Folding Bikes - Any opinions commuting on a folding bike?

Hey guys,

Here is my situation. I'm ready to start bike commuting and i'm thinking of getting a folding bike so i can mix it up with travelling on bus or train. I'm in college and a trumpet major in Boston. So i have some concerns.

I live about 2 miles from school. Commuting from home to school is not a big deal i think. Just 1 or 2 small hills. Thing is i need to ride to Symphony hall for my trumpet lessons. I'm looking for a good way to secure my trumpets on a rack.

Any musicians have similar experiences?

Thanks,
Nab

I'm no musician, but I have the Bike Friday for my international trips, but I'm about to order a Steve Dahan folding bike for those trips I take out to the suburbs when I'm visiting family. Here in Chicago, bikes are limited to non-rush hour on the trains, but all folding bikes are allowed at any time on all trains. It's all good in my book.

Koffee

you could also look at the Brompton- it folds amazingly small (the best of any folding bike I have seen) but does not ride quite as well as a Bike Friday (and is quite expensive unless you can get one second hand)-depends on your priorities and bank balance

I'm a violinist and the only good way I've found to transport my violin on my bike is with a backpack. My backpack has straps on the back that can be threaded through the violin case's handle and strapped around the case so it can't fall. As far as a rack is concerned, I think I'd be out of luck. For trumpets, though, you might be able to manage by using one of those plastic crates I used to see everybody use in Quebec. they're (approximately) cube-shaped and about 16 inches to a side. People just fasten them to the top of a rear rack and then they can throw whatever they want onto the back of their bike.

Is the Bike Friday a folder or a take-down transportable bike ?
My LBS has just started stocking Dahon, in addition to Brompton. They look really good, and come with racks.
Bungie-chords will secure most things to racks. A layer of stiff foam (sleeping mat) between rack and trumpet may reduce vibration and shocks.
You may want to consider a lightweight case like
http://www.headcaseuk.com/headcase-brass-instrument-cases.asp#trumpet
and carry it in a messanger bag, shoulder strap or backpack.

It's a folder. I don't distinguish. I take off the pedals, unscrew the handlebars, take off the seat and front wheel, and fold. Bingo, it's folded and neatly packed into the suitcase. Easy does it.

Me like!


Koffee

Thanks for the tip guys.... Now i'm kinda undecided about getting the folding bike. I was looking at the Bromptons and Dahons... they freaking expensive. I mean, i can't justify spending $800 for a folding bike. So now, i'm actually looking at used road bikes. It's also faster. Dilemma dilemma.

Whichever bike you get, the folding bikes are awesome! And you could always go to the Bike Friday website and see if they have used bikes for sale. That could help to keep your costs down when purchasing a folding bike. Or just check ebay. Sooner or later, a folding bike will show up there. I saw two Bike Fridays going on ebay a few days ago, and if I didn't have the one I have now, I think I would have went for it.

Koffee

Is the Bike Friday a folder or a take-down transportable bike ?
My LBS has just started stocking Dahon, in addition to Brompton. They look really good, and come with racks.
Bungie-chords will secure most things to racks. A layer of stiff foam (sleeping mat) between rack and trumpet may reduce vibration and shocks.
You may want to consider a lightweight case like
http://www.headcaseuk.com/headcase-brass-instrument-cases.asp#trumpet
and carry it in a messanger bag, shoulder strap or backpack.

I heard these bikes are hard to get parts for. Also I'm always looking for a fast ride TO work. How fast can these bikes go over say 15mile distance?

Hey guys,

Here is my situation. I'm ready to start bike commuting and i'm thinking of getting a folding bike so i can mix it up with travelling on bus or train. I'm in college and a trumpet major in Boston. So i have some concerns.

I live about 2 miles from school. Commuting from home to school is not a big deal i think. Just 1 or 2 small hills. Thing is i need to ride to Symphony hall for my trumpet lessons. I'm looking for a good way to secure my trumpets on a rack.

Any musicians have similar experiences?

Thanks,
Nab

Just get a road bike & tough it out... It works. Sometimes you will be cold & wet (especially with the Boston weather).

I did a lot of research before I ordered my Bike Friday and for your purposes the best bike is the Brompton L6 with the optional rack (around $925) or the Dahon Boardwalk D6 (around $350 with a rack).

About 20 tears ago I had a cheap imitation of the Raleigh Folding 20, that I used as a winter commuter. It was very heavy but fine for rides up to about 30 miles. The short wheelbase made it incredibly manoeuvrable in traffic. It had a 3 speeds but it only had a normal chainring so the top gear was less than 70 gear inches - really great spinning practice and I had to watch out that I didnt do wheelies in bottom gear on steep hills. How many trumpets do you want to carry at a time - if its only one I think the backpack would provide the best shock protection.

I usually carry my wolfpak, so 2 trumpets and also my messenger bag. I don't think it's safe to carry the trumpets on my back in boston traffic. If i had a million mulas....................

Thanks for the tip guys.... Now i'm kinda undecided about getting the folding bike. I was looking at the Bromptons and Dahons... they freaking expensive. I mean, i can't justify spending $800 for a folding bike. So now, i'm actually looking at used road bikes. It's also faster. Dilemma dilemma.

If you're budget is limited, get the Dahon Marriner or Boardwalk D6! It's chromoly steel and costs about $299.00. Forget the Brompton as used ones sell for $800.00 dollars and you're really paying for the high British Pound Sterlling. Dahon folds faster and better than the Bike Friday but the BF is overall a better made cycle. There is no way you're going to get a Bike Friday for $300.00 dollars and used ones sell for 7 or 8 hundred!

Goto the Dahon website. There are internet dealers but you can get real bargains on Ebay! Those bikes are new too!

I agree with Steve. I'm putting an order in on Saturday for my Dahon Boardwalk 6. The Dahan is infinately easier to fold, but I do say... that Bike Friday is a nice bike, and higher quality, so will travel better than the Dahan. For city commuting to the suburbs, when I need to take the train, the Dahan will be my bike of choice, but when I travel to other states or out of the country, I'll not consider anything but my Bike Friday.

Koffee

Hey, count your blessings, I used to carry my euphonium to school, balanced on my handlebars.

Hey, count your blessings, I used to carry my euphonium to school, balanced on my handlebars.

Euphonium? HAHAHA.... *friendly laugh* :p

Now, that IS funny. The only thing that'll top that is a biker with a tuba backpack. Well, it is the summer now, and i'm gonna take my time to save up and buy the right bike. Thanks for all the tips guys. It's really great to be in the market!

I have a Boardwalk 6. It is ok. I know that sounds like a back handed compliment. But if your ride is fairly flat, it will be fine. It doesn't climb very well primarily because of the flexibility of the handlebars. It is a bit heavy when you want to carry it around. My longest ride last year (a 50 miler on the Silver Comet) was actually on my Dahon.

The rack works reasonably well. It is a bit twitchy because of the short wheelbase and any attempt at hands off is almost suicidal.

Mine was about $260 shipped.

I like it.

Hey guys,

Here is my situation. I'm ready to start bike commuting and i'm thinking of getting a folding bike so i can mix it up with travelling on bus or train. I'm in college and a trumpet major in Boston. So i have some concerns.

I live about 2 miles from school. Commuting from home to school is not a big deal i think. Just 1 or 2 small hills. Thing is i need to ride to Symphony hall for my trumpet lessons. I'm looking for a good way to secure my trumpets on a rack.

Any musicians have similar experiences?

Thanks,
Nab

I take my Dahon Boardwalk Single-Speed to work everyday (that I work)... I recommend it over the custom made folders because it is very functional, sturdy, easy to fold, lowest in price.

My Dahon was $189 at the LBS (no gears)... it's great. A 2004 Dahon model with gears will probably be at least $300 though, but it is much less to pay than around $600 for a Bike Friday and is easier to fold (mine folds in less than 10 seconds)

If you have a bungee cord you can strap the trumpet to the rack, or get a big messenger bag or backpack

I have a Dahon Boarwalk D6 bike. I use it for commuting in NYC and I love it. My commute is paved and fairly flat so I can't say how the bike would handle hills or dirt roads. I think its a really great choice for commuting (about $350 including kick stand, rear rack etc..) but the best part to me is that I can fold it up outside when I get to work, put it in the bag (which I bought for an extra $60) and bring it inside. It stores under my desk at work.
Its true that you can't ride hands free with the bike and it can be a little twitchy, but otherwise its a great city bike.

Man, the coolest setup is one that allows you to use the trumpet as a horn when you ride....

I heard these bikes are hard to get parts for.

Bike Friday's use regular bike parts - drive train, shifters, handle bars, seats, pedals, etc. What part(s) are you referring to?

Accessories, however, are a different matter -- i.e. standard fenders and rear racks need modifications unless you're willing to pay for those made specifically for the bike. Other hard to find accessories for me included a long wire harness for a Sigma computer: found one at a place I buy recumbent parts from. Also, 20 X 1.25/1.35 inner tubes are not that easy to come by; you're better off ordering those online or through your lbs. 20" tires have really become advanced and robust; again the problem is finding an lbs which stocks good selections. You're better off getting these online as well.



Also I'm always looking for a fast ride TO work. How fast can these bikes go over say 15mile distance?

Depends on how fit you are. 20+ mph are not unhear of. Me? I can only sustain 17+ barring headwinds on my Bike Friday (mostly minor grades). But 20+ is easy on my recumbent.

-

Bike Friday's use regular bike parts - drive train, shifters, handle bars, seats, pedals, etc. What part(s) are you referring to?



Depends on how fit you are. 20+ mph are not unhear of. Me? I can only sustain 17+ barring headwinds on my Bike Friday (mostly minor grades). But 20+ is easy on my recumbent.

-

My LBS said the Dahon parts were hard to get. Like hub and bottom brackets stuff.

My LBS said the Dahon parts were hard to get. Like hub and bottom brackets stuff.

I've never had problems ordering from Dahon California.

Just don't do the ordering during the busy season. Those specialty bikes can be pretty overwhelmed. I almost lost it when I couldn't get a rear rack, and it was something like a 2 month wait at that point (early May).

Koffee

Do you find a major difference in the quality of the ride on the Bike Friday versus the Dahon? I've never had a chance to ride a Bike Friday, but I have ridden the Dahon and a number of other similar bikes. What I have found in all of them is that the handlebar is too close to the saddle, and makes me ride in the inefficient "sit up and beg" position -- and I'm not particularly tall, only 5'9". Is the Bike Friday better in this regard?

Some folding bikes allow adjustment of the handlebar height, which helps a bit.


I agree with Steve. I'm putting an order in on Saturday for my Dahon Boardwalk 6. The Dahan is infinately easier to fold, but I do say... that Bike Friday is a nice bike, and higher quality, so will travel better than the Dahan. For city commuting to the suburbs, when I need to take the train, the Dahan will be my bike of choice, but when I travel to other states or out of the country, I'll not consider anything but my Bike Friday.

Koffee

...I have ridden the Dahon and a number of other similar bikes. What I have found in all of them is that the handlebar is too close to the saddle, and makes me ride in the inefficient "sit up and beg" position -- and I'm not particularly tall, only 5'9". Is the Bike Friday better in this regard?

Some folding bikes allow adjustment of the handlebar height, which helps a bit.

Many Dahons have a telescoping handlepost, although you're right that it only helps a bit--it lets you ride less upright, but it doesn't put the handlebar any further forward on the bike. They do, however, offer a MicroAdjust Stem (http://www.dahon.com/microstem.htm) that might do the trick for you. It's standard on the Speed Pro and Speed TR, and an option on most (all?) of the others.

It does add some extra fiddling to the folding process, which I why I haven't gotten one myself.

I disagree with some of the posts about the Brompton. It really is THE folding bike against which all others are judged - it has one key benefit which is WAY better than all others and that is it folds easily into the smallest size - a neat rectangle about the same size as a large briefcase - Dahons, fridays, etc. look massive folded next to it.

Apart from that it is just good all round - VERY reliable and well made, Stiff enough for touring on, OK for big folk (like me!) - just check out the comparison reviews (AtoB, folding society etc.) - there is a good reason why it is always used as THE benchmark.

FWIW- bike friday seems less focused on the commute, more on a touring bike that can be folded (and more $$$), Dahons seem to be good allrounders, good value, but the folding seems to be the same basic fold in half - so still quite bulky. The strida is worth a look for value and completely different - good for commuting but not for touring. I think there are a few other commuter folders but these seem to be cheap chinese copies - so you get what you pay for.

OK in the US the Dollar makes the Brompton seem pricy - but I still think its worth it, especially if you want just one bike to keep for commuting and everything else.

I just acquired a Dahon Matrix (a 26-inch folder) http://www.ahoycaptain.com/shop/dahon_matrix.html. Unlike my Dahon Vitesse (20-inch folder), the Matrix mates with a 27.2 mm seatpost. Like me, you also ride into Boston pot holes. So you install a Cane Creek Thudbuster 27.2 mm seatpost. http://www.thudbuster.com/ As usual, PricePoint has a good price. http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13667-275_CAC3G4-4-Specials-78-Net-Specials/Cane-Creek-Thudbuster-LT-3G-Seatpost.htm That will take care of you!

Now for the trumpet. You can mount a 16-inch Topeak QR beam rack onto the Thudbuster post in 30 seconds without tools. If you're commuting with a Baroque trumpet or a folding Wynton Marsalas trumpet, you can safely transport it inside a weather-proof, well padded Topeak QC Trunk bag that slides onto the rails of the quick-release Topeak QR beam rack. https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/267/ . Otherwise, you can carry your valveless trumpet in a Topeak Cargo Rack basket that also slides onto the Topeak QR beam rack.

:roflmao: :roflmao: