What Folding Bike?
Discussion
I am contemplating a fold up bike for commuting and using on caravan holidays etc. It has to be a proper folding bike so not a full size one that merely has a hinge. Will also be bought on the Cycle to Work scheme and in theory has to come from Halfords. The obvious answer is Brompton but not available in Halfords and also I would like to spend less this time round to see how often I use it,
So Halford options are Raleigh, Apollo, Carerra, Bickerton, Dahon and Falcon. Raleigh cheapest and an increasing price range of Bickertons.
So anyone got any of these?
So Halford options are Raleigh, Apollo, Carerra, Bickerton, Dahon and Falcon. Raleigh cheapest and an increasing price range of Bickertons.
So anyone got any of these?
Expect a heated debate on this one. I feel I am in a good position to comment as I have run a Tern folding bike for four months and now I'm riding a Brompton.
Tern Link D8 (8 Speed)
Mine is a 2013 model bought second hand, but actually had an entire new frame fitted in November last year under recall from Tern. Tern was founded by the son of the founder of Dahon, so the bikes are very similar.
V-brakes. they stop very well, but the standard levers are cheap and don't feel very good. I'd say the brakes are better than a Bromton
20in wheels and big tyres mean they soak up the bumps better than a bromton and you have a few more choices on tyres
They are stiffer than a Bromton. When you get out the saddle there isn't much flex, where as there is on a Brompton and ever the stiffer suspension block doesn't offer much extra.
Riding position on the Tern is slightly better IMO and bit more noraml compared to the Brompton.
Handling on the Tern is probabaly slightly better, but you do get a bit more aglity with the Brompton because of the wheel size.
The fold
I'm sorry, but the Tern and the Dahons and probabaly the cheap apollos from Halfords will be utter crap in comparison.
The design of of TYern means it isn't very stable when you fold it up, so most train users end up lashing it to a pole in the train and the 30 seconds you spend doing that could mean you won't get a seat on the train.
Also the fold on the Tern, leaves the oily bits exposed, so if you brush up against it, you will get oil on your clothes and it can also fall down in your house and mark your carpet.
Unfolding the tern, means you are unfolding outwards and this means that people can walk into it or you will accidentally swing it into people's ankles. I've only done it once, but its enough to make you think about it. No issues with that and the Brompton.
Bromptons go unnoticed on busy trains because they are small and compact. A tern just isn't.
Brompton fold is considered the best of all folding bikes. Thats usually never in question.
Walking with it
Walking with the Tern is stupidly awkward. You have to rest the thing against your hip and if you favour left or right, then guess what you will probably get oily stains on your clothes becauise of the exposed drive train.
The cables on the Tern also loop out in a daft way and the extreme bend means they split easily.
Walking with the Brompton is easy. Its much more compact and will happily sit on its own on a train with out falling over. Also, its self contained when its folded. The Tern isn't
Build Quality
The Tern is crap. The rear mech is a joke. I had a new BB and had rear mech adjusted twice in time I've owned it as well as replacement wheel bearings. Now the rear wheel needs trueing. The design means there are some really bad cable marks on it. Ergo grips are nice, but they aren't glued on very well and a grip shifter means that one of them is constantly in the wrong place.
The saddle clamp is made of cheese and constantly needs tightening.
I've only had my Brompton for a week, but my my early impressions are good and the brand has an excellent reputation.
Gearing
The gearing on the Tern is a bit better as it has 8 speeds and I preferred the grip shifter on the Tern. I'm not getting on with the cheap shifter on the Brompton and 3 speeds. May upgrade to a 6 speed hub next year.
What happens with a lot of people who buy folding bikes, is they do what I do. Go and buy a cheap Tern an Dahon and then suddenly realize that they aren't as good as Brompton and then sell said Tern and go and buy a Brompton.
The final straw for me was when my Tern fell onto the back of a child's buggy. I'd only just unstrapped it and reach to get bag and it fell over. I wasn't popular when it fell over on the carpet either.
Hope this has given you a good insight from both sides of the spectrum.
Tern Link D8 (8 Speed)
Mine is a 2013 model bought second hand, but actually had an entire new frame fitted in November last year under recall from Tern. Tern was founded by the son of the founder of Dahon, so the bikes are very similar.
V-brakes. they stop very well, but the standard levers are cheap and don't feel very good. I'd say the brakes are better than a Bromton
20in wheels and big tyres mean they soak up the bumps better than a bromton and you have a few more choices on tyres
They are stiffer than a Bromton. When you get out the saddle there isn't much flex, where as there is on a Brompton and ever the stiffer suspension block doesn't offer much extra.
Riding position on the Tern is slightly better IMO and bit more noraml compared to the Brompton.
Handling on the Tern is probabaly slightly better, but you do get a bit more aglity with the Brompton because of the wheel size.
The fold
I'm sorry, but the Tern and the Dahons and probabaly the cheap apollos from Halfords will be utter crap in comparison.
The design of of TYern means it isn't very stable when you fold it up, so most train users end up lashing it to a pole in the train and the 30 seconds you spend doing that could mean you won't get a seat on the train.
Also the fold on the Tern, leaves the oily bits exposed, so if you brush up against it, you will get oil on your clothes and it can also fall down in your house and mark your carpet.
Unfolding the tern, means you are unfolding outwards and this means that people can walk into it or you will accidentally swing it into people's ankles. I've only done it once, but its enough to make you think about it. No issues with that and the Brompton.
Bromptons go unnoticed on busy trains because they are small and compact. A tern just isn't.
Brompton fold is considered the best of all folding bikes. Thats usually never in question.
Walking with it
Walking with the Tern is stupidly awkward. You have to rest the thing against your hip and if you favour left or right, then guess what you will probably get oily stains on your clothes becauise of the exposed drive train.
The cables on the Tern also loop out in a daft way and the extreme bend means they split easily.
Walking with the Brompton is easy. Its much more compact and will happily sit on its own on a train with out falling over. Also, its self contained when its folded. The Tern isn't
Build Quality
The Tern is crap. The rear mech is a joke. I had a new BB and had rear mech adjusted twice in time I've owned it as well as replacement wheel bearings. Now the rear wheel needs trueing. The design means there are some really bad cable marks on it. Ergo grips are nice, but they aren't glued on very well and a grip shifter means that one of them is constantly in the wrong place.
The saddle clamp is made of cheese and constantly needs tightening.
I've only had my Brompton for a week, but my my early impressions are good and the brand has an excellent reputation.
Gearing
The gearing on the Tern is a bit better as it has 8 speeds and I preferred the grip shifter on the Tern. I'm not getting on with the cheap shifter on the Brompton and 3 speeds. May upgrade to a 6 speed hub next year.
What happens with a lot of people who buy folding bikes, is they do what I do. Go and buy a cheap Tern an Dahon and then suddenly realize that they aren't as good as Brompton and then sell said Tern and go and buy a Brompton.
The final straw for me was when my Tern fell onto the back of a child's buggy. I'd only just unstrapped it and reach to get bag and it fell over. I wasn't popular when it fell over on the carpet either.
Hope this has given you a good insight from both sides of the spectrum.
Thanks Bakerstreet for the detailed review.
Must admit a part of me is minded to go the same way as you and others, ie get a cheap foldup bike, see how I get on with in and if I actually use it then get a Brompton in a year or two. However having said that I constantly read that Bromptons hold their value and therefore possibly buying one now and selling it in a year or two's time if I don't use it might be as cost effective.
The possible issue I have with a Brompton is gears, or rather lack of them! My cycle home from the station is around a mile starting at 112m above sea level, and ending at 181 above sea level. Might not sound a bit but some parts are significantly steeper than others, and theres not much point having a bike if I have to get off and push it!
Must admit a part of me is minded to go the same way as you and others, ie get a cheap foldup bike, see how I get on with in and if I actually use it then get a Brompton in a year or two. However having said that I constantly read that Bromptons hold their value and therefore possibly buying one now and selling it in a year or two's time if I don't use it might be as cost effective.
The possible issue I have with a Brompton is gears, or rather lack of them! My cycle home from the station is around a mile starting at 112m above sea level, and ending at 181 above sea level. Might not sound a bit but some parts are significantly steeper than others, and theres not much point having a bike if I have to get off and push it!
MajorProblem said:
Jimboka said:
I also have an Apollo Tuck, which is better than the Brompton in a lot of ways, but only cost 199!
Care to elaborate?My £1000 Brompton is undoubtedly a better bike with good fold. I also sold my previous one with minimal loss as they hold their price after the initial outlay. So I am more than happy with it.
But my £199 Tuck has aluminium frame, proper derallueur gears rather than 1960s hub. The twist grip gears are better quality than the Brompton trigger shift that belongs on a £75 Tesco bike. Slightly bigger wheels make it better ride around my way.
In summary it is a little short of the Brompton, but @ 20% of the price it has a lot going for it.
Horses for courses.
Jimboka said:
The twist grip gears are better quality than the Brompton trigger shift that belongs on a £75 Tesco bike.
I thought that, when I had a quick spin on my mate's Brompton. The whole thing feels beautifully engineered, with the exception of the shifters, which feel like they come from an unbranded Wilkinsons lawnmower. Talk about a hap'oth of tar.If you're riding longer distances and want something a bit comfier than a Brompton, have a look at the Riese & Muller Birdy (r-m.de). I've had one for 10 years, and it's a lovely bit of kit. It's no heavier than a Brompton, but rides much more like a "normal" bike in terms of position and clever suspension that forms the pivots for the fold. However the folding approach isn't as quick or compact as a Brompton, so as always there's a compromise, especially for cramped London trains or buses.
Mine is the old welded frame with v-brakes, but the latest models have discs and a lighter, stiffer, hydroformed frame. They also come in much cooler colours :-)
Edit: Just re-read your post and saw the Halfords comment, so the Birdy might not be ideal at this point...
Pete
Mine is the old welded frame with v-brakes, but the latest models have discs and a lighter, stiffer, hydroformed frame. They also come in much cooler colours :-)
Edit: Just re-read your post and saw the Halfords comment, so the Birdy might not be ideal at this point...
Pete
Fittster said:
Are there belt drive folding bikes? Ideally I wouldn't want to get oil on my suit.
Some of the B`twin folding bikes use a belt. Not sure if Decathlon are on any of the cycle to work schemes though (they weren't on the one we use at work anyway) so I bought a Brompton. The B`twins are meant to be pretty spot on though.Jimboka said:
MajorProblem said:
Jimboka said:
I also have an Apollo Tuck, which is better than the Brompton in a lot of ways, but only cost 199!
Care to elaborate?My £1000 Brompton is undoubtedly a better bike with good fold. I also sold my previous one with minimal loss as they hold their price after the initial outlay. So I am more than happy with it.
But my £199 Tuck has aluminium frame, proper derallueur gears rather than 1960s hub. The twist grip gears are better quality than the Brompton trigger shift that belongs on a £75 Tesco bike. Slightly bigger wheels make it better ride around my way.
In summary it is a little short of the Brompton, but @ 20% of the price it has a lot going for it.
Horses for courses.
croyde said:
I think that the Brompton is brilliant and a great piece of engineering. When it's not in use it sits folded in the lounge of my flat looking like a sculpture 
My only complaint is the cheap plastic gear lever. Is there a decent aftermarket alternative?
You can get thumb, trigger and twist Sturmey Archer shifters. No idea about fitting them though...My only complaint is the cheap plastic gear lever. Is there a decent aftermarket alternative?
Edit - or you could fit a Raleigh Chopper shifter!
croyde said:
Just to add, if you travel to or are based in London, the Brompton is the only folder allowed on peak time trains and the underground.
No it isn't. People use all kinds of folders on trains. None of the signs on London Midland state 'Brompton folders only' They just refer to folding bikes only. What pisses me off is the people who have large 26in MTB folders. They are just too big and there is a chap who occasionally uses one on my train and he certainly isn't popular.
croyde said:
I stand corrected. All folders are allowed on all trains and underground. Buses at driver's discretion.
I've never had the balls to take my Brompton on at peak time anyway as it's hard enough to squeeze yourself on let alone carry on 10kgs of spiky metal
Think mine is about 12Kg. Weighs about the same as the Tern. I've never had the balls to take my Brompton on at peak time anyway as it's hard enough to squeeze yourself on let alone carry on 10kgs of spiky metal
I could get the 8.05 train and be at my desk by 9.10 and I wouldn't feel awkward about getting on a busy train with my Brompton. If there is space for a carry on suitcase, then there is space for my Brompton. However I wouldn't get on that train with the Tern. Its just too clumsy when folded and there wouldn't really be the room for me to faff about strapping it to a pole.
I actually get the 7.26 which is much quieter and I can get a seat
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff