Following a house move in mid December I have come to the realisation that the new commute is simply too long for the winter months (a hilly 24 miles each way!).
I have been alternating driving and cycling since moving. However, I feel that I would be happier driving some of the way and cycling the second half of the journey. I am therefore looking for a bike that will easily go in the back of our fiat cinquecento (small hatchback) but does not need to fold any smaller than this, rides like a road bike, is light (to help with the hills), will be good for a fast 20 miles per day, will carry a couple of panniers, and has the range of gear ratios of a tourer. I would also prefer to keep the cost at under £1000.
I realise that there is already lots of advice in this newsgroup on folders. However, this seems to be based on bikes for pottering around town etc rather than serious miles or going up hills!
I would welcome any recommendations on folders I should consider.
I have been alternating driving and cycling since moving. However, I feel that I would be happier driving some of the way and cycling the second half of the journey. I am therefore looking for a bike that will easily go in the back of our fiat cinquecento (small hatchback) but does not need to fold any smaller than this, rides like a road bike, is light (to help with the hills), will be good for a fast 20 miles per day, will carry a couple of panniers, and has the range of gear ratios of a tourer. I would also prefer to keep the cost at under £1000.
With those specs in mind one of the more upmarket Dahon models will probably fit the bill, like the Speed Pro or Speed TR. The former is faster but the latter will do your luggage rather better with a tour rack as a standard accessory. They have 21 speeds with a wide range and come in at about £750 before extra like mudguards etc.
Dahons are fold in the middle so not super compact, but with the back seats down should fir in your Fiat okay I'd think.
If you can up the budget a bit a Birdy Tour would probably do it nicely as well (£1050 before accessories go on).
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
I have been alternating driving and cycling since moving. However, I feel that I would be happier driving some of the way and cycling the second half of the journey. I am therefore looking for a bike that will easily go in the back of our fiat cinquecento (small hatchback) but does not need to fold any smaller than this, rides like a road bike, is light (to help with the hills), will be good for a fast 20 miles per day, will carry a couple of panniers, and has the range of gear ratios of a tourer. I would also prefer to keep the cost at under £1000.
With those specs in mind one of the more upmarket Dahon models will probably fit the bill, like the Speed Pro or Speed TR. The former is faster but the latter will do your luggage rather better with a tour rack as a standard accessory. They have 21 speeds with a wide range and come in at about £750 before extra like mudguards etc.
Depending on the definition of hilly, these should be fine. I rode back from a meeting with a colleague, taking an 'interestign' route. He had a TR. We did 50 miles and he seemed at no disadvantage to the two of us on 'proper' road bikes. He had taken the bike in his car.
Quoted message said:
Dahons are fold in the middle so not super compact, but with the back seats down should fir in your Fiat okay I'd think.
Shouldn't even need that. You could always just put it in the back seat anyway.
Quoted message said:
If you can up the budget a bit a Birdy Tour would probably do it nicely as well (£1050 before accessories go on).
A Joey is well inside the budget at £700 but only has a 1x8 derailleur. Of course, with all that left in the pot you could probably get another chain ring and a front mech fitted on, though I'd speak to Darth Ben about how well it would work first. Or you could get a Schlumpf in it to get you to a nice round(ish) grand, though I'm not sure how you're do for racks etc.
The Chameleon starts at £900 and change, but you'll again need to spend a chunk more to get it with a touring range of gearing and suitable racking for luggage. The off-the-peg tour version is well over budget (though includes front racks which you wouldn't want here: might be possible to do a mix n' match with a small company like Airnimal).
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
A Joey is well inside the budget at £700 but only has a 1x8 derailleur. Of course, with all that left in the pot you could probably get another chain ring and a front mech fitted on,
Unlikely, as there is nowhere to fit a front derailleur
though I'd speak to Darth Ben
Quoted message said:
about how well it would work first. Or you could get a Schlumpf in it to get you to a nice round(ish) grand, though I'm not sure how you're do for racks etc.
I am therefore looking for a bike that will easily go in the back of our fiat cinquecento
<stupid question> Might you get the bike in with the front wheel off (and the back car seats down)? With quick release wheels it would be quicker than any folder. </stupid question>
Might you get the bike in with the front wheel off (and the back car seats down)? With quick release wheels it would be quicker than any folder.
No it wouldn't, unless you particularly like leaving the brakes undone or have taken a special course in how to fold folding bikes tediously slowly...
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
I am therefore looking for a bike that will easily go in the back of our fiat cinquecento
<stupid question> Might you get the bike in with the front wheel off (and the back car seats down)? With quick release wheels it would be quicker than any folder. </stupid question>
In principle this would probably be possible (I have put the bike in the car on a number of occasions). However, in practice I don't think that this would work on a daily basis mainly for the following reasons: We have three small children and therefore have car seats in the back of the car, the rear rack and mudguards get in the way and the bike simply gets so dirty (on the country roads) that I would not want to put it in the car each day (folder would be ok just sitting in the boot).
The dahons look quite good. However, how does one adjust the reach?
about how well it would work first. Or you could get a Schlumpf in it to get you to a nice round(ish) grand, though I'm not sure how you're do for racks etc.
By that time you're spending Rohloff money
A Schlumpf is ~£300, a Rohloff is... more.
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
Don't (better) brakes have an ickle lever thing that widens the brake arms so you can take the wheel off?
Yes, but by the time you've fiddled with it and wiped the dirt off your hands your pal's Brompton is fully deployed and a good few meters down the road...
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
Following a house move in mid December I have come to the realisation that the new commute is simply too long for the winter months (a hilly 24 miles each way!).
I have been alternating driving and cycling since moving. However, I feel that I would be happier driving some of the way and cycling the second half of the journey. I am therefore looking for a bike that will easily go in the back of our fiat cinquecento (small hatchback) but does not need to fold any smaller than this, rides like a road bike, is light (to help with the hills), will be good for a fast 20 miles per day, will carry a couple of panniers, and has the range of gear ratios of a tourer. I would also prefer to keep the cost at under £1000.
I realise that there is already lots of advice in this newsgroup on folders. However, this seems to be based on bikes for pottering around town etc rather than serious miles or going up hills!
I would welcome any recommendations on folders I should consider.
Seems you have a number of options. A Brompton is the best folder but has limited gear options and doesn't ride like a road bike on the hills A Birdy is second as a folder rides reasonably well. Next are the Airnimal, Bike Friday and Dahons which ride like full size road bikes but are more bulky folded. Last on the list is get a cheapish road bike and have S&S coupling added so you can fit it in the boot. My advice though would be to get yourself down to Bath Railway Station if you can and visit the people at AVC who have all the various models on show and to try. http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/index1.html
Aren't you solving the wrong problem? Why not have a tow bar fitted and buy a bike rack like this: http://www.roof-rack-supplies.co.uk/cycle-carrier-quickball.htm . Takes seconds to fit the rack and a minute or so to fit the bike/bikes, without getting your hands dirty. Rack goes in boot when not in use. Then with all the money you save you can buy the bike you really want! We've been using one for years with no probs. 2 bikes fit better if saddle or handlebars turned but not essential. One bike you just chuck on.
I am therefore looking for a bike that will easily go in the back of our fiat cinquecento
<stupid question> Might you get the bike in with the front wheel off. </stupid question>
In principle this would probably be possible (I have put the bike in the car on a number of occasions). However, in practice I don't think that this would work on a daily basis.
You could get a rack for the back or roof of the car. -- Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"
You could get a rack for the back or roof of the car.
Though a roof rack is more awkward to get the bike on and off and adds to fuel consumption, and various problems may manifest themselves with tail mounts, such as faffing with lighting rigs and access to the back of the car.
Both are options, but ultimately I think a folder will give a net convenience gain, but you'll be paying quite a bit for that gain.
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
On Thu, 5 Jan 2006 09:34:13 GMT someone who may be gjt70 <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
I realise that there is already lots of advice in this newsgroup on folders. However, this seems to be based on bikes for pottering around town etc rather than serious miles or going up hills!
The http://www.roof-rack-supplies.co.uk/cycle-carrier-quickball.htm roof rack is much quicker and easier to use than folding a bike and putting it in the car. Needs no light rig and comes with number plate. Access to boot of car solved by not having it full of folding bike! When not in use folds away small and goes in boot or under a seat. Easily the best solution I've seen to bike transport. Perhaps you are looking for an excuse to buy a folder in which case just ignore the above.
Access to boot of car solved by not having it full of folding bike!
Assuming that's the only thing you need to get into the back for, great, but IME of towbar mounted cycle racks that isn't always the case. Notably, I have fairly little experience with them and I have /still/ found them a PITA on occasion on the back of my dad's car.
And strapping a bike onto one of these and checking its sound takes longer than folding up a Brommie.
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
Access to boot of car solved by not having it full of folding bike!
Assuming that's the only thing you need to get into the back for, great, but IME of towbar mounted cycle racks that isn't always the case. Notably, I have fairly little experience with them and I have /still/ found them a PITA on occasion on the back of my dad's car.
I find mine to be OK. It tips forward to allow boot access. Takes a wee while to tighten the thing onto the tow bar but I do not have the budget for a brommie for all members of the family so the bikes go on the outside of the car.
