Folding bikes

[Michael K.]

Yes, I'm thinking about becoming That Guy on the train with the folding bicycle. I've got a good chance of moving to a new place 5 mins from one Metro North station, with my new job a mile away from another. Doing the bike/train thing as often as possible stands to save me some time and gas money; also, I'll be aboard a train and a bike, which is typically more enjoyable and less stressful than being on Rt 9D. Or so I figure. I could hustle my hybrid aboard - but there are a bunch of restrictions as to which trains, so the folding bike option seems worth pursuing.

Any recommendations on brands or models to look out for (or look away from?) I'd like to buy something used but of quality, for shortish journeys and so light, quick-folding and easy to commute with.

[cleansheetbsc]

Rt 9D.

Nice road to bike - if there weren't any cars.

[Michael K.]

Nice road to bike - if there weren't any cars.

Exactly what I was thinking yesterday. As it is...I value my body intact.

[Moishe]

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=802673&page=6

Start at post 103 and a few more down Cosmokramer gives his opinion of his Dahon.

[CosmosKramer]

- Brompton (best fold but expensive and surprisingly heavy)

- Bike Friday Tikit (fastest, easiest folding and nice ride, but the fold is not compact - about $1200 but in the states you might try to hunt down a used one - and if you don't like it you can always sell it next time your in Japan where they COST A FORTUNE)

- Birdy (Probably the best all round...but extremely expensive in the US)

http://foldingbikes.wikispaces.com/file/view/birdy-Anthracite-large.jpg




- Dahon Curve, Curve SL or XL (They all fold small and compact - slightly bigger than the Brompton. Curve is most affordable at about $400 the SL and XL are about twice as much as they are lighter weight, better equipped. The SL has the 9 speed Shimano Derailleur - fast. The XL has a Nexus 8 speed internal gear hub which good for city riding.)


- Or for something completely different, if you have only a short ride and aren't over 6'0, how about the Pacific Carryme?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2900020574_2daafb4516.jpg

[CosmosKramer]

BTW, without a doubt, the best place for folding bike info is here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=221

[Michael K.]

Thanks for the further info and links! Just discovered a new colleague of mine, who makes essentially the same commute, does it on a Xootr Swift, which he really likes. He's had it for a few years now, and gotten through Hudson Valley winters on it, so that's a good thing.

Which reminds me, I've got to go and stock up on some quality cold-weather base layers while it's still summer. Craft? Rapha? Others?

[cjump]

my pampered ass loves rapha. too bad i really can't afford it so ill stick with hincapie stuff which in it's own right is top notch.