Wanted fold away bike

As far as news groups go, you might have more luck with rec.bicycles.marketplace.

Always plenty of stuff on Ebay.

If you want a new folder that won't cost too much, consider a Dahon, dahon.comindex.htmOpen ↗
A lot of their dealers aren't too good about keeping them in stock, but they'll always order one for
you. I have a Boardwalk D6, which is no where near as good as my Bike Friday, but it's fine for
casual riding and short commutes. Folds up pretty fast, too.

"pete" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Wanted fold away bike (suitable for taking on train)

Anyone out there with one to well?

Thanks

Pete

On 3 Mar 2004 08:08:55 -0800, [email hidden] (Kaputnik)

Quoted message said:

As far as news groups go, you might have more luck with rec.bicycles.marketplace.

Always plenty of stuff on Ebay.

If you want a new folder that won't cost too much, consider a Dahon, dahon.comindex.htmOpen ↗
A lot of their dealers aren't too good about keeping them in stock, but they'll always order one
for you. I have a Boardwalk D6, which is no where near as good as my Bike Friday, but it's fine for
casual riding and short commutes. Folds up pretty fast, too.

There's always the gold standard for folding commuter bicycles, the mighty Brompton:

bromptonbicycle.co.ukbromptonbicycle.co.ukOpen ↗

there are loads of these all over London. Fold down almost as fast as a copy of the Evening
Standard, and very nearly as small. Very cool. Pricey, but generally regarded as *the* thing for multi-
modal commuting.

-Luigi

Quoted message said:

There's always the gold standard for folding commuter
bicycles, the mighty Brompton:
bromptonbicycle.co.ukbromptonbicycle.co.ukOpen ↗

=v= That may be the gold standard for folding, but the gold standard for riding is Bike Friday:

bikefriday.combikefriday.comOpen ↗

<_Jym_

Jym Dyer said:

=v= That may be the gold standard for folding, but the gold standard for riding is Bike Friday:

bikefriday.combikefriday.comOpen ↗

I own a Bike Friday Metro for commuting and my wife owns a Breezer. The Metro is NOT the most
elegant folder when folding, although timewise it can't be more than a 5-10 second difference, even
with standard pedals and fenders. If it is elegance, I think the Breezer, though heavier, has the
better assembly and folding, not to mention the 7spd internal hub.

Still, prefer the Metro, OTOH, she prefers the Breezer, so I guess it all works out. Next year is
the year for two folding recumbents...

Curtis L. Russell Odenton, MD (USA) Just someone on two wheels...

Jym Dyer said:

Quoted message said:

There's always the gold standard for folding commuter bicycles, the mighty Brompton:
bromptonbicycle.co.ukbromptonbicycle.co.ukOpen ↗

=v= That may be the gold standard for folding, but the gold standard for riding is Bike Friday:

bikefriday.combikefriday.comOpen ↗

The Bike Friday is more of a transportable bicycle than a real commuter folder like the Brompton--
and the OP was looking for something he could fold and take on his rail commute.

-Luigi

Luigi de Guzman said:

The Bike Friday is more of a transportable bicycle than a real commuter folder like the Brompton--
and the OP was looking for something he could fold and take on his rail commute.

-Luigi

The Bike Friday Metro folds in about 45 seconds to a package a bit larger than the wheels
(although technically the handlebar and stem doesn't fold). If you don't have fenders and rack, it
is lighter than most other folders. With rack and fenders, it is still very foldable and easily
carried with one hand.

Curtis L. Russell Odenton, MD (USA) Just someone on two wheels...

On Wed, 03 Mar 2004 11:18:18 -0500, Luigi de Guzman <[email hidden]> wrote: (snip)

Quoted message said:

There's always the gold standard for folding commuter bicycles, the mighty Brompton:

bromptonbicycle.co.ukbromptonbicycle.co.ukOpen ↗

there are loads of these all over London. Fold down almost as fast as a copy of the Evening
Standard, and very nearly as small. Very cool. Pricey, but generally regarded as *the* thing for
multi-modal commuting.

-Luigi

These do have a good reputation. OTOH, last I checked, the absolute bottom of the line 3 speed no
frills Brompton cost $650 in the U.S. It doesn't take a lot of extras to bring them over $1000.
Cheaper in the UK of course.

You can get several decent Dahon models in the $250 to $400 dollar range. 3 speeds, or 6 or 8 speed
derailleur models.

On Wed, 03 Mar 2004 15:01:15 -0500, MP <[email hidden]> wrote: SNIP

Quoted message said:

These do have a good reputation. OTOH, last I checked, the absolute bottom of the line 3 speed no
frills Brompton cost $650 in the U.S. It doesn't take a lot of extras to bring them over $1000.
Cheaper in the UK of course.

And, equally of course, only now do I notice that the OP is posting from the UK. So he may be able
to find a used Brompton at a reasonable price.

On Wed, 03 Mar 2004 15:01:15 -0500, MP
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
<[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

You can get several decent Dahon models in the $250 to $400 dollar range. 3 speeds, or 6 or 8 speed
derailleur models.

True. But the Brompton will outlast the Dahon. The Brompton is just amazing - and I am saving
up for one!

--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
chapmancentral.demon.co.ukchapmancentral.demon.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University

If you have large feet, catching your heel on bags on the Brompton rack is a proble, as with earlier Birdy racks. Hence I had to choose a bicycle which had a higher rack.

During trying out the options I came to the conclusion that there are some superb machines around, each with its strong and weak points.

I must dispute the claim for Bike Friday as the Gold Standard though- The definitive ride for a folding bike has to be the Airnimal Chameleon (www.airnimal.com) it may not be the quickest fold, but it's VERY fast and comfortable,

=v= That may be the gold standard for folding, but the gold standard for riding is Bike Friday:

bikefriday.combikefriday.comOpen ↗

<_Jym_ [/B][/QUOTE]

Quoted message said:

The Bike Friday is more of a transportable bicycle than a real commuter folder like the
Brompton ...

=v= I've used it for a daily commute as well. It folds up easily (and quickly, once you get the hang
of it), though of course not as small as the Brompton.

=v= If the rail line insists on a certain size -- e.g. "must fit under the seat or in the overhead
luggage rack" -- then the Brompton may indeed be the one to go with. I've not been turned away from
any rail or bus service with my folded Friday, though.* <_Jym_>

________________________________________________________________
* There was one obstreperous driver who tried to kick my girlfriend and her Bike Friday off his bus,
but we called the transit company and had them explain to him that she was, in fact, allowed on.

Jym Dyer said:

Quoted message said:

The Bike Friday is more of a transportable bicycle than a real commuter folder like the
Brompton ...

=v= I've used it for a daily commute as well. It folds up easily (and quickly, once you get the
hang of it), though of course not as small as the Brompton.

=v= If the rail line insists on a certain size -- e.g. "must fit under the seat or in the overhead
luggage rack" -- then the Brompton may indeed be the one to go with. I've not been turned away from
any rail or bus service with my folded Friday, though.*

The regulations on the commuter railways that feed London are too varied for me to remember. I seem
to recall that many of the services during peak hours are off-limits to cyclists of *any* stripe.
Trains are standing-room only all the way from Cambridge to London Kings' Cross (the bit of the
network I'm most familiar with), so regulations or no regulations, there's precious little space to
fit even a folded bicycle on a crowded carriage.

English trains are also a *lot* smaller than American ones, I find, as well. You might not have any
problems on big American commuter-rail coaches--but British trains are very narrow & cramped by
comparison. There's still loads of old-fashioned "slam-door" rolling stock plying the rails between
London and Southampton. I've seen bromptons on these, no sweat.

-Luigi