Folding Bikes - Experiences..

[godivatrailrider]

Short report with photos in the appropriate section

[Richpips]

I've been looking for one of these for ages. A Reisse and Muller Birdy. A full suspension folder. Today I drove a long way to pick it up. Needs new tyres, otherwise in amazing condition considering it is over 20 years old.

[Dyffers]

Thread resurrection...I finally got my hands on a Bike Friday after about two years of searching; a bloke on LFGSS bought one I was watching on ebay (too far away for me to collect anyway), then bought a Brompton G-line instead and sold the BF on to me.

So far it's been stripped, checked and my wheels test fitted. Looking forward to getting it on the road with the parts from my previous bike.

Guessing the age of it, I might also have finally realised my ambition of owning a Rob English-made bike.

Anyone want a Dahon with an aftermarket disc fork?!

BF NWT.jpg (214.6 KiB) Viewed 916 times

[jameso]

^ that's a great find! Very nice. Always been interested in one for a travel bike that my Brompton never really lived up to being (for me - brilliant rail commuter and chuck-in-back-of-car bike though).

[thenorthwind]

Wish I'd known, I've been wavering on the edge of advertising my Bike Friday for sale, since I'm not using it much. I even got as far as taking a load of photos, but haven't posted an advert. Any interest on here?

[Dyffers]

There were at least three others in the queue for mine on LFGSS. Maybe try on there if you're willing to post it (although it seems to be less and less London-centric on there now).

[thenorthwind]

Thanks, might give that ago. Figures that they'd be popular in London I suppose. One of the advantages of folders is they're not as expensive to post!

[Boab]

Wish I'd known, I've been wavering on the edge of advertising my Bike Friday for sale, since I'm not using it much. I even got as far as taking a load of photos, but haven't posted an advert. Any interest on here?

I nearly asked on here last year if anyone had a folder going spare, as I fancied trying one for getting to work from the P&R, etc. Getting divorced is 'king expensive, so unless you were getting rid for peanuts...

[jameso]

Any interest on here?

Yes - will DM?

[thenorthwind]

Got your message James - thought to be fair to Bob I'd just post more of an advert here (with apologies for the thread hijack)...

Parts are a bit of a mish-mash - brief spec:
3x9 drivetrain - Deore shifters, Sora front mech, Ultegra rear, 105 chainset (see? )
Deore V-brakes with Tektro levers
Thomson Elite seatpost (this has been cut down), Genesis OEM saddle
Easton stem, random alloy flat bar, Ergon grips
Plastic folding pedals
SunRim 20" (406) rims on Deore QR hubs - standard 100/135mm OLD
Well used but serviceable 40mm Schwalbe Marathons. I reckon you could squeeze something slightly larger in there but not much. I've also just remembered that there's a pair of mudguards for it too that I forgot to photograph.
Will come with the travel bag, a spare tube, and a neat little front rack that comes apart easily and packs down quite small. I never got round to it, but I think the big space above the main tube is crying out for a big custom frame bag for bikepacking/touring!

£250 would persuade me to part with it. Whether that's "peanuts" I guess depends on your circumstances and whether you're comparing it with a Brompton

[Dyffers]

£250! Thought I got a bargain for £375! Absolute no-brainer

[JackT]

That's a very good deal. Looks to be a Pocket Tourist model. Was that the predecessor to the much loved New World Tourist or, with the triple chainset, essentially the same bike?

They now do a Diamond Llama the world touring model, and the All-Packa as the bikepacking model, with up to 2.8inch tyres. Looks sweet.

All-Packa-Circles-1.jpg (89.88 KiB) Viewed 713 times

[Boab]

Got your message James - thought to be fair to Bob I'd just post more of an advert here (with apologies for the thread hijack)...

Happy for James to get dibs, as I'm not really in any position to be buying more stuff, at least for a few months.

[thenorthwind]

I won't feel hard done by given what I paid for it and some components that I swapped around, and happy if one of you lot get a bargain. But if I end up advertising elsewhere, maybe I'll ask a bit more!

I couldn't find out much about the Pocket Tourist model, other than it doesn't exist anymore, so I'm not sure what the differences are, other than the name.

I've seen those All-Packas - very cute. I'd have one of them!

[Bearlegged]

I keep meaning to do a tour on my Brompton. Ride the nice.bit, train/bus the dull A road bits. Let me know if anyone has suggestions for routes.

[jameso]

@thenorthwind- go on then, I'll take it if that's ok. I have a trip in mind.. Thanks Boab.

[Lemming]

Out of interest how quick do they fold?

[Dyffers]

Out of interest how quick do they fold?

The basic fold is quite quick but not into a neat unit for carrying as is without a bag or case, as the steerer and bars are no longer attached.

https://youtu.be/SM7KaufFOpg

[RobLyon]

I sold my folder not long after getting it. It was a 26" wheeled tern joe so not like most folding bikes. I have since learnt about the Japanese Rinko system where you pack a normal bike into a bag for use on trains.