Folding bike

[d000hg]

You could just get a cheap full-size bike and park it at the destination.

Yeah, you can get a perfectly OK bike for £100 or so, get one for each end of the journey plus decent locks and then paint/distress them both to look not worth nicking.

Suggest you don't always store them in the same spot though, or to many people on different schedules it will look like the bike has been abandoned and just sits there the whole time.

[Mich the Tester]

I've asked here before on what extra you get for the more expensive ones, but nobody seemed to have a clue.

If it's anything like the prices of racing bikes, then probably lighter frames with more durable components. Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo all have a range of components from cheapo (not Campagnolo; they're never cheap) to ultra expensive top touring/racing gear, or even Rohloff who supply hub gears that are very pricey. The difference is usually in how much mileage you can expect from the gearsets, derailleurs and chains, or possibly newfangled electronic gear changes.

Less weight is available at about 1 euro per gram, whatever that is in UK money (80p?). Get a frame that's one kilo lighter and it'll cost you 1000 euros more. Only really interesting for serious racers once you get down to saving a hundred grams at a time.

[TheBigD]

I've asked here before on what extra you get for the more expensive ones, but nobody seemed to have a clue.

With folding bikes, I'm not really sure it matters a great deal.

I don't think anyone buys a folding bike with the idea of doing more than about 5 miles per journey. Sure, you can buy a Brompton for about £900, or a cheap and cheerfull model for £100. The Brompton will be better built with better quality components, but for a journey of < 5 miles, I don't think you'd really notice.

Likewise, the frame weight, unless your commute involves some pretty big hills, I don't think this is really too important.

If you're umming and arring about it, go for a cheap one and replace it after a year. If you work in London, the savings you'll make by not using the tube will more than make it worthwhile.

[darmstadt]

Be different man, rollerblades or a skateboard is the way to go. Stand out from the crowd...

[eek]

Be different man, rollerblades or a skateboard is the way to go. Stand out from the crowd...

nope go the whole way and use one of these Razor electric Scooter with seat

[Mich the Tester]

nope go the whole way and use one of these Razor electric Scooter with seat

Speeds up to 15mph with up to 40 minutes of continuous use

How fast and how far with a fatty on board?

[eek]

How fast and how far with a fatty on board?

Don't know. Firstly I'm not that big as mr mac and cojak can confirm.

Secondly I'm not enough of a to use one

[mudskipper]

EDIT - cool. Just saw an electric bike. Great I don't have to pedal! Or won't it carry my large butt without pedalling a bit?

Your large butt won't get any smaller if you don't pedal.

[SueEllen]

Your large butt won't get any smaller if you don't pedal.

Harsh ...but true

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I have the 2012 model of this:
Link D8 | Tern Folding Bike and Folding Bicycle Accessories | Worldwide

Cost me just under £400. 20" wheels so never going to be as compact as a Brompton but half the price and fits in the boot of the car.

I use it for commuting and cycling recreationally. I use it to get into central London, taking it on the train during rush hour with no hassle. I normally cycle all the way home on it (about 19km, which takes me about an hour).

Vey happy with it. It's quite agile and I've had it over 30mph on a downhill although it loses speed quickly on a flat and struggles with serious hills.

It weighs 12KG so you wouldn't want to lug it for a long distance. Saddle is ok but you can upgrade it. Ride us fine, if a little stiff. You're going to want to avoid potholes but the same is true of any smaller wheeled bike.