Folding Bikes

[rumsfald]

Since I'm car-less, I think I'm going to get myself a Brompton for trips longer than 1 mile.

http://www.brompton.co.uk/

Discuss folding bikes, models, experiences, spiffy helmets, tell me how dumb I am like the iPad thread, etc.

[Mission Difficult]

Is a full sized bike completely out of the question? You could probably pick up a fixed gear Trek for half the price of a foldy.

[rumsfald]

Is a full sized bike completely out of the question? You could probably pick up a fixed gear Trek for half the price of a foldy.

Yes - can't take full-size on most commuter rail trains during peak hours in PA-NJ-DE.

[Kor]

Technology is brilliant. Embrace it.

From a purely utilitarian viewpoint, how is this not exactly the bike you're looking for? Is it lacking in capability or practicality? You've already assigned two of the most important traits to it: Distance at which you'll use it, and its portability. If I didn't know any better Rummy, I think you're simply seeking validation; in which case: Take a fucking crowbar to your wallet, cunt. I'm sure you'll enjoying using it for more than just a mile at a time as well, depending on your fitness.

[A. Crow]

Is this a time-hack problem?  you can't spare the 15 minutes per mile walking? 

[copulatingduck]

Longer than 1 mile and less than how many? I assume this is just for mild terrain, city streets, no hills, etc etc? Is there showers or a gym near your place of employment (or is the commute short enough that it doesn't really matter? If it rains, or it's hotter and muggier than Sandra Romain's ass in 2007, nothing can ruin a day faster than showing up damp and sweaty in linen pants for work. Though if you get rain gear you also don't want to go full-blown sealed and waterproofed, as those don't breath at all and unless it's an incredibly short ride, you'll just end up stewing in your own juices and show up just as wet as if you had worn nothing.

If you reddit, /r/bicycling has a wealth of good information for cyclists. I dunno how much you cycle, but it could be worth checking out to prepare yourself for all the little things that will come up that you'll have to learn to deal with for your commute. Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance, as well as the mountain bike version might be worth checking out, depending on how comfortable you already are doing your own maintenance and repairs. It's also worth it just to familiarize yourself with general tweaking and tuning, as most bikes could sorely use some straight from the factory.

I got no opinions on folding bikes, never used one and only seen them in passing.

edit: Also, backpacks or really anything slung over the back will make it sweaty. If you carry a lot to work, consider getting a cargo rack.

[Kirby]

Take a fucking crowbar to your wallet, cunt.

+1 for a week, /thread


Also: I'm seeing more foldy bikes, be hip.

[rumsfald]

From a purely utilitarian viewpoint, how is this not exactly the bike you're looking for? Is it lacking in capability or practicality? You've already assigned two of the most important traits to it: Distance at which you'll use it, and its portability. If I didn't know any better Rummy, I think you're simply seeking validation.

I'm sure you'll enjoying using it for more than just a mile at a time as well, depending on your fitness.

Well, yes, I am seeking validation. When I first sold my WRX and went to a car-less commute almost 5 years ago, I did a bunch of research on folding bikes, dahon, brompton, bike friday, etc. At that time, I was convinced that brompton was the best choice for me, and had a model and all options/accessories picked out. Then I realized that my walk on both ends of the train ride were just about a mile and I could walk that comfortably in 10-15 mins. So, I figured I didn't need it, but never stopped lusting for one. Now, it's five years later, and I haven't (yet) updated all my research on foldy bikes, so I thought I'd start a thread in which to discuss and cull the wisdom resident in the community. Also, Brompton's revamped their product lines quite a bit since then, and there are a lot of new options/accessories. I'm interested to know if folks have first-hand experience, good or bad.

On the fitness side, I've lost 28lbs since October, walk 5 miles regularly in the course of commuting, then take the dog for a 5 mile walk on most evenings, and have been doing some increased cardio via Krav Maga (which I will miss terribly-today was my last class and the instructor brought a switchblade in and tried to stab us).

Is this a time-hack problem?  you can't spare the 15 minutes per mile walking? 

For my normal commute, I'll probably stick with the 15 minute/mile walk on both ends. But now that I won't have access to the shared spousal car, I'm looking to extend my effective range. I'm not interested in owning a car at this point in my life.

Longer than 1 mile and less than how many? I assume this is just for mild terrain, city streets, no hills, etc etc? Is there showers or a gym near your place of employment (or is the commute short enough that it doesn't really matter? If it rains, or it's hotter and muggier than Sandra Romain's ass in 2007, nothing can ruin a day faster than showing up damp and sweaty in linen pants for work. Though if you get rain gear you also don't want to go full-blown sealed and waterproofed, as those don't breath at all and unless it's an incredibly short ride, you'll just end up stewing in your own juices and show up just as wet as if you had worn nothing.

I dunno how much you cycle, but it could be worth checking out to prepare yourself for all the little things that will come up that you'll have to learn to deal with for your commute.

Probably up to 5-10. Mild mid-atlantic suburban/city terrain. Few hills. Showers at work, though I don't expect to bike there. And in these months, I sweat through my linens in 5 minutes just walking anyways. I've always been a sweaty dude. And, no, I haven't cycled since I was a kid and we called it riding a bike.

Also, I'm considering this prep-time for when I have money enough in 6-8 months to move to philly (or some other city) and go fully urban biker.

Thanks all for the brotips thus far.

[A. Crow]

I'd like to play devil advocate and present you with a counter argument against the bike. But aside from the superficial, I don't see anything other real man-portable, train transportable option. 

[[fr31ns]Karrde]

Crowbar indeed.  What city do you live in?  Is commuting solely by bike completely out of the question?

[rumsfald]

Karrde link=topic=4753.msg160910#msg160910 date=1277693248]
Crowbar indeed.  What city do you live in?  Is commuting solely by bike completely out of the question?

I'll be living out in suburban lands about an hour's train ride from where I work in Philly. So yeah, no dice.

[CaffeinePowered]

Half-serious, half-funny reply, considered a unicycle?

[rumsfald]

I can't ride unicyle with my tripod.

[Kirby]

I can't ride unicyle with my tripod.

http://www.google.com/search?q=define:jockstrap

-edit-

Also, I honestly think that if I noticed someone who commuted daily on a unicycle, that I would give very serious thought to accidentally performing an action that results in a faceplant. With a camera strategically planted nearby.

[rumsfald]

Test rode one today. Wow, what a sweet ride. Think it'll be aboot $1,600 with the options I want. Downside is, 8 week wait for custom spec vs pick one off the rack that is kinda sorta what I want. Think I'll wait a couple of weeks and see how I do living without it before ordering.

It's an amazing ride, though. Very nimble.

Oh, and the shop was full of surfsters (hipsters), one invited me to a brompton ride in NYC he is organizing in July and sept.

[copulatingduck]

every bike shop is full of hipsters, I think it's a law or something. what kind of options are you looking at if you don't mind my asking?

[HeK]

The only real solution is another WRX, specifically the new 2011 WRX.

[rumsfald]

every bike shop is full of hipsters, I think it's a law or something. what kind of options are you looking at if you don't mind my asking?

M handlebars
3 gears (fool tried to talk me into 6, i don't want the derailleur)
front bag mount
Bag for mount - probably the largest capacity or the messenger style
rear rack mount
red paint
battery operated lighting
possibly a carry bag/case

@Hek - not worth it for maybe driving 1-2 hours on weekends only. Can't justify it.

[HeK]

How heavy are these?
How long do they take to fold/unfold (in case you are rushing to catch a bus)?
How hard are they to move about when folded?

Your buses don't offer ride-n-bike?

(Actual questions that I am curious about)

[A. Crow]

battery operated lighting

Although, I do approve of the color scheme.

Also, wtf is "ride-n-bike"?