Is It a Plot to Takeover the Folding Bikes Forum???
#26
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I have two folding bikes, a KHS F20-A and a Brompton M6L. I write more about the Brompton because 1) more people post questions about Bromptons than they do KHS folding bikes, and 2) the Brompton is by far the better of the two folders. Consequently it is a bigger part of my life (no pun intended).
My KHS F20-A has been a great little folder, but it's notably larger size when folded limits where it can go...it's basically my "beater" of a folding bike. I honestly love that little bike, but, well, it's no Brompton.
My KHS F20-A has been a great little folder, but it's notably larger size when folded limits where it can go...it's basically my "beater" of a folding bike. I honestly love that little bike, but, well, it's no Brompton.
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Yes, we have already had that one, think it was from a Brompton owner too boot (how can i carry another one (spare) on the carrier) !
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What's with all the Brompton posts lately? Are we being taken over by someone's marketing efforts.
How else can we explain a discussion being started asking us to suggest ways to hang a Brompton on the wall in the living room? It was my impression this Forum was about 'riding' your folder rather than 'folders as art'.
Is someone trying to position Brompton as the 'Swiss Army Knife' of modern life? Am I missing something here?
Lou
How else can we explain a discussion being started asking us to suggest ways to hang a Brompton on the wall in the living room? It was my impression this Forum was about 'riding' your folder rather than 'folders as art'.
Is someone trying to position Brompton as the 'Swiss Army Knife' of modern life? Am I missing something here?
Lou
Just thought I post it to give credit to them, marketing wise, where it's due.
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The posts in this site seem to make people believe that folding bikes are synonymous with Brompton, Dahon, tern, etc., and further down the line, such as Birdy, Bike Friday,....., and there are numerous others which fold and ride better than those big names. I like my cheap aluminum bike, GOAL GT1, weighs 10Kg, paid $85 brand new. This is a high quality product made in Taiwan (I have no relationship with the manufacturer). The link below is their new model, GT2. https://goods.ruten.com.tw/item/show?21205104437065
Last edited by violini; 05-16-12 at 07:45 PM.
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What do you mean by "further down the line?" They're all pretty big names. How do you know that others ride better? Have you tried them all?
I've never heard of GOAL GT1 folding bike, but if you love it, that's great. What do you use it for? I was looking for a touring bike that I can travel with, that's why I went for something more suitable for my needs.
Utimately the best bike is the one that gets you riding, no matter what brand.
I've never heard of GOAL GT1 folding bike, but if you love it, that's great. What do you use it for? I was looking for a touring bike that I can travel with, that's why I went for something more suitable for my needs.
Utimately the best bike is the one that gets you riding, no matter what brand.
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The posts in this site seem to make people believe that folding bikes are synonymous with Brompton, Dahon, tern, etc., and further down the line, such as Birdy, Bike Friday,....., and there are numerous others which fold and ride better than those big names. I like my cheap aluminum bike, GOAL GT1, paid $85 brand new.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
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#35
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I started out with a Downtube and bought a Brompton this year. If not for this forum, I would never have known about either one of them.
#36
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+1
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That part is true. Most other folding bikes could not withstand very heavy interest or use like the more carefully made hand made & built market. They would simply fall apart or sit somewhere dark gathering dust since they always need to be repaired.
Last edited by folder fanatic; 05-16-12 at 09:29 PM.
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It's not uncommon in the Uk to find on ebay an advert with two such cheapo bikes up for auction, bought in the heat of a husband / wife moment, ridden once, and then forever consigned to the back of the garage awaiting the next clear out. I think this says a lot about the appeal of "cheap" bikes.
I think this forum could do a major service to the folding bike world by holding back on Brompton. Dahon, BF, Birdy, etc and focusing once in a while on the lower order of bikes that are commonly available, some of them must represent good value for money, albeit with some upgrading. I think Citizen is the only more affordable range that gets reguarly discussed on here, is that because its the only one worth considering ?
Oh yes, and the take over thing, its cyclic, Brompton is on top at the moment, but before that it was BF, or Downtube, or Dahon, every dog gets it's day in the limelight on here.
Last edited by Diode100; 05-17-12 at 02:08 AM.
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Is it actually possible to manufacture a high quality bike and sell it, at a profit, for $85 ? I somehow doubt it.
It's not uncommon in the Uk to find on ebay an advert with two such cheapo bikes up for auction, bought in the heat of a husband / wife moment, ridden once, and then forever consigned to the back of the garage awaiting the next clear out. I think this says a lot about the appeal of "cheap" bikes.
I think this forum could do a major service to the folding bike world by holding back on Brompton. Dahon, BF, Birdy, etc and focusing once in a while on the lower order of bikes that are commonly available, some of them must represent good value for money, albeit with some upgrading. I think Citizen is the only more affordable range that gets reguarly discussed on here, is that because its the only one worth considering ?
Oh yes, and the take over thing, its cyclic, Brompton is on top at the moment, but before that it was BF, or Downtube, or Dahon, every dog gets it's day in the limelight on here.
It's not uncommon in the Uk to find on ebay an advert with two such cheapo bikes up for auction, bought in the heat of a husband / wife moment, ridden once, and then forever consigned to the back of the garage awaiting the next clear out. I think this says a lot about the appeal of "cheap" bikes.
I think this forum could do a major service to the folding bike world by holding back on Brompton. Dahon, BF, Birdy, etc and focusing once in a while on the lower order of bikes that are commonly available, some of them must represent good value for money, albeit with some upgrading. I think Citizen is the only more affordable range that gets reguarly discussed on here, is that because its the only one worth considering ?
Oh yes, and the take over thing, its cyclic, Brompton is on top at the moment, but before that it was BF, or Downtube, or Dahon, every dog gets it's day in the limelight on here.
To me a bicycle is a tool I am not going to buy a hammer when I need a screw driver, just because the hammer happens to be cheaper...
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#40
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If we promoted the equivalent of folding BSO's how would that be a service? Brompton is on top for a reason. I have no issue with Dahon, Tern, Downtube or Citizen other than the fact they don't make anything that will do me any good. Upgrading a cheaper bike is a slippery slope, you can easily spend the cost of a gently used premium bike upgrading a less expensive bike, and you haven't gained much if anything.
To me a bicycle is a tool I am not going to buy a hammer when I need a screw driver, just because the hammer happens to be cheaper...
Aaron
To me a bicycle is a tool I am not going to buy a hammer when I need a screw driver, just because the hammer happens to be cheaper...
Aaron
+1
#42
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Just because you don't personally want a hammer doesn't mean that there isn't a substantial market for them. Is it beyond the realm of imagination that there are people who quite like the idea of having a bike to throw in the back of the car for a ride once in a while, or for a pootle down to the shops, but who baulk at the cost of "premium bikes" ? There was a time when Downtube was considered a low priced option with good potential for upgrading if the need was there, so where is todays Downtube, where is today's ubiquitous U-frame folder ?
#43
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Bicycle Shaped Object typically used to denote very cheap assemblies that look like a bicycle, but are all but useless. Think Walmart...
Aaron
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#44
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Just because you don't personally want a hammer doesn't mean that there isn't a substantial market for them. Is it beyond the realm of imagination that there are people who quite like the idea of having a bike to throw in the back of the car for a ride once in a while, or for a pootle down to the shops, but who baulk at the cost of "premium bikes" ? There was a time when Downtube was considered a low priced option with good potential for upgrading if the need was there, so where is todays Downtube, where is today's ubiquitous U-frame folder ?
Downtube is still around, the U-tube folders went away for a reason, they were bulky, heavy and not particularly durable, they are still being made, just don't see them as often. I happen to have a couple of for the occasional Sunday afternoon cruise about town. I have mine because they are an oddity, not because they are great bikes. I rode my Dahon about 12 miles this past weekend around old town Savannah. If I had been planning a longer harder ride, I would not have used that bike, it can't handle it.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Last edited by wahoonc; 05-17-12 at 06:08 AM.
#45
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Back in the 70 and 80's when people talked about computers, it was always IBM and we paid a fortune for the machine. Where is IBM today? The name is still around but no longer making personal computers. Nowadays one could go to Walmart to buy a cheapo and has immense more power than those old IBM machine. Same goes for the folding bikes. With advancement in manufacturing and materials, better and more affordable folding bikes will be available.
#46
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I learned my lesson already in the photography world with tripods...just because it's cheap(er), doesn't mean it's good. Spend the money once on a good quality product and be done with it. Going the cheap route will make you end up paying more in the end anyway because if you're serious about photography, you will end up buying the better tripod and also have bought all the cheaper versions (that broke/vibrated too much) along the way in your lesson.
For my Brompton situation, I had never heard of it...I was just drawn to a small folded thing I saw in a website picture of a LBS store. It looked like a bike and I had to find out what it was. I researched, found out it was a Brompton, then read all the info I could on it and the other competition. In the end settled on a Brompton b/c it was a handmade piece of machinery (hard to find those these days unless you spend your life savings on an exotic hand built car) and I couldn't get over the design.
For my Brompton situation, I had never heard of it...I was just drawn to a small folded thing I saw in a website picture of a LBS store. It looked like a bike and I had to find out what it was. I researched, found out it was a Brompton, then read all the info I could on it and the other competition. In the end settled on a Brompton b/c it was a handmade piece of machinery (hard to find those these days unless you spend your life savings on an exotic hand built car) and I couldn't get over the design.
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#48
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However trying to even remotely compare an $85 folding bike with a $1600 Brompton is insane. The only similarity is that they are both bicycles. I do a lot of research before I put down my hard earned money for ANYTHING. I don't do impulse buying, if I want something I want what is going to the best job for what I have planned for it. I don't necessarily buy the most expensive just because it is the most expensive. I buy the best, quite often it will be the most expensive in initial price, but the pay off comes down the road when I don't have to replace it because it wore out too soon, or something breaks and I cannot buy replacement parts.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Last edited by wahoonc; 05-17-12 at 08:27 PM.