DarrenF

Hi guys, I'm new to this and I'm hoping to get some advice on which bicycle to get.

I wish to ride my bicycle to work on a daily basis. It needs to be a folding bike to due limited space in the office. Also, I plan to bring it with me into the train if the weather goes bad. The distance between my home and office is around 10 km and there probably isn't many hills to climb along the way. However, I would like enough gear options should I decide to bring it overseas for bicycle tours in the future.

Design wise, the following folding bicycle models appeal to me.

Tern, Verge X30H
Verge X30h | Tern Folding Bike and Folding Bicycle Accessories | Singapore

Pacific Cycles, REACH T (Trail)
REACH T (Trail)

With all the above mentioned, would you guys be so kind as to advice me on other models to consider?

jur

The Reach folds technically, but it is not currently equipped with quick releases on the rear triangle that would enable a quick fold on a daily basis. So although it is an excellent bike, only the Reach ifMode folds.

jur

I recommend a Brompton M6R. Russ and Laura of pathlesspedalec have used this to tour. Plus it is by far the most convenient folder. Not the fastest. 10miles is very doable on it.

keyven

The 'touring folders' like Bike Friday and even Brompton (to a lesser extent) are definitely on the expensive side, and generally for a folding bike newbie, it's recommended to get a cheaper folder first so they could get familiar with the pluses and limitations that folding bikes have. Only then can they really choose a bike that would fit best their utility.

Folding bikes is all about balance - there is simply no one-size-fits-all.

When I first got into it less than a year ago, I had the ignorant expectation that most folding bikes were compact and light and just all-round easy to carry everywhere, regardless of price.

That's obviously untrue, because the really cheap ones are not meant to be carried (much), but rather thrown into the trunk of a car. Some have the ability to be rolled either on small wheels or their own, and this tends to inflate the price as well. Prices also have an annoying tendency to skyrocket as weight decreases.

Compactness also comes at the cost of ride-ability in most cases - larger wheels generally give a more comfortable ride, absorbing bumps and potholes better.

jur's recommendation - which I heartily +1 - is one of the most expensive (balance, remember?) and does not take well to off-road (small 16" wheels and limited suspension), but Brompton's reliability, compactness and solid resale value is well-documented. Some people do not like the ride quality, but that's a personal thing.

jur

+1!

bike.gang.uk

+1 for Brompton, but I would suggest M3L. Oversea bike ride might just be wishful thinking, but the added weight (and cost) of the rack and gear will remind you every time you ride or carry it.

DarrenF

Jur, Keyven, Bike.Gang.UK


Thanks for all the responses.

Opps. I was under the impression that it folded like this version of IFReach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRC2GBO2mn4


I noticed that most of you recommend Brompton. May I know the reason? Are the components better than those used in Tern Verge x30h or Pacific Cycles IFReach?

Thanks guys.

fietsbob

Another Brompton Owner.. wider gearing can be made by a replacement of the single ring crankset, with a double ring one.

then the chain-tensioner for the rear fold has a second function, taking up the difference between the bigger and smaller chainrings.



The advantage is the much smaller swift folding , the components in many cases are Unique to the company , but spares can be found thru dealers

Around the Globe. and ,

the Popularity has spawned Other companies, even, making High tech CNC parts, to substitute for the well made, quite adequate, but
Engineered Polymer Parts (various types of plastics).

tcs

Well, there's the French Mobiky MY16 and the Italian BigFish and the Taiwanese Strida EVO18 and the American Bike Friday Tikit and the German/Taiwanese Birdy and the...

or Dahon Vector DD30 - pick one or the other based on the local dealer you like best.

For a front and rear suspension bike that folds smaller, look at the Dahon Jetstream. Or if you have the budget, there's the Birdy Silver Polished Disc 9.

But seriously, for a quality workhorse do-it-all first folder that's a several price points lower than all the previously mentioned bikes, look at the Dahon Speed D8.

invisiblehand

Just for emphasis, the most important thing from the earlier thread is that all folding bikes involve tradeoffs. Bromptons have a good combination of those tradeoffs.

Since all of these folding bikes involve tradeoffs and can be quite different from each other, saying that X is better than Y often makes little sense. "Better" really depends on what you plan on doing with it and your tolerance for certain tradeoffs. Going cheap and experimenting -- my interpretation of an earlier comment -- is a good way of figuring out what "better" means to you.

HGR3inOK

Where are you located? This is a worldwide forum. Recommendations can vary depending on your location.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

DarrenF

fietsbob, invisiblehand

Thanks for the advice.

Argh, so many options. Dahon Jetsream looks like a possible option. Besides that, I'm currently considering the Verge X30h and Verge X20.


I'm located in Singapore.

keyven

So am I - I'm guessing you have a nice sizeable budget to work with, because last I heard the X30H was S$4,200 (roughly US$3,000+) here. IMO 30 gears is pointless for a newbie, especially in mostly-flat Singapore, unless you plan to tackling Kent Ridge tomorrow (definitely not advisable with 20" wheels and lack of front/back sus!) or planning to win OCBC race next year.

In theory having more gears sounds good, but most people wouldn't recommend the Terns for what you plan to do, even if you were a billionaire. Bike Friday is certainly the best option - you can get a top-of-the-line tourer/commuter from them for the price of the X30H.

DarrenF

Thanks for the response. Yes, although it's mostly flat in Singapore, I was thinking to keep my options open for overseas bicycle tours.

Btw, why do you feel a 20" is a bad idea? Is it because it doesn't handle bumps very well or are there other reasons?

Lastly, why do you recommend Bike Friday? Besides being able to be fold quickly and compact, are there any other reasons? Is there a scenario where you would recommend Tern or Pacific Cycles?

tcs

Those are actually not BikeFriday strengths relative to other folding bikes.

DarrenF

Oh? Then what are it's strengths? I apologize for the noob questions but I'm new to folding bikes.

fietsbob

Only The Tikit Model from Bike Friday was actually engineered to fold quickly to board the bus/train. 349-16" wheels.

the 20" wheels models, are falling in their travel bikes category .. come apart +fold to pack inside a 62" standard suitcase, to cut air fare fees.


their strengths ... made in several frame sizes, and offer an extensive list of component options to build them up

with the type drivetrain and all the other parts being your choice.

keyven

- Actually, quite the opposite compared to 16" - generally speaking the larger the wheel size, the less trouble you should have with bumps and potholes. That said, wheels cannot be folded, so the trade-off is usually a bulkier bike. Bromptons have a reputation as the smallest folders that ride like regular commuting bikes (for many).

- Let's say you consider the BF Pocket Llama - a terrific off-roader that can handle rougher terrain than most commuting bikes. It is expensive, not the lightest (after customization from the base model which I heard is unavoidable if you want a decent ride), and does not fold all that compact for carrying. However, it is also rugged, rides well, is built to be pulled apart so it can fit into luggage, proudly made in the USA, reliable and has amazing after-sales service.

- The X30H is a racer-type bike NOT a workhorse, built primarily for speed. It cannot take as much abuse as the Pocket Llama, nor carry as much load.

I'd strongly suggest you go to the nearest MyBikeShop (MBS) and ask around. That's how I got started on folders. You could try the Brompton clone "MIT V8", Bike Friday Tikit and some of the Terns there. Lift the bikes and see if the weight would be a priority for you. Take them for a spin and see how much the ride quality matters to you. Try the fold and see if you like it.

invisiblehand

FWIW ...

... assuming that Singapore public transportation is crowded and you'll be commuting during peak loads, the more you take public transportation the more I think you should weigh one of the more compact bikes like a Brompton, Strida, Dahon 16" Curl/Curve/EEZZ/Jifo, Birdy,** and so on -- and a different bike for touring.

... the more riding rather than public transportation you plan on doing, the more I'd weigh Bike Fridays, 20" Dahons, Birdy,** and so on which are less Metro friendly but better riding. If you'll be riding public transportation that is not particularly crowded, I'd also put more weight on these bikes.

You'll notice that I mentioned Birdy twice. I found Birdy bikes to be relatively compact but more of a PITA to move while folded since it didn't roll while folded.

Anyway, I can't emphasize test riding and folding the bikes as much as possible. I think you'll get a pretty good feel for the tradeoffs and make a much better decision.

DarrenF

Fietsbob, Keyven, Invisiblehand
Thanks for the advice.

I assume the Verge X20 is in the same category?

With that said, I guess I'm leaning more towards to 20" modes. Besides MyBikeShop (MBS), which other bike shops do you guys recommend. I visited EWalkers (Singapore) a couple of days back and it wasn't a great experience. The sale staff didn't seem to be very enthusiastic to to sell the bikes. The funny thing is that they only allowed me to test two demo bikes and non of which are models that I'm interested in.

keyven

Yes, that includes the X20 and X10. My friend and I went to eWalker and we tried out the Birdy - very nice bike, lighter and more agile than my Brompton (which I brought on that day so we could compare). It would be my lead choice if I ever sold my bike.

Diginexx in Lavender for Bromptons, Java and Strida. Think they used to do Montagues but not any more. Don't think there's any more options for folding bike shops here. MBS covers most of the brands, and they have several store-fronts.

The problem with Diginexx is their 'testing area' is only a narrow corridor about 2.5m (8ft) wide and 20m (65ft) long. You can't even make a riding turn in there.

MyBikeShopToo in Sin Ming has a sizeable car park for you to try out their bikes. Not sure about the other MBSes, but they have a nice variety of folders - BFs, Tyrell, Terns, Dahons, Bickertons - mostly 20" bikes. Definitely worth dropping by to have a look before throwing down a few k.

DarrenF

May I know which model did you try and who served you? Maybe I'll visit them again.

Can I assume MyBikeShop and MyBikeShopToo offer the same range of products? I plan to visit MyBikeShopToo soon.

keyven

It's been almost a year since I visited them, but I must say the service quality is not great, hence no name sticks out in my head. They tend to linger aimlessly behind the counter until called upon. Could have changed though. Not familiar with any other MBS.

Ozonation

Given your objectives:
- foldability
- compactness for office storage
- ease of travel
- relatively modest travel distance

I'd say a Brompton is your best bet. Other folding bikes outperform the Brompton in selected aspects, but overall, given what you want, I'd say the Brompton would serve you very well.

I have hauled mine on trains and planes, and with the 6 speed, reduced gearing, I'd say the gearing covers about 85% of all the situations you might find yourself biking in.

Here's a shot of my Brompton sitting quietly by my door in my old office.

keyven

Sweet looking ride~ but I'd be worried if your Brompton started making growling noises or such as opposed to 'sitting quietly'.