Folding bike for the boat - recommendations?

MisterBaxter said:
Moulton make superb folding bikes including some with stainless steel frames, which would be perfect for marine use but for the fact that they are about the most expensive bikes I have ever seen. But their more basic bikes, while still pricy, are a bit more reasonable and the design and quality are superb.
Actually they are strictly speaking separable not folding, but they do pack down quite small.
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we have 2 Di blazssi
Foldere we used to take on holidays, but we well made but heavier than most others b4 these we had dahon boardwalks, and strange to ride the Di blazi ride much better
 
GrahamP said:
I am considering options for a second hand folding bike to take on my yacht.
Have seen a second hand Windward folding bike for sale. No reviews found online. Does anyone have any knowledge of this model of bike?

I am looking for a budget option which rules out a Brompton? Any recommendations?

Many thanks,
Graham
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I bought a folding bike in a charity auction at the boozer, nice thing, but very heavy and a sod to fold, felt like you were about to amputate your fingers, even sober. Fell off it three times going home but, obviously, I was well fortified.
Sold it.

The Windward sounds better being alloy and the 16in wheels sound ok. Honestly though, for the last two seasons, I have just shipped a regular small adult bike at the back of the cockpit. Works great, the tyres and saddle are built in fenders, couple of lashings and you are sorted.
As long as you don't mind the look of the thing, it's great for longer trips where you may be holed up in one marina/place for a little time. I paid about 20 quid each for the bikes and gave them them away at the last port of call on the way home.

.
 
GrahamP said:
Have seen a second hand Windward folding bike for sale. No reviews found online. Does anyone have any knowledge of this model of bike?
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I've just noticed this part of your question and, browsing photos online of the Windwards you can tell it's a cheapy marque because the hinge is locked by screwing down a nut. If you compare with a Dahon you will see the Dahon's hinge mechanism is better quality. Probably you will find Decalthon's own brand folders somewhere in the middle - loads of these about second-hand, look for "BTWin".
 
I've a more serious tourer ebike but I put a couple of these on my boat and camper. Lumpy heavy things but a sixth of the price of a e-brompton. If no bag, a garden waste bag is good at keeping the inevitable chain oil off the upholstery. I use old double quilt bags too.
 

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Another +1 for the Brompton. They are offensively expensive but pack down to nothing and ride well.

Did see a serviceable 3 speed Brompton wreck go for £80 (stone cold deal really) on fleabay but more common to see them for £650~£750 low end used. If you wait the odd deal (relatively) comes along.

As others said it’s the balance between use, space and budget. The easier something is to use the more it will be used, due to its size and design that unfortunately is what the Brompton is best at.

Dahon and BTwin good used and new options as alternatives.
 
The trouble with some of the lesser known makes , or developing makes trying to get market share, is that if something breaks one will probably never get a spare.
With a Brompton, one would be very unlucky to be in such a situation. In addition there is a plethora of videos showing how to repair or "bling" them. Even if Brompton did go t..ts up, there will be someone making spares. After all, it is said that there are 75,000 Bromptons in London alone.
If one looked after them they still can attract a reasonable second hand price. If the WEF goes along with persuading the cities of the world (some idiots are heading that way) to make us all live in 15 minute communities, then a Brompton E-bike will be perfect.
 
dgadee said:
Just bought another Brompton for the mate at home (we live ina flat). 3 gears, bag and though 12 years old looks like new. £500.
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My wife made some customs dry bags for our Bromptons. They got most of their rust from the trip in the dinghy. Now a thing of the past with decent bags. Got to love the Brompton
 
sailorman said:
we have 2 Di blazssi
Foldere we used to take on holidays, but we well made but heavier than most others b4 these we had dahon boardwalks, and strange to ride the Di blazi ride much better
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Di Blasis ride quite well but they have a short wheel base and it is quite easy to do an inadvertent wheelie when in low gear, but nothing matches them for speed of assembly.

Folding bikes are very odd to steer when shopping is loaded onto the handlebars.
 
johnalison said:
Di Blasis ride quite well but they have a short wheel base and it is quite easy to do an inadvertent wheelie when in low gear, but nothing matches them for speed of assembly.
Folding bikes are very odd to steer when shopping is loaded onto the handlebars.
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The Brompton does not load front luggage directly onto the steering handlebars- but on to the frame. So they do not appreciably affect steering
The world record for folding a Brompton is 5.3 seconds
They had a Brompton world championships in London a few years ago & some startling fold & unfold times were produced.
 
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