Thinking of getting my first folding bike, but don't know what to expect
#26
Banned
Hi all,
I've never had a folding bike, but recently I've been tempted to get one, as I see it might have advantages for commuting or traveling with bike.
I've only had regular size road bikes with 700x25c or 700x32c tires.
Are folding bikes with their really small wheels, much slower than regular bikes with 700c wheels?
<No, the chain ring is bigger so the wheel turns more frequently per mile>
I've heard of Brompton, seems quite famous, and it has tiny wheels. So I'm not sure if a folding bike is going to be much slower.
<you still put in some effort>
Also, what other differences are there between a regular road bike with 700c wheels, and a folding bike with small wheels (apart from the obvious visual differences.... like ride quality, speed, etc).
I've never had a folding bike, but recently I've been tempted to get one, as I see it might have advantages for commuting or traveling with bike.
I've only had regular size road bikes with 700x25c or 700x32c tires.
Are folding bikes with their really small wheels, much slower than regular bikes with 700c wheels?
<No, the chain ring is bigger so the wheel turns more frequently per mile>
I've heard of Brompton, seems quite famous, and it has tiny wheels. So I'm not sure if a folding bike is going to be much slower.
<you still put in some effort>
Also, what other differences are there between a regular road bike with 700c wheels, and a folding bike with small wheels (apart from the obvious visual differences.... like ride quality, speed, etc).
in one of their Pocket Rocket bikes
#27
Senior Member
Its actually a Crosstown to which I added the rack stand. I wanted the navigator as well but I found the crosstown for more than 50% off from a lbs that was closing its doors.
If you can try taking the front wheel off both models. I’ve heard the disc brakes can actually be a disadvantage over the cheaper calipers since disc brakes are more prone to lock up.
That said the navigator is definitely the one I’d look at if I was shopping for one right now, it really hits the value/features sweet spot on their product line
If you can try taking the front wheel off both models. I’ve heard the disc brakes can actually be a disadvantage over the cheaper calipers since disc brakes are more prone to lock up.
That said the navigator is definitely the one I’d look at if I was shopping for one right now, it really hits the value/features sweet spot on their product line
Probably the real winner is that I like the blue better, ha! It's a little odd that Montague has a number of bikes that are built around the same frame with different options yet the colors are not readily available across types. Like, I think the OD green on the Paratrooper looks better than the "Tacticool balck" on the Pro, but the features on the Pro are more appealing between the two. Pro also now has my frame size so...hm...
I had heard the disc brakes were a little tricky, but I have no real experience with disc brakes. Generally speaking it would be a rare folding on my part - I wouldn't be using it for mixed-mode commuting or anything - so that might offset the fiddlyness of it. It's more that I have a relatively small living space and would want to be able to tuck it away in the winter when, realistically, I'm not going to be riding like I used to. Otherwise, my wife and I are fine leaving our bikes just kind of in the living room.
M.
#28
Junior Member
Cheers; the Crosstown looks like an overall good choice - realistically I probably don't need more than 7 speeds. Nagivator comes in a nicer color and has a rack included already, and the extra speeds might come in handy. Maybe. In my mind.
Probably the real winner is that I like the blue better, ha! It's a little odd that Montague has a number of bikes that are built around the same frame with different options yet the colors are not readily available across types. Like, I think the OD green on the Paratrooper looks better than the "Tacticool balck" on the Pro, but the features on the Pro are more appealing between the two. Pro also now has my frame size so...hm...
I had heard the disc brakes were a little tricky, but I have no real experience with disc brakes. Generally speaking it would be a rare folding on my part - I wouldn't be using it for mixed-mode commuting or anything - so that might offset the fiddlyness of it. It's more that I have a relatively small living space and would want to be able to tuck it away in the winter when, realistically, I'm not going to be riding like I used to. Otherwise, my wife and I are fine leaving our bikes just kind of in the living room.
M.
Probably the real winner is that I like the blue better, ha! It's a little odd that Montague has a number of bikes that are built around the same frame with different options yet the colors are not readily available across types. Like, I think the OD green on the Paratrooper looks better than the "Tacticool balck" on the Pro, but the features on the Pro are more appealing between the two. Pro also now has my frame size so...hm...
I had heard the disc brakes were a little tricky, but I have no real experience with disc brakes. Generally speaking it would be a rare folding on my part - I wouldn't be using it for mixed-mode commuting or anything - so that might offset the fiddlyness of it. It's more that I have a relatively small living space and would want to be able to tuck it away in the winter when, realistically, I'm not going to be riding like I used to. Otherwise, my wife and I are fine leaving our bikes just kind of in the living room.
M.
#29
Senior Member
Montague’s are definitely suited to “rarely fold” situations. That said, unless you need to occasionally put the bike in a car trunk, have you considered getting some wall mounted bike racks for your place and then just getting regular bikes? You could get two decent hybrids and a stacking bike rack for a bit more than the Navigator. The foot print might even be a bit smaller but you would need some wall space. Also there would be more color options for the bikes!
I likely would not be trying to buy a full-size bike until closer to the fall, if at all this year - who knows what I will fall for by then! Currently the Origami Wasp I have now is serviceable enough for all the (limited) cycling I do.
M.