Hi!

Could you folding bike fans help me make up my mind. I do quite a lot of biking. Every day I use mixed transport to get to work. It involves 5km of biking, half an hour of train and thereafter another 4km of biking. So altogether around 20km daily. The thing is that in the morning I have to pay a lot to take my bike on the train. One wouldn't have to pay for a folding bike. Even if it is quite large I could put it in a bag and would be bothered any more. As a matter of fact the train is not very crowded so I would fit in anyway.

This has made me to look for a decent folding bike. In addition to daily commuting I sometimes to longer tours during the weekends. For instance tomorrow I plan to make a round trip of about 80km. In case I get a folding bike I have to get rid of my current cross bike, since there is not enough place to keep both of them. Hence the folding bike needs to be descent and fast. Convenient to ride both on roads (most of the time) as well as for doing slight off-road biking. All my friends have good normal bikes and I wouldn't like chasing them when doing weekend trips.

So what are my options.
I discovered two Montague models at a local shop. These are Swissbike TX and Montague Paratrooper. The latter is at my upper price limit. While I like the frame of TX, it has very crappy gear set (Tourney). Hence, when going for TX I would have to spend a lot of time to upgrade it to something like Deore. Then there is Paratrooper. As I am not a military fan I do not like the look of it. Still, it has Deore and it folds. In either case the bike would get semislick tires. I have read in these forums that some Montague bikes have cheap components. What is your experience. They also seem kind of heavy.


From the Dahon line I consider mtx. Yet I am a bit afraid of this Lock-Jaw folding mechanism. I am not sure it would be good and reliable for everyday folding. In addition it requires me to carry additional tool for folding the bike.

I do not know what to think of 20 inch folders. I suspect they are not fast enough to keep me in the pack of normal bikes. Usually they do not have enough gears. At an internet shop I found Trek F400 which kind of a looks OK.

Sorry for the long post! As you see I am really confused. I cannot get a point why the choice is so limited. Why don't normal large bike manufacturers produce folding bikes?! Why do small crappy folding bikes, whit only 3 to 8 speeds cost more than my new and descent cross bike, which has all the best quality components? Give me a good 26'' folding bike which is light, has normal Shimano Deore gears and semislick tires! Not much to ask and when I would leave out the "folding" part I would be flooded with options, but no!!!

I am thankful for any advice!

Cheers!

R.

The Trek 400 is a very nice model. IMHO to find a bike that comes close in quality you would be looking at over $700. They one I had , had quality components. I sold it because I came upon a Bike Friday for a song.

I meant to welcome you to the board, lots of valuable info here that has helped me to avoid making mistakes.

Hi!
Just some thoughts:
Folders are often meant for commuting (normally no high-class-race components)
Folders are relatively heavier (e.g. "U" or "H" frame instead of diamond; hinges)
Folders are relatively more expensive (no mass production of components because of smaller measurements: OLN etc.)

I am not sure if you are ready for a folder. Maybe you should not try to have the one "jack-of-all-trades". I cant see any advantages in a 26"Folder that folds big. If space at home is your only concern and reason to give away your crosser and you would prefer to race with your friends with a "normal" bike maybe you better keep your crosser and for commuting you go for a folder that is very tiny - and takes the space of some winter boots (like the Carryme).

Or you leave your ideas behind, think again, stretch your budget, get a high performance folder, jump into the folding world and will never come back ;-)

Which country? Depends on what's available to you.

Hi!

Thank you for advice! I am currently in Germany, which means all the Dahon line is available everywhere. I have also noticed Bromptons, Pacys and Montague bikes here and there. There are more models available through Ebay.

The main reason for getting a folding bike is not so much space at home, but to be able to take it on the train. Since I would be biking around 20km every day I would like to be it something nice and fast. On the train there is also space, but there exists this regulation, which practically permits taking a non-folding bike with me in the morning.

I am afraid that with small folders I might run out of gears. Also, do the spokes hold on well? I have heard that sometimes they might puncture through the rim?

Overall I prefer a low riding position. I would install handlebars.

Thanks!

Since you are in Germany, have you considered the German Riese & Muller Birdy? These come on ebay over there often enough. It may be attractive enough price-wise. It is considered one of the best folders out there, capable of going fast, but gearing range may be a problem for keeping up with the pack, unless you get one with a Sachs/SRAM dual drive.

Your budget limits you, unfortunately. It may be best to go for a fast Dahon like a Speed TT. Or a Dahon Mu P24, Jetstream XP. But these will require you to save up.

A smaller folder should not limit you in gears at all. Most people apart from long distance tourers or racing cyclists don't need more than 3-9 well spaced gears. Even 3 speed is more than ample for some cycling unless you have very hilly terrain where you live. I would not rule out the smaller folder at all but a 20" folding bike like the Dahon Ciao P:8 would be a perfect compromise. Won bike of the year in its time in one of the most sophisticated and demanding markets for cycists in the world; the Netherlands. This has an 8 speed hub geared system that would give you all you need and perfect for trains. Scrap the D3 this is perfect for you and only a bit heavier! cheap for the spec too!

https://www.chwhite.btinternet.co.uk/...n_ciao_p8.html

Only some models puncture through the rim can happen on bigger bikes too anyway. If you get Schwlbe puncture resistant tyres that will help a great deal. The Ciao includes some as astandard.

Unless you want to go off road, why carry around all that MTB stuff? Like slow chunky phat tyres, suspension, etc. Folders should be light enough to carry around IMO. So, the Birdy sounds ideal given that you are in Germany. It's amazingly light, nice to ride and folds very small. I found the handling a bit twitchy, but I expect that a days riding would get you used to it. The Swift is a great folding bike, but you may have problems with getting one / supporting one in Germany.

J

Birdys are v good bikes but very expensive at £1000+

Thanks again for help.

I have adjusted my criteria a bit. Let's leave out offroad and concentrate on a fast 20'' road folder. I have selected 3 models, which I like and are available for about the same price. I would be really glad if you could leave your comments on thease models and suggest, which one to pick.

1) Trek F400, 2006 Edition.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2006/archive/f400

Has SRAM dual drive rear derailleur. I have no experience with that so have no clue how good it is. How is it positioned in SRAM hierarchy? I like the frame, which seems more sturdy than average folders.

2)Perfect-bikes SPORT XT folder. It is a small german company, making custom bikes. The link is in german, but you can see the pic and by clicking on SPORT XT also the specs.

https://www.perfect-bikes.de/index.ph...b2beb47462f014

It has very good gears- Shimano Deore XT, which make them a favourite in my list. Yet, as the company is small I cannot find any reviews and should probably order on the internet.

3)Dahon MU P24

https://www.dahon.com/intl/mup24.htm

Is it really a 24-speed folder? Cannot find any info on the front derailleur. I am also not so sure about its quality, when compared with the first two.

Downtube IX FS? Inexpensive, hot-rod-able, one of the inmates here training on one hit 56km/h.

Easy upgrade for tyres, bottom bracket and gears/hubs. Cassette hub. Quick releases on wheels. One size fits all.. Comes with a bag for commuting.


(pic by Bikebloke)