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A change in role means a bit more travel to London/Bristol etc by train. Maybe once per week, which is more than the once per month currently.
So I'm looking for a folder for the station to office and back bit, around 3 miles each way. Might also get used as recreational bike if overnighting to other locations.
Don't really want to spend Brompton money, and have spotted the Decathlon Tilt 500 which looks like it will fit the bill.
Anyone got one? Had a go on one?
Will be visiting the Nottingham store in a couple of weeks while visiting, and would be looking to purchase one, but would like any user views first.
Or other suggestions?
Or "thinly veiled stealth 2nd hand Brompton wanted ad" 😉
Get a Brompton, the only bike I have ran for years of commuting and with Marathon tyres on never touched mechanically.
Decathlon had an issue with folding bike recalls. But, I really rate Decathlon. I good try and see option.
Thanks Wally.
Hmm...will have a look at the quality and see what bi think.
Had marathons on my old commuter for years and never had a ...ahem...issue 😉
I have a Tilt 500 in yellow, bought through our cycle to work scheme at the beginning of October. Commute is roughly 2.5 miles each way and I've had absolutely zero issues with the bike in the 3 months I've had it. Gets thrown in the boot of the car and forgotten about every day, really easy to fold and put back together, I'm really pleased with mine.
However, it's no Brompton, which I've ridden side to side, the quality and ease of the Brompton folding mechanism appears much better. But then if you've looked at the prices of even 2nd hand Bromptons, you can see why the Tilt is so appealing.
I'm happy to answer any specific questions you might have, but travelling all day tomorrow so might not be able to reply quickly.
Brian
Thanks nogoodknees.
I feared that the Brompton may well still be the one. Looking at the specs noting seems to fold as small.
And yes, second hand prices are strong, but I guess that does mean I will get my money back down the line.
Brompton are:
1) Overpriced
2) The wheels are too small
I went with a Kansi https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/folding/product/review-kansi-3twenty-10-39408/
The Kansi runs 20" wheels which I really wanted - more comfort than Brompton's 16"
I went with a Sram hub gear set-up as that means no rear mech/der to get oily/dirty for when carrying/transporting etc. The 3 -speed is fine all scenarios
Build quality is superb (I have compared with other folders)
It folds in record time
I've really enjoyed using it and bought it ebay used for £200 - bargain
Decathlon make fine bikes. But the Tilt is 13 kilos. How many times will you fold and unfold it? If you drive to the station, unfold, then wheel to the platform and fold to get on the train, you'll tire pretty quickly of folding. You will also not be happy carrying 13 kilos of bike to the platform. If you ride to the station, it's less of an issue.
I've previously owned a Brompton, Airnimal and and an Airframe (geek alert). The Brompton is the best FOLDING bike, it rides well, but best of all you won't sigh every time you fold it! But... it's expensive, and other bikes ride better if you aren't folding it very often. Check used bikes against the Brompton stolen registry before purchase. A seller shold allow you to do this.
I'm looking at other options now for a ride to the tube station (4 miles) and the other side, as I've stopped long-distance commuting in favour of longer errr training rides!
Kansi was Fisher bikes in-house brand. There was a safety recall on them, and I beleive theyu were rebranded Tern or Dahons. A used Dahon or Tern would be lighter than the Decathlon, but fold no smaller nor more quickly. The wheelbase may be a bit longer for a slightly better ride. To be honest, over 3 miles it really won't matter much.
Brompton are:
1) Overpriced
2) The wheels are too small
I just replaced my Brompton. It was at least 12 years old and fairly high end - the new equivalent cost £1300. It didn't get used for a daily commute but got ridden pretty much every week at least once. I knew it needed a lot of parts replaced so put it on eBay at £500 fixed price and it sold inside half an hour. It's probably the best value bike I've owned.
Nothing folds as easily or as small or has the convenience of the front luggage block (get it with this) .There are far too many folding bikes that come without mudguards (this is a bike to ride in normal clothes - pointless without guards). If you can get a Brompton on bike to work you can probably own it for nothing. I've heard good things about the decathlon (and they're super cheap). Most of the other brands are rebadged Tern or Dahon - nothing wrong with them but they're not bromptons.
Was working in Reading yesterday and had half an hour before meeting so popped in to Cycle Republic. Chap in there gave me a proper demo and spiel on the Bromptons.
Yeah, they kind of have it licked on the folded size. But I'm struggling with over a grand for mebbe no more than 10 miles a week.
Can do it C2W though so comes in at £600 ish in the end. And sell it that amount a few years down the line.
I didn't spot that they had Tens in too, so will pop in again next week when I'm there again and compare.
Tempted to get a Tern for £500 and bag a load of new "commuting" clothes and accessories to top up C2W 😉 But it depends how it stacks up to the Brommie
The Brompton only folds a bit smaller than most of the others - there's not that much in it, although London Underground specify Brompton only
I paid £200 for a minter of a Kansi (different to Dahon). It had mudgaurds (a must as said), and a rear rack with a 'Kansi' stretch cord for securing what you're carrying
In the train, I sit on the single folder seat by the door with the bike slid beside me - totally out the way
Can do it C2W though so comes in at £600 ish in the end. And sell it that amount a few years down the line.
No brainer.
In the train, I sit on the single folder seat by the door with the bike slid beside me – totally out the way
Whereas a Brompton will fit between the seatbacks, in the luggage spaces, and in some cases even on the overhead racks. In short, almost anywhere. No need to compromise where you sit to be within sight of your bike.
Also, they're the only folder that the Royal Opera House accept in their cloakroom. 😎
The Brompton only folds a bit smaller than most of the others – there’s not that much in it, although London Underground specify Brompton only
The difference isn’t large, but its significant. just as important, a Brompton can be pushed when folded, is pretty stable standing up (the two reasons for getting a rack on one), and the chain is inside when folded so you rarely get oil on your clothes.
Any folding bike is allowed on the underground as far as i’m aware
The other nice thing is a brompton will stay together when folded, many other folding bikes flop about as they're held together by magnets that never quite sit right so as you carry it the bike flails about.
There's no need to try and change my mind - I love my £200 Kansi. I was going 'round telling folk it was one of the best things I'd ever bought 🙂
Even if money was no object I wouldn't buy a Brompton. 16" wheels you may as well buy a skateboard J