Folding Bikes, options?

[Flica]

But you can't get two full size bikes in the back of a Fiat 500. Or our rubber dinghy.

Don't know about your rubber dinghy, but the Trek fits into mine (it's a 2.4m RIB) and into the back of hired Suzuki Swift, or a Hyundai i10.
Both are, I believe smaller than the current Cinquecento.
Perhaps you're referring to the original with its canvas roof and rear mounted air-cooled twin - though I suspect you're too young to have had one. That certainly had problems with a full size frame.
The frame is an early Trek 2400 - a racing bike with carbon-epoxy tubes and aluminium joints. It has, in common with all racing bikes, a considerably shorter wheelbase than the juggernauts on which your mind appears fixated.
I'll try not to offer you any further painful facts when you've so obviously made up your mind.

 

[Flica]

Loads of them on eBay. My recollection is that secondhand Bromptons typically go on there for about the price of a new Dahon - e.g. https://archive.is/wuzT3 vs https://www.evanscycles.com/x-EV293505).

The Brompton price premium might not be worth it to you, but it's what the secondhand prices reflect.

I don't see why you shouldn't be able to buy any of these bikes secondhand, use it for a couple of years and be able to sell it for about what you paid for it, providing you keep it in good condition (sea air might hinder that, obvs).

I agree that the 20"-wheel Dahons can require some faith when going through a corner above walking pace.

When I tried, back in 2000/2001, before I left the UK - 2nd hand Bromptons were like hen's teeth.
I had a test ride, here in Shrewsbury, from a real cycling enthusiast (from memory he was an ex road-racing rider) and if I'd been able to find one @ 50% of new price I might well have gone for it.
As it happens, I was using Son 2's Raliegh, after the Dahon was nicked in Bayonne, only to have that and its securing chain stolen from the coach station in Cartagena.
My 13-year-old granddaughter reckoned her roller blades were better than the Dahon, now she's 17 she has a proper bike, not one of those descendants of the Raleigh Chopper.
You have just to see the sorry rusting remnants of all types of mini-bikes at the end of any marina pontoon in a liveaboard marina, to recognise how their owners value them.
Apart from the Brompton there are many other superb folding bikes - Schindelhauer, Strida, BikeFriday, Berndt, even the old Picanta!!

Come on chaps, use your imagination and do some homework!!!
The Dahon is a dog, but not quite as rubbish as many of the other folding bikes sold to the gullible yottie.

 

[GHA]

You have just to see the sorry rusting remnants of all types of mini-bikes at the end of any marina pontoon in a liveaboard marina, to recognise how their owners value them..

.... Know how not to have their bikes pinched

Happy Dahon owner here digging it out of the normal strapped to the headlining in the forepeak storage living in boatyards when lifted out, over a decade of sightseeing, nipping round to the markets/chandlers, trips up dirt tracks with 2 x 25L cans of diesel from the nearest pump to the anchorage.. still going almost strong, obviously not acceptable paintwork of course. But brakes almost work and everything.

Some of the best bang for the buck liveaboard money spent

Would be too wary of a Brompton getting nicked to have one, lovely though they are.

 

[Flica]

.... Know how not to have their bikes pinched

Happy Dahon owner here digging it out of the normal strapped to the headlining in the forepeak storage living in boatyards when lifted out, over a decade of sightseeing, nipping round to the markets/chandlers, trips up dirt tracks with 2 x 25L cans of diesel from the nearest pump to the anchorage.. still going almost strong, obviously not acceptable paintwork of course. But brakes almost work and everything.

Some of the best bang for the buck liveaboard money spent

Would be too wary of a Brompton getting nicked to have one, lovely though they are.

Poor old Birdvik Bob!!!
I'd agree that the Brompton has a high pilfering-quotient - it's the way that back wheel tucks itself away...
An Austrian friend of mine has a Strida - British-designed and developed, engineeringly probable and truly unique. No dirty trouser cuffs.
But then he's an Herr Doktor Ingenieur, like my daughter who's a Frau Doktor Ingenieur, which makes people picky!!!
A further marine benefit of the Trek - unlike your normal bike it floats after leaping into the sea!!!
In fact one could advise getting some time in - I've had the Trek since 2005, it's always lived on the boat.

 

[dgadee]

One Dahon on board is fine. Two is one too many simply due to the awkward wheel size. That's why I picked up the 2nd hand Bromptons - "as new", but two for the price of a new one.

Not difficult to keep the aluminium one in good condition. Mine is in good nick.

 

[Mikedefieslife]

This thread seems split between those who take their bike to go to the showers when wintering in a marina (or just to the shops), and those that actually enjoy cycling and exploring places and islands they visit by bike.

For the former any old hack will do. Probably something with a belt drive and tiny fold and 9" wheels will suffice.

For the latter, you're looking for a folding bike comparable in speed to a full size 27" bike. For that you might be willing to forego the tiny fold. R&M, Dahon, and Terne all have fantastic bikes in this range. For the hardcore, there is also the Moulton, but a bit more work to break down for stowing.

Oh, no-one has mentioned the Dahon Curve yet. A 16" with a Brompton style fold without the stigma of being a Brompton.

 

[GHA]

No dirty trouser cuffs..

Long trousers??????? So many different styles of sailing around here

 

[Prasutigus]

... the stigma of being a Brompton.

 

[Brent Swain]

I ride 3 to 7 miles frequently, and find the 20 inch wheels on my crescent a good compromise ,and not as hard to row ashore, and get in and out of a dinghy without getting it wet, as a big bike. I wore out two sets of in the hub gears, before going for easy to repair and replace, and more wear proof sprockets. As one Lasquetti islander said;
We ride thru clouds of grinding compound." (dust)