folding bikes

Anyone have any personal experience withg folding bikes? I'm looking
for feedback for a commuting bike. Advantages of some major brands
over others, features to avoid/look for, etc.

wrote:
Anyone have any personal experience withg folding bikes? I'm looking
for feedback for a commuting bike. Advantages of some major brands
over others, features to avoid/look for, etc.

I think the very best is the Ritchey breakaway. i have traveled with it
and ridden it and it works very well w/o any of the goofy small wheeled
problems, like finding tires and 56t chainrings. Not expensive,
frame/fork/HS/suitcase for $1350...complete bike for $2500 or so.

Well, I'm looking for something to commute with, e.g. to drag on and
off trains and buses. So I think I'm looking at a goofy small wheeled
bike. I have seen the Breakaways and they are quite nice.

In article om,
wrote:

Anyone have any personal experience withg folding bikes? I'm looking
for feedback for a commuting bike. Advantages of some major brands
over others, features to avoid/look for, etc.

If purely for commuting, it's pretty hard to beat the Brompton. Folds
up to the size of a briefcase and rides reasonably well. For
performance, the Birdy is a good choice but the folded package is
larger. Say, about the size of a medium suitcase. For price, Dahon
wins hands down and some of their upper end models are pretty nice.

An excellent resource- probably the single best resource in the world,
actually- is A to B Magazine from the UK.

http://www.atob.org.uk/

In article . com,
"Qui si parla Campagnolo" wrote:

wrote:
Anyone have any personal experience withg folding bikes? I'm
looking for feedback for a commuting bike. Advantages of some
major brands over others, features to avoid/look for, etc.

I think the very best is the Ritchey breakaway. i have traveled with
it and ridden it and it works very well w/o any of the goofy small
wheeled problems, like finding tires and 56t chainrings. Not
expensive, frame/fork/HS/suitcase for $1350...complete bike for $2500
or so.

Not useful as a commuting bike, though, if you need something that will
fold up in 30 seconds to get on or off trains, buses or for storage at
work. The Ritchey is designed as a travel bike, and is brilliantly
designed for that IMHO, but it is not designed as a folder for commuting
office workers and the like.

Tim McNamara wrote:

If purely for commuting, it's pretty hard to beat the Brompton.

Are the Bromptons made well?

Tim McNamara wrote:


Not useful as a commuting bike, though, if you need something that will
fold up in 30 seconds to get on or off trains, buses or for storage at
work.

Agree

A true folding bike for commuting purposes should fold
FAST and CLEAN. Quick and easy to fold when entering
train or putting hike in back of car trunk.

I once owned a Bike Friday and altho it folded for
transporting it was NOT what I consider to be a
commuting folder. Agree?

In article om,
says...

Anyone have any personal experience withg folding bikes? I'm looking
for feedback for a commuting bike. Advantages of some major brands
over others, features to avoid/look for, etc.

A Giant Halfway is pretty nice. Folds quickly and compactly. The ride is ok.
If this bike came with a Nexus hub it would be a nicer package.
----------------
Alex

wrote:
Tim McNamara wrote:

If purely for commuting, it's pretty hard to beat the Brompton.

Are the Bromptons made well?

Bromptons are superbly well engineered. All the details work together
to give a compact folded package with all the messy bits folded away,
no loose chain, seat posts etc sticking out.

Less than 15 seconds to fold/unfold to a compact package is the main
selling point.

Also ride really well, you can almost forget you are riding a folder.
Ideal as a commuter, though can be ridden longer distances without
problems - I have one adapted to 12 speed with drop handlebars that has
been on holiday to the alps with me (fits into a 24"x24" suitcase for
easy air travel).

They are harder work to pedal than a "proper" bike (heavier, less aero,
more drivetrain resistance), but if you need quick, compact folding,
then you can't beat it.

Andrew Webster

In article ,
wrote:

Tim McNamara wrote:

If purely for commuting, it's pretty hard to beat the Brompton.

Are the Bromptons made well?

They have, in general, a good reputation. They do tend to be heavy and
there are some rather weird things reported in the cycling press, such
as rather flimsy brake levers. And they use a three speed hub with a
weird little two-speed derailleur for Lord only knows that reason.