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I know Brompton are the undoubted kings and the likely response on here, but they're best part of £1000 for basic models, and I'm not sure I have that to spend.
What do I need to be looking for and any advice / experience with other brands (incl Decathlon)
Will be used only for about 6km flattish at either end of a train ride, and no substantial portage at either end so weight is not the deciding factor.
Kit will be rucksack probably, and aim is to ride gently in work clothes, although my new place does have showers and lockers if needed.
have a look at the new Brompton B75 which is their new no frills version, only £745, available to buy on interest free credit for £30 a month.
Mate bought a Carrera one and likes it... it was 'interesting' to ride. !
Think they ran out of stock, but Lidl (or was it Aldi?) had a folding e-bike for £500 from last Thursday's bike promo.
Bromptom will keep a good resale price.
Bromptoms are a bit 'clown' bike to ride, they are probably better if you are on the smaller size. Better if you put some wide bars on the S models.
Birdy's ride very well and a lot of parts are familiar to a mtber - like the stem arrangement is just an upside down version of a normal headset arrangement.
Mezzo is similar I suppose.
The advantage of the Birdy and the Mezzo is that they don't have a central hinge, so are stiffer and don't get creaks from the central hinge.
Looking 2nd hand on ebay the Mezzos go quite cheaply so if you are on a budget I wold go for one of those.
Mezzos changed to a monoqueue frame for later designs, like the Birdy.
Birdys are more 2nd hand - there is a monocoque shell design that is more recent and attracts more money, and more recent ones had disk brakes. There are also two stem styles - the comfort and the sport that leans forward more and I think is preferable. Put Swalbe Big Apple tyres on a Birdy and it rides more like a normal bike, although a little twitchier.
Dahons are OK but have the central hinge which creaks (put some wax on it) and is a bit troublesome. The Uno is a single speed version which could be OK if your ride is flat :
Friend used to commute seven ish miles on a decathlon folder in London , she said it was fine for that and as an experienced cyclist she would've known if it was crap.
I've got a Kansi which I bought used for 200
It's in mint condition, very well made and designed
One of the best things I've bought
Brompton. They are just brilliant. Fold small and quickly. Surprisingly robust. Take a bit of getting used to. Wider riser bars on the S2 make a difference.
Pick up a 2nd hand one if needs. I got a mint S2L in Raw off here for £600. PM me for advice on where to look.
Or just buy two beaters for £50 off facebook marketplace or gumtree and have one at each station.
Dahons are great bikes- they feel more like a bike than a Brompton and are much easier to work on when something goes wrong.
Used Brompton circa £500. Far more than the sum of its parts. Love mine and I never commute. Nippy, fantastic design and just plain fun. Buy second hand and you won’t lose money. Plenty around just be patient for one that hasn’t been shagged. Any other cheaper folder (ie £400/500 new Aldi or Decathlon) will lose a packet in comparison so will work out costing you much more in real terms.
Flat bar 2 speed with mudguards is the purists choice.
Try to find one with the front bag included.
Dahon a good shout - have a 7 speed one that was £300 new on special. Ridden it all over London, Sheffield various others. OK on hills if you take it steady and rides fairly well. Only downside is doesn't fold quite as compact as a Brompton but still goes under desk/next to table in pub/on train easy enough.
Apart from being well over-priced, Bromptoms have tiny wheels which only have to look at a bump and feels uncomfortable
Big reason I went for the Kansi was for its 16" dia wheels, oh and a sealed rear gear hub, rather than a derailleur which is cleaner
For cheap, I’d also recommend the Decathlon. If you are not carrying it and don’t have to fold it much, then go for that. Seen a few just folded in half (no collapsing seatpost it bars) to get on trains into London at Slough. If you must have a tiny package, then a Brompton. I think they are great, but very expensive and not really as portable as you’d like (heavy bike is always heavy).
My fixed wheel converted Tactic Panache is nicer to ride, much lighter and was £200 all in. Mezzo are a nice ride too. Discontinued now.
Bromptons have 16 inch wheels. Your Kansi must be a 20
Bromptons are ace, they just work, really well. There are thousands all over London ridden regularly.
Personally I'd buy one second hand if you don't have the budget. Terns and Dahons are good though and would work well I'm sure
I've ridden my Brompton loads, very convenient. The compactness and speed of fold is one of its best attributes
THanks benp - yeah 16/20"
Loads in London as they are the only folders allowed on the underground (as they fold the smallest of all folders)
I've been using bromptons for about 15 years, so whilst I might be a bit biased, I recognise their faults and am no fanboi.
Cons - They are expensive, and the quality of parts is pretty poor - I got fed up of broken cranks and pedals so changed to non standard replacements.
Pros - Really nippy and quick off the mark. For riding in London, I think they must be difficult to beat.
So if its a simple straight/open road commute you're doing, you could probably get something cheaper and better, but for getting through busy streets quickly they're perfect.
Worth noting that the S version (straight handlebars) handles much better than the U shaped and is way more fun to ride.
they are the only folders allowed on the underground (as they fold the smallest of all folders)
Sorry that’s not true. Some rail companies have rules about folding bike wheel size. But not brand. Deep underground and Heathrow requires a folded folding bike. That is all. Take mine all the time. Also has 16” wheels, but larger are fine too.
Decathlons folding single speed is £150 and geared for £180, does it matter how much they depreciate? Can't say how good they are... I considered buying one to take on a plane for a city break, might go as standard luggage!
I had a Decathlon folder which was recalled last year and as I didn't like the look of the newer design I went for one of these Carreras. Came in at £315 with Cycling UK discount IIRC.
I think it's really good, quickly folds up small, can get a bag to put it in when travelling and it rides really well. I normally only use it for short distances, approx 3 miles or so commuting to work but it also comes on holiday with us (Mrs.P has one of the newer Decathlons) and handles rough tracks surprisingly well.
6 foot 1 inch with Brompton flat bar S twin speed. Great bike. Put some wider 600mm retro mtb flat bats on it, reversed the saddle bracket to push the saddle back, Seat post on full extension, fits really well, just like a normal bike. Has those good foam grips too which helps.
When I bought it they said run the marathon tyres at 100psi - rock hard ride and skittish. 65/60 and it is a different bike - handles bumps just fine. It’s not great on gravelly tracks but it does it just fine. Went around a reservoir with kids the other week no problem.
Handles better with front back on as it’s less twitchy.
Airnimal Joey here, bought on eBay for £400.
24” wheels make a big difference and it’s good fun to ride. Obviously doesn’t fold as quickly or neatly as a Brompton (need to remove the front wheel) and wouldn’t want to take it on the tube. But fine on the train.
thanks for the headsup on the "affordable" Bromptons with interest free credit, could be an option for me as we've just moved office to C. London. Dunno if I can get more off with the cycle to work scheme, seem to be fairly restricted who we can buy from and it only comes round a couple of times a year.
Mrs went the opposite direction - from a Birdy to a mint £50 Apollo Transition from the local bike recycling project (they are contracted to clear out the local uni bike shed every summer - full of abandoned brand new bikes).
It still does the folding thing for trains etc, but you don't have to fold and lug it into every building or shop precisely because it is a £50 bike. Proper utility cycling! Surprisingly decent welded aluminium frame and hinges.