My next bike should be a....?

[exbfb]

I'm loving the road bike.
I just think the lightness and overall, almost fragile and delicate feel of it is great.
It's a real treat of a thing to have and I feel that I will always cherish it.
Much like getting a lovely guitar or bass and knowing that you'll never be parted.
It's a very modest Trek 1.1, but I love it and wouldn't want anything more.


I also love the old hybrid for trundling along the canal and enjoying life at a slower pace.
This is a late 90s Diamondback Lakeside and it was my reintroduction to cycling being a gift from my brother who had to give up cycling because of serious ailment with his back and neck. This too is precious becuase of how it came to me.

What next ?

I fell almost guilty saying this, but I sort of can see a space for....

Err....

How do I put this ?....


















A Brompton ?

There, I've said it.
I would love to take a folder on holidays with me and this appeals to me.
It would fit into the back of the people carrier just lovely.

I'm now open to your chosen form of abuse or other epxressions of opinion.

 

[Alembicbassman]

If you want a folder look at the Airnimals, they have 24" wheels and offer a more comfortable ride than 20" wheelers

There's also the Moultons, the space frame models are separable for transport, they do take a good few minutes to put back together though.

Dahon do the Cadenza, Matrix and Jack model folders with full size 26" wheels.

Bromptons are steel framed and built like tanks with super slick folding mechanics, but not lightweight.

 

[exbfb]

Alembic Bassman.
What a great username.
I think I'll just leave that thought there. I'm a big fan of the hippy sandwich look.

Anyway, thanks for the advice.
I'll go and have a look at your suggestions.

 

[Night Train]

I'd quite like my next bike to be a Brompton.

Unfortunately my next bike is this one.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....780&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&autorefresh=true

 

[TheBoyBilly]

I love my Brompton. It has now become my most used bike (of 5) It is virtually bullet-proof and easy to maintain. Dahons are very good but don't fold as well. I have a folder with larger wheels and the ride is not noticeably better on my commute. Bromptons aren't cheap but think of buying one as an investment. I paid £730 for mine and I think it has just about paid for itself, All future riding is free! Airnimals are also good but I think more for the committed rider. Moultons are works of art but I'm not sure if one would suit your lifestyle.
You won't regret buying a Brommie and I would suggest an M-type 3-speeder is good enough for most circumstances.

Bill

 

[Night Train]

I recently had the use of a 6 speed Brommie. It was great but it just took a while to get used to the double shifting required to get all the gears smoothly.

I would happily have one and it would probably be my primary two wheeler.

 

[TheDoctor]

I can vouch for the usefulness of a Brommie.
I've used mine for day rides in France and I'm taking it on Eurostar later in the year, to do a weekend tour of France.
The 6-speed shift pattern is OK once you're used to it, and gives a range of 33' to 99' or so.

 

[exbfb]

Airnimal prices seem to be a bit strong for me.
Oops, so do Moulton.
Dahon, much less expensive, maybe a bit less "want one" about it.
Brompton, maybe,

What about Montague ?
Never seen one of these in the flesh.

 

[John90]

I love my Brompton. Airnimals look great but are costly. I was once tempted by a Montague and the Dahon Jack because they fold out as full-size bikes, but I can get my MTB in the back of the car by taking the wheels off in a couple of minutes so I couldn't see any major advantage. My Brompton is twelve years old I think. It's been serviced once in that time, plus a couple of tire changes, and it's still going strong.