Hi there,
I am new to forum. This question may have been raised many times here, but I would just like to find out if it is worthy getting a folding push bike. Due to limited space for parking the bike at home and maybe bringing it onto train ride, I guess that could be a good option. Can anyone advise which brand and type is good in term of quality and not too expensive (few hundred dollars) to purchase? Fine with either flat road of mountain bike.. main factor is lasting quality and good wheels.
Cheers.
Deciding on a folding bike
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- WestcoastPete
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Re: Deciding on a folding bike
Postby WestcoastPete » Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:43 am
How many hundreds is "a few".
There are quite a few cheap generic folding bikes, but I feel that these are often more trouble than they're worth. Dahon and Tern are the next level and probably the best value; they have quite a range over different price points.
Of course, Brompton is often considered the ultimate urban folding commuting bike, but they cost more than a few hundred dollars. Bike Friday Tikit is a good alternative, but again; expensive.
Actually, I've just remembered seeing a few new Strida models. Not sure of their price. Probably worth a look though.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
There are quite a few cheap generic folding bikes, but I feel that these are often more trouble than they're worth. Dahon and Tern are the next level and probably the best value; they have quite a range over different price points.
Of course, Brompton is often considered the ultimate urban folding commuting bike, but they cost more than a few hundred dollars. Bike Friday Tikit is a good alternative, but again; expensive.
Actually, I've just remembered seeing a few new Strida models. Not sure of their price. Probably worth a look though.
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- MattyK
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Re: Deciding on a folding bike
Postby MattyK » Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:19 am
How far and how often would you ride it? Some folders behave just like normal bikes, others (eg Strida) are apparently weird contraptions to pedal.
- sogood
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Re: Deciding on a folding bike
Postby sogood » Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:29 am
Decide on what wheel size you are willing to have on a folding bike. Montague is an option for full sized wheels while Dahon etc are good for smaller sized wheels. Go and do some test rides and see.
Bianchi, Ridley, Tern, Montague and All things Apple
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
- rifraf
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Re: Deciding on a folding bike
Postby rifraf » Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:07 pm
G'day Nemmoo,
Welcome to the forum.
Get onto your local public transport website as its possible different states have different rules and bike dimensions.
Do this before you buy a bike would be my suggestion, not after.
For example:
"Passengers with fold up bicycles with small wheels are permitted to travel on Transperth buses at any time as long as the bicycles are contained within a carry bag exceeding no more than 86cm long x 68cm high x 36cm wide. Fold up bicycles must be kept out of the aisle. Chainless unicycles are accepted on all Transperth services, space permitting. Chainless unicycles must be kept out of the aisle and not take up a seat that another passenger may use."
You dont say where you are so on the off chance your in WA I'll add the web page which covers the bikes on buses, trains and ferries:
http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/UsingTr ... vices.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Welcome to the forum.
Get onto your local public transport website as its possible different states have different rules and bike dimensions.
Do this before you buy a bike would be my suggestion, not after.
For example:
"Passengers with fold up bicycles with small wheels are permitted to travel on Transperth buses at any time as long as the bicycles are contained within a carry bag exceeding no more than 86cm long x 68cm high x 36cm wide. Fold up bicycles must be kept out of the aisle. Chainless unicycles are accepted on all Transperth services, space permitting. Chainless unicycles must be kept out of the aisle and not take up a seat that another passenger may use."
You dont say where you are so on the off chance your in WA I'll add the web page which covers the bikes on buses, trains and ferries:
http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/UsingTr ... vices.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Surly Ogre, Extrawheel trailer.
- ColinOldnCranky
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Re: Deciding on a folding bike
Postby ColinOldnCranky » Sat Mar 09, 2013 3:11 pm
The unicycle restrictions are far more sensible - I take credit for that as I had discussions and got it signed off BEFORE the Public Transport Authority had it on their radar.rifraf wrote:G'day Nemmoo,
Welcome to the forum.
Get onto your local public transport website as its possible different states have different rules and bike dimensions.
Do this before you buy a bike would be my suggestion, not after.
For example:
"Passengers with fold up bicycles with small wheels are permitted to travel on Transperth buses at any time as long as the bicycles are contained within a carry bag exceeding no more than 86cm long x 68cm high x 36cm wide. Fold up bicycles must be kept out of the aisle. Chainless unicycles are accepted on all Transperth services, space permitting. Chainless unicycles must be kept out of the aisle and not take up a seat that another passenger may use."
You dont say where you are so on the off chance your in WA I'll add the web page which covers the bikes on buses, trains and ferries:
http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/UsingTr ... vices.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I think in the case of foldups the Authority took the initiative with the result that the requirements that first made it into policy made little sense. If the dimensions are still those that they started with a couple of years ago then I defy people to find many that can comply. Hell, I recall that even my unicycle did not fit within the width limits.
Fortunately Transperth staff seem to take a fairly co-operative approach overall.
Anyway it seems to be an evolving policy. I notice that they have "evolved" away from insisting that they be belt driven. I only ever found one person who had a belt drive and it was quite a few thousand bucks at the time. Methinks that they would only ever had had that one person to contend with if the rules had been applied.
Unchain yourself-Ride a unicycle
- Pax
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- Location: Sunshine Coast, Qld
Re: Deciding on a folding bike
Postby Pax » Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:03 am
Hey Nemmoo have you made any progress? If so what have you decided on?
I am also researching folders below $1000 currently for a couple of super-short legs of my commute (home to train & train to office...total 4k per day) & use on local bike paths.
I am also researching folders below $1000 currently for a couple of super-short legs of my commute (home to train & train to office...total 4k per day) & use on local bike paths.
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