Folder recommendation
03-07-11, 12:03 PM
#26
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The best way to lock the brompton is to fold it completely and have the lock going through the wheels, around everything. Add a saddle lock and you are all set.
I don't leave my Brompton unattended for more than 5 seconds though.
I don't leave my Brompton unattended for more than 5 seconds though.
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03-07-11, 02:03 PM
#27
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I just have an older Black M3r Mk2, no one but a Bike nerd would know
the Schlumpf Mountain drive crank to turn it into a mountain climber costs $700
So Its, OK here , where I live.. locked to the nun type bike rack.
the Schlumpf Mountain drive crank to turn it into a mountain climber costs $700
So Its, OK here , where I live.. locked to the nun type bike rack.
03-07-11, 05:39 PM
#28
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Alright. Looked into the mini-velo. Couldn't find in the US besides the the big shot (which needs a lot of upgrading, especially for touring) and that awesome soma, which will get a bit expensive with couplers.
I don't mind doing some work on the bike when I travel as I don't expect to fly with it all that often. The trade-off of having a bike that really approximates a road/touring bike might be worth it and I noticed that stock BFs are in the same range as a Brompton. However, I can't use a proprietary hard travel case because I need to be able to ride with everything I have when I tour (and Bike Friday's suitcase-trailer does not look so fun to haul behind me). Packing a disassembled BF or Swift into a light duffel doesn't seem so safe.
The Brompton seems like it could fold into a case that I could take with me on tour. But that's irrelevant if I can't tour on it.
I don't mind doing some work on the bike when I travel as I don't expect to fly with it all that often. The trade-off of having a bike that really approximates a road/touring bike might be worth it and I noticed that stock BFs are in the same range as a Brompton. However, I can't use a proprietary hard travel case because I need to be able to ride with everything I have when I tour (and Bike Friday's suitcase-trailer does not look so fun to haul behind me). Packing a disassembled BF or Swift into a light duffel doesn't seem so safe.
The Brompton seems like it could fold into a case that I could take with me on tour. But that's irrelevant if I can't tour on it.
03-07-11, 07:00 PM
#29
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I might be the entity sent by the gods to help you then:
www.bikesdirect.com will have 2 different types of MiniVelos with road components (one in Alu. One in CroMo) BY MAY 2011.
Price? Around US300.00 SHIPPED.
Both models will come with eyelets for fenders, front and rear racks. Add 4 S&S and you are good to go.
Besides that, I am not quite sure why you cant tour on a Brompton though. Pictures on Brompton Talk show some pretty heavy loads taking place all over the planet. On Flickr, there are some pictures that make you wonder if Brompton users are limited to this planet, actually.
One way or another, I cant wait to see what you come up with . I might have a toring bike that takes longer than my Brompton to put together if I see a reason to do so. Please inspire me.
www.bikesdirect.com will have 2 different types of MiniVelos with road components (one in Alu. One in CroMo) BY MAY 2011.
Price? Around US300.00 SHIPPED.
Both models will come with eyelets for fenders, front and rear racks. Add 4 S&S and you are good to go.
Besides that, I am not quite sure why you cant tour on a Brompton though. Pictures on Brompton Talk show some pretty heavy loads taking place all over the planet. On Flickr, there are some pictures that make you wonder if Brompton users are limited to this planet, actually.
One way or another, I cant wait to see what you come up with . I might have a toring bike that takes longer than my Brompton to put together if I see a reason to do so. Please inspire me.
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03-07-11, 07:38 PM
#30
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For touring I use a 1975 Dawes Kingpin; it doesn't fold well, has no suspension, is virtually impossible to obtain outside the UK but cost £45 plus £2-300 of modifications and I love it
This bike will keep up with people on full sized carbon and titanium bikes. It doesn't attract thieves as its so unique but it does get attention from other cyclists (the other day it was chained up next to a mint condition 1960's Moulton and some cyclists stopped to take a look and ignored the Moulton).
Modified Kingpins or Raleigh Twenties can make very good touring bikes. The fold isn't great but you could probably put some of the Moulton cable connectors on the brake and gear cables and separate them easily to fit in a case. I find that although I can't fold it well enough to fit easily on trains, the fact it is a folder gets me on the train to nab the cycle spaces before the guard lets the full sized bikes on
This bike will keep up with people on full sized carbon and titanium bikes. It doesn't attract thieves as its so unique but it does get attention from other cyclists (the other day it was chained up next to a mint condition 1960's Moulton and some cyclists stopped to take a look and ignored the Moulton).
Modified Kingpins or Raleigh Twenties can make very good touring bikes. The fold isn't great but you could probably put some of the Moulton cable connectors on the brake and gear cables and separate them easily to fit in a case. I find that although I can't fold it well enough to fit easily on trains, the fact it is a folder gets me on the train to nab the cycle spaces before the guard lets the full sized bikes on
03-07-11, 07:51 PM
#31
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What kind of front rack is that, Russcoles?
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03-08-11, 06:15 AM
#32
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Thanks 14R. BD mini-velo might be just the ticket. I'm guessing this Mercier is one of them.
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1292538832
Too bad it's not out till may. In the meantime, I'd have to find a mini to test ride, which might be a bit of a challenge. I've never been on one.
There are definitely some inspiring images of Bromptons out there in some far-flung places with serious loads. I like the look of those giant Brompton bags that go up front. Obviously very non-aero, but super convenient to travel with. Also avoids the need for a front rack.
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1292538832
Too bad it's not out till may. In the meantime, I'd have to find a mini to test ride, which might be a bit of a challenge. I've never been on one.
There are definitely some inspiring images of Bromptons out there in some far-flung places with serious loads. I like the look of those giant Brompton bags that go up front. Obviously very non-aero, but super convenient to travel with. Also avoids the need for a front rack.
03-08-11, 06:19 AM
#33
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That dawes is also very cool. I thought about the raleigh twenty, but they're so heavy and I'm a little leery of getting one on ebay. I have heard about people touring on those as well, though.
03-08-11, 08:31 AM
#34
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Thanks 14R. BD mini-velo might be just the ticket. I'm guessing this Mercier is one of them.
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1292538832
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1292538832
All my bikes are on Sale. I might get one of these minis in May and upgrade de 541T&*$ out of it.
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03-08-11, 06:00 PM
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Looked into the swift more. Research indicates that it requires major disassembly - a good bit more than BF - for air travel. The hinge has to be taken apart and the fork removed (I don't really like the idea of tinkering with my headset in the airport). Unless someone can tell me about a great experience traveling with one, I think the swift is out. This leaves Bike Friday as the primary 20" wheeled contender (although I'm still open to suggestions), with Brompton ahead among 16" wheelers.
Anyone every fly with a BF without a hard or padded travel case?
Any nice stories about a BF?
Anyone every fly with a BF without a hard or padded travel case?
Any nice stories about a BF?
07-22-11, 08:17 AM
#36
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For anyone who's still interested in this thread, I actually went with the swift. Price ended up being a big factor. For almost half the cost of Brompton set up for touring, I got a swift with an 8-speed wheel built by Peter Reich. If my funds were unlimited, I'd get the Brompton and just see how touring on one goes, but the swift seems like a more reliable ride. Aluminum is not my favorite, but for travel, I appreciate how light the swift is. Taking the hinge apart actaully isn't that difficult, although I haven't packed it yet. Thanks for all of the input.
07-22-11, 09:07 AM
#37
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The Brompton packs in seconds. The Tikit and various Dahons pack in, I dunno, about 30 minutes for me -- I'm not good at it -- but Rob English does it in his video in 8 minutes including lots of talking. Other Bike Fridays pack in about that time too.
The Brompton also folds beautifully small: but the Tikit hyperfold folds beautifully fast. Most other Bike Fridays are not amazing at folding (they're really designed to pack and ride well), nor is the Swift. Though the new folding stem for non-Tikits helps matters. Dahons are inelegant folders though they're generally more compact than the Tikit and more elegant than other BF or the Swift.
But, and this is a big but, in my opinion the Tikit and *definitely* other BFs are better rides than the Brompton, especially for longer distances. Bike Friday's bikes are highly customizable and upgradable with standard parts: they can be sized to fit you properly, and they're much stabler. And in the US BF has an Apple-like customer satisfaction rating.
So given that you expressed interest in longer rides, before you pick up your Brompton, you should go check out a Tikit (at least) and ideally one of BFs "bigger" bikes.
The Brompton also folds beautifully small: but the Tikit hyperfold folds beautifully fast. Most other Bike Fridays are not amazing at folding (they're really designed to pack and ride well), nor is the Swift. Though the new folding stem for non-Tikits helps matters. Dahons are inelegant folders though they're generally more compact than the Tikit and more elegant than other BF or the Swift.
But, and this is a big but, in my opinion the Tikit and *definitely* other BFs are better rides than the Brompton, especially for longer distances. Bike Friday's bikes are highly customizable and upgradable with standard parts: they can be sized to fit you properly, and they're much stabler. And in the US BF has an Apple-like customer satisfaction rating.
So given that you expressed interest in longer rides, before you pick up your Brompton, you should go check out a Tikit (at least) and ideally one of BFs "bigger" bikes.
07-22-11, 11:42 AM
#38
Banned
As OP was a Fixie guy, BF Season Tikit is their adaptable model ..
the rear folds as a unit, including the BB, the chain tensioner, making a fixie possible,
is also a replaceable dropout .. so drive train choices can be changed after the fact.
[#36] .. Oh , a Swift.. that will work ..
the rear folds as a unit, including the BB, the chain tensioner, making a fixie possible,
is also a replaceable dropout .. so drive train choices can be changed after the fact.
[#36] .. Oh , a Swift.. that will work ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 07-22-11 at 11:47 AM.
07-22-11, 02:47 PM
#39
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Mezzo can be picked up for £400-£500 in sales (in UK) and work well with bull bars and kojack tires if you like a fastish road bike that fold about as big as a Brommie, but has more cockpit space. Its is a harsher ride than a brommie however. See my posts on "upgrading a Mezzo" or "dual drive mezzo"
Other alternatives Birdie,Pacific reach?
Other alternatives Birdie,Pacific reach?
07-27-11, 08:27 PM
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Perfect Folder
I just flew from Virginia to Seattle, WA with my Pacific Reach Racing and rode the Seattle to Portland, STP, double century (204 miles) in 1 day. The pace line I was in averaged 17.56 mph, so the bike has long legs and yet is a sharp performer. I can't think of any other folder I would try that ride on. I rode both the Bike Friday and the Airnmal Chameleon and felt the Pacific Reach performed more like my full sied bike than any other folder I tested. Folding takes some work, but I got the bike into a 30" suitcase that checked without any oversized baggage fees. Can't beat this bike!
07-27-11, 09:21 PM
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^ Good going!! I feel that way about my Swift. I had a ride on my friend's CF Cervelo and I could not say it has anything better to offer than the Swift.
07-28-11, 07:56 AM
#42
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I'm a owner of bromptons dahon and birdy.
Let me sum up this 3 bikes
Brompton - if you want it small, fold it fast , ride in style over the ride quality than this one. If you were to buy this go for P6R
dahon- fold fast but not the fastest, easy customization, hard ride. Very fast bike close to a full size. iF you want to buy this get the vector x27
Birdy - most comfy ride, folds ok, could go quite fast as well if you change it to slim tires.
Let me sum up this 3 bikes
Brompton - if you want it small, fold it fast , ride in style over the ride quality than this one. If you were to buy this go for P6R
dahon- fold fast but not the fastest, easy customization, hard ride. Very fast bike close to a full size. iF you want to buy this get the vector x27
Birdy - most comfy ride, folds ok, could go quite fast as well if you change it to slim tires.
07-28-11, 03:04 PM
#43
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I can maintance a good speed on my modded Mezzo.Proberly a rougher ride however. I guess I feel the same as the last two posters. We have proof that folders can preform very well indeed.
