Originally Posted by
cudak888
I've wanted to try a Brompton for a while now. Seems like the perfect combo of usability, practicality, and portability. And, as usual with anything I'm looking at, a rip-off price to suit.
So far, the only thing I've owned that I've been happy with are Twenties. Current Dahons leave me uninterested, and I absolutely can't stand how lousy their aluminum stems are. A Mini Velo ought to be fun though; all the benefits of a diamond frame with the small wheel combo. I've seen Bike Friday framesets, never ridden one, but they look promising.
I
did pick up a Riese & Müller Birdy BD-1 a few years back. That thing easily beat the Moulton for weirdness. It also suffered from the too-long top tube issue (thank you, flat bars), folded like crap, didn't
stay folded, and wouldn't stand upright when folded. I got it for less than anyone has ever paid for one of them (I paid more for the Moulton, and even
that was cheaper than they usually come), and not even low price could get me to appreciate the thing. It was a complete pile of dog doo and I don't regret getting rid of it for a second. The forum software won't let me say what I really think of it, but believe me, it involves words form an infamous George Carlin routine.
I rode the thing home from work one Halloween eve, if you find Twitter threads of interest:
https://twitter.com/iBikeSafe/status...06074880991232
-Kurt
Kurt, great writeup. I'm bummed to hear of the trouble you experienced on the roads, but its sort of the same everywhere, as we've talked about before. On the road that leads into one of the roads to my house, they re-did the lines in the road, and made a larger, dedicated bike lane. While I applaude their intentions, its still a facepalm since they allow cars to park alongside, blocking the bike lane, and also have a right turn lane plow right into the bike lane - as if they don't think people won't completely be oblivious to noticing cyclists.
After thinking about it, I think the reality is that since cycling isn't what keeps people commuting and going to work and floating the ecomony, so it will never get the same level of attention and funding.
I probably skirt the law all the time, considering where I plant my two wheels, but it is always done after considering what is the absolute safest and wisest way to ride around vehicles.
I don't really rant about this stuff, so forgive me. I'm just trying to look out for the Huffy!