gaijingirl

Hello all... my first post here. I was wondering if anyone has any experience of Pinnacle Folding Bikes. My OH and I are v. keen cyclists and have quite a number of bikes - road through to mountain. After seeing baggage handlers drop our best bike from the luggage hold of a plane onto the tarmac a few weeks ago we finally decided to act on our intentions to buy folding bikes.

We don't need folders for a daily commute - but would probably use it for the odd Friday night when we know we'll be in the pub and want to get a cab/tube/bus back. We like to go away at weekends and being Londoners we can't take outbound trains with our bikes during rush hours, but we can't imagine not having bikes on a holiday. All of our holidays involve bikes and we've rented so many truely rubbish bikes that even the worst folder couldn't beat them (I imagine!).

Anyway, for a serious cycling holiday we'd still roll out the bike box and bags etc and bring our road bikes - but for the weekends away and the time spent in other cities, we're getting ourselves folders.

We spent some time today trying bikes at Evans. We've managed to avoid Evans thus far in favour of our smaller, independent shops but there was no way we'd be able to test ride without a trip to the big boys! We went to two shops and spoke to two guys. We heard a lot of bad stuff about Dahon and a lot of good stuff about Bromptons. Now Bromptons are clearly lovely - but very expensive for our needs and also if we're in Zagreb and need new parts, it's not going to be easy!!

So we looked at the Evan's own Pinnacle brand - largely Shimano etc parts, inner tubes should be easy enough etc etc... We're thinking about getting a couple of Pinnacle Journey 2.0 folders. I haven't found any owner reviews of these yet, although there are a few reviews of other Pinnacle products that have been quite positive.

So - all in all, a very long way of asking - does anyone know if they're any good?


Cheers
gg

jur

A picture would help in identifying the underlying manufacturer. Many big stores sell their own brand which usually are rebranded bikes, eg quite often Dahons under another name. Pinnacle does not ring any manufacturer bells with me.

You know, once you get bitten by the folding bike bug, they will take over. It is worth considering that your folding bike can be your only bike - once you no longer worry about the peer pressure baggage.

With that in mind, plus that you are keen cyclists, you might have a look at the Airnimal Chameleon - expensive but good. Reach is another one that have a road bike setup version. They also have a very quick flatbar bike, the Joey.

Or if you're willing to forego drop bars, the Birdy is hard to go wrong with. IMHO it is a better option than the Brommie although Brommie reigns supreme for folding compactness. But the Birdy is not far behind.

Bit lower on the scale is the Xootr Swift, which has earned a very loyal following. That can be converted to drop bars quite easily (costs extra, of course).

So add that to your considerations - can your folding bike be your only bike? I have gotten rid of all my big-wheeled bikes and now have 4 folders. My Xootr Swift is my fast road bike and easily keeps up with the roadie bunch (always astounding them ).

Speedo

Here's The Pinnacle.

It's kind of Dahon like, but with a fairly nice Shimano drive train. Nine speed!

Speedo

jur

That looks remarkably like the Oyama bike that Bangkok just posted in another thread.

gaijingirl

Well yes it apparently has "Oyama" folding hinges according to the spec on the pinnacle website:

https://www.pinnacle-bikes.co.uk/Bike...contentId=1007

I like the paintjob on that Oyama - where can you get ahold of these and how much are they? Does anyone know if the Oyama spec is the same? Ie derailleur etc?

"Journey 2.0 utilises our a6+ Journey modern frame design to produce a lighter weight model, with an extended gear range for further versatility...
» Pinnacle a6 custom shaped Alloy frame with Oyama folding hinges and stem system
» Pinnacle Alloy fork blades with cro-mo steerer
» Shimano Deore 9 speeds with 11-26 rear cassette
» Shimano V Brakes and levers for modulated yet powerful braking
» 46T ring chainset with Alloy arms and chain guard
» Alloy double wall rims with CNC machined sidewalls for improved braking
» For 2008 includes mudguards and alloy rack"

gaijingirl

Hmm lower spec but cheaper:

https://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/110216.html

but we are looking at getting the Pinnacle on sale so it wouldn't be much more expensive but a higher price...

but I want the "go faster" paint job...

Clownbike

I'd go with the Pinnacle. They both look like Dahon knockoffs or re-badges.

The Pinnacle has the more recent handle post design which is much less flexy than the old one on the Victor and is also a nine speed. All in all, probably worth a few pounds more.

social suicide

Go vintage and have more fun. R20s, a matching pair. Or, if you must be current, perhaps a bike friday tandem.

Diode100

Here's one on UK ebay:-

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Folding-Bike-P...QQcmdZViewItem