Ladies and Gents,
Well, due to circumstances that have changed method of operation for camping/toad/motorcycle etc. I thinking about leaning towards some fold up bicycles. They've never appealed to me (us) before but, based on certain constraints, things are-a-changing.
Anyway, I've been browsing the I-net for them and, as usual, there's quite a few to choose from. And, I'm pretty sure that the old clichรฉ "You get what you pay for" surely applies here. I saw an ad on TV the other day that had one called a "Brompton". Well, I looked them up and sure enough, they make one seriously nice folding bicycle. In fact, several models. And, we even have a dealer in the San Diego area.
But, when I called them to ask, I about had a heart attack on the price. They start out at, are you all sitting down, $1150.00 !!!!!!!
YEOW!!!! So, needless to say, I pleasantly said, "No thank you" and decided to keep on looking. Well, I checked Camping World and, yep, they got'em. In fact, they have a couple of different models. But, it doesn't take long to start seeing some of the important aspects of what you're looking at and, the relation to the cost.
As many of you that do have them already know, "folded size" is drastically important. If you have specific spot for them (it) to fit, then you have to check that, almost first, in the specs. But, there's lots of other important specs too. One fairly important one is, weight. And, that's determined by many factors. One being the frame, and then there's the wheels, hubs, handle bars and more.
But, once you've decided on a certain price range, then, as always, you search for the best you can get within that price range. It appears that, in most write ups and reviews, that 20" wheels are the size of choice. They give a decent ride and, in folding the bike up, they present a fairly small package.
Now, I realize that this is going to be a compromise between a want-to-be real bicycle and, compaction in a folding bike. So, while we do have some nice "Townie" model 26" bikes and we always take them along on our journeys, as stated, some things are changing and a set of folding ones might fit the bill better. So, those of you that have them and, have actually "used" them, (not just toted them all over the country and never actually rode them), your opinions will be of great value to us. Thanks way in advance here.
Scott
Well, due to circumstances that have changed method of operation for camping/toad/motorcycle etc. I thinking about leaning towards some fold up bicycles. They've never appealed to me (us) before but, based on certain constraints, things are-a-changing.
Anyway, I've been browsing the I-net for them and, as usual, there's quite a few to choose from. And, I'm pretty sure that the old clichรฉ "You get what you pay for" surely applies here. I saw an ad on TV the other day that had one called a "Brompton". Well, I looked them up and sure enough, they make one seriously nice folding bicycle. In fact, several models. And, we even have a dealer in the San Diego area.
But, when I called them to ask, I about had a heart attack on the price. They start out at, are you all sitting down, $1150.00 !!!!!!!
YEOW!!!! So, needless to say, I pleasantly said, "No thank you" and decided to keep on looking. Well, I checked Camping World and, yep, they got'em. In fact, they have a couple of different models. But, it doesn't take long to start seeing some of the important aspects of what you're looking at and, the relation to the cost.
As many of you that do have them already know, "folded size" is drastically important. If you have specific spot for them (it) to fit, then you have to check that, almost first, in the specs. But, there's lots of other important specs too. One fairly important one is, weight. And, that's determined by many factors. One being the frame, and then there's the wheels, hubs, handle bars and more.
But, once you've decided on a certain price range, then, as always, you search for the best you can get within that price range. It appears that, in most write ups and reviews, that 20" wheels are the size of choice. They give a decent ride and, in folding the bike up, they present a fairly small package.
Now, I realize that this is going to be a compromise between a want-to-be real bicycle and, compaction in a folding bike. So, while we do have some nice "Townie" model 26" bikes and we always take them along on our journeys, as stated, some things are changing and a set of folding ones might fit the bill better. So, those of you that have them and, have actually "used" them, (not just toted them all over the country and never actually rode them), your opinions will be of great value to us. Thanks way in advance here.
Scott
wny_pat wrote:FIRE UP wrote:
Well Gang,
am used to a real nice, well designed, ergonomically fitting bike called a Electra "Townie". That's a fine bike.
Scott, We tried the folding bikes from Camping World and ended up giving them to the grandkids. I had the 12 speed and DW had the 6 speed. Okay to ride in circles around the campground loop, but anywhere else and forget it.
I have bad "truck drivers knees" which have not been replaced yet. Had major knee pain with the folding bike!!! Have a Electra Townie with the Shimano Nexus internal 8-speed w/freewheel and love it. No pain riding that bike and you can pretty much take it anywhere considering the internal gearing. I think it is going on our winter 5000 mile trip. Wife has a 3 speed internal geared bike that will likely be also going. Got a receiver hitch for the toad along with a cheapy bike rack that will work on the receiver. The Electra Townie bikes require a rack that carries the wheels and not the cross bar. I got the Advantage SportsRack 1011 V-Rack 2 Bike Carrier at Wallyworld when it was on sale. One heck of a deal at $49.
wny_pat,
I surely thank you for your insight here. It's a long story but, I'll make it extra short. We used to carry the big Honda Goldwing on the back of the coach and tow a 2011 Honda CRV. Well, a couple of things happened. One, I decided that I was pushing my luck carrying that much weight on the back of that particular coach. It worked, and worked very well for 8K miles. But, I just thought I was pushing my luck. So, time for a change.
The second thing that happened was, after about 18 months of driving the CRV, we both were just not all that happy with it. Nothing wrong with the car, it just didn't sit with us. So, since we both like trucks, and, I needed another way to bring along the 850 lb. two wheeler, we sold the CRV and purchased a 2011 GMC Sierra 4x4 extended cab. Then, we purchased a "Rampage" motorcycle lift/carrier for the back of it.
Now, prematurely, before I really had a chance to evaluate left over space in the back of the truck with the Goldwing in place, I started this thread. The main reason was, we have a nice "Wheel carrying" type bicycle rack for a trailer hitch but, with the advent of the Rampage and Goldwing hanging out the back of the truck, we were not going to be able to load the bike rack to carry the two Townies.
So, I thought we'd most likely need a couple of folder-uppers to accommodate our bicycle cruising while on trips. So, that's when I started the inquiry.
But, once the Goldwing was loaded, I started goofing around with different ways to possibly load the Townie bikes in there too. Well, it didn't take long and I found out the perfect "fitment" of how to load the bikes, right along side the motorcycle and, there would be a "No touch" condition for both. The clearances were close but, as long as there was no movement between the bikes and motorcycle, we were good to go.
All that has to be done is, remove the front wheel from each bike and, use those front fork mounts to stabilze/mount the bicycles. They're like a rock on there.
So, that ended search for the fold up bikes. I again, sure want to thank all who participated in trying to help me and the DW in our search.
Scott
Well Gang,
Here's an update. We cruised on over to Camping World today and test drove a few of what they had. They were the Adventurer model. A couple were 12-spds and a one was a 6-spd. And, I even road a single speed. The two 12-spds were fitted with 22" tires and the 6-spd was with the 20" tires.
The newest one they had was 12-spd version and had weaker joints and felt more spongy than the older version which, was way more stout and, the folding joints were better and tighter while riding. Now here's the long and short of it. I'm 6'2" and 240 and am used to a real nice, well designed, ergonomically fitting bike called a Electra "Townie". That's a fine bike.
And, being used to that, getting on one of these was surely an education. The ergonomics is definitely OFF!, Your physical comforts are off set. But, all that was kind of anticipated. If you, (as has been stated) just use them for goofing around for ultra-light riding in and around campgrounds etc. and, mostly level ground, I think they would do the trick for short periods at a time.
So, as it is, we're still on the fence here. Thanks again for your experience and ideas here.
Scott
Here's an update. We cruised on over to Camping World today and test drove a few of what they had. They were the Adventurer model. A couple were 12-spds and a one was a 6-spd. And, I even road a single speed. The two 12-spds were fitted with 22" tires and the 6-spd was with the 20" tires.
The newest one they had was 12-spd version and had weaker joints and felt more spongy than the older version which, was way more stout and, the folding joints were better and tighter while riding. Now here's the long and short of it. I'm 6'2" and 240 and am used to a real nice, well designed, ergonomically fitting bike called a Electra "Townie". That's a fine bike.
And, being used to that, getting on one of these was surely an education. The ergonomics is definitely OFF!, Your physical comforts are off set. But, all that was kind of anticipated. If you, (as has been stated) just use them for goofing around for ultra-light riding in and around campgrounds etc. and, mostly level ground, I think they would do the trick for short periods at a time.
So, as it is, we're still on the fence here. Thanks again for your experience and ideas here.
Scott
Well Gang,
Again, thanks to all for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I was planning on a "test run" prior to any real thoughts of commitment but, based on at least 50% of the opinions here, it's definitely mandatory that a trial run is sought after. Especially like Eric, I order lots from on-line and that might be fairly serious mistake if I hadn't tried any out yet. So, in the next day or so, we're off to find a couple and see what we think. We might even stop by the local Camping World and see what they have to offer. Thanks again to all.
Scott
Again, thanks to all for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I was planning on a "test run" prior to any real thoughts of commitment but, based on at least 50% of the opinions here, it's definitely mandatory that a trial run is sought after. Especially like Eric, I order lots from on-line and that might be fairly serious mistake if I hadn't tried any out yet. So, in the next day or so, we're off to find a couple and see what we think. We might even stop by the local Camping World and see what they have to offer. Thanks again to all.
Scott
