Originally Posted by
Noonievut
Budget is around $1,000
There is a bike rack in the covered parking area. Of the bikes I already own I was initially thinking of using a steel frame Masi that has a Brooks saddle, 105 components that I use for a few 3-4 bike tours a year. I'm worried about it getting stolen. I read about using two good locks, maybe removing seat post via quick release to lessen the risk, but being new to bike commuting I'm still worried. If the bike was an older bike I may be less worried, but I love this bike. Hence I liked the idea of a foldie that I could stash in my office.
if I felt better about the rack area (not sure why I'm not comfortable) it would be a no-brainer, I'm probably over thinking it.
You need not feel bad or apologetic about considering a folding bike. One of the most important things about these bikes I absolutely love about them is the
flexibility these bikes offer. There is usually one particular model from a given manufacturer that is the perfect match for someone. The major mistake happens when one picks a bike (or any type of bike as well, not just folders) that does not "
do it" for them and a poor choice in the first place! One thing I noticed over the years that I exclusively own/used these bikes is what I think of as the "small wheel prejudice" that seems to always crop up when considering these bikes. They are supposed to be more slower, ungainly, not too sharp, or the supposed dreaded "circus animal look" these bikes appear to have. I have found the truth in the opposite as far as all that is concerned-especially when using an upper end one. I am sure you already are looking at Bike Friday and probably Brompton. Do look as well at
Moulton Bicycles. While these bikes don't fold up in the traditional sense, they do offer some of the criteria you previously posted. Perhaps a second glance is warranted?
Or a look at used folding bikes before you commit to such an large amount in your proposed budget? I have had really good luck with buying on Craigslist as well as from Estate Sales. Something to look into further.
Originally Posted by
cplager
There are a lot of people who have a folder so they can store it in their apartment/office. I think that's a perfectly reasonable use of one.
Many of us are not lucky enough to live in huge houses with equally huge storage options. Your "office" might just well be a cubicle with low walls and no door (if you are lucky in employment) and an equally cramped room (even just a couch to crash on) to sleep in and store a few possessions in. So you learn to select folding/separating bikes that match your needs and situations-including the storage ones.
Originally Posted by
xlDooM
I added the "for me" qualifier for a reason, mind
I have a pretty good folder (Dahon Mu SL) and although I like the little bike and feel quite cool on it, I still replaced it with a full-size bike once I realized my commute doesn't need train-stashing per se.
I had similar doubts about leaving the bike in the train station parking lot. I resolved them by taking up a theft and vandalism insurance on my new commuter MTB. $200 deductible on theft means that after 3 months of ownership, they're doing me a favour by stealing it. $50 deductible on vandalism may be a bit annoying when someone would decide to steal my saddle, but so far they haven't. I park it in the most visible spot possible, to shift the risk from vandalism to theft.
I don't mean to bash folders, they definitely can be used for this kind of distances without problems, but I think in objective terms it's a lot of compromise to avoid the parking problem.
I always look at insurance as a necessary
forced on me, rather than supposed protection for something valuable I own. That said, I find buying insurance for bicycles (around where I live) a lesson in furtility (lock it up, leave, and you will have someone on it in seconds flat). If you think about it, by the time you pay endless premiums for the bike, you would have ended up being able to buy many bikes, not just one. And insurance companies exist to make a profit for
themselves, not protect you. They have many clauses to not only protect their profits, but actively discourage you from seeking out to collect in the event of a probable loss as bikes always prove to be. I will keep insurance on the house and car because of legal requirements. But a bike? I keep a bank account which I pay into every month in the event of said loss-with no clauses attached. Plus, insurance does not cover a ride home in case you are stranded when the bike disappears-far from home.