Folding Bikes - Folders on the commute into/around London

My first post .....

I'm (hopefully!) going to be working in central london soon (near the tower of London), and would be doing the journey from Waterloo to the offices. Its about 3 miles door to door. My house is also about 3 miles from our local train station.

Have had a look around, and I really do like the look of the Strida3. From what I've read, the Strida should be more than adequate for such a relatively short ride.

So, onto the questions.

1) Is the Strida3 really comfy enough? (having said that, I used to do a good few miles commute to work on a racer)
2) Whats it like cycling in london - I know its pretty busy there, any pointers from experienced cyclists in the area?

Thanks all!

Welcome to the forum.

The Strida will be fine for those kinds of distances, and it has a number of benefits for multi-modal use. It would not be my preferred choice as I consider it a bike that encourages you to cycle slowly – which is fine if that’s what you want to do. If you are used to riding a racer, a Strida might be something of a shock (that said, all folding bikes take a bit of getting used to).

Most multi-modal users in London ride a Brompton – and with good reason. The folded dimensions are small (handy if you’re on a stuffed commuter train in the rush hour), the ride is good, and with the à la carte system you can customise your bike. A cheaper option would be the Merc (a Brompton clone) that costs £330, but you do not get the same degree of options. Other 16” wheeled bikes that are worth a look include: the Mezzo and the Airframe. If your budget can stretch, a Birdy might be worth considering. If you can get away with 20” inch wheels on the train, there are a lot more choices: Dahon, Giant, Trek, Raleigh, Downtube, Dawes, Ridgeback, Speacialized etc. My oft-repeated advice is to test-ride various makes and models and see what suits you best…

As for cycling in London, you will quickly adapt to the traffic density. Folding bikes are particularly useful as their small wheels make them responsive and nippy on the streets. Cycling in London is nearly always faster than the underground and buses. My only advice is to ride assertively and defensively.

Let us know how you get on…

Thanks, its good to be here.

Well, got some great news a little while back, I've been offered the job, so its time to start getting everything organised.

I used to ride a racer years back; last few years has been a cheap(ish) full suspension MTB that invariably has my little sons tag-along Mongoose stuck to the back ... so I'm used to dragging quite a load.

I really do like the look of the airframe, but I'm not sure that my finances would stretch that far (at the moment at least).

I'd be coming in on South Western trains, and as far as i can tell, the cycle policy would pretty much prohibit anything that cannot be easily carried in as luggage/stowed in the overheads, so I don't think anything with a 20" wheel will quite fit.

Do like the look of the Airframe/Birdy/Dahon, but there does seem to be something that I really like the look of in the Strida.

Of course, if I was stupid/psychotic, I'd suggest the Sinclair ...

Thanks for the info on cycling around London, I'll look forward to it!

Congratulations on the job.

If Strida still do the 60 day trial - go for it. They are reasonably priced and fit for purpose!

I have taken my Birdy on SW trains (Richmond to Waterloo) and would normally stow it in the vestibule area. If the Strida fits into overhead luggage space that is great - I think I might want to tether it though (unless it was snugly wedged).

I would rather have 4" wheels grafted to my feet than go for a Sinclair's latest contraption...

The only downside to strida is the smaller wheels. If you ride over broken pavement you might want something larger.

I'd be coming in on South Western trains, and as far as i can tell, the cycle policy would pretty much prohibit anything that cannot be easily carried in as luggage/stowed in the overheads, so I don't think anything with a 20" wheel will quite fit.

Do like the look of the Airframe/Birdy/Dahon, but there does seem to be something that I really like the look of in the Strida.


I don't know if you want to put a 16' or 20' inch wheel folding bike that weights over 25 lbs in the overhead compartment. It would be very dangerous. If the train requires you to sit with the bicycle on your lap and there is no handicap location to place the bike, then the Strida may be your only choice as that is the best choice for placing on the overhead rack.

Chatting to a friend that used to do that train ride, and he reckons that most of the time its standing room only .... the train comes in from further along the line than my stop (Basingstoke).

I did "my" end of the ride on my MTB last night. 95% flat. The only "hill" is an overpass over a part of the ring road.

Strida do appear to still be doing the 60 day trial. I'll have to get it all organised a little closer to the time. I've got a month or so to get it all in place.

Now time to start checking on the annual rail pass prices.

One other often-mentioned feature of the Strida is the greaseless drivetrain. If you're worried about having to squeeze it onto trains between crowds of other commuters, a Strida won't leave accidental chain-shaped tattoos on your fellow passengers' clothing.

One other often-mentioned feature of the Strida is the greaseless drivetrain. If you're worried about having to squeeze it onto trains between crowds of other commuters, a Strida won't leave accidental chain-shaped tattoos on your fellow passengers' clothing.

True, but dirty wet tyres might get them if all else fails!

@clonmult - you should be able to find a reasonably smooth route from Waterloo to Tower Bridge. The Thames river path is quite nice (but pedestrain heavy) for part of the journey...

I'll have to either invest in a map, or do my best to memorise the google maps, but thanks - I'll look into the Thames River path.

Its coming into the rainy season at the moment (it absolutely drenched me after the interview on Monday, just as I was about to get into Waterloo), so it'll definitely test me to see if I'm a fair weather cyclist or not.

Just got to get the Strida past the houses procurement dept - ie. the missus.

Don't forget that there are FREE London bike maps! They divide London into 16 zones and are actually very good. You should be able to pick them up at any train station or tube station (though most likely only for the surrounding zone). Or you can order all of them online here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cycles/routes/london-cycle-guides.shtml

(the online TfL journey planner isn't bad, but tends to make rather circuitous routes. The paper maps allow you to be more straightforward, I think)

Good luck! Magnus

The best advice i can give you on cycling in london is to use the cycleroutes, and avoid busy roads - usually just as fast as no lights, even if they appear slightly longer - and MUCH more pleasant ! There are 2 types of cycle maps 1 the lcc(london cycling campaign) Map which costs about £5 from any bike shop, it may be harder to find, but is best as 1 map covers a wider area. 2. The transport for london maps (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cycles/routes/), ... 19 maps in total, each covering a different area of london plus the centre. These are slighlty less convenient as you often need a couple of maps, but the price is right ... free !

Strida suits me in London and fwiw, its just as fast for the commute as my brompton - it has become my default for London use - as easier when folded -can be wheeled along.

Not wanting to contradict Simple Simon's post above but whether you prefer the cycleroutes or braving the bigger roads is a matter of opinion and taste and for my 2 cents I'd say I prefer to stay on the bigger roads. Yes there are big ass trucks and busses, but also less car doors opening in your face, more buslanes to keep you out of the main stream of traffic and most importantly they are more direct.

If you take the routes suggested by LT / London Cycling campaign they definitely take you on quieter roads but as to whether they are safer is open to debate. Quite often a green cycle lane gets parked on, or they just peter out completely. And they take you so around the houses, through dark alleyways and not always the most pleasant of residential areas. Or along canals - which if you've ever ridden one is only as quick as the slowest pedestrian at peak times.

Personally I like being in the traffic, being where I can be seen, where usual traffic rules apply, and getting where I want without the worry of getting lost in an area I don't know well (Suggested routes read like a treasure map: "20m then left over the bridge. 14 metres then right through the cut. 2 metres south then dig for the chest"). There are less kids kicking balls into the street and less broken glass on main traffic routes too. But like I say - this is just my own opinion and I'd advise anyone new to London cycling to take it one step at a time and only do what you feel confident about.

I also think a Strida for the amount of travelling you expect to do (12 miles a day right?) sounds like a bit of a stretch. For that amount of travelling and the fact you are multi-modalling on a train I'd say it's not really going to last the distance (think of your bum!) and would advise a Brompton or Merc as they are the best on trains and a lot more capable on the road for the kind of distances you predict.

Thanks for the link - I'll order a bunch of those maps.

The route itself is split into 4 sections of about 3 miles each - home to station, waterloo to office and the return journey. No matter what I choose though, it'll be quicker than walking to the tube, becoming a depressed sardine.

3 miles across central London on any folder will take what, 15-20 minutes?

I'll look into the Merc and Bromptons - the Bromptons start at a similar price to the Strida, but I'm kinda put off by their look, but that shouldn't really be a consideration.

Good points Pixel - some cycle routes are doggy (eg I definately wouldn't take some routes after dark ! ... eg canal routes - which at other times can be v. pleasant ... even if not always the fastest). As for mixing it with traffic thats definately a personal thing .... yes, been there, done that ... had several very near misses, and now (maybe as I get older), i prefer to 'get there' .
As for Strida vs Brompton ... brompton will be faster on the ride (surprisingly mainly just down hills, where its higher gearing helps). In london there are few hills too steep for strida gearing, i find total journey times are so close it makes no difference. I cant speak for earlier strida 1 & 2 which I think many people think of.... nor turbocharged raleigh 20's .... that is a coooool looking bike pixel !

You have a nice commute ! I've done the waterloo to London bridge run a few times and find the best way is behind the national theatre / ITV studios and then in front of the Tate (by the river). OK you cant max out on this pedestrian section, but I presume you dont want to get sweaty either. There are many more pedestrians in summer, so the back routes may look better.... as per maps.
If you have time, the thames route is really pleasant - but at lower speeds, and occationally pushing - to be considerate.

Congratulations on the new job. And I hope you find this forum as useful and entertaining as I have.

I'm with LittlePixel on the subject of busy roads in London. Back routes might be more pleasant in terms of pollution etc, but at least the traffic on the busy roads is expecting cyclists to be there. It's almost accepting of us peddlers!

What's more, with so many cyclists on the road, there's safety in numbers on the main routes.

In fact, it's not the buses and trucks you need to worry about, but the idiot pedestrians. I'm sure all of the commuters on the forum would agree that the number of cretins stepping into the road without looking beggars belief. I'm just back on the road after a serious accident caused by one of these people, and they got off without a scratch, so this is a real bugbear of mine.

I'm now back on my Brompton, and wearing a chunky pair of elbow pads – I landed on my elbow and smashed it to bits in mid-June. But even in the week or so I've been cycling again, I've had countless near-misses.

In conclusion: Stick to the main roads and buy some body armour. Assertive and defensive is good, but add a bit of caution to the mix.

Thanks again, good bunch of people here. Then again, I've always found cyclists tend to be a good bunch.

We've got the kids old skateboarding armour somewhere - they hardly touch it, so I think a bit of "appropriation" could be in order.

Question to those of you with Stridas - am I right in saying that any of the Cateye lights will fit on fine? Obviously I'm more into the idea of being seen than something that will blind oncoming motorists.

@Clonmult - there is currently a Strida 2 on UK ebay at the moment and a pretty rare ixi (belt drive).

I also think a Strida for the amount of travelling you expect to do (12 miles a day right?) sounds like a bit of a stretch. For that amount of travelling and the fact you are multi-modalling on a train I'd say it's not really going to last the distance (think of your bum!) and would advise a Brompton or Merc as they are the best on trains and a lot more capable on the road for the kind of distances you predict.

Have you ridden a Strida? I've done a few trips on a Strida 3 of about 5.5 miles on average roads in 35 min's (I'm not particularly fit ATM either) & no saddle soreness. A couple of trips (one way) of about 13 miles though did make me think about an alternative seat :-)

What aspects of a Brompton would "last the distance" better please? I'd like to try a Brompton so would be interested to know in what areas it improves on a Strida.

Thanks.

Question to those of you with Stridas - am I right in saying that any of the Cateye lights will fit on fine? Obviously I'm more into the idea of being seen than something that will blind oncoming motorists.

A couple of weeks ago I bought rear LED + front halogen lights from a LIDL supermarket for about £4. They fit just fine & seem to be standard round plastic clips with rubber inserts to cope with different tube sizes, so I'd imagine Cateye would be similar. If you give us a URL to ones you're interested in, I could look at the spec' & measure if you like?

Anyone found a good handlebar mirror that'd fit a Strida ok?

@Clonmult - there is currently a Strida 2 on UK ebay at the moment and a pretty rare ixi (belt drive).

That Ixi looks pretty good, but for holding whilst I'm standing on the train, prefer the look of the Strida. Currently going at £50 ... not bad, but I think I'll probably go for one new (and their trial is still on).

Have you ridden a Strida? I've done a few trips on a Strida 3 of about 5.5 miles on average roads in 35 min's (I'm not particularly fit ATM either) & no saddle soreness. A couple of trips (one way) of about 13 miles though did make me think about an alternative seat :-)

What aspects of a Brompton would "last the distance" better please? I'd like to try a Brompton so would be interested to know in what areas it improves on a Strida.


As an ex-Brompton owner and someone who has fleetingly ridden a Strida 3, the Brompton offers a number of advantages: more gear options (the 56” gear of the Strida is delimiting), comfier ride (rear suspension and cro-moly as opposed to saddle suspension and aluminium), more stable at speed, smaller fold (although the stick-fold has its benefits too), various handlebar options to suit different rider needs etc.

As an ex-Brompton owner and someone who has fleetingly ridden a Strida 3, the Brompton offers a number of advantages: more gear options (the 56” gear of the Strida is delimiting), comfier ride (rear suspension and cro-moly as opposed to saddle suspension and aluminium), more stable at speed, smaller fold (although the stick-fold has its benefits too), various handlebar options to suit different rider needs etc.

That's a useful list for me to check against when I eventually hopefully get a reasonable length test ride, thanks.

As an ex-Brompton owner and someone who has fleetingly ridden a Strida 3, the Brompton offers a number of advantages: more gear options (the 56” gear of the Strida is delimiting), comfier ride (rear suspension and cro-moly as opposed to saddle suspension and aluminium), more stable at speed, smaller fold (although the stick-fold has its benefits too), various handlebar options to suit different rider needs etc.

I'd agree with most of this - except the stability and comfier ride. I can ride my strida hand off, but not my brompton (I'm no expert at hands off - but can manage it on MTB's and 700c's). I find Strida more comfy than the brommie, inspite of rear suspension, strida generally soaks up the bumps equally front and rear - eg I hop off curbs on the Strida but not with brommie. Jumping from Strida to the brommie I knotice more stiffness in the crank area, but less at the bars. I do miss brommies gears on the Strida, but somehow single speed sort of suites it. Its a tough call Brommies gears vs Stridas lightness, and wheelability.

As for speed, thats much more down to the 'engine' :)

As usual, a useful, balanced post thanks - particularly as you own & ride both Strida & Brompton regularly.

So far I've found the Strida to be pretty good all round. Very nice being able to wear anything, as no chain to mess up clothes, or fall off at the wrong moment. Being able to roll the bike is another great +. I went through a big downpour the other day, & the drum brakes worked a treat. But of course I would like to try a Brompton (or similar folder really) to see for myself what it's like.

I'm now pretty sure that I'll go for a Strida3 - performance pack (strange name), 98% assembly, it should fit the bill perfectly.

it will also be absolutely perfect for cycling down to the gym - instead of having to drag my MTB out of the garage (invariably it gets put behind the kids bikes), lock up the MTB, etc., I'll just be able to pull the Strida out of the cupboard (it'll go next to the hoover), and stick it in the corner of the gym.