Looking at 2nd-hand folding bikes

[LAS22]

I've read some of the threads already here, and have dismissed Apollo tuck based on the review. I'm a nearly 70 short woman with some knee and hip issues, and find the u-shaped frame easier to get into. I know these frames flex more, but I won't be going far or fast. I'm currently looking at ads for Raleigh Airlite, a Dawes, and a Ridgeback. Speed of folding down isn't an issue, I can take whatever time it takes, and I want to take it around in my car. Bromptons are beyond my budget. I want mudguards and a rack, front basket (can be added) a bonus. The facility for transporting my small dog when her stumpy little legs get tired would be another bonus - I have a carrier for my non-folder that sits on a front pannier rack and straps to the handlebars - don't know if I'd be able to do the same with a folder without it affecting the steering too much. I also have a 2-wheel trailer that attaches to the seat post - I'd like to be able to use that sometimes for gathering driftwood for my fire. 6 gears would do, but I don't want a 3-speed Sturmey Archer.
My current non-folding bike is a Land Rover 7 speed, but it's tricky to get into the car along with other stuff for when I go on jaunts where I live in the back of the car with my 3 dogs. I recently got rid of my Dawes hybrid 21-speed with crossbar as it wasn't so easy to get onto any more, and a Raleigh Blueridge off-road bike also went. I'm thinking of something I can use for another decade.
Other suggestions welcome. A new Ammaco folder from Amazon for £250 is another possibility (if they're not rubbish).

 

[biggs682]

Evening and welcome @LAS22 I would look at the Raleigh Evo 2 models IE the ones that are grey in colour.
Also keep an eye out for the Giant Halfways but some are only single speed.
Good luck

 

[Fastpedaller]

Evening and welcome @LAS22 I would look at the Raleigh Evo 2 models IE the ones that are grey in colour.
Also keep an eye out for the Giant Halfways but some are only single speed.
Good luck

Giant Halfways also fall into 2 more camps - those with the original design of mono-blade forks chainstays, and those with a 'normal' design with the wheels secured at both ends of their axles.

 

[ColinJ]

If you can get to Inverness, THIS FOLDING BIKE has been on sale on eBay for weeks. The problem obviously is that it is collection-only and it isn't exactly a convenient location for most people! The price has dropped and dropped so you could probably get it for £145-150.

 

[Javelin301]

See if you can find a Dahon Ciao. I've got one and it's a good little bike with very low step through

 

[Drago]

This gets some good reviews for what it is and what it costs...

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/20-inch-folding-bike-btwin-100-black/_/R-p-120067?mc=8500541&c=black

Don't expect a super flighty Tern competitor, but theyre sensibly equipped, decent enough quality, ride fairly wellm and being new you get some comeback if it all goes south. I would suggest a better bet than the Ammoco stuff from the internet.

It is a nice simple sjnglespeed, but the geared version is £70 more, barely more than the Ammoco.

 

[Jameshow]

Have a look a Carrera intercity bikes.
A few clients has them and they weren't much different from a much more expensive tern.

 

[LAS22]

See if you can find a Dahon Ciao. I've got one and it's a good little bike with very low step through
View attachment 777909

That looks perfect. I like the stand, first time I've seen one like that on a pushbike.

 

[LAS22]

This gets some good reviews for what it is and what it costs...

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/20-inch-folding-bike-btwin-100-black/_/R-p-120067?mc=8500541&c=black

Don't expect a super flighty Tern competitor, but theyre sensibly equipped, decent enough quality, ride fairly wellm and being new you get some comeback if it all goes south. I would suggest a better bet than the Ammoco stuff from the internet.

It is a nice simple sjnglespeed, but the geared version is £70 more, barely more than the Ammoco.

The step-through on that is really too high. I've looked at other Btwin models online and rejected them because of that.

 

[LAS22]

If you can get to Inverness, THIS FOLDING BIKE has been on sale on eBay for weeks. The problem obviously is that it is collection-only and it isn't exactly a convenient location for most people! The price has dropped and dropped so you could probably get it for £145-150.

No, I want a LOW step-through. That's way too high.

 

[ColinJ]

Have a look a Carrera intercity bikes.
A few clients has them and they weren't much different from a much more expensive tern.

Like the one that I linked to above!

I'm a nearly 70 short woman with some knee and hip issues, and find the u-shaped frame easier to get into.

I'm a nearly 70 tallish man with some hip issues so getting on and off bikes isn't quite as easy as it used to be for me either! My solution is to tilt the bike towards the ground to make it easier to swing my leg over the saddle.

 

[LAS22]

I found a Dahon Ciao 7 speed on Ebay just a few miles away, nearly new condition, and got it for £270 - that's just over what I was looking at on Amazon. I've got it set up for me, changed the saddle for one of my spares and added the brackets for my trailer and dog walker - a bit surprised that there doesn't seem to be any way to change the handlebar height, but they've thought of everything else. A pump built in up the seat post! The seller found a normal bike easier to carry up the stairs to his 3rd floor flat. I haven't been out on it yet; yesterday was raining - maybe when I get home this evening.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

This gets some good reviews for what it is and what it costs...

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/20-inch-folding-bike-btwin-100-black/_/R-p-120067?mc=8500541&c=black

Don't expect a super flighty Tern competitor, but theyre sensibly equipped, decent enough quality, ride fairly wellm and being new you get some comeback if it all goes south. I would suggest a better bet than the Ammoco stuff from the internet.

It is a nice simple sjnglespeed, but the geared version is £70 more, barely more than the Ammoco.

I have done nearly 500 miles on mine when commuting since January. Aside from the atrocious setup by the store (had to completely re-do the brakes) it hasn’t missed a beat. Absolute bargain.

 

[biggs682]

@LAS22 glad you are sorted keep us posted on how you get on please

 

[LAS22]

I've been out on it on a track, a paved over disused railway with 3 dogs running beside and the trailer on the back for when the little one got tired. It was fine - quite creaky but so easy to get on and a nice ride. My first bikes as a kid had hub gears and this does too, so have to make the effort to remember to slacken off the tension when changing after many years of derailleurs. It folds up really easily and can live in the back of the car.
Only issue was that little dog didn't like being in the trailer, and despite being clipped in tried to climb out. In the same carrier, on the front of my other bike, she's perfectly still.