Foldable bicycle

[Voodooman]

13 hours ago, Heartlander said:

Beside speed another consideration would be if you want to integrate riding with public transport or lim kopi in coffee joints or Macdonald. Brompton bikes can easily be collapsed and pushed unassumingly while typical 20" foldie will look unwieldy. Like if you want to push a Bromptom into NTUC or Giant to do grocery shopping which is 10min drive from home, it is very do-able. No need to lock it outside and worry gotten stolen.

Good point. Thanks for sharing.

I plan to cycle to eat.

[Voodooman]

3 hours ago, Knighthunter said:

I have Tern, Tyrell and Bromptons. You need to test ride Brompton to understand ride quality and it’s nimbleness. It’s very good leisure bike and on PCN. If talking on smooth surface and road riding 20” foldies is much better, can’t beat the physics with bigger wheels in term of speed. Distance wise no effect depend on your legs, leisure ride with Brompton will take longer than Chiong with 20” foldie. Anyway there are Brompton riders that so strong that could maintain average 30 kmh, or modding it to super lights that spend few thousand more on original Brompton price. One ridea titanium crank for Brompton will cost about 1k it could get one decent 20” foldie.  

I did test ride a Brompton, it was below expectations in terms of control and ride stability but I like the more upright riding position and it also comes with suspension.

Perhaps the short test ride did not do enough justice to the ride quality as you mentioned nimbleness. 

On bigger wheel, I don't need to go fast (although good to have speed as an option) as I plan to ride mostly on PCN, i would prioritize comfort over speed.  I intend to keep the bike in my car, so I don’t need the smallest fold but i love the Brompton fold, it is really ingenious.

I would like to try 18” Birdy next before making a decision but MV is closed till June. 

Anyone with Birdy to share some thoughts? 

[inlinesix]

9 minutes ago, Voodooman said:

I did test ride a Brompton, it was below expectations in terms of control and ride stability but I like the more upright riding position and it also comes with suspension.

Perhaps the short test ride did not do enough justice to the ride quality as you mentioned nimbleness. 

On bigger wheel, I don't need to go fast (although good to have speed as an option) as I plan to ride mostly on PCN, i would prioritize comfort over speed.  I intend to keep the bike in my car, so I don’t need the smallest fold but i love the Brompton fold, it is really ingenious.

I would like to try 18” Birdy next before making a decision but MV is closed till June. 

Anyone with Birdy to share some thoughts? 

I rode Birdy with rohloff hub a few months ago.

It definitely faster than Brompton. Very ez to roll up slope.

It is more relaxing to ride.

If I buy Birdy, I will only buy this version.

MV will allow bike testing once current measures is relaxed.

[Knighthunter]

@Voodooman 

2 hours ago, Voodooman said:

I did test ride a Brompton, it was below expectations in terms of control and ride stability but I like the more upright riding position and it also comes with suspension.

Perhaps the short test ride did not do enough justice to the ride quality as you mentioned nimbleness. 

On bigger wheel, I don't need to go fast (although good to have speed as an option) as I plan to ride mostly on PCN, i would prioritize comfort over speed.  I intend to keep the bike in my car, so I don’t need the smallest fold but i love the Brompton fold, it is really ingenious.

I would like to try 18” Birdy next before making a decision but MV is closed till June. 

Anyone with Birdy to share some thoughts? 

Position depend on the handdle bar. Take "S" if want sporty ride "M" somewhere in between "H" for almost upright position or for tall person.

I like Birdie also tested last time in Birdie club, just this bike never have good dealer in SG. I was snubbed big time by the authorized retailer in Ubi somewhere in 2015 and I swear never step back there, not going to spend single cents there. The current agent I also I don't like it even I bought my Bromptons from them last time, they had weird pricing policy with Brompton last time. 

 

[Knighthunter]

2 hours ago, inlinesix said:

I rode Birdy with rohloff hub a few months ago.

It definitely faster than Brompton. Very ez to roll up slope.

It is more relaxing to ride.

If I buy Birdy, I will only buy this version.

MV will allow bike testing once current measures is relaxed.

This the most expensive Birdie, but heavy I never ride it but if want fast need to get birdie with 20" size tyre not the 18" version. I think called Birdie R20 it comes with 20" roadie tyres 

Edited May 22, 2021 by Knighthunter

[inlinesix]

48 minutes ago, Knighthunter said:

@Voodooman 

Position depend on the handdle bar. Take "S" if want sporty ride "M" somewhere in between "H" for almost upright position or for tall person.

I like Birdie also tested last time in Birdie club, just this bike never have good dealer in SG. I was snubbed big time by the authorized retailer in Ubi somewhere in 2015 and I swear never step back there, not going to spend single cents there. The current agent I also I don't like it even I bought my Bromptons from them last time, they had weird pricing policy with Brompton last time. 

Current Birdy AD is pioneer AD.

What kind of weird pricing policy?

[inlinesix]

43 minutes ago, Knighthunter said:

This the most expensive Birdie, but heavy I never ride it but if want fast need to get birdie with 20" size tyre not the 18" version. I think called Birdie R20 it comes with 20" roadie tyres 

For leisure ride, I use Brompton.

For fast ride, I use roadie.
Rohloff is ez to use as all 14 speed is adjusted from 1 shifter.

[Knighthunter]

@inlinesix  MV/Diginexx was sole AD for Brompton/Strida/I think was also selling Java last time. MV Brompton main mechanic (Keith) now is in BJ in Funan.

I think carried block was excluded on the past need to pay like $50, I can't remember exactly but with all small add ons I paid my first brompton more than 3k for M6R  last time in late 2014. After sometime they did some fire sale tat S6L cost like $2k black edition....just weird. I am also the first one kena Brompton black edition suppposed to be limited edition that at the end is unlimited of limited edition. That's why I always have personal opinion Brompton limited edition is like scam (not worrthed) 

Edited May 22, 2021 by Knighthunter

[inlinesix]

@Knighthunter MV never sell Java. The main mechanic was not Keith even though he sounds knowledgeable.

My wife bought 1st edition Chap3 that was supposed to be only 5 unit in Singapore.

I have S6x that has titanium seatpost which is not available now

[Freeder]

@Knighthunter @inlinesix

Can help to list out a simple chart for newbies looking for bikes for diff needs and budget? TIA

[Voodooman]

6 hours ago, inlinesix said:

I rode Birdy with rohloff hub a few months ago.

It definitely faster than Brompton. Very ez to roll up slope.

It is more relaxing to ride.

If I buy Birdy, I will only buy this version.

MV will allow bike testing once current measures is relaxed.

The Rohloff is expensive, can buy 2x Bromptons but it is almost maintenance free. $2.5k is really a lot to pay for a gear hub system, they should offer the Shimano Alfine 11 option, less than $1k.  Anyway, not sure I want to spend so much on a new hobby.

I was thinking of testing out the 18” GT and 20” R20 when they reopen in mid June. Anyway, don’t think they have ready stock.

[Voodooman]

5 hours ago, Knighthunter said:

@Voodooman 

Position depend on the handdle bar. Take "S" if want sporty ride "M" somewhere in between "H" for almost upright position or for tall person.

I like Birdie also tested last time in Birdie club, just this bike never have good dealer in SG. I was snubbed big time by the authorized retailer in Ubi somewhere in 2015 and I swear never step back there, not going to spend single cents there. The current agent I also I don't like it even I bought my Bromptons from them last time, they had weird pricing policy with Brompton last time. 

 

I am looking at the H handlebar if I buy a Brompton. Should I look for R or L? Don’t intend to carry much load but it seems to help with the rolling around, which may not be important to me. 

[inlinesix]

1 hour ago, Voodooman said:

I am looking at the H handlebar if I buy a Brompton. Should I look for R or L? Don’t intend to carry much load but it seems to help with the rolling around, which may not be important to me. 

For rolling, can always mod rolling wheel .

[Knighthunter]

2 hours ago, Voodooman said:

I am looking at the H handlebar if I buy a Brompton. Should I look for R or L? Don’t intend to carry much load but it seems to help with the rolling around, which may not be important to me. 

R rack version could be rolled when folded straight away from the box.

L mud guard version wheels are freaking dummies, to make it rolling it need to be change with after market EZ wheels. It need 2 x Ez Wheels on the rear triangle and one small wheel on top of mud guard.

 

Btw, I prefer “L” model R version rack itself is quite heavy but I am not sure the new one now but pre-2017 model rack add about 1 kg.

Edited May 22, 2021 by Knighthunter

[Yeshe]

12 hours ago, Knighthunter said:

R rack version could be rolled when folded straight away from the box.

L mud guard version wheels are freaking dummies, to make it rolling it need to be change with after market EZ wheels. It need 2 x Ez Wheels on the rear triangle and one small wheel on top of mud guard.

 

Btw, I prefer “L” model R version rack itself is quite heavy but I am not sure the new one now but pre-2017 model rack add about 1 kg.

Can upgrade the rack to titanium one and reduce the weight

[Yeshe]

On 5/21/2021 at 5:12 PM, Voodooman said:

@Yeshe and @Adrianli

Wheel size.

Can you share your journey from 20" foldie to a 16" Brompton, the plus and minus, etc?  I like the design and compactness of the Brompton (when folded) but I just can't quite get over the 16" wheel and the way it handles. 

The 20" are definitely faster and more stable in terms of ride quality.  I can understand the Brompton is a city bike suitable for short commute that complements a wider public transport system but many of you are using it like a touring / racing bike? Am I missing something? Do I need to buy one to appreciate the ride quality over a longer period? 

I tried the 20" Tern and Dahon recently, i thought the ride were much better but the test rides were rather short. Just trying to understand if people are buying Brompton for the brand. 

Just did 70km on the crius, so yeah no problem for long distance

[inlinesix]

4 minutes ago, Yeshe said:

Just did 70km on the crius, so yeah no problem for long distance

Long long time ago did NTU bike rally on Brompton. The longer option.

Stop once it became popular 

Edited May 23, 2021 by inlinesix

[Voodooman]

55 minutes ago, Yeshe said:

Just did 70km on the crius, so yeah no problem for long distance

Time taken?