Let's See Your Folding Bike

[Spartak]

Just picked up a Raleigh Stowaway - I travel by train to Brussels quite often, so thought I'd try this for commuting to and from stations.

Rides well, and folds very quickly although obviously not as small a 'package' as a Brompton.

 

[Gunk]

Taken in the sunshine this morning, almost 30 years separates these two, a 1992 L3 and a 2021 S6L

 

[avfc1982]

Anyway, here a picture of what my bike used to look like.

I immediately removed the H type bars and fitted a low-rise bar.
This was before I'd shortened the cables.

I daren't post a 'now' picture - it's minging. Doesn't matter what I do, I can't get three years worth of London grime off it.

When I did the BWC, my wife and daughter came along and my missus asked me why I hadn't cleaned it for the race.

I told her that I had...

View attachment 426323

Love the colour.

 

[Gritstone]

My trusty Cresswell Micro is back on commuting duty this week

 

[biggs682]

View attachment 821261
My trusty Cresswell Micro is back on commuting duty this week

Seen a couple of those for sale what are they like?

 

[Gritstone]

I really like it! I previously had a budget 20” wheel aluminium folder with a rear disc brake. I got the Cresswell Micro as I wanted to have something with 16” wheels to make taking in on public transport easier. Sold the 20” soon after as I definitely preferred the Micro.

The Micro is great, steel British frame though not heavy due to its small size. Mine is the 5 speed variant I believe they also come as 3 speed and single speed. It’s good on the modest local hills (according to Strava 6.4% is the steepest hill my commute) and the flat in general but does lack top speed with the Sturmey Archer 5 speed hub which so far is hassle free.

It’s a nice bright yellow but the paintwork has more of a patina than the photo above suggests.

I’ve seen other people say they are twitchy handling due to the short wheel base and handlebar arrangement but I’ve not found that myself (6ft rider). Just the usual issue of smaller wheels being more affected by pot holes etc which you get will all smaller wheeled bikes.

It folds relatively small once the seat post is removed packs into its own Carradice bag but obviously not as small as a Brompton. It benefits from the same wheel size as the Brompton so there’s a good option for tyres etc, I’m currently riding on Continental Urban Contact ones.

If you can find a Micro in good condition I would recommend it. Unfortunately I’ve seen a few which haven’t been so well looked after with major rust problems and the odd one with a loose hinge in the folding handlebar stem. It has a larger cousin with 20” wheels called a Fold It.

The Micro design was sadly short lived after Pashley bought it out.

 

[toffee]

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