Folding Bikes - Hydraulic brakes on folders, a warning

Hi guys, I've been having trouble with my Hope mini mono on my GoBike, always full of air & needing pumping before it would work, well now it doesn't work at all, just came back from a ride around the canals of Birmingham.

I was asked, Do I ever store the bike upside down? Nope! Never!

Then BING! Hang on a second, the handlebars fold down so the reservoir is upside down, this renders the brake un-usable after a while.

DOH!!!!!!

Hi Chop
yup any "open" system will do that for you ......
one of the best brakes for any bike however is the MAgura HS rim brakes and they are "closed" and therefore dont have that problem .... those are hydraulic as well but some of the best ...

"open" is needed for brakefluid expansion due to heat
It shouldnt do anything much unless you squeezze the lever though .........

I agrre with Thor. My Jetstream P8 has the Magura hydraulics and they have incredible stopping power.

...my GoBike,...


Is this bike being actually sold in any store anywhere?
Their website is mysterious and I can not find neither a price nor a dealer for this bike which seemed promising to me. Strange.

I agrre with Thor. My Jetstream P8 has the Magura hydraulics and they have incredible stopping power.

actuallyt lets say they have incredible CONSISTENT stopping power ...I can make a V brake have MORE power but it is out of adjustment in no time and the power is brutal and without modulation.... versus the Magura which can be set up sloppy and still works with 98 % of its power with great modulation ( control )

:-)
thor

Is this bike being actually sold in any store anywhere?
Their website is mysterious and I can not find neither a price nor a dealer for this bike which seemed promising to me. Strange.

GoBike was always very flakey, appearing, dissappearing, re-appearing & promising the Earth, then POOF! Gone again!

I've owned mine for years, and still never managed to find any of the promised accessories, no support except an unfulfilled promise from Phillipe Brook to 'Sort out the set-up' on mine (while he was visiting the UK) He promised to get in touch, never heard from him since then! LOL!

Get a Birdy (http://www.en.r-m.de/products/productfinder/faltgenie/birdy/) which is a much better bike engineering wise or a new iF (http://www.pacific-cycles.com/product3.asp?cat1=1&cat2=4&pid=1) or GoCycle (http://www.gocycle.com/)

Thank you for clarification.
I am in between a Birdy and Brompton, the latter having a lead since I want an electric bike for occasionasl use on some hills and Birdy will cost me around $5500 while Brommie around $3000 with my preferred configuration and accessories on both. I would like a Birdy better though.

I liked very much GoBike design and specifications and it's a pity they can not make it into a good business.

Look at the bright side, even though you lack support, accessories and all, you enjoy a unique bike which is doomed to stay unique. You may always find alternative options for accessories.

Why not get a used Birdy the add their excellent Bionx (almost your user name!) electric assist :thumb:

As for the great specs on the GoBike, don't believe the hype.

The front suspension spring has no provision for adding a damper, (unlike the Birdy, where you get a choice)

The rear swing arm is attached by a soft strap and only held in place, once unfolded, by the over-centre quick release.

These 2 things combine to give a very bouncy wallowy ride on uneven bends.

The GoBike replaced my Birdy Red (which was stolen in Dublin) That's how I know the Birdy to be a better bike.