Help Needed from Folding Bike Users

[robert b 2]

I'm off to Edinburgh bikes tomorrow to set up my bike to work package. And I've decided to get a folder for the following reason.

I was cycling 7.5 miles each way into Leeds from Bradford on a mountain bike, and whilst it was fine on the way in, on the way home it was just an absolute killer with all the huge hills. I also caused some temporary soreness to my genitals and am now a bit unsure about cycling long, hard distances. I want to have kids one day after all.

So my plan now is to travel in with the missus each day in her car until she goes off towards another direction. If I get a bike that can fit in the boot of her car then I could get out and cycle where there is approximately 3.5 miles to work and all flat. It will also mean I have the option of taking it on the bus when I need to, and a shorter more leisurely ride will mean I can just cycle in my work clothes without the hassle of having to shower and change at work.

Here is my question.. Are folding bikes cut out for doing up to 4 miles each way on flattish ground (by road)? Or are they a bit weak and really designed for short trips around city centres? This is crucial as once I commit to the scheme I will be stuck with the bike. The one I want to get is the Ridgeback Attache 09. Also, are folders comfortable to ride for a man?

Here is a link to the bike http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C155&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c003172

I'd be seriously grateful for any help. Many thanks in advance.

Robert

 

[joolsybools]

Not sure tbh but could another option be to fit a bike rack to the car and carry a 'normal' bike that way?

I do see quite a lot of men on folders btw.

 

[purplepolly]

The bike's clearly based on the 20" dahons, probably acutally made by them and rebranded. My dahon fits in the boot of a micra, with the boot lid removed so I can't see cars being a problem, I've also taken it on buses, but only the less busy ones. It might be a bit big for busy buses where you can't get it in the pram/wheelchair space. If the buses are likely to be busy then a brompton might be better.

People do a lot longer than 4 miles on folders, including touring, so the distance won't be a problem but expect the ride to be a bit bumpier. The fit is probably the hardest thing, especially if you're particulalrly short or tall as the reach won't adjust on the ridgeback and the flat bars are bit narrow for longer rides. But if you try it and it's comfortable then it should be fine for the journey.

 

[Bigtwin]

Any 1/2 decent proper folder will do that distance just fine.

But doing it day in day out is another thing. Could get tiresome on a single speed small wheel one.

I'd say get the biggest wheels you can fit in/on whatever you are going to use - the rides much better than small wheels, and get at least a handful of grears. Yes you can do a lot on a 3 speed Brommie (I have one), but it's a mite tedious going up and down a lot of hills on one. Well down is OK actually, but what does down....

And get some proper high pressure tyres on whatever you get.

 

[robert b 2]

Purplepolly,

I'm 5'11" in height, so I think that should be ok - not too tall, not too short. When you say "bumpy", are they uncomfortable to ride; more so than other types of bike?

 

[purplepolly]

Could get tiresome on a single speed small wheel one.

the ridgeback's got 7 hub gears

 

[robert b 2]

Any 1/2 decent proper folder will do that distance just fine.

But doing it day in day out is another thing. Could get tiresome on a single speed small wheel one.

I'd say get the biggest wheels you can fit in/on whatever you are going to use - the rides much better than small wheels, and get at least a handful of grears. Yes you can do a lot on a 3 speed Brommie (I have one), but it's a mite tedious going up and down a lot of hills on one. Well down is OK actually, but what does down....

And get some proper high pressure tyres on whatever you get.

The Attache has 7 gears and 20" wheels - how would that work in terms of becoming "tiresome"? Can I expect a reasonable amount of comfort on this in your opinion?

 

[Bigtwin]

The Attache has 7 gears and 20" wheels - how would that work in terms of becoming "tiresome"? Can I expect a reasonable amount of comfort on this in your opinion?

Decent tyres - no probs. Short of an Airnimal thingy or other exotica for a lot of cash, that's roughly a good as it's going to get.

 

[purplepolly]

When you say "bumpy", are they uncomfortable to ride; more so than other types of bike?

More bumpy on rough road surfaces and potholes but I don't think that's an issue on short journeys. One thing that would improve it would be different tyres if there's room, the spec says they're 20x1.5, mine has schwalbe big apple balloon tyres which are, well, balloony, and huge. They make the ride a lot easier.

 

[srw]

Here is my question.. Are folding bikes cut out for doing up to 4 miles each way on flattish ground (by road)?

Yes. Very easily. You'll probably wonder why on earth you bothered asking.

 

[robert b 2]

Purple,

The road surfaces I will be using are fairly good, with a bike lane, and I will tend to avoid potholes.

So which folder do you use and how frequently and how far do you use it? Have you found it to be robust in terms of being repeatedly folded and able to cope with being well rode, without breaking?

 

[robert b 2]

Yes. Very easily. You'll probably wonder why on earth you bothered asking.

That is reassuringly frank - thanks. How do you find them in terms of comfort and robustness (withstanding breakage)?

 

[scots_lass]

I've got a folding 'mountain' type bike with 26 inch wheels. Seems robust enough, comfortable and I do up to 20mile trips on it (so far). 21 gears. Goes into the car ok as well. Is not the best bike in the world but it does everything I want it to do at the moment.

 

[purplepolly]

I've got a dahon speed tr (they stopped making it last year) which is pretty much the same style frame and fold as the ridgeback but a bit lighter and with a wider range of gears. I use it every weekday for a 3.5 - 6 mile commute (flat and a steep hill) and at the weekends I've so far done about 30 miles.

I've been on rough bridlepaths on it, bit bumpy but ok for the bike and the only time there's been a problem was when I was forced by a lorry into a large pothole and the back wheel buckled slightly.

I replaced the saddle with a womens specific one fairly quickly and recently replaced the flat bars with butterfly bars but otherwise I find it comfortable. But then, I do prefer 20" wheel bikes and haven't ridden a full size one for a few years now, so I'm probably not the best judge.

As for the fold, it rarely gets folded apart from the handlebars as I got it so that it would fit in the hallway.

 

[robert b 2]

Interesting; thanks for the advice. It's unfortunate that my employer insists on using Edinburgh Bicycles for the bike-to-work scheme as they only have five options. I would sooner have more gears. Funnily enough, I was looking at folders a few months ago and really liked the look of the Dahon Speed TR. Looks like a great bike.