Spuddy
Well-Known Member
Any recommendations on these. Cheap, some gears, for trundling from a marina to shop, stored down below or down cockpit locker on 38 footer.
folding bikes
- Thread starter Spuddy
- Start date
kengill
Well-Known Member
The village one has lower maintenance!
Jacana
Active Member
We tried several before deciding on Bromptons bacause they are much easier to ride than most with a reasonably comfortable position. Only prob is they are ridiculously expensive and not particularly light being made from gas pipe rather than 531! If you spot some on ebay then try a bid.
jerryat
Well-Known Member
Hi Jacana,
Yep, we've had the Brompton's for years too, but don't find them any heavier than other, non-alumimium based bikes, a fair bit lighter in most cases.
I didn't respond to this thread because Spuddy asked for 'cheap' bikes and, as you say, Brompton's aren't cheap. However, they are the best engineered folders on the market, as is regularly confirmed in the yottymag surveys. They also fold to the smallest size and are extremely comfortable and easy to ride as long you maintain the tyres at high pressure, circa 55-60psi.
Spuddy, we've had ours aboard full time (except during our recent refit) since 1996, they are still in immaculate condition despite having done God knows how many miles over all sorts of terrain. I've no connection whatsoever with the company, but would buy again without question as this is one of those times when you really do get what you pay for.
Cheers Jerry
Yep, we've had the Brompton's for years too, but don't find them any heavier than other, non-alumimium based bikes, a fair bit lighter in most cases.
I didn't respond to this thread because Spuddy asked for 'cheap' bikes and, as you say, Brompton's aren't cheap. However, they are the best engineered folders on the market, as is regularly confirmed in the yottymag surveys. They also fold to the smallest size and are extremely comfortable and easy to ride as long you maintain the tyres at high pressure, circa 55-60psi.
Spuddy, we've had ours aboard full time (except during our recent refit) since 1996, they are still in immaculate condition despite having done God knows how many miles over all sorts of terrain. I've no connection whatsoever with the company, but would buy again without question as this is one of those times when you really do get what you pay for.
Cheers Jerry
Talbot
Well-Known Member
There is an aluminium folder available from Macro at abt £175 (inc)
alldownwind
Well-Known Member
Compass 3-speed small-wheel bike, 130 quid I think. Had one for a year, very pleased with it.
TonyS
Well-Known Member
We bought 2 single speed Seasure folding bikes from Mailspeed Marine in Lymington. They were £ 70 each and come complete with a bag. Both fit in the cockpit locker on our 36' yacht. I tried the 6 speed version but it does not go faster and they are pretty low geared anyway. We have explored the whole of Alderney this summer as well as Cherbourg and parts of Guernsey. You cannot get up the hill at Treguier to the supermarket but they make returning quite an experience! I have one off the boat and use it every day to ride around the marina to get the paper in the morning etc. There is no sign of rust and the mechanics seem OK. An excellent buy for us. You need a pump to use once a month to keep the tyres hard at 40 psi and I would recommend the electric one from Maplins that works off the cigar lighter socket and costs £ 6.
Magic
Well-Known Member
....erm they make you look really silly!
But one of these would be cool
http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/search.do?productCode=MINHAR
But one of these would be cool
http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/search.do?productCode=MINHAR
peteandthira
Well-Known Member
Can second the Brompton's quailty and ride. We have two and can fit them both on top of the battery box in the lazarette. Very nice bike but heinous prices.
cpedw
Well-Known Member
Being keen on cycling, and having had 2 cheap gas pipe folders on the last boat, I researched this 2 years ago. I would agree that Brompton is the RR of folding, with price to match. I found a satisfactory (for me) compromise between price and quality was a Dahon Boardwalk 6 speed for about £250 including a sturdy bag.
We can easily fit 2 into the cockpit locker of the Westerly Falcon (33 feet) and into the dinghy. They are very quick and easy to fold/unfold and so in the last 2 years have received a lot of use with no technical problems. I think the longest journeys have been about 10 miles and they were good for that.
Derek.
We can easily fit 2 into the cockpit locker of the Westerly Falcon (33 feet) and into the dinghy. They are very quick and easy to fold/unfold and so in the last 2 years have received a lot of use with no technical problems. I think the longest journeys have been about 10 miles and they were good for that.
Derek.
ditchcrawler
Well-Known Member
I also have the Dahon 6 speed & find that the 20inch wheels are much better than the 16 inch .I use it mostly at home but the folding size is ok for my boat.It is a first class bit of kit.
G
Guest
Guest
If you can hold on until early December you should pick up the Jan issue of Motor Boat and Yachting. They are testing at least seven different bikes (I can see the pile of twisted metal from where I'm sitting).
-Keith
-Keith
milltech
Well-Known Member
Thanks but I can look quite silly enough on an ordinary bike.
Grehan
Well-Known Member
Two folding bikes = £10
cheap???
Go down to your local council rubbish dump, er sorry recycling centre, they said. They have them there.
You'm jokin, we said. But we went.
Yes they had one, quite good enough nick except no saddle. No problem said one of the blokes, I'll just whip a saddle off one of our other little bargains, which one takes your fancy? OK £5 for a folding bike.
We then decided we needed two, so a fortnight later we went back.
They had another folding bike. Another £5.
We took both of them to a cycle shop and had them overhauled and some new brake blocks.
They've been through France, and now we're using them in Spain.
They are getting a bit rusty round the edges, but at that price who cares?
cheap???
Go down to your local council rubbish dump, er sorry recycling centre, they said. They have them there.
You'm jokin, we said. But we went.
Yes they had one, quite good enough nick except no saddle. No problem said one of the blokes, I'll just whip a saddle off one of our other little bargains, which one takes your fancy? OK £5 for a folding bike.
We then decided we needed two, so a fortnight later we went back.
They had another folding bike. Another £5.
We took both of them to a cycle shop and had them overhauled and some new brake blocks.
They've been through France, and now we're using them in Spain.
They are getting a bit rusty round the edges, but at that price who cares?
davidfox
Well-Known Member
Just bought a brompton, tried to buy 2 on email, both 4 years old and both went for £380, bought brand new for £500, same type of model, why brompton - smallest when folded, weight 11kg which is ok, easy to ride, hold second hand value.
Kurrawong_Kid
Well-Known Member
Have had 2 Compass bikes,3 speed, for three years. Have found them strong and reasonably easy to cycle. They fold quite small, but are a bit heavy and have rusted a little. Bags are a little prone to tearing on the hinge! Generally very good value.
Cantata
Well-Known Member
In the latest S.T. there's a thorough review of the Compass 3-speed, a season's experience using it. Came out pretty well.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
Have a look here for advice
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hadland/bagsup/iitbsup.html
and here for prices
http://www.atob.org.uk/price_tag.html
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hadland/bagsup/iitbsup.html
and here for prices
http://www.atob.org.uk/price_tag.html
