folder fanatic

I have just finished uploading these new subset of my little Piccolo actually doing what it does best-blending in with it's surroundings. In this case, I went to Target (a large discount department store) yesterday for the new Terminator: Salvation DVD. I don't lock my bike up for any reason. I take it with me inside always-no exceptions. This is the result of my short trip. You will find this new mini series within my "The Evolution Of My Folding Bicycles" set on Flickr. Enjoy.

This is the first photo of "Using The Folding Fold-Up Bicycle" mini set:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/4151377071/in/set-72157594461421431/

Sample Photo Below:

JCFlack

I rode to a Target near me recently, and locked it up outside. I didn't think to fold and bring it in, because while it CAN be rolled when folded, it is quite unwieldy. Never thought of putting it in a cart! Good idea, thanks.

kamtsa

Nice pictures.

You may be a good idea to blur strangers' faces and license plates before publishing to the net.

Kam

BruceMetras

I don't like the idea of putting a folding bike in a shopping cart, nor would I think the next person using it would likely appreciate it.. there have been lots of discussions about this very thing with oil, grease, dirt, road grime, etc. being deposited in a shopping cart designed for clothes and such...

If you are going shopping by bike, a better way in my eye is to roll it in with whatever basket or bag you choose on the bike.. probably the hands down winner for this sort of thing is a Brompton with a front mount bag.. you just push it like a shopping cart.. I use this setup often when shopping crowded stores like the local Trader Joes and never get anything but smiles and compliments even from the staff.. last week, I managed 8 boxes of oatmeal! I have also just rolled my Birdy into grocery stores with large shopping bag attached and have yet to get a complaint..

vmaniqui

make sense and i totally agree with you on this one. i will keep that in mind when i am doing my shopping with my folder.

jur

That's a lot of oatmeal. And on a folding bike! Wow.

folder fanatic

When I photograph in a public place, I choose a time that there are little or no people around (like in the early morning in this case). But I will keep it in mind. I feel more comfortable shooting nonliving things like landscapes, buildings, or bikes for that matter.

folder fanatic

Where this Target is located, much of the shopping carts/trolleys are kept outside, subjected to the elements, even vandalism. And many are "borrowed" for extended periods and wind up in many "exotic" usages. I don't place anything that needs to stay clean-like small children, pets,cloth, or merchandise. I learn to take precautions (i.e. wipe the item(s) down when about to use it) when using anything "public"in front of it's name or "shared" things like laundromats with others. I was in bit of a hurry that day so I forgot to line the bottom of the cart with plastic or bring along one of my bags as is my habit. Besides I had the bike "go naked" to see the bike actually in use inside the store.

folder fanatic

Just remember to use something to protect the bottom and the sides of the cart. I generally use a bag when inside a store or restaurant. I prevents many problems in the process. I forgot to bring the bag with me that day. And that cart was from the outside anyway when I chose it.

BruceMetras

I was contemplating 9, it would have been a squeeze though.. the cashier's jaw dropped a bit when he started to count and I said 8 ..

EastBiker

I think this is inconsiderate of other shoppers. The Piccolo's chain drive when folded is exposed and can very well rub grease on the inside of the cart, not to mention tire muck can contaminate the bottom of the cart. The next customer who uses this cart will surely have grimy merchandise, or worse, foodstuff.

wahoonc

Feel free to chose another cart...or volunteer to clean the carts at the store. Have you ever really looked at a cart prior to using them? It is enough to want to bring your OWN cart to the store...

Aaron

EastBiker

I don't know where you live, but here in NY Target's carts are relatively clean. even if some carts may be dirty, it still no reason to muck up carts with grease and such. doing so would givefolders and bikes in general a bad name.

JCFlack

I promise to put my bike in its blue IKEA bag before I put it in the shopping cart. Okay?

JCFlack

Fine, if you have a Merc, Brompton, Tikit, Mobiky, CarryMe, or some other bike that rolls well when folded. As I said, mine will roll when folded, but it's cumbersome. Hey, I have an idea - Brompton and Mercs look like they're rolling on a skateboard or kick scooter - someone invent a set of wheels that you can strap onto your "folds in the middle" folder.

vincentnyc

jcflack: dont u have a citizen tokyo? i thought citizen folder doesn't roll when folded?

JCFlack

Yep, a Tokyo. It will roll folded, but only with rear wheel facing forward. And it is cumbersome - no good place to hold it. You can't tilt it back very far because the fenders get in the way. So the hinge is too low to comfortably pull from there. You can leave the seat up and push, but it is hard to control that way. Can't pull with the seat because there is a guard protecting the chaingear that drags.

folder fanatic

https://www.boox.net/topics/bicycles/...ks.html#banned

I was reading this old post collection of living and using the Brompton in many different ways. One of them was the discussion on placing the bike in the shopping trolley (cart) and pushing it through the store. David Henshaw (the author of the new book about to be release soon-Brompton Bicycle-offers this rather amusing observation over 10 years ago on this very topic:

David Henshaw - A to B Magazine, Jul 98:
".....On the subject of supermarkets. I'm very nervous about one of us upsetting a store and a total ban resulting (although quite how they could ban covered Bromptons, I don't know). It's so easy to fold the bike into (or under) a trolley, and you've then got the same cumbersome vehicle as everyone else, so the problem evaporates. The only objection we ever had was after a press-item in Dorset showing Jane wheeling her bike in a supermarket trolley with the blessing of the store manager. Someone wrote to the paper saying the tyres might have had dog pooh on them, so the bike was a health hazard. Fair enough, but the same applies to kids who are often karted around in trolleys. And Bromptons are unlikely to start screaming or eating the produce...."

wahoonc

My point exactly, then you have all those shopping carts that have been pushed out into the parking lots, through all the puddles that the birds have been bathing in, and have oil and god only knows what else...

Aaron

EastBiker

Not all of those carts are as dirty as you make it to be. Have you seen the cart in FF's pics?