Recommend a decent folding bike please!

Woodyrocks

I am about to buy my first ever bike (and also learn to ride it!). Wanting a foldable bike as I shall be commuting within London.

I popped into a bike shop near me and I saw a couple around the £350-400 mark but then I looked in Argos and saw a couple in the £110-140 mark, so how do I go about deciding which is the most appropriate

I don't want to buy the cheapest but do I need the dearest? Which are the good makes? Functionally, what should I be looking for?

Also if one is known to be easier to learn to ride do recommend

diable

Do you want a full size folder or one of the smaller type of ones like a Brompton? I don't think the cheap folders would be much good but you could always check out Dahon. It might be an idea to weigh yourself as some of these bikes come with weight restrictions if you are like me and a bit of a lard !!!!.........

TimothyEBaldwin

Anything much larger than a Brompton will be difficult to fit in luggage spaces.

The only problems I've found with a Brompton:

It will not fit in a 4-berth sleeper compartment on trains operated by Elipsos without removing the saddle and LH crank. This may also apply to Talgo trains operated by RENFE, DB and Amtrak.

It will not fit in a British Rail Mark 3 sleeper coach - put it in that correct luggage van.

It will not fit between the backs of British Rail fitted seats on Mark 3 coaches, but will fit in luggage stacks.

Woodyrocks

Thanks for the replies. I don't know what a Brompton or Dahon is but will google if for sure.

I weigh 8.7 stone which I think is about 56kgs does that mean I should only be looking at a Dahon?

TIA!

diable

at 56kgs they all should be ok for you.

ozvaldinho

I have a dahon speed 7. I bought it two years ago for my work, which involves moving lots of vehicles.
I stripped a lot of stuff off it to make it lighter, so it's got no mudguards, bell, back brake, carrier, reflectors. It's easier to carry, and the dahon carry bag is very useful.
I regularly ride 25 miles or more in a week and never had any trouble with it. It's quite quick and seems strong...I'm 6 feet 3 and 18 stone!
I'm happy to recommend it to you.

p00hsticks

The Gagdet Show reviewed a number of folding bikes about six months ago, with Olympic Cyclist Rebecca Romero.

The Brompton came out as the best, although I think it was more expensive than some of the others tested.

Details here;

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/29868/Timeless-cool-Brompton-lauded-by-TVs-Gadget-Show

Woodyrocks

I have both Dahon & Brompton in my ebay watchlist and yes, I am leaning much more towards the Brompton even though it is much more expensive. I am liking the look of the M3L & M6L but they are ending around the £400+ mark

I read on the Dahon site that 20" wheel is a much more comfortable ride but all the Brompton I see are 16"

Mini_Bear

OP if you are commuting for work remember there is a govt scheme which gives you a 50% discount on a bike and associated equipment. the scheme is thru ur employer and financed over 12months thru ur payslip. Im not sure of the website but perhaps you could google it.
also please make sure you take some cycle (road awareness) classes based in london as cycling in london is a dangerous beast and several of my friends have come a cropper recently.
Have fun cycling!

Woodyrocks

Hi Mini Bear,

The site in question is http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

I came across it earlier, it is no use to me in this instance (returning to study) but I hope someone else will come across it that might not know of it.

Thanks for the tips. I think I just need to learn to ride a bike first before taking any cycle classes!

ozvaldinho

My wife learned to ride on my Dahon, it's good for learning because it has no crossbar and you can set the saddle very low and the handlebars high, which helps you keep your balance. Also, you won't feel as bad about scratching a cheaper bike, whereas if you scratch up a Brompton you'd be upset.