Suitability of folding bikes for medium distance

smacl · 08-10-2014 08:17AM #1

Wondering how suitable a folding bike would be for ~40k cycle on country roads, typically with a single light pannier. Not looking to spend huge money, just something I can handily take on a train or bus that can be used to cover some distance at the far end without falling to bits. Main reason for considering a folder is to avoid the hit and miss nature of taking a bike on the train.

Looking at something like the carrera intercity which seems to get reasonable reviews. Any thoughts or recommendations?

JBokeh · 08-10-2014 08:38AM

We have a different one to that for a bit of gentle sightseeing. IMO they are made for flat roads at a gentle speed. The geometry is fairly bad no matter how you adjust it,but I saw a chap in cork with some drops on his and it looks to have made it more suitable for riding a better distance. It is heavy as hell too,but again not too noticeable if you're tipping away on the flat.

Thats fairly strong money halfords want for one,lots of bike shops tend to have them around the 250 mark I think

Edit: Just saw that it is alloy and 12kg,which isn't bad,around the same as a good full sus MTB,the one we have must be cast iron,i'd bet the thing weighs about 18kg

the.red.baron · 08-10-2014 11:25AM

is this for commuting? From where to where?

ford2600 · 08-10-2014 11:43AM

Pretty sure I saw one or two folding bike on the mf1200. No idea of make though.

Qualitymark · 08-10-2014 11:44AM

Never mind how the bike will hold up; how will your back hold up to 40km on a bike with that riding position and steering.

smacl · 08-10-2014 11:49AM

the.red.baron wrote: »

is this for commuting? From where to where?

Plan is to cycle Ballyboden to train station, train to Wexford town, cycle to south Wexford. Making the return trip over a weekend typically twice a month during the winter. If I can take the extra day, I cycle the whole thing, but it is too long for a single overnight. I could shorten the cycle by taking the bus to New Ross, or train to Waterford and taking the Passage East ferry back. Last couple of times I've looked at getting the bike on the Wexford train there have been no spaces available.

smacl · 08-10-2014 11:56AM

Qualitymark wrote: »

Never mind how the bike will hold up; how will your back hold up to 40km on a bike with that riding position and steering.

Did the Wicklow 200 on a hybrid a couple of years ago and found it ok, and did the trip from Wexford a couple of months ago on a rented hybrid which was grand. Don't really know how much worse a folder would be, hence the question. Thinking something like a 26" wheel Dahon Espresso would possibly be better than a 20" wheel bike for potholed descents and have less twitchy steering.

CramCycle · 08-10-2014 11:56AM

ford2600 wrote: »

Pretty sure I saw one or two folding bike on the mf1200. No idea of make though.

I have met guys doing 1200s over 4 days with no ill effects and a couple of kgs of baggage.

Qualitymark wrote: »

Never mind how the bike will hold up; how will your back hold up to 40km on a bike with that riding position and steering.

Definietly trial one first, Bromptons are the favourites, not sure what the quality of the Halfords ones are.

rflynnr · 08-10-2014 12:00PM

I have a fairly high-end Dahon (a Mu). I've used it for a 14km (28km) round trip commute(laiden with panniers) and found it pretty ok but it is particularly light bike with decent wheels and tyres and a wide gear range. Furthermore, my feeling was that the 14km was near the limit of what was comfortable - obviously that reflected my limitations but I think it was exacerbated by the nature of the bike. The absence of a crossbar makes for a fair bit of flex and I unconsciously compensate for that by adopting a more rigid posture (in effect I take on the bracing function the crossbar would otherwise perform).

Having said that I once encountered a couple on the Dingle penisula using Dahons as touring bikes (fully laiden with front and rear panniers). They went up and over the Connor Pass which is no mean feat on a road bike so clearly long trips can be done.

the.red.baron · 08-10-2014 12:08PM

smacl wrote: »

Plan is to cycle Ballyboden to train station, train to Wexford town, cycle to south Wexford. Making the return trip over a weekend typically twice a month during the winter. If I can take the extra day, I cycle the whole thing, but it is too long for a single overnight. I could shorten the cycle by taking the bus to New Ross, or train to Waterford and taking the Passage East ferry back. Last couple of times I've looked at getting the bike on the Wexford train there have been no spaces available.

Then that bike and you should be able to handle that no problems.

On quality, take a look at it in the shop, that the only way to sus that really.

The only thing I can see wrong with it is the folding isn't that advanced, so it's not really that compact.

On something like the montague etc they just dont fold down small enough to be lugging around.

el tel · 08-10-2014 12:15PM

I once rode one of these for 50km over a mixture of road, forest trail, and farm tracks between Frättingsdorf and Ernstbrunn. No problemo.

Mefistofelino · 08-10-2014 01:23PM

ford2600 wrote: »

Pretty sure I saw one or two folding bike on the mf1200. No idea of make though.

There were at least two Moultons and an Airnimal Chameleon. I think a third Moulton pulled out on Day 1 with terminal wheel failure.

Moultons are not an uncommon sight on Audaxes in the UK so they're obviously up to the job, but with prices from around €1200 to €20,000 (yup - twenty thousand for a "Double-Pylon" model) they're probably not what the OP had in mind.

Unless he's Denis O'Brien.

cdaly_ · 08-10-2014 01:27PM

the.red.baron wrote: »

The only thing I can see wrong with it is the folding isn't that advanced, so it's not really that compact.

The thing about bikes and trains is that you can take a folding bike on anytime but you risk being refused boarding with a non-folder. It doesn't matter at all how big the folded bike is, you still get to bring it.

smacl · 08-10-2014 01:31PM

Yep, was looking at the Moulton's online and had a sharp intake of breath when I saw the bottom line. The Airnimals aren't exactly a budget option either, though they do look rather nice. I'll have to try a spin on a couple of bikes with 20" wheels and no stem to see how they feel, but am leaning more towards a 26" wheel.

Ole Rodrigo · 08-10-2014 01:38PM

As cobbled together as the Irish train ' service ' is, would it not be better to work the system ? For example, I found you can call to book a ticket and reserve a bike slot ( I may have been lucky on both occasions ) while the online booking system had not yet released any of the seats and bike slots. It was over 2 weeks in advance though, and I got in early to make sure of the spaces.

In stark contrast is the NI Railways Belfast express, where there's a guards carriage up front for storing bikes, parcels over sized luggage etc. Just book a ticket and bring the bike - no fuss.

smacl · 08-10-2014 02:08PM

ror_74 wrote: »

As cobbled together as the Irish train ' service ' is, would it not be better to work the system ? For example, I found you can call to book a ticket and reserve a bike slot ( I may have been lucky on both occasions ) while the online booking system had not yet released any of the seats and bike slots. It was over 2 weeks in advance though, and I got in early to make sure of the spaces.

In stark contrast is the NI Railways Belfast express, where there's a guards carriage up front for storing bikes, parcels over sized luggage etc. Just book a ticket and bring the bike - no fuss.

The last three times I tried booking a bike space on-line for the Wexford train, there were none available. Might trying calling to see if that works out better, but don't really want to be reliant on what seems to be a very limited service. Given the Wexford train ends up in Rosslare, you get a lot of tourers using it and bike spaces seem hard to come by.

tomasrojo · 08-10-2014 05:41PM

I've done over 40km on a Brompton in a day in Dublin, pulling a trailer too. They're fine for medium distances.

David Henshaw's book Brompton Bicycle mentions a couple that crossed Switzerland's Furka Pass on Bromptons with standard six-speed gearing. They described the experience as "hard".

Lumen · 08-10-2014 06:31PM

ror_74 wrote: »

As cobbled together as the Irish train ' service ' is, would it not be better to work the system ? For example, I found you can call to book a ticket and reserve a bike slot ( I may have been lucky on both occasions ) while the online booking system had not yet released any of the seats and bike slots. It was over 2 weeks in advance though, and I got in early to make sure of the spaces.

Who the hell plans their life two weeks in advance? Not me, that's for sure.

I tried to book a bike on a train to Wexford a couple of months ago on the day of travel. The online booking system virtually laughed at my naivety.

CramCycle · 09-10-2014 09:08AM

Lumen wrote: »

Who the hell plans their life two weeks in advance? Not me, that's for sure.

I tried to book a bike on a train to Wexford a couple of months ago on the day of travel. The online booking system virtually laughed at my naivety.

Usually locks you out about 48hours before hand. I have stopped booking my bike as its always full even if no one else had pre-booked before you. I just sit near the area and fit my bike in the least annoying area for the ticket man.

Twice I have been stopped boarding, the first time I took off my two wheels, locked to the frame and carried through a minute later, the second, after a discussion he just told me I might have to get off if it turns out to be fully booked.

Ole Rodrigo · 09-10-2014 10:37AM

Lumen wrote: »

Who the hell plans their life two weeks in advance? Not me, that's for sure.

I tried to book a bike on a train to Wexford a couple of months ago on the day of travel. The online booking system virtually laughed at my naivety.

A rare burst of proactivity which is usually beaten down by bureaucracy!

CramCycle · 09-10-2014 10:50AM

ror_74 wrote: »

A rare burst of proactivity which is usually beaten down by bureaucracy!

The similarities between booking a bike on a train in Ireland and dealing with the Vogons is striking

Alek · 09-10-2014 11:23AM

CramCycle wrote: »

the Vogons

Thank you for solid thirty minutes of wiki-procrastination

Qualitymark · 09-10-2014 01:28PM

CramCycle wrote: »

The similarities between booking a bike on a train in Ireland and dealing with the Vogons is striking

Train booking in general is so. I went to book a train journey and book a seat recently, and it wouldn't let me book a seat without paying extra, despite the site referring to seats as free. So I gave up and rang up, and they explained that the extra cost for seat booking was for people using free travel passes. I wasn't claiming for any such pass… Anyway, booking on the phone got me the ticket cheaper than online, and with seats each way.

QueensGael · 09-10-2014 01:37PM

Would taking the bus to Wexford be an option, OP? I took my bike on the BE bus between Limerick and Tralee several times, no hassle, just stuck it in the luggage hold.

smacl · 09-10-2014 02:22PM

QueensGael wrote: »

Would taking the bus to Wexford be an option, OP? I took my bike on the BE bus between Limerick and Tralee several times, no hassle, just stuck it in the luggage hold.

Quite possibly, and something I should investigate. Reading the Bus Eireann website, their policy appears be that they'll take the bike there is room. While this is well and good, it makes planning a journey very awkward, as you could easily be refused carraige of the bike with no feasible alternative. From bus eireann website

Folding bicycles which are packed and wrapped in a suitable carrier bag/protective covering will be treated as passengers’ accompanied luggage and carried free of charge in the luggage storage area. Folding bicycles which are NOT packed or wrapped as described above will be charged at the full cycle rate.

Bicycles, prams and non-folding childrens' pushchairs will be carried only if sufficient accommodation is available; they must be placed in the luggage compartment or other designated area of the vehicle and are subject to a charge as determined by Bus Éireann from time to time.

Probably a matter of chatting to a Wexford bus driver and seeing whether there is typically ample space or not, and taking a punt on that basis.

Ole Rodrigo · 09-10-2014 02:50PM

Sure why cycle when there's more adventure to be had trying to get somewhere by public transport ??

Will I get there.. will they let me on...will I be fined for some arbitrary reason.. will they refuse my luggage..will their sambos kill me... - all pretty exciting actually

slap/dash · 09-10-2014 03:10PM

ror_74 wrote: »

Sure why cycle when there's more adventure to be had trying to get somewhere by public transport ??

Will I get there.. will they let me on...will I be fined for some arbitrary reason.. will they refuse my luggage..will their sambos kill me... - all pretty exciting actually

Always say "I just got on at broombridge"

route66 · 09-10-2014 06:16PM

the.red.baron wrote: »

<SNIP>
On something like the montague etc they just dont fold down small enough to be lugging around.

I have a SwissBike X70 (link) in my collection. As above, with every folding bike, there are compromises. The Swissbike take on this is that the compromise is in the folded size; once back together, it offers an experience close to that of a non-folder.

Folded:

Unfolded:

When folded, it fits in a large and heavy bag. From their site:

Folded Size: 36"x28"x12"
Approx Weight: 29lbs

You wouldn't want to go for a long walk with the bag but it will fit in the boot of most cars. Taking the front wheel off - especially with disk brakes - is a bit of a pain, but tolerable.

They also make "pavement" bikes - e.g. the "fit" (link). These Swissbikes aren't cheap: RRP of the 2 above are in the €1.5K and above bracket :eek:

My X70 isn't used much. But as the Swiss Army Knife (as opposed to the Swissbike :pac:) of bikes, I should will hang on to it! I just have to remember not to do any € per KM calculations

Mefistofelino · 09-10-2014 06:37PM

There are a number of other possible options. S&S couplers allow a full sized frame to be broken down to a much more transportable size. However they are an expensive option and mean reworking an existing steel frame, buying a new one or trying to track down a Ritchey Breakaway.

A more interesting option is "Rinko" - a Japanese practice of breaking down bikes for taking on public transport. Bicycle Quarterly had a recent article on this including a photo of a full size randoneuring bike broken down to not much more than wheel - size in 12 minutes. The only "special" item I can see is a two part rear mudguard.

h ttp://janheine.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/rinko18.jpg

Qualitymark · 09-10-2014 07:34PM

If I were going to get a folding bike, and if I were eligible for the Bike to Work scheme, I'd only get a Brompton

By faaaar the best, with a satisfying way of folding up; you can wheel it along on its little wheels for a bit while folded, and you can put a good-sized bag on the carrier.

smacl · 09-10-2014 07:55PM

Qualitymark wrote: »

If I were going to get a folding bike, and if I were eligible for the Bike to Work scheme, I'd only get a Brompton

While I know many people rate them, I'm not sure that I fancy the 20" wheels and vertical forks with no stem. Swissbike or similar well build 26" wheeled folder would seem preferable over distance on poor roads. That said, I've yet to try one, so could be quite wrong. I don't really care whether it takes 30 seconds or two minutes to fold. Put an offer in on a 2nd hand Dahon Jack today which would be ideal.

Suitability of folding bikes for medium distance

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