What bikes work well on trains/buses?

[Drago]

There were definitely times when I had the Dahon that I would turn up for a train and not be able to get on. While it folded in half, the folded package was not small. So sometimes the Brompton's size was definitely a plus.

However, I do think that any situation where you couldn't get on with yours would 'probably' mean someone with a Brompton would also struggle.

What I would say is that in the 20 plus years of regularly commuting in to London, when you hear a bike crash and fall over on the train, it's never a Brompton - it's always another folder that doesn't have the stability as a folded package.

Again, Tern "type" folders tend to be equally stable through three points of contact with the ground if theyre fully collapsed when folded.

Im a big fatty very sizeable gentleman and have had no problem cramming myself and the folder on a rush hour tube. A couple of inches or less in each plane really makes no practical difference. The difference in size between me and an average chap is much greater than the difference in size between different types of folding bikes and I squeeze on ok. And so it is with my folded bike.

If I can get a seat I usually put it between or behind my knees so I can keep an eye on it. I alao manage to get it in the overhead racks that Brompton owners tell me I can't (QR pedals do help). If im standing its in my hand or between my feet.

Again, Brompton owners seem fondmof telling me I cant do (or they cant do for same reason) that which Ive been doing quite capably for some years. I've been on the train, tube and sleeper at all times of the day and year and never thought, "gosh, id have got on that carriage if my folded bike were 3 inches shorter."

A G-Line is an easier fold, but fundamentally isnt much of an improvement size wise when folded over a Tern type. The main downside is that is not an especially sparkling ride, and the OP has already stated that the way it goes is the greater priority than the way it stashes.

Fundamentally a Fiesta can be driven or parked anywhere a Metro can, with added advantage of being a better drive when in actual use. And so it is with small wheeled folders.

 

[matticus]

Thanks everyone!

No-one got any reports from foreign travels?

 

[T4tomo]

Thanks everyone!

No-one got any reports from foreign travels?

there will be a few on here to leaf thru....
https://www.cyclechat.net/forums/touring-adventure-cycling.8/

 

[mjr]

Thanks everyone!

No-one got any reports from foreign travels?

Only from friends. The people I tour with don't have folders, so I've never taken mine abroad as there'd be no benefit, only drawbacks. In general, it seems they go on any transport folded, it opens some routes up and makes others easier to book, but you need a bag for some buses, especially rail replacements in Germany.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Gutted that Halfords stopped selling those (Intercity Disc 9?) folders with hydraulic disc brakes, they looked a stonking bargain at ~£320 iirc in sales.

 

[Dadam]

Gutted that Halfords stopped selling those (Intercity Disc 9?) folders with hydraulic disc brakes, they looked a stonking bargain at ~£320 iirc in sales.

Glad I got mine when I did (2023). They pulled them a few months later.
It was £460 and well worth it. IIRC the disc 8 (cable disc?) was around the price you quote.

 

[TheDoctor]

Thanks everyone!

No-one got any reports from foreign travels?

I've taken a Brompton folder on a French bus - they're more like coaches, so they have a luggage compartment underneath. The trains were not problem at all.
I have nascent plans to take it up a mountain, probably on a cable car or a chairlift.

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

Thanks everyone!

No-one got any reports from foreign travels?

I've taken my Bike Friday New World Tourist on Eurostar, various cross-channel ferries, trains in a few European countries, and by plane to the US and New Zealand. It's coped admirably with everything I've thrown at it.

A decent strong bag is a must for European trains/ferries; I used to use a Dahon folding bike bag which tore easily, was awkward to carry, and had internal support straps which seemed like a good idea but never seemed to work. After one too many times shredding my legs with the pedals while walking down the long platform at Gare du Nord I gave up on it. So I now just have a big strong black bag with two handles, which I think is nominally sold as a folding bike bag but in reality isn't that much different from an Ikea blue bag. I scrunch it up and put it in a saddlebag when travelling.

For flying it packs (slightly laboriously) into a Samsonite suitcase.

Back in the UK, I do agree that there's a difference between everyday commuting on busy trains (for which a Brompton is unbeatable) and more occasional leisure rides (for which the Bike Friday is great). I can and do take my NWT very frequently on British trains, but when folded, it just fits slightly awkwardly in the bottom shelf of a GWR intercity luggage rack, whereas you can get two or three Bromptons in the same space. Usually I have it half-folded by the bike compartment or in the vestibule, and keep an eye out in case anyone needs me to move it.

 

[mjr]

I've taken a Brompton folder on a French bus - they're more like coaches, so they have a luggage compartment underneath.

This is only true of some buses. I think it's more common on rural "lignes de proximité". There are more of them than in England. Some of the coach-like bus routes with luggage compartments will take non-folding bikes and have symbols on the timetable to show which are the stops where you can load (🚲↗) and unload (🚲↘) them.

Other buses in towns are more like the Volvo and Scania low-floor ones you'll see here. The Ashok Leyland Optares aren't as common, though!

 

[matticus]

I've taken my Bike Friday New World Tourist on Eurostar, various cross-channel ferries, trains in a few European countries, and by plane to the US and New Zealand. It's coped admirably with everything I've thrown at it.

A decent strong bag is a must for European trains/ferries; I used to use a Dahon folding bike bag which tore easily, was awkward to carry, and had internal support straps which seemed like a good idea but never seemed to work. After one too many times shredding my legs with the pedals while walking down the long platform at Gare du Nord I gave up on it. So I now just have a big strong black bag with two handles, which I think is nominally sold as a folding bike bag but in reality isn't that much different from an Ikea blue bag. I scrunch it up and put it in a saddlebag when travelling.

Sounds like you're talking about taking it as "luggage" i.e. avoiding any restrictions on bike carriage? The need for a bag seems like a good tip, thanks.

[On the ferries, why not just ride on? Admittedly I've only used ferries which explicitly allow bikes, so I may have a limited world-view. And only on crossings that involved the UK at one or more end!]