folding bikes

[Daz n Tina]

Going to buy 2 matex 7folding bikes over the weekend from Decathlon. They look good for the price £189 as I'm not a bicycle person do they look ok?

 

[magicsurfbus]

Why do your 2 mates need 7 folding bikes between them - are they in a circus act or something?

 

[Daz n Tina]

Why do your 2 mates need 7 folding bikes between them - are they in a circus act or something?

Very good I ment matex bloody protective keyboard, I wish I had 7 mates

 

[Allanm]

I had a look at them, they look ok, but don't fold up very small and they are quite basic and heavy. I looked at loads of these type of bikes, for one small and light enough to fit under one of the side sofas in the van and ended up with a Brompton.
Expensive but good. It all depends on what your mates want from their bikes.
Dahon also make some good ones, worth a look if you can find a local retailer.
Mother in Law recently bought a Raleigh fold up bike, off eBay, for £60. Its a really good bike and nice to ride. I think they still have them in Halfords.
Allan

 

[Minxy]

I assume you're talking about this:

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[Daz n Tina]

I had a look at them, they look ok, but don't fold up very small and they are quite basic and heavy. I looked at loads of these type of bikes, for one small and light enough to fit under one of the side sofas in the van and ended up with a Brompton.
Expensive but good. It all depends on what your mates want from their bikes.
Dahon also make some good ones, worth a look if you can find a local retailer.
Mother in Law recently bought a Raleigh fold up bike, off eBay, for £60. Its a really good bike and nice to ride. I think they still have them in Halfords.
Allan

Cheers thanks for the info I will have a look at halfords as well. The size won't be to much of a problem as they will go in the garage, I currently take two full size bikes but would like to save some space.

 

[Puddleduck]

I've had a number of folding bikes over the years, some better than others.

You need to try them and make sure you can fold and unfold them quickly and easily.

Check you can lift them and carry them as far as you are likely to need to.

Check they don't bend and bow in normal use......

 

[Allanm]

Cheers thanks for the info I will have a look at halfords as well. The size won't be to much of a problem as they will go in the garage, I currently take two full size bikes but would like to save some space.

Have a decent test ride on them, some are awful to ride, the small wheels can make them very unstable on anything other than a smooth road. We live at the end of a 1/4 mile rough track, my Brompton ( and the Raleigh) cope easily with it.
Allan

 

[Minxy]

Some nice ones on here:

http://bicycles4u.biz/

 

[nigglynelly]

My partner has one of these bikes and he has been very happy with it. I have a Brompton and I love it but the Matrix has more versatile tyres for rough tracks. It doesn't fold up as small as the Brompton and is a bit heavier but it comes with a rack, lights and mudguards.
I think the Brompton is also more attractive to light fingers folk too which makes me more more precious over it but the up side is it folds in a way you can take it in shops.

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[Daz n Tina]

I assume you're talking about this:

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Yes that's the one

 

[Puddleduck]

Check the folding mechanism and how positive it is. Fold it up and down several times. Check there is a safety mechanism on the folding hinge. 20 inch wheels are on the small size for my liking but they may suit you.

 

[Judge Mental]

No compromise........Equals brompton!

 

[Spanishsteve]

I have a Brompton and bought it via work on the 'Cycle to Work Scheme' albeit I never actually used it to cycle to work. 15miles into Central London, no thank you.
Really good quality kit, paid approx £700, will last for years.
As I paid monthly it made the price easier to swallow than all upfront.