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!]

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

Sounds like you're talking about taking it as "luggage" i.e. avoiding any restrictions on bike carriage?

Exactly that, yes. Not having to disassemble a bike or book a bike space makes life so much easier, especially on Eurostar and TGVs, or a journey with several legs.

For ferries I was specifically thinking about the Harwich–Hook of Holland ferry, where the Rail–Sail ticket didn't include bike carriage for a couple of years. However it now looks like they've reinstated the option to book a bike with that, which is excellent news.

 

[blackrat]

I wonder though if too much attention/concern is being placed on the carrying aspect of a bike - ie: use of a 'folder', perhaps something made by this company maybe: https://airnimal.co/ rather than the riding aspect of it, which for a tourist will be the prime purpose of a bike. Naturally, commuters have a different need whereby the carrying aspect of a bike on transport is prime.
My bike breaks down into a 43"x36"x11" box with wheels for the very, (very) few times it needs to go on a plane and is a pain to deal with, but once unpacked and on the road, it is a delight and cannot imagine the same riding experience with a folding bike of any make.
To answer a couple of questions upstream: Ember in Scotland takes full size bikes on their buses and National Express will not take any bike not packed away.

 

[matticus]

My bike breaks down into a 43"x36"x11" box with wheels for the very, (very) few times it needs to go on a plane and is a pain to deal with, but once unpacked and on the road, it is a delight and cannot imagine the same riding experience with a folding bike of any make.

I have near-to-zero interest in plane travel!

So I do want a bike that folds (however slowly) into a package that most/all trains will take, and hopefully many buses round Europe. I can probably carry a light/flimsy bike, everything is a compromise, devil is in the detail, etc etc ...

Ember in Scotland takes full size bikes on their buses

Yes, Ember bus worked very well to Aberdeen, although it was a shame to be dumped blimmin' miles from the bus/train station, in pouring rain )

 

[brommieinkorea]

My intercity Disc 9 has been fine on the train, the packed tube, and the sleeper. Tales of woe, death, explosions and pestilence that Brompton owners throw my way have all failed to materialise.

After all, the difference between me and a normal sized person is far greater than the difference between a folded Brompton and a folded Tern and I don't have any difficulty on a packed tube train.

Best bit is it rides like a proper big bike and not some small wheeled blancmange.

The caveat is that I'm a big lad so toting it about while folded is light work for me. Mind you, if should be fine for any normal mortal, and if your priorty is mostly riding anyway then something of that nature (ie, a Tern type folder) is ideal and swings the needle a little towards the ride side of the balance while still being perfectly manageable on public transport.

But, as no one will stand next to a Grisly bear sized person, you don't have to worry about a crowded train car.

 

[brommieinkorea]

Best riding bike that will compress to go anywhere, if you have the time, is BikeFriday. They come apart ,with minimal tools, and can fit in a very small space. The big downside is that they become mechanical spaghetti and you really need a box to move a folded one. If you get the travel suite/ trailer option you can tow the box and use it for touring luggage when the bike isn't in it. Not cheap. Can be custom made to fit, and they do make/ offer a heavy rider upgrade for blokes like Drago. I do believe, however that taking a bike on the train is the least demanding situation for a folder.