MrFlamey

Tern Verge x10
- The model I bought (2012 I think) had no chain guide, so the chain would fall of frequently when changing gear or even when going over bumps. Had to buy one later for something like $30! (it's a small piece of plastic)
- The fold may be quick and easy, but it's a horrible shape and incredibly awkard to carry around. MUCH easier to carry unfolded.
- Creaky when putting in effort on hills
- Brake wire has worn the paint off in multiple spots, revealing bare aluminium.
- There were some recalls, so I worry if I can really trust the frame sometimes.
- Included seatpost light can't be used with the carry on cover accessory, which is mounted under the seat. No front like was included, which would have been more useful.
- I wish the pedals were symmetrical, as they bend down at the edge, which is annoying when they are facing the wrong way, but it's generally not a problem.

There are lots of positive aspects too, but they areen't for this thread.

bikingbill

If Brompton were to increase the folded size in any way at all, the "carry-on bag trick" wouldn't work.

It (and the decent load limit) is why I bought the bike.

fietsbob

Bike cannot, Physically, fold smaller than its wheels, fwiw...

KraneXL

Everything that I immediately changed/upgraded before my first ride: tires, seat, seat post, pedals. Last but not least, its a big frame so its heavy. The good things are the palm supports, bar ends, vibration damping carbon fiber fork, and that the wheels (esp. rear wheel) stay true. The one thing that constantly plagued me with my last bike.

cyclingarri

Sheesh where do I start! Actually 1 line says it all about the 3 bicycle loves in my life and 2 lost. One main thing sums up these p.o.s. , tricky, stupid unique, of course any little thing is non existant, or high priced. Mechanics around here look at me like Im crazy when I mention HelicoMatic, or weinmann. FRENCH VINTAGE PEUGEOT BIKES

CAX

Bromton: Bad - does not shift well in rain (2-speed). Other that that I think it is absolutely fantastic!

Schwinnsta

Really, I had not noticed this on my 6-speed, nor can I reason why this would happen.

CAX

I know I have read a solution to this problem here on bikeforums but I cannot find it again

Paul Braithwait

Xootr Swift; The bad thing is - they don't make it anymore.

CAX

none of the versions? Not even the steel verison? I had planned to eventually upgrade my aluminium frame for a more durable steel version.

To stay on topic, Swift - I did not like the quick-releases that were included with the frame but an upgrade to Salsa seatpost quick-release skewers solved that problem.

Trocadile

Xootr only made the aluminum version of the Swift. I believe you can still get a steel frame from Peter Reich and Design Mobility.

mlau

I was going to add that the only weakness of the Xootr swift that I can think of is that it doesn't fold that small.

Also my current setup (thudbuster, steel rack, granny bars( is pretty heavy. But it can be pretty much anything you want (look at Jur's setup)

The stock configuration is actually pretty great.

Also, Peter has quite a stock of aluminum frames from Xootr.
It will cost more, but be thoughtfully specced.


For a larger folder (behind a door), I honestly can't think of anything significantly better than a Swift (bike Friday, dahon dash, Tyrell, Montague, Pacific Reach).

That being said, I just for a smaller bike to stick in my car for fun rides.

mlau

Other bikes I had:

Strida clone: Do you like getting kicked in the crotch? This is the bike for you! Limited storage. Awkward size. So stiff that your crotch will feel every imperfection.
Jump a curb or pothole? My manly parts quiver just thinking of it.

Carryme: . Actually pretty good ride. Less painful than a strida. Some storage by hanging a bag off the back. Surprisingly sturdy.
Downside: I felt like a bear on a clown bike. Also a pothole (there's many in SF and Oakland) inspres fear of losing my teeth.

WillAdams

Down to brass tacks on my Montague Swissbike X50:

- heavy (and I've made that worse by over-accessorizing)
- new riding position results in heel strike w/ my panniers so had to replace them w/ an Ortlieb Trunk Bag RC
- fold isn't as small as I'd like (but I'm not willing to give up the 26" tires
- folding is awkward and one has to remove the front wheel (which is made more difficult by the lawyer lips) and there's no provision for where the wheel should go (beyond a strap to hang the wheel from the handlebars)
- awkward when folded --- really wish there was an option to roll it around and that it would somehow click together so as to stay folded or that it would stand up better on the Rackstand (arguably this may be caused by the excessive accessorization) --- I've been considering a Topeak Flashstand Fat
- replaced a Bontrager SSR saddle w/ a Brooks Cambium C15 and not sure that it's the right saddle for me --- debating on either an Ergon SMA-3 Comp or Fabric Scoop Elite Shallow

Worst of all, my new lock (Axa Victory) interferes with folding --- need to work that out somehow, either by switching to a rear disc brake from the current rim calipers or by sorting out how to get the lock to be more compact, or switching to some other lock.

EDIT: and it gets even worse --- the Rack Lock on the Ortlieb Trunk Bag RC wasn't as secure as I thought it was, so it came off with a hard bump at an uneven road transition due to construction. Off it goes for warranty repair.

bicyclridr4life

Sears 3 Speed "Tote Cycle":
Down Side: I had to sell it.
Plus Side: I sold it before replacing the tires, tubes, shift cable, front brake cable and pads ...

TANK (brand) MINI 16 (Model)
Down Side: I had to sell it.

helijohn

So I recently bought an unbranded folder. I still have my Tiger folder that I spent a lot of time renovating and still love it but I thought I'd get a suspension one.
As always the saddle seat tube is too short and too far forward. It is what I expected. I suppose they are intended for a population demograph of modal class. My complaint is that it is 30.4mm tube and for some reason where I browse it is not a common size especially in a long long length.

1nterceptor

This is a common issue on Bromptons that are ridden a lot in the rain/winter slop.
Chain pusher just needs some cleaning/light lube to fix.

My Snowmobile by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

DarrenM343

Yep,for me keeping the spindle clean that the top small pulled is located on helped too, as did moving away from a wet chain oil to a dry one. With wet I think some of it was getting onto the pulley holder, attracting dirt and then the pulley would not easily slide back and forth on it's holder, hence, difficult to change between the derauler gears.
Using a wet oil (Muc Off wet 3C ceramic) the whole drivetrain was getting gummed up quickly over winter to a point here back peddling when partilally folded (as you do reoil he chain) was causing the chain to nearly come off.
Since using Muc Off 3C dry it's been fine but it does wash off easily in the rain. I'm now trying Squirt - the 3C ceramic dry concened me as you're suppose to protect skin against that stuff, gloves are not always to hand when working away.Still have some left and will use it if I get another bike for pleasure only.

DP Roberts

Bad thing about my new Tern Node D8... it's supposed to arrive today, but it hasn't arrived yet!

Sure, it's 4:00 AM, but I'm WAITING.

I hate waiting.

MezzoLew

Is that why you ride your Mezzo more frequently?

Happy.Hobo

That's their slogan.
I ignored it to take the Camino de Santiago extension from Santiago to Fisterra and Muxía. *NOT RECOMMENDED, but I survived.
Rocks and tree roots that a hiker barely notices aren't too bad for a regular bike, but they are like walls to a sixteen-inch wheel.
And even in cities, you get the same effect if you fail to dodge a chuck hole.
And if you are walking the bike, without your weight on the seat, when the front wheel hits something, and you are pushing on the much higher handlebars, the bike will flip.

Abu Mahendra

Well, to be fair, Brompton itself and alone cannot be faiulted for this. It comes with the territory of small 349 wheels (with narrow, high pressure tires). What can be faulted, however, is the quite prevalent, insidious confirmation bias and fanboyism that ignores this fundamental physical phenomenon, and the bike's other short-comings. Bob will remind us Heinz Stücke toured the world in a Brompton. He and his coreligionists will see this as proof that the Brompton can be an all-terrain rig. Others, of course, will see a poor choice of tools for the job, and judgement clouded by cultism.

Happy.Hobo

Well, I did start out with their slogan: Designed for cities.

Of course it is an all-terrain rig—if you are an all-terrain masochist.

I have done at least a thousand kilometers on my Brompton, half of that off pavement pulling a 35-kilgram trailer. Some of that was NOT fun, but I still like my Brompton.

SamSpade1941 

The Nuovo Record grouppo on my 81 Allez is all hat and no cattle. Its a splendidly beautiful groupset, but is inferior in every way possible to Shimano 600 this I have learned from riding the bike.

GTA

STRIDA
Would be more useful in a circus than on the road. A bear or monkey may like the strange handling.

PACIFIC CARRYME
More tiring than running, if you ride it for longer than 500m.

DAHON DOVE
Wheelbase too short. You will fall over easily eapecially if you upgrade your front brake with a decent one.

CHEDECH 5
Total weight 8kg. Rear wheel 2.5kg.

PACIFIC REACH
It can fold, if you happen to be a NASA mechanical engineer and know how to disassemble a rocket.

BIGFISH LINE
The only folding bike that becomes bigger when folded.

TERN VERGE S11i
A DAHON with same specs may cost half.

MOULTON TSR
It weighs 15kg. You can surely upgrade parts to make it lighter, but you may consider to firstly replace the frame, which weighs 5kg.

BROMPTON
A neighbour of mine, who is a road bike enthusiast, always believes my brompton is my grandma's legacy.

BIRDY
The front fork lacks stability. Too many nonstandard components. Not vey friendly to anyone shorter than 170cm.

DAHON JETSTREAM
The BB is just too high. It feels like sitting on the first floor when you ride it.

FLIK JANGO
The rear suspension is too soft, it absorbs all vibrations, ans also all your energy.

-----------
Each folder has its charactors, there has never been a perfect one. But that's exactly why I love folding bikes.
Cheers