Folding Bikes - bigfish folding bike

I don't recall anyone ever posting this brand. So here it is ...

http://www.bigfishbike.com/index.asp?lang=EN

Unusual and quirky but still another poor challenger to the Brompton fold which is more compact. Appears not as quick as the Bike Friday Tikit fold and yet a similar footprint. However the Tikit is a serious piece of kit when unfolded. 400 euro is actually not cheap hese days. Appears to be a nice bike but no reason for any of the main brands to quake in their shoes.

Bigfish :64 x 104 x 31,5 cm
Brompton: 56.5 x 54.5 x 27.0 cm

Not much of a contest there!

Cool looking bike, shoddy fold. I'm sure someone posted it here a week or two ago?

Oh I don't know. You chaps may be a bit harsh. It has merit - look at the easy way in which it can be wheeled along. Sure it's a bigger fold but there is no frame hinge and it is a pretty flat package when folded.

I like it. Im an anomoly though.....the folding action of a folder
isnt a priority to me at all.

I think it's a good idea. In fact, if the bike came with an 8 speed Nexus hub, it would be a bargain. The bike provides a fairly large frame instead of most folders that make up the difference with a handlebar. However, $800.00 USD is a little high in the U.S.

Must every folder be compared with the Brompton?

Must every folder be compared with the Brompton? In terms of folding footprin,t absolutely yes. The Brompton remains the benchmark on this and also how well it also latches together.

On other criteria such as weight, ride quality etc there are other bikes that are more useful as benchmarks. I love my Brompton and I will defend its honour as there is some misplaced criticism on this bike. However, I'm no Bromptonite and 'no other bike exists that's as good' type. I love all bikes, especially folding ones now, and there are some other great machines out there. There are some Dahons, Bike Fridays, maybe even a Birdy I covet too. Dahon next probably! :D

I think it's a good idea. In fact, if the bike came with an 8 speed Nexus hub, it would be a bargain. The bike provides a fairly large frame instead of most folders that make up the difference with a handlebar. However, $800.00 USD is a little high in the U.S.

I saw the Bigfish in a sports shop in Italy last week, 399 euros - how do they get it to $800 in the states ?

You can see photos and video of the bigfish in action at http://bikesthatfold.com/content/view/41/

I would be interested in hearing any feedback from a day to day user of this bike. Its good to see new folding bike company.

- S

I don't think it has to compete with Brompton, but it doesn't look like it even gets close to Downtube or Dahon 20"ers in terms of folded footprint. What's the point of a folding bike that doesn't get much smaller?

I don't think it has to compete with Brompton, but it doesn't look like it even gets close to Downtube or Dahon 20"ers in terms of folded footprint. What's the point of a folding bike that doesn't get much smaller?

It's more in accord with the Fold Flat bikes, Fahrrad C100, Dahon Hound & Hammerheads,etc. Kind of thing you can apparently slide under the bed and forget about till you need to get it out. Nothing wrong with that, probably gives you quite a stiff frame. when you look at the video, it sure is a neat folding action.

Must every folder be compared with the Brompton?

In terms of folding footprint, absolutely yes. The Brompton remains the benchmark on this and also how well it also latches together.

On other criteria such as weight, ride quality etc there are other bikes that are more useful as benchmarks. ...

Agreed (and I mention this because I am not a Brompton fan).

The Big Fish looks interesting, and it's good to see another designer take on the problem of the folding bike. I especially like the idea of twin (side-by-side) frame tubes, allowing the front wheel to fold up into the frame; that's cool! Probably gives the frame some side-to-side stiffness, which is good too, though I doubt the handlebar is correspondingly stiff. The chain keepers, which allow the rear triangle to fold without throwing the chain off, are a clever idea... but how reliably can they work? Judging by what I see on their website, I'll hazard a guess that this is not the last word in folding bikes; but if it has an idea or two that catch on, all power to it! I'll test ride one if I get the chance, but I'm not holding my breath.

Huh - I spotted a few of these in London a few months ago - wasn't sure what I was looking at but they had style:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/88364173@N00/2602751915/in/set-72157605760499522/

€399 is not bad value....

We did the bigfish on the Smithfield Nocturne pages. They were really nice guys and I agree that they are not going to out compete certain bikes - but they look a bit different - perhaps there will be a place for them - but they don't reinvent the format certainly.