AngryScientist 

Surprised to see that the last thread on NYC commute folders is years old, unless my search skills are terrible.

that said, i've applied for a job in lower manhatten and am evaluating my options for riding to the PATH train. this is what i'm after, what are your thoughts:

-smallest, quickest fold
-subway/PATH train friendly
-uses standard components (caliper brakes, crankset, etc)
-good for roughly 9 mile one way commute to train
-fixed gear or single speed - no need for gears
-around $1k or less price point

what do you think bikeforums?

Nick

1nterceptor

I've lugged a few bikes over the years on the Path train.
Full size roadbikes and folders with varying wheel sizes;
26 in., 20 in. and 16 in. The easiest bike for me to board
on with is a Brompton with 16 in. wheels. The major issue
is squeezing in during rush hour; but even on weekends it
get very crowded. Try the Path first on foot before making
a decision based on components and budget(the cheapest
new B'ton is US$1250 I think). When you see that space is
a premium on the train; I think that you would agree with
me that size/compactness should be priority one.

NY-NJ Pathtrain by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

AngryScientist 

that brompton is exactly what i'm after. what model is it? thanks for the great "in the wild" pic. i can certainly stretch my budget for something like that.

FBinNY 

Depending on your needs once you arrive in NYC, the time of day, and availability of parking, you might do well with a standard bike best suited for the 7.5 mile ride from Nutley to Harrison, and leave the bike at the PATH station.

Not taking the bike on the train opens up the options, allowing you to shop for a nice ride free from the requirement that it folds. Of course this is strictly your call, but I'd make that basic decision before shopping specifics.

1nterceptor

My B'ton is a 2013 S6L-X; straight handlebars, six speed, fenders, superlight/titanium model.
Regardless of the model/options; the size/fold will be identical across the board.

NYC office parking by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

Winfried

There's only one Brompton frame.

The only difference is in the number of speeds: 1, 2, 3, or 6.

AngryScientist 

ahh, good to know!

as far as the full sized and park it option - that is something i'm considering. i've got a whole bunch of other bikes that could work for that. i may stop into one of the NYC shops and take a look at Bromptons in person.

Winfried

There may be other places, but NYCeWheels specializes in folding bikes.

1603 York ave. New York, NY 10028
NYCeWheels - your place for Electric Bikes, Folding Bikes and Kick Scooters

FBinNY 

have they discontinued the superlight models?

1nterceptor

Maybe you can try this one weekend. Ride/drive any of your bike to a NJ Path station.
Take the train to 14th st. Ride a few blocks to 2nd av and turn on 13th st. Ask BFold for
a test ride. There is only one size/frame; but there are a few speed/gearing and handle
bar options.

Williamsburg Bridge, NYC by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

1nterceptor

No. Sometimes there is a lag/backorder.

FBinNY 

Since you already have bikes suitable for at least the NJ leg of the commute, I suggest you investigate parking at the station, and if that checks out, do that commute for a week or two. Then, if you decide, yes, the commute makes sense, then you can decide if you want to spend the dough for a bike you can take the rest of the way to the city via PATH.

It's not my dough, but it would be a shame to see you spend $1k on a bike and then find out it's not for you after all.

ptempel

I agree with the post above saying to just use one of the bikes you currently have. I currently just do a "park 'n ride" by driving to to Overpeck Park in Leonia and park the car there. Then get the bike out and ride it across the GWB and straight to work. Half the point of cycle commuting for me is the flexability of not taking any train, bus or subway. The other half is some fitness for my dough boy self. ;-) I think folders are cool, but the cheapest bike for me was the three that I already have. If I travelled by plane then the folder in a suitcase would seem to be the way to go.

rhm

My train station in NJ has bike lockers, one of which I've rented for 14 years now. If you can get one of those, you might not need a folding bike. During the school year I keep a full size bike in the locker and use CitiBike.

In school vacations I commute into the city from Long Island, taking a folding bike onthe train; had a Strida, then a Downtube Mini (16" wheels), and a Downtube 8H since 2010 (that one has about 10,500 miles on it now).

In my opinion, one of the most important features of any folding bike is whether you can roll it at walking speed while it's folded up. My current Downtube rolls easily on one wheel, using the seat as a handle. For taking the bike on NJTransit or LIRR trains this is essential because you have to roll the bike down the aisle to the middle of the train car. I don't believe this is an issue on PATH, though.

Brompton has the reputation for the smallest and cleverest fold, but when I've test ridden them I've been unimpressed. Yes, they're very clever, but they're not great bikes and the folded package, though small, is inconveniently shaped. And rather overpriced, in my opinion.

ShortLegCyclist

One of your original post criteria was standard parts, be aware that Bromptons are great bikes but they are the poster child for nonstandard part use, and replacing Brompton specific parts is both slow and expensive.

As another poster pointed out though, there are Brompton specialist stores in NYC, not just NYCEWheels but there is at least one other as well, Bfold.

tcs

Boy, people act like the Brompton is the only choice.



There's the Dahon Jifo and EEZZ, which are relatively light and fold fast. The rear hubs are non-standard. One small issue: Dahon has executed all the marketing steps for these bikes in N.A. except sending some for the dealers to sell.

There's the Strida. Hmmm - I'm trying to think of an actual standard part on this bike. The saddle?

Smaller and lighter than the Strida is the CarryMe. This bike also features a dearth of standard parts. Oh, and as best I can figure out, it's not available here anymore either.

The intriguing Q-Bike would be a top choice - that is, if it had ever been sold here and had build up a positive owners' experience base.

The Mobiky was designed for use on Paris' Metro. Uh, checking: yes, also no longer available in N.A.

There's the KHS F-16. Emphasis on 'there'; it's not here in the USA.

The Nyfti lives up to its name; that is, for riders in other countries that can buy one.



So, ah, has anybody in the tread recommended a Brompton yet?

Winfried

You forgot to mention Birdy, and Mezzo/OriBikes ;-)

As for Dahon with 16" wheels, there's also the Curve i3, but it doesn't fold as small as a Brompton.

ShortLegCyclist

Bfold's website has CarryMe on it, but that doesn't necessarily mean they actually have stock.

Two of the smaller companies that make quick folding bikes that do use standard parts have company owners who post on this forum, Downtube and Origami bicycles, so they might comment, though I'm sure they don't want to seem like they are selling their products on the forum.

Both have good reputations.

Then there are very low cost, standard component models you can find threads on for Citizen bikes and the Walmart Genesis folding bike should you so choose.

jur

For a 9mi commute I would not recommend most of these. OTOH I use my Brompton on my 11mi commute from time to time but it's not my 1st choice for that. My commute has a big hill in it. But for a 9mi flat, the Brommie would be my choice. The one thing that the Brommie has is sheer convenience. At work I can quickly nip in to shops for some shopping, wheeling it right in with me as a shopping trolley. For a park&ride big-wheeler that's not an option. Plus the other big factor is the fun - small wheels are a lot more fun. You will end up using the Brommie for a lot more than just the commute.

tds101 

Dahon Speed Uno, at NYCEWHEELS. The price is good, you can go check it out. And the frame is cromoly steel. I have a Dahon Speed P8,...sweet bike.

Dahon Speed Uno Single Speed Folding Bike

AngryScientist 

this part makes me a little nervous though:

tcs

Of course the point was that those bikes are somewhere between mythological and non-existent in the USA. That said, I don't disagreement with your assessment, but if

'When you see that space is a premium on the train; I think that you would agree with me that size/compactness should be priority one.'

then it surely couldn't hurt to at least be aware of the other designs.

invisiblehand

You didn't say whether you needed to carry stuff. But the Brompton is great at carrying stuff too.

For a 9 mile ride, I would definitely test ride the bike, though. Ergonomics are important for ride quality and besides the four Brompton bars, you have little flexibility for fit. I eventually sold our Brompton/Merc because once our commute and living situation changed, the bikes no longer served any purpose and the ride was bad enough that we'd never touch them otherwise whereas I do ride my BF Tikit for fun rides and strongly prefer the Strida to the Brompton for short utility/multimode rides around town**.

I think you've gotten some good comments. My main one is that you should test ride as many bikes as possible especially since you have access to several different brands in NYC. If you can get away with a 20" wheel on your commute -- I imagine that this depends on when you commute -- I would go that route over a 16" wheel. If you're not carrying stuff and you want something relatively cheap, I'd strongly consider something like a Dahon Uno. If rolling the bike, a good ride, and a fast fold are big pluses for you, and you can live with a not so compact fold, then you might want to look at the tikit.

IMO, the reason to get a Brompton is that it's a great utility bike with a sweet fold. So if you want to take it into a wide variety of public transportation scenarios, restaurants, buildings, ride modest distances, and carry stuff too, then I think it's an excellent choice. Obviously, if the ergonomics are good for you, then the bike is very appealing.

** Note that I'd never ride the Strida for 9 miles though.

tds101 

I provided you with the link to see the bike, and get an idea of if it might suit your needs. Calling them to get more information might be a good thing to do. I'm in NYC as well,...but I got my bikes from somewhere else: @ThorUSA and @BruceMetras.

FBinNY 

I have one of these collecting dust at the moment. It is in near new condition, and I use it in the winter as a mass transit connector when I don't want to ride all the way.

IMO, it's poorly suited for a 9 mile ride, unless it's flat, in which case you might want higher gearing (haven't check sprocket availability).

BUT if you want to borrow it for a short while to test feasibility, let me know and we can make arrangements.