Folding Bicycles

I suggest a second-hand Brompton 3-speed rather than a new cheaper folder (try Ebay or the Brompton email list on Yahoo). I have had experiences of handlebars breaking on no-name brands and a friend had a hinge clamp snap on his Chinese folder . Otherwise there is plenty of information on the web on how to turn an old Raleigh 20 into something like a Bike Friday. A second-hand Moulton APB might also be in range, though the earlier models can be quite heavy.

If you need it to fold, eg. for rail travel, the Brompton is still the only choice. The other "folders" allow packing for eg. air-travel, but are too slow/inconvenient for commuter use.
if you don't NEED it to fold quickly, almost anything else will be better than a folder. My Bromton is a few years old and is still pristine as it sits in its bag most of the year and only comes out when I really can't think of any way to use a normal bike. That means rail commuting in the rush hour, which I avoid like the plague, and taking in the boot of my convertible to ride home when it is in for service/repair.

Just came across this after reading your thread, I hope it helps.

Bikes

Off the thread here but i say a guy on a recumbent (i think that is the name) today, the first time in ages.

I assume most of you know that Bromptom was started with capital from Naim (Julian V.) So a Bromton is really a Naim bike.

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
I assume most of you know that Bromptom was started with capital from Naim (Julian V.) So a Bromton is really a Naim bike.

Then why hasn't it got a bolt-on power supply?

not really the same kind of thing, but I've seen a few people riding those Sinclair A-bikes. I know it's not a 'proper' bike but it's the only one that folds up REALLY small, I could imagine using it to cycle between home and the station then stuffing it in it's bag while on the train. To me it seems to be somewher half way between one of those micro-scooter things that were all the rage a few years ago and a proper bike like a Brompton. Also if you live in a small place it could live in a pretty small cupboard. Only £150 or so too.

quote:

Originally posted by rupert bear:

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
I assume most of you know that Bromptom was started with capital from Naim (Julian V.) So a Bromton is really a Naim bike.

Then why hasn't it got a bolt-on power supply?

Ah but they do have a clear upgrade path with extra gears, lighter seatposts and titanium bits.

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
I assume most of you know that Bromptom was started with capital from Naim (Julian V.) So a Bromton is really a Naim bike.

The Brompton guy's had been making a small number of bikes for a few years, but needed money to expand in 1986 (i think), 40k was the sum involved - not a bad investment on JV's part I'd say.

The world of folding bikes is amazing, the more you dig into it, the more you find, this is going to keep me going for quite a while. Surprisingly, modified Raleigh Twenty shopping bikes seem to have a cult following. Pretty good anti-theft device as well, apparently if you lock them up in the folded position and remove the clamp lever they are a pig to carry away, with the two halves of the frame flapping about.

Here's a link to a fairly comprehensive list of folder manufacturers :-

Folding bikes

quote:

Originally posted by Diode100:
The world of folding bikes is amazing, the more you dig into it,

I agree, it's a fun sub-genre of cycling. A friend has a Birdy which has been all over the world by train, plane etc. and is used as his regular commuting bike. These may also be worth looking out for, though they do cost a fair amount new.