Folding bike bicycle advice

JamesN

Hi Guys,

I'm trying to find a good value folding bike. I do want alright quality purely from a safety perspective (i've read reviews of key components snapping which worries me), but can't afford to spend too much.

It will be used for getting to and from the train station (about 2 miles a day).

I'm around the 12 stone weight
6ft tall
need mudguards
commute is relatively flat (if that makes much of a diff to gearing)

Would be great to get some advice, all the reviews i've seen are for bikes over £300.

Was looking at trying to pick a diamond in the rough for these cheaper imports, surely some of them are ok?

Many thanks for any help!

Billy-no-Money

I don't know much about folding bikes, but the Decathlon chain has a reputation for good value no-frills bicycles (cheap frills go wrong).

They're advertising a folder for £130 - this is single speed but should be ok for a two-mile trip if it's not too hilly. It doesn't have mudguards though so you'd need to add these if you're commuting in work clothes.

Worth a look - but someone with more knowledge than me might be able to make a recommendation.

JamesN

Thanks Billy,

Yeah I need mudguards as will often be wearing work clothes. Single speed is fine, no hills on my commute.

Bigmoney2

Do you really need a folder, does the station not have cycle parking.

http://www.atob.org.uk/folding-bikes/folding-bike-buyers-guide-uk/

Some info above, but good ones aren't cheap.
Look at wheel size, not sure how easy it is to ride one with small wheels, I'd try before you buy if you can.

JamesN

Bigmoney2 wrote: »

Do you really need a folder, does the station not have cycle parking.

http://www.atob.org.uk/folding-bikes/folding-bike-buyers-guide-uk/

Some info above, but good ones aren't cheap.
Look at wheel size, not sure how easy it is to ride one with small wheels, I'd try before you buy if you can.

Thanks for the link, found that during my research and all of them seem to be out of my price range. (couldn't find the one they mentioned that was a copy, the compass marine badged one)

Problem with the station is that my commute doesn't stop there, i've got another mile to do after the station so want a folder that i can put in the office.

Thanks

custardy

check Gumtree/eBay
often bargains to be had
mate recently got a Brompton for under £100 the other week

Bigmoney2

There are a few here, if there's a branch near you.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/folding-bikes-bikes-sports.html

Billy-no-Money

There's a little bit of childishness in me that says 'get a scooter'. Not a motor scooter. One of those things you push along.

For a 1-mile journey one of those would be brilliant, but us grown-ups aren't supposed to ride push-along scooters.

Or a skateboard.

attila_

I had a mezzo d9 used for a couple of years commuting round london. Fantastic bit of engineering. Only trouble i had was three rear punctures during the ice/snow even though i had kevlar tyres.

Its a real brompton alternative.

savageHK

Before you buy, make sure to check the train company's rules on folding bikes. IIRC, they have tightened them up recently and in some cases have imposed a size restriction. A Brompton has a very neat fold and small footprint and will always tick all the boxes, but it will be more than your pricerange in all likelihood. Does your workplace offer the Cycle to Work scheme? It's a way of getting a reduced cost bike (rules have recently changed) and would also enable you to spread the payments.

JamesN

savagehoutkop wrote: »

Before you buy, make sure to check the train company's rules on folding bikes. IIRC, they have tightened them up recently and in some cases have imposed a size restriction. A Brompton has a very neat fold and small footprint and will always tick all the boxes, but it will be more than your pricerange in all likelihood. Does your workplace offer the Cycle to Work scheme? It's a way of getting a reduced cost bike (rules have recently changed) and would also enable you to spread the payments.

e
Yeah but for some reason they closed the scheme didn't know about those regs tho!