Query about Lindo City3 bike

[Nicklaus]

I am interested in purchasing a folding bicycle in order to get to work (roughly 4-5 miles), but I am a newbie to folding bikes and bicycles in general. Is this folding bike any good, I have been unable to find out much about the brand:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/City3-Fold...T2XE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1309278100&sr=8-2


I would appreciate all and any advice.

 

[cyberknight]

13.5 kg is fairly hefty for a bike, i would be tempted to increase your budget and go for something lighter like..


http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/hoptown-5-cappuccino-172069993/

 

[Nicklaus]

Thank you for your reply.
The weight is not a huge issue as I am fairly strong and will not be carrying it around much. Apart from the weight, what is the difference between the bike you recommended at the city3 bike? Are there other disadvantages of the city3 I should know about?

 

[corshamjim]

Those stubby mudguards on the City3 would be next to useless, especially the front one.

 

[cyberknight]

Thank you for your reply.
The weight is not a huge issue as I am fairly strong and will not be carrying it around much. Apart from the weight, what is the difference between the bike you recommended at the city3 bike? Are there other disadvantages of the city3 I should know about?

It is not so much the carrying as the effort required to actually pedal the bike any distance.
The decathlon also has points to mount a rack , making it easier to carry your stuff, the brake levers on the city look like they are pressed rather then forged so they will be pretty poor quality and are liable to bend easily.

Do not get me wrong the city will do the job but it will not be as much fun to ride as a bike that is made of better quality metal and higher quality components, many times people ask "is XX bike ok " and many times we reply that to get a good entry level bike you are looking at around £300 approx , or go second hand as bikes costing below a certain amount tend to be made to a price rather than to do a job well.

of course is your really want to push the boat out..
http://www.brompton.co.uk/page.asp?p=3060

 

[Nicklaus]

It is not so much the carrying as the effort required to actually pedal the bike any distance.
The decathlon also has points to mount a rack , making it easier to carry your stuff, the brake levers on the city look like they are pressed rather then forged so they will be pretty poor quality and are liable to bend easily.

Do not get me wrong the city will do the job but it will not be as much fun to ride as a bike that is made of better quality metal and higher quality components, many times people ask "is XX bike ok " and many times we reply that to get a good entry level bike you are looking at around £300 approx , or go second hand as bikes costing below a certain amount tend to be made to a price rather than to do a job well.

of course is your really want to push the boat out..
http://www.brompton....page.asp?p=3060

Thank you again, that was really informative. I'll shop around more for bikes (there does not appear to be a store in London that carries the decathlon), but I also wanted to ask, when you say better quality metal and quality components, do you mean in terms of how they perform, or lasting longer (against rust etc).

I don't think I'll start with bromptons, since they're a little more pricey than I want as a beginner.

 

[cyberknight]

, when you say better quality metal and quality components, do you mean in terms of how they perform, or lasting longer (against rust etc).

I don't think I'll start with bromptons, since they're a little more pricey than I want as a beginner.

Both the components are liable to be made very cheaply of lower quality materials so they will not last as long as not be as smooth as equipment made of better materials.

I ride what would be considered "good entry level " bikes ( carrera road bikes) having rode a variety of cheap bikes in the past including a cheap folder many years ago and it was hard work !

I am not the most knowledgeable here on folders but i am just trying to help based on my knowledge of the lower end equipment i have seen on numbers of bikes and what i have learnt from sites like this.

Maybe you should pop into your Local Bike shop and see what they recommend?


I think a couple of people on here have liked these ...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dahon/speed-d7-2011-folding-bike-ec022567

 

[Nicklaus]

My thanks to everyone who responded. I think I will end up buying the Dahon Speed D& 2011 bike, unless anyone has a complaint against it. I was able to try it out today at Evans and found it to my liking, despite having not ridden a bike for 12 years (it's true that you never forget how to ride a bike). I did find the steering a bit fiddly (less firm, more wiggly). I'm not sure if that's due to the bike being the display version, the model itself, a feature of folding bikes, or my own inexperience. Any comments?

 

[corshamjim]

I have a Dahon D7 which I bought second-hand. I'd say it's an excellent choice.

Yes the steering feels a bit light - that's mainly because of the small wheels. I've ridden mine on some quite long rides (up to 60 miles or so) quite pleasantly.

The only changes I have made to my Dahon are to fit ergon handlebar grips, ordinary (not folding) pedals with toe-clips/straps and replaced the saddle with something a bit more suited to my posterior.