn't give a balanced view.

Go away and shut up.

Logan I stand corrected you obviously have owned a Brompton. My comment was more tongue in cheek rhetorical given the long list of complaints you recount that you have had with your Bromptons. Given you say you have owned three I would suggest you rather like them or alternatively are just one of life's whingers or a masochist. I think Bromptons are simply brilliantly ingenious.

 

[trsleigh]

I must say I do wonder what Logan does on his Brommies. My repair spend in three & half years has been approx £5