Recommend me a new folding bike

[SteveParry]

The problem I have with folders is carrying them. 12-14 Kg on one arm gets old VERY quickly if you're trying to get through a large rail station etc. I wondered if anyone can confirm if all Dahon and Tern 20" wheel models can be wheeled along by holding the saddle? I think I could do this with my previous Birdy but not sure about these makes.

 

[Drago]

Not a problem for me carrying them, although I eat 3 weetabix for supper.

 

[abcd efg]

The problem I have with folders is carrying them. 12-14 Kg on one arm gets old VERY quickly if you're trying to get through a large rail station etc. I wondered if anyone can confirm if all Dahon and Tern 20" wheel models can be wheeled along by holding the saddle? I think I could do this with my previous Birdy but not sure about these makes.

I don't know about the Dahons and Terns but the Airnimal Joey with 24in wheels can very easily be wheeled along a railway platform and that it takes just a minute or two to fold it to that point.

 

[HelenD123]

The problem I have with folders is carrying them. 12-14 Kg on one arm gets old VERY quickly if you're trying to get through a large rail station etc. I wondered if anyone can confirm if all Dahon and Tern 20" wheel models can be wheeled along by holding the saddle? I think I could do this with my previous Birdy but not sure about these makes.

I don't commute by train, but when I tour I just keep my bike unfolded until I'm on the platform and as close to the train door as I can get before folding it. The Tern I tried didn't hold together very well. Not sure about wheeling it folded.

 

[annedonnelly]

I never carry my Brompton anywhere folded. I ride or wheel it to wherever I'm going and then lift it in or out of bus/train/front door. Only very occasionally you might come across an old station which hasn't been modified for disabled access and there are only stairs between platforms - Manors in Newcastle is one.

 

[tds101]

I got some LitePro front mech adapters for Brompton from AliExpress, but one did not stay long, and the other never got mounted, as they did not meet the standards I want to have on a bike. I think I even tried to improve them, but it ended up being in vain. Maybe I got some chainring, but it must still bein a storage box. Is the LitePro "Brompton" consistent with what you usually get on AliExpress? Sorry to be blunt.

I honestly have no experience with anything Brompton, but I highly doubt it meets the specs of a real Brommie. I'm waiting for the release of the (I hope) 20" wheeled Brompton to possibly, finally, HOPEFULLY, join the club. Pray for me! 🙏🙏🙏

 

[Milkfloat]

I have been waiting for the new Brompton G Line to come out, but the price is too much for me. So, I have started looking elsewhere. However, I am tall 6'4" with size 12 feet. Can anyone confirm if an Intercity 9 (or even 8) would be a good match? @Drago IIRC you had/have one?

 

[Drago]

I'm about half an inch shorter than you, size 11, 35" inside leg and do OK on the wonderfully flighty Disc9. It's the favourite bike on my fleet and one of only three that survived a recent cull.

 

[Milkfloat]

I'm about half an inch shorter than you, size 11, 35" inside leg and do OK on the wonderfully flighty Disc9. It's the favourite bike on my fleet and one of only three that survived a recent cull.

Thanks, I assume you have seatpost at full extension?

 

[Drago]

About half inch short of full.

 

[Milkfloat]

About half inch short of full.

Thank you for helping me spend money!

 

[Polyphemus]

Helix? 24"wheels but v.compact fold. Compatible with large range cassettes.

 

[Kell]

I don't know about the Dahons and Terns but the Airnimal Joey with 24in wheels can very easily be wheeled along a railway platform and that it takes just a minute or two to fold it to that point.

I don't consider any of the airnimals to be really useful for commuting by train. The fact that the front wheel has to come off to fold them rules them out for me (also applies to Montagues and Swiss Bikes). Handy for storage, but not much fun on a wet, freezing February morning when you're late for your train and having to get wet, dirty hands taking the wheel off. Plus the time it takes.

The full size Dahons (I had three) can all be folded in half in less than two seconds and can be pushed along on their rear wheels.

Any of those full size bikes however, means that if you're usually on a very busy train you might have to miss it and wait for the next one. I had to do this several times with my Dahons, but maybe only once in 10 years of 16" Brompton ownership.

The new G-lines roll really well on their racks (on the smooth surface of the Brompton Junction at least) when folded. They should glide along a train platform very easily.

 

[Drago]

I found the G line not especially lively to ride, possibly because I'm used to a lithe and fast rolling 20 incher. It wasn't unpleasant, it just didn't feel anywhere near as flighty a bike that cost barely a fifth the price.

And if you're going down the 20 inch route a Tern style fold is perfectly adequate on the choo choos, and I've experienced first hand.

 

[Kell]

I found the G line not especially lively to ride, possibly because I'm used to a lithe and fast rolling 20 incher. It wasn't unpleasant, it just didn't feel anywhere near as flighty a bike that cost barely a fifth the price.

And if you're going down the 20 inch route a Tern style fold is perfectly adequate on the choo choos, and I've experienced first hand.

I'm still not totally sold on the G-Line.

When I first test rode them, i was probably one of the first to do so - this is not a brag, but is important later on*.

The small was too small, so I only took the large out for a ride, but I agree that it didn't feel particularly nimble.

I went back to the Brompton Junction last week and they do now have a medium test bike. I didn't take it out as it was ten minutes before closing and I didn't have my cards with me for a deposit anyway. So I just sat on one for size.

*It felt like it had done 100,000 miles. Felt very sloppy - like everything had worked loose. I am going to go back and try it out for real, but didn't inspire much confidence if I'm honest. Compared to when I rode one when it was brand new.