Old Brompton vs new Dahon
 

Hey folks,

I'm new to the folding bike world. I biked casually but regularly for about 5 years, but have now been away from it for another five. After having read a fair bit through the sticky threads in this forum I settled on a D7 or a P8 if I didn't like the ride of the D7, and was planning on doing some test drives and looking for good deals on Craiglist (going rate for these seems to be $300-$500). I had considered the Downtubes as well, but there aren't too many bike shops in NYC that carry them.

Then something kind of unique fell into my lap - an old (late 90s, not sure of exact year) Brompton T5. The owner is asking $600 minus whatever the costs are to get it back in working order (it hasn't really had any attention paid to it in probably 8 years).

Being new to the folding market I have no idea how to evaluate a current folding bike, never mind one that's this old. My general understanding is Bromptons really hold their value, so $600 - while definitely at the top end of my price range -is probably reasonable. Other folks have said they don't understand why used Bromptons go for quite so much, and any newer bike is likely to have better technology.

Requisite use data:
* Be using it to commute work as much as I can - this is about a 10 mile ride in each direction. So quick fold/unfold would be nice.
* Riding on the streets and bike paths of NYC, no offroading, though the pavement here can be challenging.
* I'm 6' tall, ~200 lbs
* Elevator on both sides of my commute, so won't have to carry it much
* Not really looking to "geek out" on the bike in the near-future - won't be planning on doing any upgrades, would rather not spend a lot of time on maintenance. Want something that just works for now.
* Fitting into a space-challenged apartment

So, what do you think? Is the Brompton too good a deal to pass up, or as a folding newbie am I better off going with something newer and likely cheaper?

My first reaction would be that you're probably better off going with one of the Dahon's. Nothing against the Brompton. In fact, I'm about to buy a used late 90's Brompton myself.

In your case, I think you'd be better off with a newer bike. Old bikes will always need tinkering to get them up and running, and parts will inevitably wear out quicker and need replacing. For instance, the rear hub that is on the Brompton you are looking at isn't made anymore so getting spares is going to a bit of a pain. Also, you will want to upgrade the brakes on the Brompton -- they are dismal on old Bromptons.

If you like the idea of small folded package similar to the Brompton, check out the Dahon Curve. $579.00 at Thor's site.

This is an aside: I hope you're not test riding new bikes at local shops, and then shopping on Craigslist.

My opinion is that it is not that good deal. The seller is asking almost what the original bike cost if not more.

I will also say that a lot depends on the condition of the bike itself. Things that may or may not need replacement for an older bike may be

Brakes or brake pads
Cables and cable housings
Tires,
Chain

This can start adding up quickly and if it reaches the $800-$900 range, you probably can get a newer used bike. I may pay that price if there's no work involved and the cosmetics were in great condition, but only $300-$$400 if it needs a lot of work.

I think the price is fair when when you consider that the price was 600 less the amount to get it in proper working order. All the things you listed are included in the purchase price. Also, I've noticed with Bromptons and other bikes of similar desirability the original cost of the bike is kind of irrelevant. There are more people wanted used Brommies than there are used Brommie's -- Especially in and around NYC. I'm sure if the OP doesn't buy the bike at that price, the seller won't have too much trouble finding someone who will.

Having said that, I still think a newer bike is the safer choice in this case.

Thanks everyone for the advice - that's the direction I was leaning in, nice to have confirmation.

No that wasn't my intention. It may work out that way, because the only shop I test road at I wasn't happy with so I walked out.

I was intending to buy from a really local shop (no offense of course to Thor or any other Internet shop on the forums) - that is, somewhere that's within easy walking distance of home or work. Without any experience to back this up, my feeling was that - particularly for someone that's new to folding - having a relationship with a good nearby bike shop to help you out if something goes wrong is a good idea.

But after casually looking around on Craigslist it's clear the particular models I'm looking at are very common and from the descriptions in very good working order. So the new plan is to get a used $300-ish D7 or similar to get me back into riding and into the world of folders. If after I'm at it a while I feel like I want an upgrade, to the bikeshop I'll go.

Thanks again everyone, this forum is an excellent resource! Requisite pictures to come once I've settled on a bike.

I hope I didn't come across as sanctimonious about the LBS thing. There's been plenty of instances where I've gone into a shop to look at bikes, taken one for a test ride and through my interactions with the staff at the shop decided there was no way they were getting my money and purchased elsewhere. (Which sounds like what happened to you).

That's way different than people who exploit the service of an LBS and then buy cheap online or somewhere else.

Anyway, sounds like a solid plan you have there. Happy hunting !

Thor has this deal for $699 shipped Curve SL 8 speed IGH lightweight http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/2009/curvesl.htm

I agree with you on these points. Once in a great while, I do upgrade an older promising bike for myself (some examples below). I upgraded a very nice Raleigh Twenty just last year for the grand total of 160 dollars including purchase price (see The Restoration Of My Raleigh Twenty at http://sites.google.com/site/compactcycling/the-restoration-of-raleigh-twenty for an expanded discussion on the subject). It is now my "second" bike to my Brompton and enjoyed far more than my former purchased new Dahons ever were. Please do be aware I "learned" from the new Dahons as far as whether or not folding bikes are best choice for me as well as how much I like certain type of folding bikes over others so I do not think of the Dahon purchases as a complete loss. The type of bicycle I prefer is as follows: upright position, wing nut tightening (Brompton, Raleigh Twenty) rather than latches (Dahons) for locking/unlocking the frame & stem into a folded position or not (if latches are used then I determine if they are available for purchase), steel frames only, first world made, and most important of all ability to purchase both off-the-shelf and proprietary parts for the bike(s) with relative ease as I generally keep them for the long term-a least a decade.

If you want to upgrade a purchased new or used folding bike in the future buy one new or used that you can upgrade-or simply replace worn parts! Bromptons and ancient Raleigh Twentys can be upgraded with some ease from parts that can be purchased either at a Local Bike Shop/Brompton Dealer-in my case handles both bikes-or even a local hardware store, the Worksman Port-O-Trike folding model (imminent next folding bike, rather tricycle, purchase) has many-most parts that can be mailed to me or my Local Bike Shop (or I can buy some parts off-the-shelf like rims and pedals from my own dealer-of-choice). My Dahons were not so even just a year from when they were made (much like computers) and were sold or donated off after I grew tired of game playing with Dahon HQ or dealers.

IMO, working order and replacement for better performance or for the long haul can be two different things.

For instance, pulling out the cables, cleaning them and putting a dab of grease or oil over the cable will get them to better working condition if they already stick, but not something I would settle for if buying a used bike.

Agreed. I just assumed that replacement of similar things is what the OP meant by "whatever the costs are to get it back in working order". New cables, chain, etc. I'd think a re-grease of the hub would be in order too.

Agreed

A brand new cyclist should have the support of a local bike shop. That T5 hub was difficult to adjust and we really don't know the condition after maybe 15 years of use. Since he's a taller rider, the Dahon D7 would be a better fit overall.