Folding bike recommendations (for a 'husky' gent)

[alvintc]

Ladies & Gents,

My commute has changed in that I now have to get an overground train into London. I have relatively short walks at each end (1.1 & 1.5 miles).


I’m considering getting a folder (have to for the line I use) to speed up my day (currently it’s about 40 minutes a day walking). I’d also (when the weather gets better!) like to start getting off the train earlier & cycling home.

All this to get to the question… What folding bike would people recommend? I’ll be doing 3 miles a day in the city and building up to about 5 miles each way in the country (West Sussex).

Finally we have the weight side, I’m 110kg - I have no problems cycling (completed the London to Paris previously) but I’m concerned of my weight on a folder!

Budget really tops out at around £800…

 

[HorTs]

A Brompton can carry 110kgs so you're right on the limit.

 

[HorTs]

Airnimal Joey: 109kgs/240lbs
Bike Friday: 100kgs/220lbs, or 118kgs/260lbs for the heavy rider option
Birdy: 111kgs/245lbs (incl. luggage)
Brompton: 110kgs/242lbs (plus extra 20kgs/44lbs of luggage)
Dahon Mu Uno: 105kgs/230lbs
Mezzo: 110kgs/242lbs (incl. luggage)
Montague Swissbike: 105kgs/230lbs
Pacific Cycles Reach: 110kgs/242lbs (incl. luggage)

From http://bromptonbruiser.bigcam.co.uk/2012/05/31/heavy-rider/

 

[Pale Rider]

A Brompton can carry 110kgs so you're right on the limit.

Don't tell my Brompton.

 

[alvintc]

Silly question... are they all suitable for out of town riding?

 

[HLaB]

Silly question... are they all suitable for out of town riding?

A Bloke sometimes comes to our club on a folder and it seems to go well, he has drops on it and I've seen other folks with butterfly bars; I think they'd make it more comfortable out of town.

 

[Davidsw8]

I'd (obviously) say a Brompton, especially if you're going to use it often. I've tried other folding bikes and they're good for infrequent use and if storage is an issue, but they're generally a lot more cumbersome than a Brompton. Lugging them up 3 flights of stairs ain't fun!

 

[fimm]

I've seen a blog of someone who did JoGLE on a Brompton, and I think someone did LEL on one. I have a Brompton but use one of my other bikes for longer distances myself. Can't comment on weight bearing properties, I'm afraid.

 

[jay clock]

I have a Dahon Speed P8 a few years old. Happily did a 40 mile country spin once. In terms of weight I seem to recall they have 100kg limit generally on Dahons

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I currently have a Brompton in use & a decomissioned Birdy in the shed. The Birdy is a nicer ride and a compact enough if not as small fold, but for the multi modal travel the OP describes, I would pick the Brompton. As for distance, I happily did 60-100 tough milers on the Birdy, the most I've done on the Brom is 20 so far but even with the 3 speed (which is your limit for ~£800) in the Pennines recently I could have happily gone further.

 

[morrisman]

I have a Tern Link D8 and a few pounds on you and have no problems. Longest ride so far 27 miles with no problems.

 

[T4tomo]

Brompton has by far the neatest fold for use on a crowded train. its the best all round folder

 

[jay clock]

Brompton has by far the neatest fold for use on a crowded train. its the best all round folder

agreed. If absoultey the smallest folding package is not needed the Dahons are a good option. WOuld have a Brompton if I could justify it though

 

[alvintc]

Many thanks for the input everyone! Anyone care to recommend a brompton model/ place to buy?

It looks like Evans (london bridge) is the easiest for me... but I'm really not sure on models/ accessories..

 

[jefmcg]

You might want to have a play with http://bikebuilder.brompton.com/ to get the options. But it's best to pick something they have in stock, as the wait can be long.

If you want infinite choice, maybe head a little north .... http://bromptonjunction.com/

Edit: there's a separate forum here for folding bikes http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/folding-bikes.51/