looking for a folding bike for commuting

[milo909]

Hi, new here and looking for some advice.

I've just got a new job requiring more traveling which I plan to do by train. It seems there are only 2 bike spaces on my usual route and it suggests booking in advance to use these. While this is possible sometimes there will be times I can't plan ahead. The other option is a folding bike that will fit in the luggage area as I can use this anytime.

I live beside the train station but at the other end I will be cycling up to 5 Miles either way. I don't particularly like the bikes with small wheels and my budget is £500

So far I have been looking at the -
Landrover elite 26 inch wheel folding bike
Montague Urban folding hybrid
Dahon Espresso 26

I would be keen to hear if I've missed something with my computing plans, if these bikes are OK, will fit in the luggage area and if there are better bikes for the money.

Thanks in advance, Miles.

 

[srw]

Brompton.

Yes, I know it's got small wheels, but for what you describe it's perfect. Many train operators regard a folding bike with 26" wheels as a bike, not as a folding bike.

What do you have against small wheels?

 

[StuAff]

All the 26" folders are heavier than most of the smaller-wheeled variety, even the higher-spec ones. And as srw has noted, quite a few TOCs count them as full size bikes. Luggage spaces on many trains simply won't accommodate them. Have you actually tried a Brompton or a decent 20" bike (eg a Dahon or Tern)? My Dahon Speed Pro TT isn't the smallest fold (20" wheels plus bullhorn bars) but it's very nippy, a lot of fun to ride, quick and easy to fold and will be fine for rush-hour trains.

Of the bikes you mention, the Espresso is available for £400 new. But it's 14 kg and not the best component spec either. Do you really want to lug that around? The Land Rover looks like a rebadged Montague, and those aren't that easy to fold and are just as heavy as the Espresso.Tern have the Joe- basic model £300 at Evans- but those are again, heavy. If you really want 26" wheels- bearing in mind the train issues- then you'd better off with a Dahon Cadenza (second hand off eBay or elsewhere), at least a kilo lighter and much higher spec.

 

[milo909]

Thanks for the input folks, this is really helpful.

What do you have against small wheels?

I guess the larger wheeled bikes are just what I'm used to but this input has helped me reconsider.

 

[milo909]

Have you actually tried a Brompton or a decent 20" bike (eg a Dahon or Tern)?

I haven't but someone I work with has one and so I will ask for a go at some point this week.

I've had a quick look at Tern and they seem reasonably priced. I'll go and have a read

Thanks for the replies.

 

[steveindenmark]

The first word mentioned when folding bikes come up is Brompton. They have a huge following and make impressive bikes.

£500 may be a bit short to get a good one but I would certainly stretch to £700 if I could.

Plenty come up on e bay. But if I were you, it would have to be a Brompton.

Steve

 

[srw]

I have both a Brompton and a Dahon, rebadged as a Trek. It's one of the more upmarket Dahons underneath, being quite a lot lighter than the other Dahon I tried when I was scouting around for a second-hand cheap folder.

The only thing I can find that the Dahon does unambiguously better than the Brompton is its gear range - you'll never get the same range out of 3 gears as you do with 8 (at this point someone will point out that the Brompton can be had with 6 gears or, indeed, with 8). In every other respect - ride comfort, load-carrying ability, reliability, quality of components, manoeuvrability, foldability, carryability when folded - the Brompton is yards ahead. The only other advantage of the Dahon is that I'm willing to leave it locked up in the street - something I'd never do with the Brompton. In my 17 years of Brompton ownership I have never used a lock on it. (Although when I came out of the gym this evening there was a very shiny white Brompton locked up next to my Dahon).

I have ridden my Brompton 55 miles in the pissing rain wearing a dinner suit. It was supremely comfortable, and got me there no more slowly than other people's tourers got them there. That's something I wouldn't even consider with the Dahon.

 

[milo909]

Hi,
this has certainly challenged my to reconsider my position on small wheels and I appreciate the differing views on Brompton as this adds further depth to my considerations.
Tomorrow I'm doing my first rail/cycle commute using my usual bike, a cheapish halfords job I've had for years. I went to the station and booked my tickets and a ticket for my bike so here's hoping it all goes to plan.
I think at the weekend I'll go to a couple of bike shops and see if I can try a couple of small wheel folders and see what I think to them.
Thanks for everyone who has contributed so far.

 

[TheDoctor]

You need to try a few bikes, certainly.
Mr Paul above, rates the Mezzo, and I have no reason to doubt him.
I personally prefer my Brommie - tried a Mezzo, didn't get on with it.
The Decathlon Tilt looks to fold up small, and gets good reviews, although I've not tried one.
Whereabouts are you, and what's your train company? Some are more stringent about what makes a folder acceptable in peak times than others.

 

[milo909]

You need to try a few bikes, certainly.
Mr Paul above, rates the Mezzo, and I have no reason to doubt him.
I personally prefer my Brommie - tried a Mezzo, didn't get on with it.
The Decathlon Tilt looks to fold up small, and gets good reviews, although I've not tried one.
Whereabouts are you, and what's your train company? Some are more stringent about what makes a folder acceptable in peak times than others.

Hi,
I'm in Aberdeen and will be traveling on the scotrail service to Inverness, stopping at various stations according to where my work takes me. It didn't seem a problem getting the bike ticket and if it isn't difficult in practice Ill stick with this old bike until I'm 100% sure what I want and need.
Cheers, Miles.

 

[srw]

Scotrail in general, and Inverness station in particular, are sticklers. We saw people with valid bike reservations being turned away from Inverness-Wick train when we went up there towards Orkney. We were carrying a tandem in bags...

 

[beatlejuice]

I have a Dohan Speed 7. The range of gears will get you up any hill. The fold size isn't as small has a Brompton but at less than half the price. I had a test ride on a Brompton from Evens in Brighton and wasn't that impressed. I would have needed the six speed which is v.expensive.

 

[beatlejuice]

[QUOTE 2659034, member: 45"]Are you happy with the Dohan?[/quote]

Yup, haven't stopped using since I got it.

 

[milo909]

Scotrail in general, and Inverness station in particular, are sticklers. We saw people with valid bike reservations being turned away from Inverness-Wick train when we went up there towards Orkney. We were carrying a tandem in bags...

I'm seriously considering small wheels now, today was a challenge going from Aberdeen to Elgin due to the number of people and bikes getting on at Aberdeen. If I had a small folder I wouldn't need to deal with pushing a bike into a very crowded train! I'm also going to google folding tandem.

 

[milo909]

[QUOTE 2658236, member: 45"]I'm picking up a Decathlon B-fold 5 on Monday. I can give you some feedback if you like.


From the Scotrail info...


Folding bikes are carried on all services – these must be folded
down when you board the train, and in some cases you may be
asked to fold down your bike before entering the platform. [/quote]
Thanks for this User, some really useful info.