It massively depends on just HOW useful you felt your Brompton was and why you need another folder.
Is it for very occasional use?
Does it need to fold to meet a transport requirement?
Does it need to fold for storage?
Does it need to fold to fit inside a vehicle?
If you don't need the ability to fold it, then I certainly wouldn't be looking at something that does as they're compromised from the outset - some more than others, but all in different ways.
For me the Brompton was the best in terms of those compromises (of the ones I looked at, read reviews of or physically tried). By which I mean cost, rideability, foldability, durability.
A guy I used to work with had a Strida, but as I didn't have a folder at the time, I didn't know the right questions to ask. Seemed much more like a novelty item than anything to do any sort of distance on. From memory, I think he had trouble as his knees hit the bars.
Cost is probably the biggest deciding factor.
Brompton's aren't cheap, but they're a long way off being the most expensive folders either. It does look like they're not selling the 2-speed. Which is odd as they're still selling the 6-speed which uses (part of) the 2-speed mechanics. Maybe it's the hubs they're short of.
The new
Tern Verge X11 looks interesting, for example, but at £2,700 it's almost the same price as an electric Brompton and may well not hold its value in the way a Brompton would (if that matters to you). It also folds in such a way that the chainrings are exposed - unlike the Brompton which keeps them away from clothes.
The
Hummingbird is probably the lightest, but not cheap - starts at £3,450 for a single speed. There's no obvious way to pick them up either. The only person I've seen carrying one picked it up and carried it with his hand under the frame. It looked easy enough to do, but meant that a lot of dirt it would pick up is going to transfer to you. Not so bad if, like me, you wear cycling-specific clothes (or at least clothes you don't mind getting covered in oil, grease, or road grime). Not so good if you're in your favourite suit.
I always liked the look of
Airnimals, but the fold is not great as the front wheel has to be removed - which might be fine for storage and/or occasional use, but not great twice a day on a regular commute.
The
Birdy looks good and apparently rides well - I used to chat with a guy on my commute that had one (he also had a
Montague Swiss bike prior to that and then an
Oribike). Like the Airnimals, though, the front wheel had to come off the Montague. Not such a ball-ache in the summer, but on a cold, wet February morning, not pleasant to have to do while you're rushing to get your train.
Then there all the
Dahons and
Terns. More comfortable perhaps with bigger wheels (20", 24" or 26"). I had two Dahons - both frames snapped*.
I actually liked both of my bikes (and I also had a Dahon clone prior to this (a Rabbit.de)) they rode well and soaked up bumps better, used more standardised parts. But all three had problems with the folding mechanism. Two had the big frame hinge and one had the lockjaw system. they all required constant tinkering and squeaked constantly throughout my ownership.
Plus, on a commute, I often found myself unable to get on a train as there wasn't room because they didn't fold down small enough.
*
NB - before anyone else mentions this, I was (am) over the rider weight limit for the bikes, but I did not know this until years later. I bought one new from Evans and it was certainly never mentioned at any time during the purchase. Funnily enough, they did bring it up when I was trying to get a refund.
Decathlon is a great shout for something cheap - their 'normal' bikes are very often rated in the top of whatever chart they're competing in - ie best road bikes under £500 - so I'd have no problem with them.
Even though there are more options available now, I'd still struggle to find one that I think better suits
my needs for a folder. If I was to buy another, it would probably be another Brompton - though I'd be tempted to try a test ride of the Birdy.
