jur

You posted some side by side pics... did you take those? If so, then you have access to a test ride. Ask the dealer to set up 2 Bromptons, H bar and S bar, with extended seatpost or telescopic if they have. Then take test rides. You will quickly see what works and what doesn't. With the S bar, I expect you to have to hunch over too low. That may be fine for a little while but if you have an hour's ride to the next town, you may begin to feel uncomfortable. OTOH, if you were experienced(which you don't seem to be) you would already know these issues beforehand.

reppans

The B feels better quality to me, although not price proportionally better. No question a good chunk of the price is merely for its unparalleled fold/carry/wheeling/luggage integration and design, and of course made-in-London labor cost, but its versatility is unmatched and well worth it to me. If all my bikes were lost in a fire, it would definitely be the first I replaced.

It is faster, easier, and more fun for me to just fold and wheel the B inside with me than lock it up - the D tips the scale the other way. But I have the rack w/X-roller mod which makes a huge difference.

ThorUSA

get a cheapflight to Noo Yawk and try all the different bikes


sounds ridiculous ?
Not if you plan to ride thousands of miles on the bike you will buy


thor

blakcloud

The bike on the right is an S bar bike modified with a new 60 mm handlebar. It brings you to almost the same height as the M bar. The S bar bike also gives you a little more reach as it curves out. To me it looks better but I am biased because it's my bike. The new 2017 M bar is not as goofy looking as they decreased the rise of the handlebar and increased the length of the stem.

At your height you will need the extended seat post and I would seriously consider the H bar if you were going to be touring around. I agree with Thor, you can tour on anything but it doesn't mean it's the most efficient. I wouldn't tour on my Brompton ever. If I had to tour on a folder I would be looking at 20" wheels. You spend more time riding than you do folding. I believe in the mantra that you buy a Brompton for the fold, you buy anything else for ride.

mmw

I found the pictures on the net, no dealers around for either brand.

downtube

Why do you need a super compact folding bike?

Thanks,
Yan

Abu Mahendra

Lesson #1 - Wheelbase

Wheelbase is the distance between the rear and front axle. For stability, you want a longer wheelbase. Notice how the Brompton's wheelbase is longer. This is good/better. You will want a bike with a wheelbase of at least 100cm for anything beyond urban riding.

mmw

I plan on moving around somewhat often, once every few days, once a week etc which would mean getting on a lot of public buses, some planes and possibly riding in regular cars.

I don't want to have to take any type of hard sided or other luggage with me so don't know how this works with anything larger than a 16"
talking planes, buses, public transportation, possibly hitch biking

downtube

The most important requirement is comfort. Don't lose sight of it.

Thanks
Yan

pinholecam

A Crius Smart 1.0 (single sp) or 3.0 (IGH 3sp) will fit your needs well.
Very cheap too.
Light -so easy to handle and fold
Cheap - so less need to take too much care of it and fear of it being stolen

Its very easy to just put down the seat tube, fold the frame (secure it with a velcro strap) and you push it around like a wheelbarrow (via the handlebar)

jur

I have had quite a number of folding bikes over the years. I have had a Brompton since 2011. I think that is one of those bikes I will keep. Before the Brompton I had a Birdy that I never grew tired of. While that is an excellent bike, in many respects better than a Brompton, in the convenience stakes the Brompton won out, so the Birdy started collecting dust as soon as I got the Brompton. I have also had 3 different Dahons. And while these were in their own right excellent bikes too, they couldn't compete in the folding stakes with Birdy or Brompton.

You are unlikely to be disappointed with a genuine Brompton. For the sort of stuff you intend to do, it shines. In the event you decide you don't want it, you flip it off second hand for only a small amount less than new (depending on condition of course). So if you look after it well, it will be almost free.

ThorUSA

I really like them , obviously and I do have a superlight one speed frame etc to be completed and the 5 speeds
BUT
he is too tall for 14 inch wheels

reppans

Curious what you believe the inefficiency to be in % terms, and if that is subjective or objective (measured). I have also have a 700Cx32mm CX/gravel bike (virtually identical tire cross section profiles), and seem to be able swing their relative comfort just by tire pressure. I was playing with their efficiency differences just before winter set in.

foldingdroid

Just maybe you can also try to look for other alternatives like Dahon Clinch D20, Dahon Vigor D9, Dahon Mu, Tyrell Ive and Birdy bike.

pinholecam

TS, if its 'Brompton like' fold, which is rather compact and can be wheeled around on its own caster wheels, the Tyrell IVE is worth a look.
Cheaper, as well built (if not more so), folds 'like' (though a bit bigger), 18" wheels for its benefits and easy to upgrade since it uses typical grouppo.
Fast niffy ride w/ a good spread of gearing too with the stock 9sp Sora.

Doh!

Thats too bad.
Though I don't use the Crius for longer rides, its my go to bike when there is any amount of bus/train in the travel locally.
Really good 'last mile' bike.

keyven

Agree with jur and a few others about Brompton.

- One thing that few people will complain about a Brompton is reliability. It has been proven over and over again and while some people may not enjoy the seating position or ride quality, few will actually fault the bike itself. It's just a matter of incompatibility.

Few things will ruin a cycling tour more than a faulty, uncomfortable bike. Hence, giving it a try is essential to ensure it fits you well.

- The longer wheelbase will result in a more stable ride which is important for long distances. You should also consider the comfort rather than aesthetics (at 6'2, an S-type is almost certain to be a bad idea for mid-long distances). An M-type would provide a less extreme "low" riding posture for your height (as opposed to the 2" higher H-type).

Alternatively, you could get an M/H/S-stem and add the appropriate 25.4mm handlebar to your taste (I'm 5'6 and using an S-stem + 20mm riser. The original M and H-bars are 140mm high.) - but with the caveat that you will likely have to change the shifter/braking cables too else they will be too long/short when folding.

zoom26

I think for the same money, it's a no brainer for a Bromie especially for a frequent flyer. One of the things that appeal to me on the B is how easy it is to put it on a suitcase. Not sure if that is true for the EEZZ. I think one of the negatives on the B is when you need someone to work on it (if you're not mechanically inclined). Having a special derailleur on it makes working on it more complicated. Just my 2cents.

dahoneezz

I think the Eezz is difficult to roll when folded. You have to carry it. Secondly it does not come with a stand. So you need to prop it against a wall or lay it flat on the ground when parked (or fold it, or buy a separate stand).

For the 6 speed Brompton, I don't think the "derailleur" is the complicated part. Its the geared hub that will be difficult to field strip. But for comparison purposes, the Eezz is a 3 speed commuter bike, so it should be closer to a 2 speed Brompton which do not have the geared hub. Then the field maintenance would be similar I think.

p/s - I don't own the Eezz.

edelay

Here is my experience taking a Dahon Curve "D8" to Europe for 5 weeks.
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...an-europe.html

I went for an hour or so ride each day, but didn't tour. Here are some wisdom:
- small fold is better for getting on and off of trains and in and out of accommodation
- get a hard case. I bent my chainring and both wheels on the flight home
- carry a bicycle multi-tool, mini pump and patch kit so that you can do minor repairs and adjustments yourself
- don't volunteer the fact or make it obvious that there is a bike in your luggage, the airline might add on an extra fee.

fietsbob

Consider Bike Friday, they ship a bike you have a lot of custom input on, in planning it's building.

a menu is showing their options . get their suitcase trailer too, that will protect the bike in transit, Air Bus, or Train.

then when you arrive the wheel kit will let you tow the case,

put the carry on bag in the case , when you take the bike out.

BF in Oregon ships to any country..

edelay

I haven't used a kickstand since I was a kid. Either I'm holding/riding the bike, or it is locked up.

dahoneezz

Its one of the reasons I didn't buy the Eezz. Main reason was you had to carry it folded. Can't roll. I guess different strokes for different folks.

PDR

There is no contest! Brompton is simply the best folding bike you can buy for global travel!

In 2008 I test rode a number of folders and made the bad mistake of buying an expensive Dahon MU SL which only lasted about 4-5 months until the frame hinge wore very badly to the point that you could put your hand under the frame and watch the seat post/saddle and the handle bars move further away and then back towards each other as you let the bike settle back down. It also was plagued with horrible squeaks and rattles. I sent it back for a replacement and knowing what to look for, I spotted the same thing happening within a month or so with the second bike... I sent that one back. They sent me a new 2009 spec version and that had a ruddy great big chip out of the frame hinge so I sent that one back and received a cash refund...

I then custom ordered a 2008 Brompton S-type 2-speed, titanium bike. I have now commuted with this bike most days for the best part of 8 years and it has been perfect. I have replaced normal consumables such as the Kojak tyres, brake shoes and the odd cable. I also own 2013 S-type 6-speed that I bought for when Liverpool railway station underwent a major refurbishment and I was finding the relatively higher gearing of my 2-speed a struggle with the 2 mile uphill ride to work.

Unlike the Dahon/s,(ordered a clamp bolt / nut as it fell off... never ever arrived and probably obsolete now) I have never had a problem easily getting spares for my Brompton. And to push this point further, my younger sister (living in Germany) also initially bought a Dahon and had numerous problems with it. She test rode my Brompton and she has become addicted to them, owning now as she does around 17 Brompton Bikes, many bought brand new, but she has also bought some much older examples. She loves buying various coloured parts (handle bar grips / saddles) and has boxes of spare parts for future use. She is refurbishing the older ones, for which she CAN STILL BUY THE ALL PARTS!

Dahons are made in Taiwan and are essentially "disposable" bikes without very good parts backup..... ride them till they break (doesn't take too long) then throw them in the recycling skip. By contrast Bromptons are British made works of art with awesome customer support and parts back up... they are a bike that will last for many years and one that can easily be rebuilt as required.

One last point: Brompton have a great following ....If you see another Brompton owner they are always enthusiastic about their bikes and will stop to chat when they see you if time permits..... I tried interacting with Dahon owners (both when I had mine and since owning my Brompton) and they look at you as though you are a nutter. They seen to have about as much interest in their bikes as people would have in a ASDA / Walmart plastic carrier bag. Yes, Bromptons are a desirable brand.... but they have earned that reputation over many years.

Yes, I'm biased .... based on actual experience of ownership of both brands.

ThorUSA

wow... what spares you need pdr ?
many more generic parts on a Dahon or Tern than a Brompton.
Get a Brompton tire in the middle of nowhere ... and that's just a part which you will need for sure.
Not to mention anything handlebar or brake levers or that derailleur looking thing...


about those problems with Dahons... well? I don't know what happened there, but it seems that if was really out of aligment... if that would be a real problem, than there would be a lot of discussion about it with how many millions of Dahons out there ?


about the fan club .... yeah you right .. the Brompton folks are a good bunch ...
Mostly ..
Said hello to somebody couple years back pushing pulling his Brommy through the snow at a trainstation.. oh boy was he a gruntled unpleasant person, maybe cause his tires were too small to ride through it ? in any case. he was a number, alright ... Does that mean all B owners are a holes ? Absolutely NOT.


yes I am also biased
thor

dahoneezz

You sister is AkubraBromptonGirl??!!