Commuting - Folding bike for £100

Hi,

I saw that Xpedia is selling a folding bike (EasyStreet?) for £100, see link. Anyone know anything about it (like why it's so cheap!).

http://www.xpedia.co.uk/cgi/sh000001.pl?ACTINIC_REFERRER=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2expedia%2eco%2euk%2facatalog%2fsearch%2ehtml&REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2expedia%2eco%2euk%2facatalog%2fsearch%2ehtml&WD=bike%20folding&PREVQUERY=ACTINIC_REFERRER%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww%252expedia%252eco%252euk%252facatalog%252fsearch %252ehtml%26TB%3dA%26SS%3dfolding%2520bike%26PR%3d%2d1%26PN%3d1&PN=Xpedia_Online_TRAILER_BIKES__TRAILERS___FOLDERS_67%2ehtml%23a704#a704

-magnus

Hello Magnus, welcome to the forum:)

I don´t know what you would get in this specific case, but in general you get what you pay for. If your into folders ;) check out the Brompton or Phillips.
http://www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk/


Anders K

P.S where are you from?

It looks like a Dahon but it's not. The bike has no gears and this is why it's selling cheaply. Still at 100 BPS you can't go wrong as a regular beater bike.

Before you get a Brompton, you should try out some other folders. You should also look into folding bikes that have 20 inch wheels since these ride better than the Brompton. The best 20' inch folders are made by Bike Friday and Dahon. Don't get ANY Dahon that costs under 450 BPS.

Regardless to what Brompton owners tell you, I've been able to get my Bike Friday on Trains, Planes and Buses.


The problem with a folding bike are as follows.

1. They are slower than a traditional bike and the ride is often rough because of the smaller wheels. Spend a little money and get a suspension seat post.

2. Do you mind getting stared at? The attention you'll get from a Brompton (Or any folder) will surprise you and if your shy, this may not be for you.

3. A folding bike is not light and you must plan what your going to do for the evening since this bike will need to be carried with you. Can you carry a 25 to 30 lb bike with one arm for 250 feet?

4. You often cannot leave a Brompton or Bike Friday on the bike rack since it is an EXPENSIVE machine. Although the bike can be folded, many resturants and shops will not except them and who wants to lug around a heavy bike with them thoughout the mall?

5 . Do not make this your only bike or you'll begin to hate the cycle for it's slowness and rough ride. Only use this bike as a weekday commuter and you'll appreciate it much more.

Anders,

Thanks for the tip. I saw the 6-speed Phillips in a shop the other day (couldn't try it out though since they had sold the saddle!). Another local shop is selling it for £230, do you reckon it's a good deal?

-magnus

P.S. Fran Smaland fast jag bor i England sedan nagra ar tillbaka! :beer:

Originally posted by Magnus
Anders,

Thanks for the tip. I saw the 6-speed Phillips in a shop the other day (couldn't try it out though since they had sold the saddle!). Another local shop is selling it for £230, do you reckon it's a good deal?

-magnus

P.S. Fran Smaland fast jag bor i England sedan nagra ar tillbaka! :beer:

Hej Magnus. The Phillips was "shorttested" in a recent number of Cycling Plus. I have to get back to you with some more information as I write this from work. But I beleive it was a pretty good choice for a folder.

Anders K

Magnus, the Phillips I wrote about is "Phillips Bike 04 Folding Bike" at £379. The bike receive verdict 7 out of 10. The review says: ..."use of 20in wheels and Gripshift derailleur gears. This make it a great handling bike to ride on the road and doesn´t feel like hard work - and also makes it faster and more comfortable than a Brompton."
Quick and easy folding mechanism, feeling very solid. V-brakes and 8-speed gears makes it a pleasure to ride. according to C+.

Tey also tests a ONZA FOLDING BIKE L @ £129,99 in another issue. The ONZA receive verdict 8 of 10. But one easy gear and tiny wheels does not make for speed. The ONZA is made for shorter journeys, up to one mile or so.

Hope this will help you. The only personal experience I have with folding bikes is the fodable Crescent from the seventies, not quiet up to standars;) .

Good luck

Anders K