Folding Bikes - About to pull the trigger on my first folder.... choice of two... but which?

Okay, here we go.... deep breath!

As a result of good advice on this Forum I've narrowed my choice down to two, and keep swaying between them - and I have to place the order by Friday. (To be purchased via the company, so has to be in stock in the UK and from a LBS).


Dahon Curve SL.... or Brompton S2L-X?

Thanks in advance.


Details of my requirements are below:

Something for a possible cycle/train commute into London - ideally something quick as well as compact and transportable.

I’m a regular cyclist and have owned a variety of bike. Cycling style is speedy, with occasional need for a blast to blow away the cobwebs.

The journey (each way):

Cycle 3.5 miles to station – two small, short hills
Train – often very full – 1 hour
Cycle 3.5 miles to office

Budget is up to £1k.

I believe for the kind of ride that you will be using your bike, it will be hard to justify a Brompton.
I would suggest the Curve SL with a better saddle, bigger chainring (since your style is speedy), the El Bolso Bag and you are ready! Use the rest of your budget on a portable point and shoot digital camera and a tripod. Let us know your final decision, and don't forget the pictures.

Why do you say it would be hard to justify the Brompton? If through work in the UK we're lucky that we're only liable for 50% of the cost.

Could you include the cost of each bike then?

Ignoring the cost for the moment, the Brompton has a considerably longer wheelbase which will be important if you plan on zipping around on this thing. Moreover, if you are a strong rider, the extra gears may not be that beneficial.

Should we assume that both bikes fit you well? (ergonomics) I thought that the bikes have different reaches and capacity to be adjusted.

Curve SL - about £550
S2L-X - about £1000

Both bikes do fit me as they can be adjusted.

Difficult choice.

Curve SL - about £550
S2L-X - about £1000

Both bikes do fit me as they can be adjusted.

Difficult choice.

And the Brompton is 1/2 that making it cheaper than the Curve.

I would include the cost of commuting gear/bags and then make the comparison. If the cost is still similar and you don't need the extra gears, then I would stick with the Brompton.

Please ignore the cost element, unless suggesting upgrades to the Curve SL.

Both bikes would be available on the scheme - only liable for 50% of the cost.

Are you also considering re-sale value?

(How does the "scheme" take this into account??)

Nope, not considering resale value.

The government-backed scheme effectively offers the bike, via the company, at 50% - HP over 12 months, then mine in month 13.

So fortunately cost isn't really the issue, it's more which of the two would you go for.

Given that you couldn't safely leave either bike locked up for long in any location, you could be looking at three, possibly four fold/un-fold cycles a day, in which case I'd go for the more robust Brompton. It also has additional advantages of a smaller folded envelope for crowded trains, and a potentially significant better resdidual value.

Ningnangnong,

please let us know how you get on with your eventual choice, & whatever happens, don't leave your bike in Lambs Conduit Street, as 3 Bromptons have been stolen from there in under a year!

It seems Bromptons far outstrip Dahons for theft attraction. That surprises me as I'd have thought Brompton owners would take them inside. Maybe they're too heavy to carry for some owners?

Do any of you know if a small folder can be left in theatre cloakrooms in London?


Given that you couldn't safely leave either bike locked up for long in any location

Agreed!

personally, I wld go for the brompton:

Better quality of frame ( made in Europe & not the Far East )
Better folder
More durable - I used my daily in London for years , with no problems & I sold it at a fair price.

I've never even seen a brompton up close. I do own a Curve SL. The frames is very good quality and light. It has a pretty good fold that I can do in about 5-10 seconds. It's seems durable to me but I only have about 500 miles on it. I have a 2003 speed pro that I've commuted on daily for up until I got my curve, it is still a great bike.

My curve goes through 2-3 fold per day, I only use it occasionally for bus, and they are not crowded around here.

Personally I'd take each one for a ride if you can, and decide from there. I'm glad I didn't really have an option here, the brompton is way out of my league.

I've never even seen a brompton up close. I do own a Curve SL. The frames is very good quality and light. It has a pretty good fold that I can do in about 5-10 seconds. It's seems durable to me but I only have about 500 miles on it. I have a 2003 speed pro that I've commuted on daily for up until I got my curve, it is still a great bike.

My curve goes through 2-3 fold per day, I only use it occasionally for bus, and they are not crowded around here.

Personally I'd take each one for a ride if you can, and decide from there. I'm glad I didn't really have an option here, the brompton is way out of my league.

I did not let price stop me when I decided to add a Brompton to my bike collection. I simply decided that I too did not ever see a Brompton up close and never knew anyone with one, so I went with the simple and no frills model, the C type or Companion model. For all it's imperfections, for my needs all I needed to do was rotate the brake levers up a bit, add Kool Stops brake pads, a nice Nirve cruiser saddle, and a traditional shifter and wait until my financial situation improves to buy my "dream" Brompton. When that occurs, I will know what to ask for when my dealer orders one from the UK for me.

Please ignore the cost element, unless suggesting upgrades to the Curve SL.

Both bikes would be available on the scheme - only liable for 50% of the cost.

How can we ignore the cost element?

In my opinon that's how you should make the final decision. You'd probably be happy with either one. So just pick whichever one you can get a better deal on.

In my case it will be a no brainer...Brompton. I can't make the 16" wheel Dahon fit me properly.:( I would also inquire into spares availability. I have seen some issues with getting replacement parts for the Dahon. I don't know if that is true of the Brompton or not. I have researched and researched and researched some more. In a few months I am taking a trip to a Brompton dealer, do my test ride and then decide if I want to wait 4 months for a custom color or not:p

Aaron:)

Please ignore the cost element, unless suggesting upgrades to the Curve SL.

Both bikes would be available on the scheme - only liable for 50% of the cost.

Brompton.

Ningnangnong,

please let us know how you get on with your eventual choice, & whatever happens, don't leave your bike in Lambs Conduit Street, as 3 Bromptons have been stolen from there in under a year!

It seems Bromptons far outstrip Dahons for theft attraction. That surprises me as I'd have thought Brompton owners would take them inside. Maybe they're too heavy to carry for some owners?

Do any of you know if a small folder can be left in theatre cloakrooms in London?



I used to commute with my Dahon Presto and left it parked outside the train station. It was a mistake because that bike took a beating from crooks who couldn't break my NY 3000 U-lock.

Why did I leave it outside the train station. Here's why.

1. It's heavy ---- Having to carry a Brompton or Dahon to work using trains or buses requires carrying and lifting the bike! In fact, it may mean carrying or lifting the bike over turnstyles or walking across a platform with this bike in a bag. Not enjoyable or easy at all. I carried the Dahon Presto for 100 meters one day and my arm and back were stiff for days!

2. The dreaded Stares! ---- There's nothing worse than bringing a heavy folder on a crowded train but having to bear all the stares is sometimes too much. Trust me, it can get to you.

3. Having to stand ---- I used to pass up many free seats on a train full of passengers because the folder was too big to squeeze through. Having to bring a folder almost always ment having to stand next to to the door where it wouldn't be in the way or impose others around you. This is especially true if you're on a crowded subway. Sometimes a seat would become available right next to me but the bike prevented me from taking advantage. Quite frankly, I got tired of always standing so I left the bike locked at the station.

4. Dates, Dinner or Dancing ---- Walking around with a folding bike limits what you can do after work. It's like having a child around with you all the time and dinner dates or drinks after work required me carrying along my personal transportation. Then there's all the questions that go along with why am I always bringing a bike along with me. Don't you have a car?

Having said all this, I'm now using an A-Bike only because it's an ultra portable. If I'm going out for drinks later on, the bike remains at my desk at the office. I'll pick it up the next day but I refuse to carry a 20 lb bike with me after work especially when I'm with friends.

Steve , Did you have the folder in a bag? I know that it is a pain in the bum to carry about , but when I placed my Brompton in the bag , I never had any hassles taking it into pubs etc in London.

Steve , Did you have the folder in a bag? I know that it is a pain in the bum to carry about , but when I placed my Brompton in the bag , I never had any hassles taking it into pubs etc in London.

Yeah... I did the bag thing but it got old.

Here's what happens.

It's better to put the bike in the bag at the very last moment just feet away from the train/bus entrance. Otherwise, you'll have to carry that bike in the bag and this is not easy at all. Then you always have to carry that huge bag with you and that's going to require a back pack to store it.

I guess if you don't like mind carrying a heavy bike, it could just be up your alley.

Wasn't able to get to the LBS on Friday so today's probably the day.

Dahon Curve SL.... or Brompton S2?

Ta

Big Fan of Brompton here:

1-Significantly more compact than the Curve once folded;

2-significantly faster to pack for airplane travel;

3-longer wheelbase;

4-larger cockpit;

5-more options of colors;

6-can fit a front derailleur in the future;

7-design is around for a nice while.

Good luck on your final decision.