Thoughts on folders that ride well
Simon Brooke
bike, and there's absolutely no point in me getting another bike which
is not really good to ride, because unless it's really good to ride it
won't get ridden. There are various things that tempt me, but the one
thing I don't have that would actually be useful to me is a bike which
fits easily into the back of my car.
I work every second week in East Kilbride, and for my East Kilbride
weeks I stay in Strathaven, about 8 miles away, which gives me a nice
brisk ride in in the morning and a quiet pootle back in the evening. I
usually take my cross bike, and to get my cross bike in the car I have
to fold down the back seats of the car and take both wheels off the
bike - not a major hassle, but a hassle none the less. A bike which
would fit into the car without folding the rear seats would have to
fold, because the boot is cluttered with the roof-folding mechanism.
So, what are the options? Obviously there's the Birdy (Light or City).
I quite like the idea of a Birdy, it's a good looking bike and it
folds reasonably small - and though I'm buying it to fit in the car,
if one is going to get a folding bike one which folds small seems a
good idea. I also like the idea of the anti-dive brakes on a small
wheel bike, and I definitely like the idea of a bit of suspension on a
small-wheel bike. But, it comes with either Rohloff (which I would
love but can't afford) or Shimano transmission - and I'm snobbish
about Shimano. I also can't find any clear specification of the folded
size of a Birdy, the 'light' version weights 10.9Kg, and my nearest
stockist is Kinetics in Glasgow.
http://www.en.r-m.de/products/productfinder/faltgenie/birdy/light/schwarz/
My LBS can supply Dahon and Giant models. Giant have two folders that
are both Mike Burroughs designs; I'd kind of like a Burroughs design
bike because I really like his attitude to bike design and I
particularly like monoblades. However, it has to be said that both
these bikes are ugly as sin, weigh 12Kg each, don't fold very small,
and, judging by what I can find on the net, don't seem to perform very
well. And, it's a Shimano transmission again. Mind you if you dumped
all the useless crud off the Halfway like the mudguards, rack,
propstand and 'comfort'(!) saddle, you'd probably save at least a
kilo. Also, the basic bike is cheap so one could afford a few
upgrades.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/lifestyle/2536/32651/zoom/
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/lifestyle/2536/32650/zoom/
Dahon have two models that seem interesting. The Jetstream P8 looks a
bit ungainly, but has suspension at both ends, and is equipped in a
way that leads on to believe it's expected to be ridden briskly.
However I've seen the weight variously quoted as 10.8 Kg here:
http://www.dahon.co.uk/jetstreamp8.htm
and 12Kg here:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Dahon_Jetstream_P8_2009/5360042680/
12Kg is A LOT.
At the other end of the scale Dahon offer their Mu SL, at 8.3Kg, which
seems a lot more realistic for a bike one is actually going to ride.
It actually looks stylish. It has SRAM x.9 transmission, which I know
to be very nice indeed, and the other kit looks good (although the
wheels look a little fragile). On the other hand, no suspension. And
it's as expensive as a Birdy without apparently folding anything like
as small.
http://www.dahon.com/intl/musl.htm
Anyone got any experience of these bikes? Any comments? Any other
models I should consider (and no, a Brompton doesn't count - yes I
know the fold nicely but they don't ride acceptably well, and I have a
hate/hate relationship with Sturmey Archer).
Clive George
news:a12a33eb-0062-4f5a...@k8g2000yqn.googlegroups.com...
> Anyone got any experience of these bikes? Any comments? Any other
> models I should consider (and no, a Brompton doesn't count - yes I
> know the fold nicely but they don't ride acceptably well, and I have a
> hate/hate relationship with Sturmey Archer).
Wife has a Birdy, which I occasionally borrow. Though it's a lot better than
tbe Brompton, I'd still far rather use my real bike for a regular 8 mile
trip. Some of that may be to do with the nexus hub on hers, which I just
don't like - though I realise lots of people love their hub gears, I don't.
I'd recommend you try one though.
The dahon with the wheels missing lots of spokes (sorry, can't remember
model) looks like a nice bike, apart from the wheels falling apart under a
friend rather too often.
Just zis Guy, you know?
<stil...@googlemail.com> wrote:
<snippage>
I have a Brompton L6, now upgraded with a rack and hub dynamo, and I
ride that 8.5 miles each way between Paddington and Canary Wharf. On
that basis I would think that any of the modern good folders (Brom,
Mexzzo, Birdie) will do the job. I have friends who have had
excessive flex problems with Dahon, also the Giant Halfway.
Alternatively since the bike does not need to be folded tiny every day
you could go for an Airnimal or a Bike Friday, both of which will give
a better ride. The Airnimal Joey folds fairly quickly and has luggage
capacity (at least I think it's a Joey that the bloke takes on my
train in the mornings).
Guy
--
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/urc | http://www.nohelmetlaw.org.uk/
"To every complex problem there is a solution which is
simple, neat and wrong" - HL Mencken
Newsgroup may contain nuts.
Alan Braggins
>My company's doing the Cycle Scheme.
>So, what are the options? Obviously there's the Birdy (Light or City).
Generally Cycle Scheme bikes are limited to �1000, because the employer
needs a Consumer Credit Licence to supply bikes over that limit.
http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/employee,faqs.htm
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/cycling/cycletoworkschemeimplementat5732?page=1#a1016
So your Birdy options would be the C2W model specified to
http://www.bikebiz.com/news/30532/Birdy-to-offer-sub-500-folder
(If your employer either considers the cost of buying the credit
licence to provide better bikes worthwhile, or has one for other
reasons anyway, then you will have more options.)
Allegedly, some bike dealers will sell more expensive bikes by
artificially pricing the bike under the �1000 limit and adding on
extras which you pay for (such as a more expensive than usual initial
service). I am not a tax accountant, but if that does happen, it sounds
suspiciously like tax evasion to me.
(And the exemption is for a cycle, not, for example, a frameset:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/cycling/cycletoworkschemeimplementat5732?page=1#a1002 )
(If your employer agrees, you could upgrade a bike with extra parts
while you are leasing it from them, but that's unlikely to be as efficient
as buying it with the parts you want. But if you want a Campagnolo equipped
folder, it might be your only option.)
> I also can't find any clear specification of the folded
>size of a Birdy
It will fit in the back of a Ford Ka with the rear seats up, if that
helps. Larger than folded Brompton, smaller than a typical folded Dahon.
>Anyone got any experience of these bikes?
Only a very short trial ride. I did prefer the Birdy to a Brompton.
(But at the time, decided I couldn't justify the price when I had
a much cheaper folder that worked well enough. I do sometimes regret
not buying the Birdy in Drake's closing down sale though.)
>Any comments? Any other models I should consider
Mezzo? Bike Friday? http://www.atob.org.uk/Buyers%27_Guide.html
Keitht
>
>
> My LBS can supply Dahon and Giant models.
Mine is the same .
The Giants are made by Dahon -
not the 'Clip' that's just fekkin' ugly ;)
As they've got Dahons in stock I've taken a few out for a quickie from
the shop and the ones you've mentioned ride well (for my shape and size
anyway).
The quick one is quick and comfy, the Brommie clone isn't bad either.
The springy bits add to the weight - they used to do a fast one that has
some sort of 'shock absorbing hub' which turned out to be a slightly
soft plastic bush that wore out a bit too fast.
--
Come to Dave & Boris - your cycle security experts.
Adam Lea
>
> Allegedly, some bike dealers will sell more expensive bikes by
> artificially pricing the bike under the �1000 limit and adding on
> extras which you pay for (such as a more expensive than usual initial
> service). I am not a tax accountant, but if that does happen, it
> sounds
> suspiciously like tax evasion to me.
If you are making up the difference I don't see how it could be tax evasion,
since it is still only the first �1000 that the salary sacrifice applies
too. In terms of the taxman contributing there is no difference to you
buying a �1000 bike with the voucher or buying a �1200 bike with the voucher
and paying the difference yourself.
Adam Lea
> But, it comes with either Rohloff (which I would
> love but can't afford) or Shimano transmission - and I'm snobbish
> about Shimano. I also can't find any clear specification of the folded
> size of a Birdy, the 'light' version weights 10.9Kg, and my nearest
> stockist is Kinetics in Glasgow.
> http://www.en.r-m.de/products/productfinder/faltgenie/birdy/light/schwarz/
>
Folded size is 76x58x28cm (http://birdy.foldabikes.com/).
>
> Anyone got any experience of these bikes? Any comments? Any other
> models I should consider (and no, a Brompton doesn't count - yes I
> know the fold nicely but they don't ride acceptably well, and I have a
> hate/hate relationship with Sturmey Archer).
I have owned a Birdy for about two and a half years. My experience is that
they ride very nicely and they are surprisingly robust (i.e. it is not going
to disintegrate if you come off it). The only (minor) problems I have had is
that the first chain wore out very quickly and I have managed to wear out
two shifters. I have got the touring version which has an 8 speed derailleur
and a 3 speed hub in place of a front derailleur. This gives plenty of gears
for anything but the most mountainous terrain (I have ridden mine around
Exmoor up 20% gradients) and has the advantage that if I need to stop
suddenly and I forget to gear down I can just drop a gear on the hub gear.
If you are used to drop bars and light, fast road bikes then you will notice
that the ride will be slower and because it is a more upright position (even
with the swept forward bars) you will feel the effects of the wind more than
on a standard road bike. However the upright riding position is a benefit
when riding in heavy traffic. The bike will also feel less stable on fast
descents (and likely is, as I found to my cost last Thursday).
One last thing - the 18" wheels are non-standard so you will be limited in
the choice of tyres compared to, say, a bike with a 20" wheel.
BTW I wouldn't worry about the weight too much. Folding bikes are mainly
designed with utility, not speed in mind. A kilogram here and there isn't
really going to make a difference, unless you are intending to carry the
bike any great distance.
Adam
Clive George
news:IYidnTu5msSYCM3X...@bt.com...
> I have owned a Birdy for about two and a half years. My experience is that
> they ride very nicely and they are surprisingly robust (i.e. it is not
> going to disintegrate if you come off it).
Is that good news wrt your crash?
Phil Cook
>Simon Brooke wrote:
>> But, it comes with either Rohloff (which I would
>> love but can't afford) or Shimano transmission - and I'm snobbish
>> about Shimano.
It's twist grip too. I don't care for that but I've lived with it.
>I have owned a Birdy for about two and a half years.
I've had my basic eight speed three and a bit, maybe four. I do seven
miles daily and I find it fine for touring.
>If you are used to drop bars and light, fast road bikes then you will notice
>that the ride will be slower and because it is a more upright position (even
>with the swept forward bars) you will feel the effects of the wind more than
>on a standard road bike. However the upright riding position is a benefit
>when riding in heavy traffic. The bike will also feel less stable on fast
>descents (and likely is, as I found to my cost last Thursday).
I was finding as technique to deal with that tendecy to speed woble
last week in the Western Isles. I pushed back in the saddle and pushed
hard on the bars. It seemed to be working as long as I didn't want to
pedal. Speeds of upto 30mph felt reasonably stable. Wheeee! That said
it can sometimes be a problem trying to make a fast move whilst
indicating. Erk!
My position is pretty close to my road bike position using the swept
forward stem but with wider arms catching more wind. The standard
gearing is too high for any serious hills. I've taken to putting a 42T
on instead of the 56T, I spin out about 18mph but I can at least get
up some hills, albeit not the steepest ones with a touring load on the
trailer.
>One last thing - the 18" wheels are non-standard so you will be limited in
>the choice of tyres compared to, say, a bike with a 20" wheel.
Limited to Schwalbe Marathons and Stelvios. What's the problem?
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"
Pete Barrett
<stil...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>
>Anyone got any experience of these bikes? Any comments? Any other
>models I should consider (and no, a Brompton doesn't count - yes I
>know the fold nicely but they don't ride acceptably well, and I have a
>hate/hate relationship with Sturmey Archer).
I have a Dahon Cadenza. It's a full size bike with 26 inch wheels
which folds in the middle of the frame, and the seat can be put down
and the bar taken off with little trouble. I usually use it on
thetrain, but I've been able to get in the back of a minibus (with
other people's luggage), and it would probably fit in a station wagon.
I find it rides pretty well, and certainly good enough for your
commute to East Kilbride. Also, it will take ordinary extras (rack,
mudguards), which may be relevant.
I'd call it a bike which folds, rather than a folding bike - if small
folded size is more important than having a full size bike, then you
don't want this.
Peter Clinch
> I work every second week in East Kilbride
Not too far from Kinetics and/or Biketrax, who both have lots to
look at and play with. So inform your choice with some saddle
time, I'd say (and folded up, heftin the hand into the back of the
car time).
> [Birdy] or Shimano transmission - and I'm snobbish
> about Shimano.
So get yourself a new set of cogs and derailleur from SRAM or
Campy, or a new hub from SRAM or Sunrace, though I'd be inclined to
let the Shim prove itself horrible in use before you bother to pay
Real Money (TM) to replace it.
> I also can't find any clear specification of the folded
> size of a Birdy
IME having the thing in your hand to assess with the destination
Confined Space also there is much, much more useful than arsing
about with tape measures only to find that the sticky-outy-bit
/always/ catches where you hadn;t thought, or some such snafu.
> My LBS can supply Dahon and Giant models. Giant have two folders that
> are both Mike Burroughs designs; I'd kind of like a Burroughs design
> bike because I really like his attitude to bike design and I
> particularly like monoblades. However, it has to be said that both
> these bikes are ugly as sin, weigh 12Kg each, don't fold very small,
> and, judging by what I can find on the net, don't seem to perform very
> well.
A pal has a Halfwit he bought on eBay and he likes it, but a lot of
what he likes about it was he got it for a song. It's okay in
terms of a basic fold-in-two to go under the stairs (coincidentally
exactly where the one I've seen lives), but if you want a
higher-spec machine you'll love to ride and fits in a really wee
spot then I would suggest it is Not The Bike For You.
Dahons exist in a huge range so in terms of road performance you
can choose something at any level you're happy with, but they're
basically all fold-in-two where the likes of Broms and Birdies
effectively fold into 3 and are much more efficient. Dahons really
score for cost effectiveness from their mass production /if/ the
basic bike does what you want. They're easy enough to find in the
flesh, so you can check out if the folded size is right and then if
it is select something suitably sexy from higher in the range that
will still let you go Vrooom! as you wish.
> Anyone got any experience of these bikes? Any comments? Any other
> models I should consider (and no, a Brompton doesn't count - yes I
> know the fold nicely but they don't ride acceptably well, and I have a
> hate/hate relationship with Sturmey Archer).
Well, the great majority of Bromptons come with SRAM hubs anyway,
so that's not really an issue. So if you'd not realised that you
might not have realised that though the design is the same /basic/
one as when it was launched, it has evolved and improved
considerably and gives you an excellent range of options now. For
example, the low and sporty S bars, titanium fork and triangle and
Stelvios combined with the Brooks saddle option and 6 speed (or
optionally 8 from Kinetics as a special) might actually be much
more to your liking than you realise. And it's easy enough to try
one and fine out if you go to Biketrax or Kinetics. I suspect
you'd prefer the Birdy, but you can be absolutely sure if you go
and ride them one after the other.
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.c...@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
Adam Lea
Well I'm hoping that it is just the front wheel that is damaged and that it
can be re-trued. I couldn't see any deformation of the stem or fork,
although an impact that is sufficient to twist the handlebars 45 degrees and
buckle the front wheel I would have thought would be enough to damage the
fork as well. There was no visible damage to the rear of the bike and the
pedals went round as smoothly as before. Not sure if the derailleur got bent
or not.
The only other accidents I have had on the Birdy was when I came off a
couple of winters ago turning left and last summer when a car hit me from
behind at a roundabout. Neither caused any damage to the bike.
I am hoping the repairs will cost less than a few hundred, otherwise I might
as well get a new bike.
Clive George
> Clive George wrote:
>> "Adam Lea" <asr...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:IYidnTu5msSYCM3X...@bt.com...
>>
>>> I have owned a Birdy for about two and a half years. My experience
>>> is that they ride very nicely and they are surprisingly robust (i.e.
>>> it is not going to disintegrate if you come off it).
>>
>> Is that good news wrt your crash?
>
> Well I'm hoping that it is just the front wheel that is damaged and that
> it can be re-trued. I couldn't see any deformation of the stem or fork,
> although an impact that is sufficient to twist the handlebars 45 degrees
> and buckle the front wheel I would have thought would be enough to damage
> the fork as well.
Not necessarily - handlebars should twist fairly easily, and you can
definitely bend a front wheel without knacking forks. Hope it comes out ok
for you. Road rash subsiding?
Adam Lea
Yes, thanks. Annoying that the grazing on my hands means that gripping the
handlebars is quite painful, gloves help a little. Other problem is my right
elbow hurts when I go over any bumps in the road, and I don't want to mess
up the healing process so am limited to low speed short cycle journeys at
the moment.
Rob Morley
"Clive George" <cl...@xxxx-x.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
> handlebars should twist fairly easily
Absolutely not, or you run the risk of ending up with them facing
sideways if you hit a big bump at high speed - not something that
improves your chances of staying on the bike.
Roger Merriman
snip bikes
>
> Anyone got any experience of these bikes? Any comments? Any other
> models I should consider (and no, a Brompton doesn't count - yes I
> know the fold nicely but they don't ride acceptably well, and I have a
> hate/hate relationship with Sturmey Archer).
if you've the dosh how about this
<http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/folding/product/break-away
-9092>
does come with shimano(1) but does seem to be a intresting idea seem to
get good reviews though not terribly cheap....
roger
(1) one the fence here i don't care who it is as long as it works the
way that suits me, same with Vi and emacs...
--
www.rogermerriman.com
Capital to Coast
www.justgiving.com/rogermerriman
Clive George
news:20090705171428.52050a73@bluemoon...
Ok, not that easily, but not equivalent to welded on either. I'd say the
resistance to twisting ought to be lower than the breaking force. (not
braking force though :-) )
Simon Brooke
One of my colleagues has already done this so I'm betting that I would
be allowed to.
Simon Brooke
Did you have gloves on when you crashed? I feel really naked and
vulnerable when riding without gloves.
Ian Smith
Besides which, the 1000 pound limit is nothing to do with the tax
status, and entirely to do with the consumer credit act.
Thus, if you're resigned to not getting the salary sacrifice benefit
on the 200 (as would be the case if 'topping up' a 1000 voucher), you
should be able to pay your employer 200 from taxed income and take the
salary sacrifice of 1000, and have the employer buy a 1200 bike.
'Should' in the sense that it's coherent tax-wise, rather than that
you have any right to do it, or that your employer ought to agree to
it.
You would need to either trust your employer, or get something
contractual in place - the 1200 bike would still belong 100% to your
employer, even though you'd paid 200 to them to enable the purchase.
However, this way is probably more straightforward than the equivalent
problem - if you top up their contribution, who does the bike legally
belong to? Both you and your employer have paid for part of it.
The cheap bike expensive service scheme also avoids the question of
who does it belong to (100% your employer) but leaves you no recourse
if they decide to act on that basis.
regards, Ian SMith
--
|\ /| no .sig
|o o|
|/ \|
Simon Brooke
> if you've the dosh how about this
> <http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/folding/product/break-away
> -9092>
the titanium/carbon version looks really nice! Sadly, not in my price
bracket, though :-(
Adam Lea
No. I only ride with gloves on when it is cold. I do give out a lot of heat
when I cycle and when it is 28C and the terrain is undulating I don't want
to overheat.
What gloves do you wear at this time of year?
Andrew Price
<stil...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>Did you have gloves on when you crashed? I feel really naked and
>vulnerable when riding without gloves.
Ditto. I hate the things - but wouldn't ride without them, ever since
seeing the mess a colleague made of his palms when he came off a few
years ago.
Simon Brooke
http://www.rapha.cc/criterium-gloves
Like all Rapha products you need a second mortgage. However, like all
Rapha products I've ever bought you get what you pay for. Mine have
been worn nearly every day for four years; I shall probably treat
myself to another pair for my birthday this year, but the present pair
are still very good.
Having said that, for road rash protection any track mits would do -
the Altura crochet-back ones at a tenner are really quite nice:
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f_ProductID=10636
Adam Lea
Based on my (limited) experience of coming off bikes I'm almost tempted to
invest in some elbow pads.
Peter Clinch
> Did you have gloves on when you crashed? I feel really naked and
> vulnerable when riding without gloves.
As often, it depends on the riding. Sporting riding one's chances
of an unplanned ejection are relatively high, otherwise it's a bit
over the top outside of the sort of weather where it's cold enough
to want them anyway.
I used to feel naked without them too, thanks to my "you must have
all the right gear" phase, but again it was the trip to Amsterdam
changed my perspective on what's needed for day to day cycling.
Roger Merriman
nor mine, lovely looking bike mind you i very rarely tavel with the
bike. unless MTB which is why it sits in the shed unloved most of th
time, SW london not having the same range of hills as the beacons from
where i dragged the poor MTB from...
roger
PhilD
> At the other end of the scale Dahon offer their Mu SL, at 8.3Kg, which
> seems a lot more realistic for a bike one is actually going to ride.
> It actually looks stylish. It has SRAM x.9 transmission, which I know
> to be very nice indeed, and the other kit looks good (although the
> wheels look a little fragile). On the other hand, no suspension. And
> it's as expensive as a Birdy without apparently folding anything like
> as small.http://www.dahon.com/intl/musl.htm
I ride a Mu SL. No, it doesn't fold *that* small, but it's certainly
small enough for most purposes. It's been on the train a good few
times, and at work lives under my desk.
If necessary, the pedals are removable, but I've never needed to do
that.
For my kind of riding, I've added mudguards and carrier rack. In
addition, I've modified the handlebars by rotating the mount thing so
that they are as far forward as possible. For speed cruising, I hold
the brake lever mounts (thumb and forefinger encircle the brake slack
adjuster), so that I'm leaning forward slightly more.
Although the wheels look fragile, I've had no problems. Even when it
seemed that *I* was being shaken to bits on a bit of dug-up path, my
wheels were fine! For road riding (which is what I do, not off-road
stuff), I think suspension is unnecessary. Do you want speed? I've
managed a 19.5mph home-work-home average on my Mu SL, in traffic.
This is my highest all day average ever. I get a good friendly
rivalry when whooshing past "serious" riders.
9 gears is way too much: I never use the largest two. Perhaps when
they wear out I'll put a larger chain ring on. The smallest is 11
teeth, so as small as they go.
Tyres are slicks. I've not had any trouble with them, even in snow
and mushy mud [1] (though of course care is needed). No punctures,
probably in part because the lack of tread means that bits don't get
caught and then hammered through to the tube.
I recommend the Mu SL.
[1] The path looked like a good idea at first...
PhilD
--
<><
Simon Brooke
We have serious hills around here! I think 9 gears is probably enough,
but for my local conditions not too much.
> Tyres are slicks. I've not had any trouble with them, even in snow
> and mushy mud [1] (though of course care is needed). No punctures,
> probably in part because the lack of tread means that bits don't get
> caught and then hammered through to the tube.
>
> I recommend the Mu SL.
Thanks, that's a really useful report.
Mike Clark
Simon Brooke <stil...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> My company's doing the Cycle Scheme. I don't actually /need/ a new
> bike, and there's absolutely no point in me getting another bike which
> is not really good to ride, because unless it's really good to ride it
> won't get ridden. There are various things that tempt me, but the one
> thing I don't have that would actually be useful to me is a bike which
> fits easily into the back of my car.
>
[snip]
> Any other models I should consider (and no, a Brompton doesn't count -
> yes I know the fold nicely but they don't ride acceptably well, and I
> have a hate/hate relationship with Sturmey Archer).
I give a recommendation for an Airnimal. I have a Black Rhino, but for
what you are listing above the Joey (which comes in different specs)
should do the job. I had a test ride on a Joey alongside the Rhino and
for my uses the better off-road performance of the Rhino came into play,
but both bikes were a pleasure to ride.
For transport by car the bikes can be relatively easily folded into
their carry bags. We have the optional rear racks fitted to ours which
does limit the folded size a bit (see photo 19 in the series below).
http://picasaweb.google.com/mrc7cam/ExploringTheImberRanges#
Mike
--
o/ \\ // |\ ,_ o Mike Clark
<\__,\\ // __o | \ / /\, "A mountain climbing, cycling, skiing,
"> || _`\<,_ |__\ \> | caving, antibody engineer and
` || (_)/ (_) | \corn computer user"
terryj
> I recommend the Mu SL.
>
>
I am very pleased with dahon jetstream XL that i bought a few years ago
I has rear suspension that looks more adjustable and better than the
springs on the p8. I am pleased with the suspension when riding on
unsurfaced roads in spain, but otherwise would avoid it.
Handling with the tyres hard, stem extension on and shock pumped very
hard is fine and i have done many longish rides up to 100miles ,
especially abroad .CTC club rides no problem. Max speed recorded was
over 50mph and I did not realise I was going quite that fast ( or I
would have slowed down!).
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z122/borisacat/?action=view¤t=8dahon36.jpg
It sometimes has a rack bodged on ( works fine) and a stem added to get
the reach right for a taller person. I would avoid the fancy stem/saddle
combo they often fit to the upper end models, but a telescopic post is
not expensive from Thor in usa.
i think if I got one now it would be a vitesse P18, but it really
depends what features you want.
TerryJ
Roger Merriman
depends for a ride, then as well as lyrca etc i use gloves always for a
potter down river saying hello to the deer and various furries that
inhabit this part of SW london then no, as i'll be in jeans etc or what
ever, as it's just a nice roll down on the bike before meeting wife ofr
lunch or what not.
David Damerell
>Well, the great majority of Bromptons come with SRAM hubs anyway,
>so that's not really an issue.
Current Bromptons have either a Sturmey Archer 3-speed or the Brompton
Wide Range 3-speed used with the 2-speed derailleur. The BWR is designed
in-house but manufactured by S-A.
The SRAM hubs were only used during the S-A interregum.
--
David Damerell <dame...@chiark.greenend.org.uk> Distortion Field!
Today is Second Thursday, Presuary.
Peter Clinch
> Quoting Peter Clinch <p.j.c...@dundee.ac.uk>:
>> Well, the great majority of Bromptons come with SRAM hubs anyway,
>> so that's not really an issue.
>
> Current Bromptons have either a Sturmey Archer 3-speed or the Brompton
> Wide Range 3-speed used with the 2-speed derailleur. The BWR is designed
> in-house but manufactured by S-A.
>
> The SRAM hubs were only used during the S-A interregum.
ICBW but I thought after the SA belly-up they decided a single
source was a Bad Idea and continued using the SRAMs for one of the
3 or 6 standard hubs and the Sunrace/Sturmey for the other.
David Damerell
>David Damerell wrote:
>>Current Bromptons have either a Sturmey Archer 3-speed or the Brompton
>>Wide Range 3-speed used with the 2-speed derailleur. The BWR is designed
>>in-house but manufactured by S-A.
>source was a Bad Idea and continued using the SRAMs for one of the
>3 or 6 standard hubs and the Sunrace/Sturmey for the other.
You CBW, and you are; the situation is as I detail above, as you may
verify for yourself by referring to Brompton's Website or inspecting the
rear hubs on new Bromptons.
--
David Damerell <dame...@chiark.greenend.org.uk> Distortion Field!
Today is Second Saturday, Presuary - a weekend.