powderblue

This is my 1st post so Hi to everyone.

I am considering getting a folder as I have a mountain bike that sits in the garage all year. I live at the top of the hill, which puts me off getting the bike out to ride to cycle paths.

I'm considering a folder so I can keep it in the boot and so I can ride it during lunch time on a nearby cycle path. I also travel on business so to be able to go out for a ride in the evening would also be good. If the bike was always in the car I'd be more inclined to use it.

I will have no need to pack it up for trains, buses or such like.

Firstly I bought a cheap imitation A-Bike off ebay - absolutely useless.

Now I'm taken by the Mobiky - it looks fantastic, but don't want to make the same mistake as the A-bike, although it does seem to have some good reviews. I suppose I'm looking for someone to recommend it for my uses as this is my 1st choice, but I could be taken in by the styling.

The other option is to go for a 20" bike, like a Dahon Speed D7. The trouble is, the bulkier it is, the less likey it is going to stay in the car boot.

I'd appreciate any feedback.

Many thanks.

trueno92

pics of the cheapo a-bike pls =) !

also, what did you NOT like about it?

what I think you should consider is a bike with 16" wheels. as that will actually carry you decently along roads and even a few light trails. the mobiky is decent, but I would rather get the pacific cycles CARRY ME:





Micro Folding Bike with a full size ride, since the seat, bottom bracket and stem mirror that of a full size bike. This bike is perfect for the hybrid urban commute where you bike to the bus from the house, ride mass transit to the city, and bike to the office from the station. Recommended for ride up to 5 miles, but there is no mileage limit.

Perfect for the college campus: can be ridden as slow as a walk (3.0 mph) or comfortably at 15 mph on the open road and stores easily under you bed in the dorm.

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Carryme sets a new benchmark in its category. It weighs only 17 pounds and will fit in a 36 x 12 x 11 in bag in seconds (about the size of a small golf bag), making it extremely easy to carry, transport, or store. It really shines, however, when you unfold and ride it. This is without a doubt the best solution to getting around the city without the hassles of waiting for traffic, looking for parking spots and paying for gasoline! Of course, you get a great workout at the same time and do your part to preserve the environment.

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Carryme was designed to become a part of your life and go everywhere with you. The perfect companion for travelling or commuting to work or school, it will soon leave you wondering how you got along without it. Unlike other folding bikes - which, although compact, still take up too much space and are unwieldy and heavy to carry around - Carryme will truly become a part of you mobile life. Like a true friend, it will also help you to take care of yourself by bring exercise into your schedule and getting you to your destination as quickly or leisurely as you want to get there. Whether you choose to take the express route or the scenic route, Carryme will be there by your side, ready to share another of life's experiences with you.

rhm

I too like the look of a Mobiky, but after test riding a couple I decided it was better as a fashion statement than as a bicycle. I'd advise you to test ride before buying.

For your purposes it sounds like a folder with 16" or 20" wheels would work for you. Can you test ride any?

sotto

Well, I have a used Mobiky and I really like it. Folds in a wink and rolls folded like a dream. Very small footprint, rides nice, and I'm pushing 200 lbs. With the kickstand it has, you can stand it up anyplace even completely folded. Exceptional design and workmanship.

snafu21

Don't get a folding bike! I started out with a cheapy last year, egged on by the WEIRD people in this forum. They're all sadists.

I started out with a 16" cheapy noname from the camping shop. Stuck it in the back of the car. Found I was soon pulling over just to get the bike out and ride it. Nuts. Sold it and bought a mid-price D7. It lives in the car most of the time - I try not to go anywhere without it.

Then, I haddta get a hot-shot sprinter to play on at the weekend. Now I got two bikes.

DON'T get a folder. They suck you in - they take you for rides - then BAM! You're hooked. You always got a bike in the car, you'l get lot more opportunities to ride it. I take mine down to the coast at the weekend - no racks or roof bars. Park up - unfold and ride.

Yummy


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Get one you can keep in your car. With 3+ gears. You'll use it all the time. The 20" bikes work for me, but there is plenty of choice. For me, buying the lightest one I could afford was a great decision - the D7 is brilliant - but no lightweight if you need to carry it.

So, I kept it for car use - bought a second aluminum 20" 'roadie' and that is why I now have two.

You are entering a dark place my friend. For many, there is NO return.

makeinu

If you ever need to put other stuff in your trunk then I would recommend a Curve D3 or Downtube Mini.

If not, get something with 20".

The Carryme and the Mobiky are probably overkill for a bike that's just going to sit in the trunk between rides. Also, isn't the Mobiky $600+? I mean, the two speed Carryme is over $600 too, but that uses some specialty parts and weighs about 17 pounds. The single speed Carryme, Curve D3, Downtube Mini, and most entry level 20" folders from Dahon or Downtube are all under $500. Even if the Mobiky were a good match for you it's hard to justify the premium.

powderblue

Some good comments and I know what you mean about the price of the Mobiky. Trouble is, if it takes too much space in the trunk (boot as we call it in the UK) then I'm going to be less inclined to carry it around. I love the Dahon Curve SL, which fits in between my 2 options, but the price is way too much.

More feedback welcome.

folder fanatic

I would like to add to snafu's observations that it is all my folding bikes' faults that I bought this laptop computer (compact & portable just like the folders) I am typing on now to respond to this and other's questions and comments about these little wonders. My family thinks I am completely insane!

I think that you are very fortunate to live in the UK. You have far more choices in the makes and models of Dahon and other brands (even if they are a bit more expensive). And do not forget that the Brompton's home is the UK too. I do recommend that you go to the good bike shops there and test ride as many makes/models as you can. Talk to as many folder owners as you can. Then I think you will be able to make the best decision of what will work for you.

powderblue

Perhaps Mobiky owners could also advise what kind of mileage you do. Is it really only good for a couple of miles or would it be good for a 5-10 mile Sunday ride?

sotto

I took a 5 mile ride on mine last night. No big deal. Top speed 19.6 mph.

cyqlist

Definitely good for the 5-10 mile rides, in my experience. I've ridden mine up to 20 miles in a day, in segments of 3, 9 and 8 miles. I also find it comfortable to ride on dirt trails, due to the wide tires.

powderblue

How's the gearing? Good for Hills (Up and Down) or is it better for flat rides? Do you have the Sturmey Archer gears or the Nexus ones?

cyqlist

I have the Sturmey Archer gears. They work fine. Hills are fine. I swapped out the 16 tooth cog for an 18 to make it a little easier to go uphill (for downhill I coast) and also improve clearance between the chain and chainstay. With only 3 speeds, gearing has to be a compromise in any case.

makeinu

Is the Mobiky really going to take up less space in the trunk than the Curve? The folded size of the Mobiky is listed as 12x25x32" while the Curve is listed as 12.6x25.2x29.5". Also the Mobiky weights about 30 pounds, whereas the Curve D3 is about 25 pounds. I would think that this weight savings would make it much easier to take it out of the trunk.

Also, please note that the Curve SL is the premium model, the Curve D3 should be much cheaper. Here in the US even the Curve SL is cheaper than the Mobiky (at least the 07 model) and the Curve D3 costs about half as much.

I just don't see why you're attracted to the Mobiky when it has a bigger fold, smaller wheels, higher weight, and higher price than the Curve D3. Some people say the Mobiky rolls better than the Curve, but for someone like you who's going to keep it in the trunk between rides I don't see a single advantage to buying the Mobiky over the Curve D3.

Since your in the UK how does the Brompton compare to the Mobiky price-wise? On this side of the pond Bromptons are very expensive, but they could also be competitive for you.

powderblue

You have a good point there about the Curve. Bromptons are still rather expensive here in the UK and I find the look rather old fashioned. I'd like something that looks cool - that's probably why I was drawn to the Mobiky originally.

makeinu

I should confess that I enjoyed test riding the Curve much better than the Mobiky, but I couldn't justify purchasing it for my intended usage; So perhaps in some small way I'm trying to live vicariously through you, a person who seems like he could actually make good use of the delightful little bike.

In any case, I'm only trying to help, so if I'm being too domineering then feel free to ignore me. Good luck picking a bike and don't neglect to test ride.

powderblue

You've got me thinking now about the Curve. I'm seriously thinking of ordering one. The D3 is in budget - I'd like the 8 speed SL, but the price is too high.

I don't think I'll get anything smaller that is still rideable.

makeinu

Perhaps the Downtube Mini would provide a suitable compromise between the D3 and the SL (www.downtube.com)? They're pretty popular around the forum, but I have no idea if they're currently available in the UK.

You've actually also got me thinking about the Mobiky. I'm thinking that perhaps the most unique and outstanding feature of the Mobiky is that it can be taken from riding to pushing along folded without even ceasing to roll. Probably wouldn't be of much help to you, but I imagine it would be pretty nifty for riding up to a door or an elevator if there aren't any steps involved (I have to admit that I often ride my Carryme down the hallway of my apartment building to the elevator....the Mobiky folds so fast and simply that you could probably do this in office buildings etc without ever getting caught..."oh no mr rent-a-cop, I wasn't riding my bike in here, just rolling it along folded as you can see").

powderblue

The 8 speed hub would be nice to have, but the Downtube mini is not available here in the UK. I'm not sure I like the frame either - it looks a bit like one of those cheap Ebay ones.

jur

Oh, but they are! Check velochocolate.

powderblue

I looked on there last night, but couldn't see them - only the IXFS. The ebay seller 'Downtube' could also only supply the IXFS and not the mini.

jur

Contact Sam of Velochocolate by email and ask.

powderblue

£350 + vat is too high for a bike that looks like something off ebay. I went with the Curve in the end for £245. It would have been nice to have had the 8 speeds though.

jur

Not sure what you mean... publicity photos too daggy? Well they are a bit... but earned reputation is everything. Even a turd can look nice on a photo... Not that there's anything wrong with the Curve, of course.

folder fanatic

The Curve (and it's predecessor the Piccolo) is inexpensive and looks nice (I have the Piccolo). But it's wheel size is the smallest ones I would consider for a folding bike. Why? My bikes on occasion are taken aboard trains and buses even crowded ones. But I mostly prefer to ride without using any other transit option since absolutly I hate it here in Southern California. The Mobiky is really cute, but I would not take it too seriously. I would use a skateboard over it anytime (even cheaper, has small wheels, and can be placed in a really tiny bag).