Decent folding bikes?

[stevo as b4]

I'm pretty green to modern cycle tech other than having a fairly recent hardtail MTB. I've been given an old Raleigh folding girls bike, and I've had far too much fun riding it around to fetch bits and bobs from DIY stores and nip to the swimming baths on etc. I fitted an old Morrison's plastic crate on the back, and It's now replaced walking and driving to the supermarket for food shopping as well.

I just wondered is there much in the way of decent more manly folding bikes out there that would be even more awesome, was thinking of something with a fair few gears, hydraulic discs brakes and maybe suspension if possible? If they are small and lighter and can fit into a large bag then even better, for when I go to visit family on the train etc.

What would you expect to pay for a decent such bike new, and what brands are good to look at?

The only thing I think I could have more fun on at the moment would be a tuned monkey bike, but I guess riding one of those through shopping centres and up subways is harder to get away with?

[G]

You can take bikes on the train anyway if you check ahead etc.

Suspension I only see as really useful off-road. While it can making jumping kerbs a bit safer, generally you lose the extra you're gaining because you're going slower etc.
A man doesn't need suspension for riding around on the road .

You can get bags like these to put your whole bike in to.
https://thehut.pantherssl.com/productimg/0/300/300/30/10773830-1363251229-147637.jpg
Sounds like it might make a bit more sense. Should be ok getting on to buses/trains with them, but still have the benefits of the full bike at the other end as you want. For a similar spec bike you're going to be saving weight, because there's no chunky hinges and the like.

[D O G]

Bromptons are the best find up bikes as far as I can see, smallest folded package, quickest unfold, well made, decent choice of gearing etc. Fucking expensive, at least 500quid second hand.

[stinkwheel]

Brompton are pretty much the best. I have a bickerton which was it's predecessor and it is hilareously scary and dangerous to ride but I've seen people doing sportives on a Brompton.

If you see a folding bicycle for sale that looks very like a brompton but is named after a London tube station don't pay more than £50 for it. My Dad was importing knock-off Bromptons from China, badging them up and flogging them on ebay for £75 a pop a few years ago. They were definately worth £75.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[stevo as b4]

I'll look into them then. I'm not fussed about suspension, but would want something lighter and able to fold smaller than a ladies Raleigh compact, and have hydraulic disc brakes to make it worth changing.

I know you don't need disc brakes on a commuter bike that needs to be portable and simple, but I've almost forgot how to look after caliper rim brakes after having a disc MTB, and hate the squeal of wet brakes etc.

Something with an Alloy frame would be nice. Can you get decent 6-8speed hub gearbox's now, and are they a better bet than say a std 10speed set up?

[G]

You can get up to 14 speed internal geared hubs I believe. Also CVT ones (with or without electrical control of the CVT for some REALLY fancy possibilities!)

You can get rim brakes much better than cheap disc brakes.
Similarly, steel isn't always heavier than a cheap alloy frame.

[smegballs]

Sheldon brown's pimped raleigh twenty

https://www.foldingcyclist.com/Sheldon-Brown-Raleigh-Twenty-modified.jpg

[stinkwheel]

If I was having a hub gear, I'd have a coaster brake too. Coaster brakes are awesome once you get used to them.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[stevo as b4]

I'm possibly being a bit tarty about it TBH, but I'd want to get something light, decent and easy to fold as well as having a cool spec. I'm going to have to save up for it anyway, so I'll stay riding the Raleigh compact for now. I do have a spare set of Renthal MX bars in the garage if I wanted to do something silly when I get bored though!

[_Will_]

https://cdn.ternbicycles.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/large-600px-wide/users/uploads/3031/ecp.jpg

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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Since you already have one, I'd look at upgrading the components and build a tailor made one for yourself, a la Sheldon Brown, above.

This year we sold our mountain bikes and bought a pair of folders :-

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/raleigh-activ-20-fold-a-bike-p200593

(Not at that price though )

Easier for taking camping, and handy to pop in the back of the car when dropping it off for a service. I'd like to up the toothcount at the front, as I pretty much pull off in 4th, then go to 7th and stay there. I also miss the suspension of the MB, might toy with a sprung seat post.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Airnimal (https://www.airnimal.eu/) are pretty decent and offer bikes in larger wheel sizes than normal. Theyre pretty steep price wise though. Looking at thousands rather than hundreds. Rhino model is full suss version.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Yosh]

If your thinking about spending anything near £500 for a folding bike you could consider a folding electric bike for around £400.

I used to have a Izip ezgo before my daft oldman left it somewhere stupid to get nicked.

It was great for inner city stopping and starting at traffic lights and junction as you could accelerate from a standstill very rapidly (I always find that a bit hair at a busy junction). Quite possible the most fun I've ever had on two wheels and overtaking the spandex clad super cyclists on £2000 bikes was always fun.

Could easily get 15 mph without pedaling if you are feeling lazy. Only down side to the model was the folding mechanism for the front handle bars initially felt slightly wobbly and a little precarious but you get used to it.

[Ste]

www.montaguebikes.co.uk

Taking bikes on trains is lots of hassle. Most trains only allow a very small number of bikes on each train, First Great Western Paddington line trains can take a maximum of six bikes. If you want to take your bike and there's already six bikes then you have to wait for the next train even if you've got a pre booked ticket for that train. If a train is cancelled and there are replacement bus services then you can't take your bike.

Different train companies have different rules about folding bikes. First Great Western say: "Folding bikes, with a maximum wheel size of 18 inches in diameter, are permitted on any service on any day.
Please fold your bike down and store it in the luggage rack. Folding bikes with bigger wheels than specified above are treated as conventional bikes on First Great Western."

I'd say that taking bikes on trains is more hassle than it was five or ten years ago.

Back in my day!!!https://www.beltfedshooters.com/forum/images/smilies/oldman.gif

[daemonoid]

[handbasket]

Brompton is generally held to be the best folder. I have one I inherited, and also a Birdy Blue. Haven't used either for a while but I am tempted to get them up and running as the train into Bristol when I choose to do that would be much easier with a folding bike than with a full sized bike.

now they do a 24-speed disc version:

https://en.r-m.de/bike/birdy-touring-disc/

I have folding racks on mine and I changed the pedals to SPDs. The folding racks mean you can carry proper panniers but the folding still works. The compromise is weight and it doesn't fold anything like as small as a Brompton but it's much more of a bike.

[alduccia]

Hi! this is my first post!
I need help because I want to buy a Folding bike, Hi Spec,Brand GreenWAY but I can't find opinion about it.
Somebody can give me some information? is it a good folding bike? how much does it wight?
is its performance good or sufficient?
thanks...