Jyyanks

Here are some older threads, not sure if they are still relevant.

https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-598368.html

https://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=10325

https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-759297.html

As to what I use my folding bike for - recreation and exercise

kamtsa

Brompton is coming with one, search for Brompton Project X.

folder fanatic

Clothes hanging tree and air dryer when the bikes are not in use. Everything and anything when the bikes are in use.

jerrysimon

It may not be on this forum, but my posts on the Pedelec UK site details it all and shows how I converted my Brompton using this little Tongxin motor (including how to build it into a wheel) and building your own small (8-10mile range depending on terrain) DIY battery pack with A123 cells. The bike weighs 13kg and the bag with controller, battery etc weighs 2-3kg empty. This keeps the whole setup very portable.

Follow this LINK

The DIY route will save you a lot of money, but as someone has pointed out it is rumoured Brompton will bringing out their own very soon. Rumour also has it that it won't be cheap i.e. over £2000.

Regards

Jerry

ro-monster

In order from most often to least often:

• Local transportation, up to about a 10-mile radius
• Multi-modal transportation for longer distances (bike plus train, subway, or bus)
• Recreation/pootling

bjorke

I have a couple of different folders and use them differently:

• Daily Commuting - 23-28 miles each way, depending on my route (my "regular" road bike is finding itself increasingly replaced by a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket)
• Avoiding insistent street vendors in foreign cities (really, this is why I first bought a folder - a little 16" Chinese model called a "Yora Mountain")
• Having a bike I can pack in a suitcase so I can ride at any destination instead of renting a car or hailing taxis (Dahon Boardwalk D6 or Bike Friday, depending)
• Tooling around on weekends w/my GF & the dog. Two folders (Dahon & a Citizen Barcelona) and the dog's kennel can fit in a Mini Cooper

BassNotBass

Commuting and running errands. It's my main mode of transportation.

chagzuki

Turns out I'd seen bits of your threads before when I was looking for info on fork dropout widening. That's some complex stuff you're doing, way over my head. I figure the official Brompton version will come at a vastly inflated price. . . it'll probably be out of my price range.

jerrysimon

There are other plug and play versions available

Here or here

Probably a little bit cheaper than the Brompton offering. Requires a little bit of DIY. Also decide what battery size you want, no point in carrying more than you need for a regular trip.

Regards

Jerry

airwulf

Recreation/fitness

kamtsa

The rumor is that the Brompton X sense how much efforts you put into the pedaling and the assist kicked in automatically based on that. Kind of an amplifier that add X% to whatever you put in, making you a super human. Will be interesting to see.

jerrysimon

I doubt it will be anything more than the usual pedelec arrangement found on most electric bikes.

What will be interesting to see is if these use a hub motor and if they put it in the front or rear wheel.

Regards

Jerry

Rick@OCRR

I use my folding bike (Dahon Curve 8) for commuting only.

In the morning:
1. It's 3.5 mi. from my house to the Metro station, fold bike, ride train for 1/2 hr.
2. Unfold bike, ride 3/4 mi. to work. Park bike by my desk, usually unfolded.

In the afternoon:
3. Ride 3/4 mile to Metro station, fold bike, ride train for 25 min. (yeah, it's a tad faster train in the afternoon).
4. Arrive at 1st Metro station, unfold bike, ride 3.5 mi. home, usually leave bike unfolded overnight.

Also, very occasionally, use my folding bike to drop off my car (or go pick it up) at the repair place.

Rick / OCRR