New folder
 

Having dabbled in bicycling over the last few years with my trek navigator and finding my balance not returning very quickly after some health issues, I've been agonizing (obsessing actually) over folders, I finally sprung for a citizen Tokoyo. I figured at $262 with a couple options and freight, I wouldn't die if it didn't work out. I'm pleasantly surprised at the fit/finish and thoroughness of packing, delivery etc. Havent ridden much but it seems to be much easier to ride and get on and off than the trek. It seems like a keeper and I'll be taking it to AZ this winter. If I crash and burn I think it can go small enough for my grandaughter. I was tempted by a brompton at the shop in Tempe last year but that would have been rather foolish at my experience level. The tax on a new brommie would have been close to what the Tokoyo cost, and after a couple of hours on mostly level ground (in central OH) I don't see $1500 ish difference. Time will tell. Quality shows itself eventually.

I visited my brother in Cali a few years ago. His family has 3 Tokyos(he's got a wife and 3 kids).
I rode one for a while and I thought they were ok. Back in NYC; I wanted a compact and nice
riding folder. Got a 2012 Brompton S6L and liked it so much; I sold it after a month. I replaced
it with a 2013 Brompton S6L-X(lighter model with lowered gearing). A year after that; I had a
trip to Aruba booked. I usually travel with my Brompton in a cardboard box; Jetblue Air said no
boxes on international flights. I purchased a used Tokyo on Craigslist. With a bit of disassembly;
I was able to squeeze it inside my luggage. Never really used it after that trip. Was hoping the
wife would use it to go on rides with me, but she doesn't really like cycling. So when it was time
to move; I sold it for about the same price I paid for it.

So here's my comparison of the Citizen Tokyo and Brompton folding bikes. If you just want a
folding bike to save some storage space over a standard bike and don't mind the weight; Tokyo
is alright for the price. But if you do long rides(100 miles and over), need a compact ride to get
on buses, trains, planes, etc., want something a bit lighter. Then the Brompton might be a better
candidate. For me the price difference is worth it.

Re, sales tax. The tax on my B'ton was close to US$200. I paid cash for my bike and paid US$50
in shipping instead. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR2T...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/...fd56e235a6.jpg2013 Citizen Tokyo in a suitcase by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9Aq...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

Nice plcs�� Yeah I can't deny the Brompton seems better quality and a little lighter. If I were a more serious it would be worth it I'm sure. I live in OH burbs that are not bike friendly if you want to "use" it as opposed short joy rides, especially at 70yo. In any case a 100mi ride is unlikely anytime soon! In NYC I've heard Bromptons are rather common, and dirt cheap compared to a car. They would be easy to justify there , and I've no doubt easier to pack in a dedicated suitcase when traveling. N

I think Brompton costs way too much for it is. Brompton has many none standart parts which cost more, and more hustle to replace. Wheels can't accept many great tires selectons as Marathons and so. The look of it, OMG, is so dull and outdated it seems I will look like a village idiot riding it and riding quality is also expected some improvemets. Because of their great marketing like Apple's many people think it's a cool bike and vote with both hands for it.
On the other hand there is Birdy a really lovely bike on which Brompton's minuses are turned into pluses.

birdie is a bigger fold, steering more unstable at great speed, difficult to stand sometimes,only wheels well in full rack versions,brake routung issues, studip chain catcher can catch grass etc flick into rear mech and break rear drailler, front rack panniers awkward to manouver through bike gates, rear pannier catch heels, rear pivot can develop play, mudguard lacks clearence at front, rear mudflap scrapes on floor in folding, wide tyres can catch rear mech ,chain falls off unless use new tensioner...........clearence issue for chairings, broke that also..
i have 3 birdies. there not perfect but bloody good.i dont enjoy riding bromptons but it not right to say a birdy has sloved bromptons failings. No folder is perfect. Well maybe my upgraded mezzo is on a smooth road. well nearly, theres an issue with.........

WOW some many issues with Birdy that sounds sucks ass bike too. I can't think of any issues with my Nova once I upgraded it with tough wheels. I guess I have to apologize I mentioned Birdy as a better option.

Wow. I don't feel so bad about my cheapie l'il citizen now !

I am not stating that Birides are bad bikes, far from it.
There are issues with any Brand of folding bike. Fold in half bikes tend to have hinge issues, large clumsy folds. Bromptons have all sorts of issues, as do Mezzo, bike friday fold slow or big in the case of a tikit,

The point I was making is that no folder has sloved the failings of another brand and so forth. They are often just different.
I agree with the earlier comments about Bromptons, and about Birdy, but it would be unfair to state Birdies have sloved Bromptons shortcomings as suggested. There are many reasons to chose a Birdie over a Brompton for touring or pleasure riding and many reasons to opt for a Brompton for train commuting. I always opted not to use Brompton for a train or buss commute, even though I have owned 3 Bromptons in the past. I chose alternatives many due to the speed and ride quality.

Are Bromptons as expensive in the U.K. As in the US ? Maybe they'll be a little cheaper when the new factory is up and running ?

Brompton 6 speed about £1000 in uk. Birdie basic model is about same. You get a lot more for your buck on the basic Birdie.