America, same language different world :lol::lol:

[QUOTE=violini;14232896]The posts in this site seem to make people believe that folding bikes are synonymous with Brompton, Dahon, tern, etc., and further down the line, such as Birdy, Bike Friday,....., /QUOTE]
Mezzo.......

[QUOTE=bhkyte;14245094]I think that is due in part because buyers of those "boutique" brands tend to hardcore enough to participate on a continual basis in a forum like this one. I have always bought "off brand" folders/non folders, and I've observed that my level of dissatisfaction doesn't seem much if any higher than those who spent 3-10 times as much.

As noted earlier, if you are of average height, there is a plethora of very acceptable folders to choose from. If you are 6'2"-6'3" or taller, there are only a couple of 'comfortable' fitting bikes.

I recently tried out a friends new Tern - very nice bike, but just too short a cockpit for me, and the max seat height was a bit short. If I want to confirm how 'inadequate' most folders are for me, all I have to do is get on either of my Fridays. My city bike (the Bikes Direct Windsor) is a bit small for me, but was inexpensive and works very well for the 1-4 mile shopping trips we go on.

If I had to purchase a small-fold bike for train trips (which I/we might do in the future) I'd basically have two choices in the fit and quality range I would want - a Brompton or a tikit. Luckily, because we are spending our daughter's inheritance, we can afford either.

Note: We started with inexpensive 2005 Dahon Boardwalks (both a D7 & S1 for me). They were good bikes, folded better than the Fridays, but not as comfortable, capable, or as easily upgraded parts wise.

Lou

Well.......actually, a Downtube Full Suspension will accomodate people of that height too. I'm 6'3 and around 250lbs, and I have both. The Brompton with the telescopic seatpost would take someone with MUCH longer legs than me, but the riding position becomes more compromised the further you go. My Downtube is much closer to the riding experience I really want, but with the drop bars I installed and a rack, it's a hassle to carry into hotels and training venues (I'm an itinerant leadership consultant), so I got the Brompton as a supplement. It was eye wateringly expensive, even on the cycle to work scheme, but the convenience of the fold lets me do what I want to do. I'm happy doing 10 or 12 miles on the Brompton, and the luggage system is fantastic for my needs. I am happy doing 50 miles on the Downtube, and if it was one of the new models which allows a proper rack, it'd be the perfect folding tourer for my needs.

What's the best website for Downtube bikes? I Googled it, but I'm not sure I'm getting to the right website.

Perhaps, Perhaps not. I have been around bicycles since the mid 1960s. I witnessed the decline of the "basic bicycle"-the one that most people buy. It is now either buy a bike that's good (and expensive), or buy a unpronounceable unrecognizable cheapo brand from some unpronounceable (plus forgettable) country. It is not a major problem as people in North America lose interest in most any new hobby or activity so fast and push the bicycle(s) far back into some dark recess of their storage area and simply forget about it/them.

Congratulations. :) You have avoided the major pitfalls of serious cycling with your wise choices.

Good observations on your part. I noticed as well that sometimes one simply grows out of his/her purchases or earlier choices. Or is pointed into another direction entirely.

Only similar, I think you'll find! :lol:

BTW, we have had a lot of threads, on here, claiming that one or other folder is taking over (Downtube was the supposed villain for a while) If you want more posts about your particular marque, it's down to you to post stuff!

When I first joined, the folder forum was dominated by mini-velo discussions. I was like - "This looks like a cool site, but I don't get why the folder forum is all about bikes that don't fold."

Chop,

My original post, the one that started this tread, was sort of "tongue in cheek". I know Brompton has undertaken a BIG marketing effort in the last 2-3 years, and it has been pretty successful, IMO. We obviously own a few Fridays, but I have to readily admit there are other good folders out there.

Lou

Br*mpt*ns are the Work of Satan. :50:

Moreover, many of them are painted in stupid colours, and some of the ones that are not don't got no paint at all!

What sort of bicycle is that? Hmmm?

How many work in the City of London, who bought a Brommy , discounted,
with the Gov't buy a bike credit, but still drive to the outside edge
of the congestion taxed zone, Then get the bike out of the boot
and just ride that last bit?

I like the frame and fold of Bromptons but what's up with the archaic levers and shifters?
They look ridiculous; like technology from the 1960s and cheaper than anything from Walmart.
Why can't they include more modern components?

That's the 'hand-built' bit. I would argue that the same lack of refinement extends to the frame design/construction also.

hand built , not really, they make use of extensive jigs and tooling.
just not fully automated..
In fact they de skilled the hinge to tube connection job.
and added finishing job, boring the holes in the Cast hinge,
that lends itself to a torch array jig.. for the brazing.

Where they had to train people to make a quality filled braze bead
with torch and filler wire, to join the Forged hinge-plate to the tube.

the forged hinge plates are lighter than the cast ones, FWIW..

one thing the Brake levers have adapted towards,
is having the cable pull in the shortest path,
towards using the shortest cable and housing ,
by angling where the lever meets the cable.
improving braking in small increments ..

But tinkerers will bodge..

While I certainly admire the way a Brompton folds and can't deny the total (well, almost) devotion and "cool-ativity" of the brand . . . I didn't buy one, but rather purchased a DaHon that cost (pretty much) the same, i.e. the Curve SL 8.

The reason? I rode both and vastly prefered the ride of the DaHon. Now I am fairly average height (for an American) at 5' 9" so the DaHon fits very well indeed with no mods necessary. I did add a rack, SPD pedals, rack trunk and lights, but the basic fit I did not change, since it works so well (for me). It has 16" wheels and the fold is almost as tight/small as the Brompton (which I needed since I ride the Metro train on my commute), so no worries there either.

So yes, I am glad there are Bromptons (and Birdys and Terns and whatever else) since it gives each individual valid choices with regard to what works best for them. The DaHon worked best for me; maybe not for you!

Rick / OCRR

The so-called archaic levers and shifters were designed to fit in with the tight fold. And despite their agricultural look, I found they work easily as well as other shifters and levers. I once tried to replace the lever with something nicer and immediately found it doesn't work.

Well, from your own words you seem to look at the negatives, if not focus on them "...my level of dissatisfaction doesn't seem much if any higher than those who spent 3-10 times as much..."

Personally, I try to examine things not from a negative or positive perspective, but as an engineer what gets my dollar is what is engineered the best. It has served me well when buying two cars, a house, and a handful of bikes, including two folding bikes. The reason why Brompton and Dahon gets a lot of press has to do with the brands' level of engineering, if they were bad bikes by design or had poor build quality they wouldn't sell and they wouldn't have such a large fan base. That doesn't mean that there aren't other good folding bikes out there.

I only paid $50 for my first folding bike, a KHS-F20A (this particular bike I did not buy for the engineering but as a low-cost entry into the folding genre to find out what it is all about), but the KHS isn't nearly as good, or provide as much utility as my Brompton, which I ride daily. The KHS served its purpose, it taught me a lot about folding bikes from which I could make a more knowledgeable decision in the future. I wouldn't pay $50 for another one, though, and the model has been discontinued. The Brompton, however, is worth every penny.

*cough*

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...12rtwenty1.JPG

I prefer to ride my bikes and when it comes to riding, the Brompton does not do a thing for me.

If I was to buy a new folder it would be a Bike Friday.

Until then... my vintage Phillip's 20 will just have to do.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...12forrest1.JPG

Yep Brommies are taking over the world, here is is aleady king of the mountain.
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...5-26154751.jpg

' can't even tell there was a Bromy in there.

What a neat fold indeed!

States in the UK? I think not!

Jur is joining the dark side.