Fear&Trembling

That's interesting as I was told late last year that it would not be imported into the UK. Where have you seen it available - I would like to test ride it. Oh, are you talking about an older model XP?

If the road conditions are poor, suspension can be a boon, as long as it's properly set-up. Then again, wider, reasonably fast rolling tyres (Big Apples) will also help even out rough surfaces on a non-suspended folder. There is also less things to go wrong with non-suspended folders...

Hub gears make sense for your application...

ningnangnong

Wiggle sell them - https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetai...dID=5360011547 -haven't looked beyond that for a dealer with one for a test ride.

Good point about the tyres - the XP is so expensive that it isn't at the top of the list, pushed from that spot by the likes of the P8 and Mezzo. Brompton probably in 2nd due to price with XP in 4th after Birdy.

Fear&Trembling

Sadly, they don't - the 2005 XP was discontinued (quite a while ago), scroll down the page.

ningnangnong

Damn. Didn't see that. Would have helped it they'd put that at the top of the page.

Adlopa

At a pinch, yes, but I wouldn't fancy carrying it onto a busy platform and getting it into a crowded carriage every day of the week -- it really isn't compact enough when folded.

ningnangnong

Adlopa - Oh dear, that might put an end to that plan. While shop advice is good there's no substitute for owners advice, especially as a bike that doen's fit too well on a busy train would be a costyl mistake!

Is there anyway on this forum that lists comparative sizes and/or photos of bikes when folded?

Adlopa

Here are some pics of my folded Jetstream, though they probably don't give a good idea of size.

ningnangnong

Thanks for those. Bit difficult to gauge the size as you say, but good to see one folded nonetheless.

ningnangnong

https://www.world-wheels.co.uk/jetstreamxp.htm

Fear&Trembling

I admire your persistence ningnangnong – unfortunately that is a 2004 model XP. Some heavier riders complained about pedal strike on corners due to the rear shock bottoming out and lowish BB. The problem was sorted with later models...

ningnangnong

Foiled again!

jur

New Jetstreams can be had off ebay from Germany. I imagine postage to the UK wouldn't be that bad. Or maybe you have just found a reason to make a quick trip to Germany.

Fear&Trembling

True and they're cheaper than the UK. I was quoted 75 euros shipping with UPS - but you might find a cheaper quote.

matt52

So ningnangnong - how did the test rides go? Any further forward in deciding which bike to go for?

ningnangnong

Hi Matt

I don't think there are many dealers happy to see their shiny new bikes go off in this weather I would have got less wet swimming in this morning! For now it's just window shopping

I'm hoping the weather breaks by the weekend when I shall be peddaling in earnest.

ningnangnong

gbcb

A bit late to the thread, and I don't think I have much to add... but I wanted to congratulate you on a brilliant user name, ningnangnong -- where the monkeys all say boo!

I'll also put in a good word for Dahons while I'm here: I love mine, and I have not found the "non-standard part issue" to be an issue for me. Naturally, this depends on to what degree you want to fiddle with your bike, but it has never inconvenienced me (having easily replaced my rear wheel, bottom bracket, saddle, and pedals). That said, sounds like a Brompton might be more what you're looking for, especially the bit about the chain not being exposed when folded.

ningnangnong

Why thankyou sir! And the teapots say jibber jabber joo!

Thanks for the guidance on Dahons; it's certainly not too late as the weather has only begun to improve in the last day or so. Test rides may be possible from now on

At the moment I would use a folder once a week max. It may become more frequent in time. This might allow me a bit more freedom in choice as I could put up with a slower fold, although size will I guess always be an important factor on trains.

I remain to be convinced that a Brompton will offer me a high enough gear for speedy cruising. Most of the time, in heavy traffic, it will be fine I'm sure.

The Jetstream P8, MU SL and Speed Pro on paper look very appealing, as does the Mezzo D9, Birdy City Premium and a Brompton S. As I said before, I'd prefer hub gears, but won't restrict my choice on that basis.

I anticipate being in a suit with a briefcase occasionally, so this may alter peoples' recommendations?

Ningnangnong

pm124

I second this. I think these are your only real options. A Jetstream provides too big of a fold to be of use.

ningnangnong

No to the Jetstream?

But you're probably right. Not much point spending that sort of cash if it becomes a liability on the train.

List revised to:

• MU SL
  
• Speed Pro
  
• Mezzo D9/i4
  
• Birdy City Premium
  
• Brompton S

All weathers and occasionally in a suit.

Keep the comments coming!

Thanks

ningnangnong

ningnangnong

Having used the train twice in the last 7 days I've had a good chance to look at seat availability, crowding and potential space for a bike. Unfortunately it isn't great and having seen a bloke with a larger Dahon (maybe Jack) have to sit in the smelly vestibule, fumes and toilet odours, it emphasises the need for choosing carefully.

Those with the smaller bikes have a far greater chance of getting a seat by being able to walk along the aisle. May not sound important, but judging by the 100s of commuters sprinting for the train once the platform is announced, there is no substitute for a seat for the regular journeys.

Having taken this into account and also slightly geekily taking approximate measurements of gaps between seats and behind them, there are only realistically two bikes that will fit the bill - the Brompton and the Mezzo. Not all trains have large luggage racks, not to be safe I need to work on the principal of there not being any.

The weather here continues to be a monsoon, so I'm not getting those test rides in but I did have a long natter with a dealer of both Brompton and Mezzo. He's a great Brompton fan and thinks that even though it might only have 3 gears, it would be more than adequate whereas 6 wouldn't give me any advantage for my preferences.

They were folded side by side when I went in - two different Mezzos and 4 Bromptons. The folded Dahons suddenly seemed enormous and unsuitable. Were it an inner-city commute then the Jetstream P8 would be top of the list. But having been on the train, I realise that it will become a pain due to its size. What a pity.

Such little differences in size between the Bromtpon and the Mezzo and the Mezzo does look very tasty. Remarkable how little difference in weight there is between the Titanium and Steel Bromptons. Now just have to compare them with a Birdy City.

It was interesting to hear that about 65% of those that buy the S come back within a month and change the bars to M.

Exciting stuff, especially feeling that I've now managed to really refine the shortlist to three models.

Any words of wisdom between now and test rides next week appreciated as always.

ningnangnong

matt52

Well - I guess you're getting there!

You'll find the Birdy sits almost exactly betwen the Brompton and the Mezzo in terms of size. All are commutable with. Probably down to which you feel gives you the ride you prefer and the look you want.

They are very different bikes, not least because of varying degress of suspension - Mezzo none, Birdy lots, Brompton in between.

In terms of ease of fold, I suspect the Brompton shades it; but worth bearing in mind that after a bit of practice all of them will fold super quick and without any probs, so first impressions may not be entirely reliable - when I first got my Mezzo I found it a bit daunting, now ittakes me about 10 secs, and I'd guess most Birdy owners can do just as well.

I guess the Birdy City and Brompton probably require less maintenance as have hub gears, but then depends on whether you prefer hub gears or derailleurs, and how much of a gear range you crave (as I guess we've discussed already in this thread).

And how different do you want to be? I think the Mezzo looks distinctive and rather fab (though Little Pixel on this forum has it down as one of the ugliest folders around...), and you certainly don't see too many of them yet on the street; Bromptons are common as anything, so you'll blend in (unless you opt for a wild colour); the new(ish) Birdy looks brilliant (compared to its tractor like predecessor), and they are still comparatively unusual to see about. But you pay a £££ premium for that distinctiveness.

When are you planning to jump?

ningnangnong

Matt, yes, finally getting there.

If I want a Brompton I need to move quickly as there's a 10 week backlog of orders. Two week wait for a Birdy; can't remember about the Mezzo.

I'm like you and think that the Mezzo is good looking - I was especially surprised by the dark silver, way better than I thought.

On balance I'm swaying towards hub gears - tidy, cleaner, enough gears within the range I'd use as opposed to the mostly unused ones I have on my double road bike.

As for Brompton colour? As that appears to be the main reason for delay - 90% of one of the two painters' work is being redone - I might get an unpainted one and get a friend to paint it in flip flop paint - like the TVRs sometimes use. Now that would be wild!

EvilV

Are you suggesting that the level of the Brompton delay is due to the poor work of an individual? As I read you, the implication is that there is a large backlog of work to be redone - if so, I'm wondering how management didn't spot it before it came to produce a long delay for their clients. Maybe I have misunderstood you.

I'd quite like to have a Brompton to compare over a period with my excellent little Merc. I just wonder what I must be missing judging by the insane (or so it seems) loyalty of some of the Brompton owners I have come across, especially at the Brompton Talk Yahoo list. I've ridden two Bromptons and found them just like my clone. Looking at them, they didn't seem so much better in any regard, except maybe that I'd rather have a steel frame for increased longevity. From a functional point of view, the Merc could not be bettered by the original since as any of us Merc owners will tell you, the thing is wonderful. The powdercoat finish is also very durable too, tougher than paint by far.

Available now on Ebay for £330 and delivered within three days usually.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Merc-3spd-long...QQcmdZViewItem

matt52

If you're going for a hub geared bike and interested in an in-depth review of the hub-geared Mezzo, there is a good one in issue 20 of Velovision - which you can order online for £3 from https://www.velovision.com/shopuk.html . Even if you don't end up buying the Mezzo, Velovision is such a cracking magazine (even the back issues), you won't be wasting your cash.

Fear&Trembling

Hold the front page...Brompton owners evince brand loyalty on a dedicated Brompton forum!

Some retailers have a range of popular configuarations in stock - check out what's available and you might be able to avoid the pesky waiting list.

As space is limited on the train, the smaller the fold the better. I would go for either the Brompton or Mezzo.