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I'd like a folding bike for work. One that folds up small, like a Brompton but not at Brompton prices. It would be for whizzing about on on my breaks at work as I sometimes find myself with a few hours to kill. It needs to fold up small so I can fit it on the train (freight loco doors have very narrow openings so my road bike won't fit hence why I need something that folds up small. Also makes it easier lifting it on and off from track level). I also just want to look at a cheapie as I don't realistically know how much use it would get, maybe I'm better off sticking to running but I'd like to expand my horizons a little.
2nd hand Brompton? If you don't like it, sell it on again, and you won't lose much.
I don't think there's anything that folds as small as a Brompton, or even close, apart from random Chinese junky-looking things.
2nd hand Brompton? If you don’t like it, sell it on again, and you won’t lose much.
The corollary of that is that a second hand Brompton costs nearly as much as a new one...
Anyhoo, watches with interest.
I've ridden bromptons and not-bromptons, I know what I would choose. try facebook marketplace, usually better prices than ebay
You can get a new Brompton via C2W for not a lot more than they go secondhand.
Also, Brompton do a cool demo/hire scheme if you want to try one out. Either via dealers or their own lockers in some locations.
The missus has one of those Decathlon folding bikes. It's hard to believe that it's possible to squeeze so much mass into a relatively small space. It weighs a ton and is horrible.
I quite like the look of some of the Tern folding bikes though. My mates at Keep Pedalling in Manchester have some at sales prices currently: http://www.keeppedalling.co.uk/bikes/tern-folding-bikes/
Buy a brompton, everything else folds poorly, is awkward to carry, unfolds prematurely and will go floppy at the hinge. They are expensive but they last well.
I bought a 2nd hand Tern for the OP's reasons, but i didn't keep it long. The fold wasn't great, the magnet to hold it closed doesn't work well, the rubber strap to keep the handlebar in place is rubbish, so it falls open when you try and carry it. The chain is also on the outside when folded, mucking up all your clothes.
That said, it was cheap and worked ok, plus it takes normal shifters/mechs etc if you have spare MTB bits.
Terns are known for frame failures though, and there's been a few recalls so check what you are buying. Higher end ones are actually worse for this i think.
Needless to say I now have a Brompton. Due to being an unattractive lime colour i managed to pick it up for "bargain" price in ebay, so do keep a look out, especially for collection only ones.
Get a scooter. Cheaper and folds smaller than a Brompton, and more fun.
Well if they're that bad I think I'll give it a miss. Kinda expected as such and as good as Bromptons are undoubtedly are, I can't justify that much money disappearing from my bank account when the other half is on maternity leave! Yeah, I know I could recover most of it if it came to it, it's just the initial outlay that's beyond me. Plus it's only for use on breaks when get the opportunity to get out which is not every day. Just wanted to mix things up a bit. I guess I'll stick to running but thanks for the feedback, you've probably saved me spending £80-100 on something rubbish.
I've had a Dahon and a Brompton. The Dahon was much nicer to ride but developed hinge flaccidity, the Brompton was frankly horrible to ride for more than about a mile or 2 (IMHO of course) but nothing beats them for foldingability and the frames at least are well built. As mentioned above, I got one on C2W and sold it a year later for very mininmal loss.
Mrs has an Apollo Transition that cost £50 from the local bike recycling project. We found an expensive folding bike (did have a Birdy) became a bit useless for errands as you were always paranoid to leave it outside a shop (so you ended up constantly having to fold it up and cart it everywhere).
At £50 also not afraid to modify it - e.g. custom lower / longer riding position by chopping the top 6 inches off the existing "stem" to leave a plain 35mm diameter pseudo-steerer tube. Then get a hefty zero rise stem that fits 35mm handlebars and fit it arse-about (steerer to bar clamp and bar clamp to steerer).
CraigW, I like your thinking but I'm just not sure I could...
The Brompton is worth every penny - well mine is - I have a 2016 S6L - compared to a road bike it accelerates like a rocket, and dont forget the rear suspension, also it is very stable and you can forget your riding a folder with 16" wheels.
I got mine from the bike shop in Malmesbury- they are official dealers.
Mine was thier Demo bike so I got a £1050 bike for £750
I tried the "m" bars but found them too flexy - the Straight bar has a slightly taller stem and is rock solid.
My only warning is that when you hear something rattling on the back- dont ignore it - its the derailiuer bolt which goes in from underneath. I was lucky though otherwise it could wreack your back wheel -
Also on the New Intercity Express trains mine doesnt fit (all the way) under the luggage rack as I have the extra long seat post!!!
I used mine from Swindon to NEC (12 miles a day) for a year and its still rides like new. it paid for itself in 3 weeks!
I love mine and even though I dont commute on it now I am keeping it.
i bought a singlespeed folder from decathlon for 99 euro.
It never missed a beat in my 6 mile each way commute every day for 6 months and various jaunts around northern holland.
Id buy another if i had the need.
the geared one looked like junk and heavier than the sun in the shop test... but the SS actually worked reasonably well. brought over my own saddle and a pair of SPDs
Have a look at my chameleon joey in the new classifieds. Folds small (albeit not as small as a Brompton) but rides much more like a proper bike 😉