Older Bickertons? Any Good for a 10 mile round trip with an occasional scenic detour?

[Flying Dodo]

And fair point to you .... but it is possible that no one will ever again consider riding 25 miles on a early Bickerton.

Exactly!! There is just too much flex in the steering with the daft handlebars. As mentioned above by @velovoice, mine is now nicely converted with conventional bars, so no flex or nasty noises, and is fitted with Brompton wheels, including 8 speed rear hub so is fairly speedy. I did a nice 50 mile round trip last November, out into the Dutch countryside and didn't have any issues.

 

[Ridgeways]

I like my handlebars as they are [now], because I can carry a heavy rucksack on them, plus camera bag, in a very stable way. They are cut down pretty low anyway, and have hand-stops to rest against when leaning more forward, and the handlebar-end gear controls are less vulnerable and more convenient to use.

Gearing is 21 speed, 20" to 99", so goes as fast as I am capable of pedalling, while still suited for any hill or mountain I have ever climbed with it - fully laden. I have put a snap of it as avatar.

 

[velovoice]

I was behind a Bickerton with super tiny wheels going up Blackfriars Road yesterday. It was beautiful. I think the stem had been replaced as it was a long one like @Flying Dodo 's rather than ape-hangers. The weird thing was the rear wheel did not track exactly with the front - offset about an inch to the right.

 

[TheDoctor]

@TheDoctor - Do you still have the beast above? ^^^^^

I do. I'm going to give it a bit of a fettle and probably sell it soon, as my bike collection is getting a little out of hand. I really don't need four folding bikes

 

[Blue Hills]

Possibly as well you aren't handy for this.

http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/116272317/saracen-2007-folding-bicycle.html

 

[Flying Dodo]

I was behind a Bickerton with super tiny wheels going up Blackfriars Road yesterday. It was beautiful. I think the stem had been replaced as it was a long one like @Flying Dodo 's rather than ape-hangers. The weird thing was the rear wheel did not track exactly with the front - offset about an inch to the right.

The rider might not have noticed that the locking lever had come undone, so that a small separation had taken place!

 

[velovoice]

The rider might not have noticed that the locking lever had come undone, so that a small separation had taken place!

From what I could see - both while stopped at lights and then moving off - the lock looked okay and there was no visible movement in the main beam.

 

[Ridgeways]

Get hold of 'Daisy, Daisy' by Christian Miller. She rode her Bickerton across America. . . .

Just wanted to say thank you for the introduction. Have now got a copy and have started reading it.