bbc1x5

Hi all, I am planning to buy a folding bike, but cannot afford a Brompton one.

I wonder if those cheaper brands work as good?

Can anyone please give me some advise on which of the following brand I should go for?

1. Reflex Easy Street

2. Tiger

3. Probike

4. viking shopper

Many thanks

Ban

vmaniqui

what's your budget ? will you be using it on hills, flat roads ? do you need multiple speeds ? 20 inches or 16 inches wheels? have you check dahon?

Dynocoaster 

Welcome, also what type of riding, commute, touring, leisure? tall or short?

Jyyanks

Dynocoaster is right. In order for people to help, we need more information on your budget, your intended use for the bike (leisure, commuting etc), frequency of use (every day, occasionally etc) and what features you are interested in. I have not heard of the bikes you mentioned above but knowing your budget and other info will help. Welcome!

jur

Did you read the FAQ at all?

gdhillard

Used Dahon speed 8. One on the Denver Craigslist for under three.

DVC45

This one looks nice.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ALLOY-METALL...item27ba2bbb98

bbc1x5

Hi all, my budget is within £200 (approximately $350), I will most mainly use it on flat road on a daily basis, but for a short distance (3 miles)

I think 20" - 24" wheel might work fine for me, to be honest I have absolutely no idea of what features I need.

Many thanks

DVC45

The one I linked has all the features you'd want on a commuter. I think its a nice bike.

Diode100

Hi, If you have £200 to play with i take it you are in the UK. Therefore i would suggest that you forget the bikes that you have listed which are by and large cheap in both senses of the word, and unlikely to be known to members here, and instead you consider buying a used Dahon, or a recognised clone. They are well proven bikes and will not be taxed by 3 or six miles a day. If you look on ebay.co.uk you will find say a Vitesse D7 well within your price range. Alternately, get your self along to your local Decathlon, they have a couple of folders that should suit your purpose, including one at £160 which has a strong resemblance to the Dahon Mu, well woth checking out, decathlon sells a lot of bikes in europe and their quality is pretty fair for the money.

Having said that, you do see a lot of Probikes running round London so maybe they are not too shabby, you could probably pick up a used one on ebay for next to nothing.

Good luck and welcome to the forum, do come back and tell us what you decide.

keke

Very good advice there (if I may say so)!

I scoured ebay looking for a used folding bike, eventually found one on Gumtree. Usual precautions and you can get a safe deal. My priorities were Dahon like hinges (assumed they were secure and was told they didn't interfere with clothing), frame and relative lightweight.

Ended up with a used Pinnacle Folding bike from a lovely seller. Currently looking for parts to mod it to suit me as I improve my riding.

On ebay, there's THIS, THIS and THIS

First one looks like an older bike but I have absolutely no clue what it's like. As always, on the internet, YMMV. Be aware that folding bike go for some insane prices on ebay so set a realistic budget and stick to it.

Happy hunting, I enjoyed my hunt.

jefmcg

+1 on decathlon. My partner is very happy with his Hoptown 5, but that's unfortunately gone up to £300, probably putting it outside your range, but the simple (and heavy) b'fold is an affordable £150.

Russcoles11

How small does it need to fold? You could probably pick up something like an old raleigh twenty for about £25 from ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Ra...item3cbcf5ff02
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vintage-ra...item1c1f812d6c

Folding-Bikes

None branded folding bike, You might find this interesting, https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/natio...0_0_281&a=1664



You can spend the other £75 on upgrading.

But do note, the moral implication of buying a bike this cheap bike..

Juan

keke

^^
"Moral implication"? Don't understand.

I avoided no-names because I was not savvy enough to know which was good/bad, safe/unsafe.

I didn't go for an old Raleigh becuase I know very little about restoration but it's a very tempting proposition. As I get more experienced, have a home with more space etc, it's something I'll enjoy doing I think.

Funny thing is, the only proper reference to a Pinnacle folding bike that I found on the net was a thread here from 2008. Pretty much made my mind up after reading that discussion!

Guess which cycle forum I joined

Diode100

Dont have a clue about the moral implication of buying a cheap bike, but i would seriously question the recommendation of a bike/deal like this to a newbie.

Russcoles11

I suggested an old Raleigh Twenty only because the poster is in the UK where you can pick one up very cheap so the money it would cost allows for any work he has to give his LBS. They are expensive bikes elsewhere. For the budget allowed the options are a very cheap folding bike which makes it difficult to get something of good quality. A Twenty is old but good quality and will probably give a better ride than a lot of other bikes available in this price bracket. The weight will not be an issue for 3 miles a day on flat roads. Of course in the UK there is the possibility of getting a Dawes Kingpin rather than a Twenty so that if at some point you want to modify it the problems are reduced (usually £50-£80). The issue is whether the bike needs to fold up for travel on public transport etc as bikes of this age will not fold as small as modern folders.

DVC45

Wow! It can be rolled while folded. I'm sold!

Folding-Bikes

Wasnt a recommendation, all that had to be said was already said by the other members, I just came across that while reading the forum, I wouldnt buy a new folder under £300.

I also came across this just now

Have an awesome day.

Juan