Hermitt

Hello
Im thinking about commuting to work on a fold up bike. Its a 8 mile one way trip (16 mile round trip) 5 days a week.
I need a fold up cause my flat is tiny!! Also landlord doesnt allow full sized bikes in the building. Also got no where to store it outside as my front door leads onto the main street
My commute is in London
Ive been told so many different things about fold up..mainly that for my distance they are not suitable! However I dont want to believe this!!
Im looking at Dahon Speed D7 bike and it seems to have everything I need
Can anyone please advise me on a fold up bike for my commute
Very much appreciated

folder fanatic

"...My commute is in London
Ive been told so many different things about fold up..mainly that for my distance they are not suitable! However I dont want to believe this!!
Im looking at Dahon Speed D7 bike and it seems to have everything I need."-Hermitt

Hello Hermitt and Welcome to this forum,

You have been fed other people's bike prejudice about folding bikes in general. The trick is to pick one that can easilly cover the range of terrain as well as distance. All my folding bikes (and I have 3 now) cover this with ease since I was careful to pick bikes that go up different hills as well as move along a fair clip on flat terrain. The Dahon models offer a great flexiblity and choice to match these great range of terrain without going into great expense until you are more familiar with folding bikes. I think the Speed D7 is an excellent choice for a first folder. My first one was a Boardwalk and I still use it on occaision. For more information on folding bikes in general and mine in particular, see below. My web sites are personal in nature, but I try to intergrate all mine and other's knowledge in a interesting package.

DaFriMon

Dahons are good bikes in general, and the 2007 version of the Speed D7 looks well suited for commuting. The folded size should be fine for storing in an apartment, and possibly at work, depending on your employer's attitude; you'll probably want a bag or slip cover to cover it up. It might not be the best, though, if you ever need to take it on a train or bus, see the recent thread on this topic.

Since you're in England, Brompton prices may compare favorably with Dahons, and they do fold smaller. Just occurred to me, you do mean London, England, and not London, Ontario, right?

If you have to climb a flight or two of stairs to get to your flat,carrying even a light folder is something you'll have to get used to, and the Speed D7 isn't one of the lighter ones. I don't say that to discourage you, just be prepared.

Hermitt

Thank you both for your comments. yes i live in London England.
I dont have to carry my bike up any stairs and work is very bike friendly.
The only aspect im worried about is will the fold up be able for such a long commute (16mile round trip) and be comfortable to ride. But after reading your comments I feel much more happy and confident.
Thanks again
x

Fear&Trembling

Depending on how spry I am feeling, I always extend my commute. I do betweeen 11-13 miles each way in winter, and more in the spring, summer and autumn.

As long as you set up your bike properly, 8 miles will be fine on most folding bikes.

IMO, the Dahon MU P8 looks v good value for money...

giskard

Hi

I commute by train from Brighton to London Bridge and walk the remaining 4km to my office in North London - takes me and my long legs about 35 mins. I'm planning on getting a folder for this journey and tried out a Dahon Speed D7 (2006 model) and found it to be quite "flexy", particularly at the handlebars when going uphill (not standing on the pedals). I'm 6'6" and quite heavy so perhaps the entry-level Dahon wasn't for me. I'm now looking at trying a higher-end Mu P8 which supposedly has a stiffer frame but it isn't yet available in the UK until mid-March I'm told.

Make sure you try before you buy and check if your employer will allow you to buy the bike using the Ride2Work government scheme to offset the cost of the bike against tax - you'll save at least 30% on the RRP of the bike.

Cheers

Johno

Hermitt

Thanks Giskard. Im female and 5'5" and about 9st so I was told I was the "perfect" size for a fold up bike by a few cycle shops
What do you mean by "flexy" on handlebars? Would you recommend a more expensive folding bike than the Dahon Speed D7?
Also my work doesnt do the Ride2 work scheme!! They do however give you a tax free loan for the new congestion charging western extention!!!! I was not impressed and have appealed their decision..of course nothing has come of it.
Thanks
L

TonyTerlecki

I also live in London and have just started commuting about 2 months ago. It has completely changed my commuting life and I really cannot comprehend why I suffered for so long on the tube. I needed a folder too because my flat was too small for a full size bike. After much thought I ended up buying the Dahon Mu XL. I think it is the perfect commuter bike for London. The 8 speed internal hub gears mean that it is low maintenance (which I hate doing) and the bike comes with a rack and front and rear lights (although the dynamo hub only supplies the front light) as standard. UK prices are expensive but I ended ordering mine from Germany at substantially reduced prices. At the moment I'm doing about 9km each way to and from work but for two days a week I do a total of 35km per day (I visit a climbing wall after work on those days) and the MU can easily handle this. Other than the lycra-clad crowd on racers I seem to pass most people on my MU on the daily commute so it is a good performer.

I think for your circumstances the Dahons are a good choice. Check prices from some German dealers (there are some reputable ones on ebay) as they are substantially cheaper for some models.

giskard

Hermitt,

Your employer should be doing their bit for the environment! Shame on them!

By "flexy" I meant that the handlebars didn't feel very solid when lightly pulling on them and when cornering I could feel the frame flex slightly, but that could be down to my weight (around 105kg). The more expensive Dahons are supposedly more rigid (better quality components I guess), particularly the Mu P8. I won't know for sure until I try one.

The Mu XL mentioned by someone else in this thread looks good, though I'm not a great fan of hub gears since I crashed a bike when the hub gears failed/slipped.

Try the Speed D7 for yourself at a dealer - if they're not willing to let you have a test-ride then give them a miss. You should be able to try out a bike for a few hours on varied roads, taking in a few upward hills.

Johno

DaFriMon

On many folders, you can feel the handlepost bend slightly if you pull back hard on the handlebars. Not necessarily a major problem, but it can be disconcerting at first. The 2007 Dahons supposedly have stiffer handleposts than the older ones. I know that my Curve D3 has no flex that I can feel. Also if you're smaller and lighter, you won't be stressing it as much as a taller, heavier rider. The 2007 Speed D7 has an adjustable height handlebar, which is a major improvement over the 2006.

As Giskard said, a test ride is a good idea. There are many different models that would work for you. Try going to different shops and seeing what they have. Test the ride quality, but also see how easy different models are for you to fold, look at the size of the folded bike, see how easy different models are to carry when folded.

Take all the time you need to make the right decision for you.

recumbenteer

I just took delivery of a MU P8. I'm on the upper end of its weight limits, so I don't know how its long term reliability will be. I can say that the frame and handlebars are quite stiff guy. It seems as stiff as my 1975 Raleigh Twenty. As I normally ride recumbents, I don't have too much comparison about handlebar stiffness. pm

giskard

Hmmm...

Thanks for the reassuring comments about the Mu P8. They're not available yet here in the UK but I've registered my interest with a good local dealer so hopefully I'll her from them soon.

Cheers

Johno

giskard

Hermitt,

I came across this on ebay (scroll up when the page loads): https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...ayphotohosting

It's a Speed D7 2007 model and it comes with a seat-post pump - very handy. You can't try before you buy though you'd save a few quid on the UK price.

Johno

Hermitt

Maybe I should wait to the new Dahon Speed D7 2007 mobile comes out in March this year? So many bikes to choose from so the best thing to do is go text them at some bike shops

I just saw a bike called "bike-in-a-bag" outside work today. I wonder are they any good. Anyone ever heard of them? Its a fold up bike, wheels about 20"
thanks