mobamoba

That is definitely an interesting way to go that I hadn't thought of - don't worry about compactness of fold but rather buy something cheap enough that if I'm forced to lock it up outside and it gets stolen (the prime reason I want a compact fold - taking it indoors everywhere) then bummer but not the end of the world. I could, if desired, add an aftermarket battery system to have that option if I wanted in an emergency. Interesting thanks for that thought.

As I'm reading through people's thoughts on this thread, part of me is wondering if the cost of making one bike do too many things is worth it. Honestly if I felt I had the room in my apartment, I'd take my college-age niece's long-unused but perfectly fine full-sized non-folding Schwinn and keep that as an emergency bike then get a cheapo used folding bike plus something like a Xiaomi Scooter as electric and non-electric options for local errands.

Hmm.

cat0020

Upcoming legislation, I hope it passes:

New York’s proposed e-bike rebate could slash electric bike and scooter prices by 50%

https://electrek.co/2022/08/31/new-york-e-bike-rebate/

tds101 

Store closed on the 26th of August. Wonderful person,...he deserves his retirement!

linberl

So I live in the Bay Area so similar bike theft issues. I purchased a Bike Friday pakit customized to my own component specs; it weighs 19lbs and has 8 gears; I electrified it with a friction drive that is no longer available so Swytch would be the obvious choice. I'm old and frail and I can carry it up 3 flights of stairs. I use wax on the chain so it's clean but you can also get a belt drive which eliminates any muss when carrying it. It folds narrower and longer than Brompton but folds just as fast, if not faster; it doesn't roll well but it's so much lighter than a Brompton it doesn't matter. I use a Brompton style velcro frame handle to carry it. It also rides like a full sized bike (except for potholes which can swallow 16" tires so you do have to watch out) and people tour on them. I also bought a cheap used Dahon Mu Uno folder (22 lbs) that I rode if I had to leave the bike outside locked up (some movie theaters, etc.). The BF never ever left my hand. This worked really well for me but if you don't have room for 2 folders it might not work for you.

2_i 

Here is an industry note. Curl is listed on ThorUSA as a retired model, as is Boardwalk!

Schwinnsta

Thanks for sharing.

pinholecam

They should invite him back to this forum, since there is no perceived conflict of interest now.
I miss his inputs (and never found him to be promoting his stuff here )

tds101 

He wasn't promoting anything, and was a pillar of the BF community. He definitely deserves to be asked back into the community, but I think he's a bit busy enjoying life right now.

vaultbrad

To the OP,

I’ve gone back and forth on making cheap bikes work vs buying something straight away that I know I’ll like riding. I’ve done both. Sometimes the cheap bike is exactly what you need/want and sometimes the bike you think will be perfect turns out underwhelming.

It’s tough to predict how you’ll jive with any particular bike.

For your purposes, I’m having a hard time making a recommendation, because I don’t know to what extent you value riding for enjoyment. You note some practical reasons for the bike search, but will you ride also for fun? Does riding the bike for the practical purposes sound fun to you?

If you’re simply getting a bike as a tool to accomplish commutes/errands, and a city escape, then get the Brompton. Super compact fold, and proven to be ridable for loooong distances, with and without luggage.

If you’re looking for a compact bike, that can fold, and is a joy to ride, then get a Bike Friday. I’d have absolutely no trouble riding my Bike Friday in the 60+mi range, and folks regularly ride them further. This is the compact bike that I’d get if ride quality and biking fun are prioritized over compact fold and practicality.

This isn’t to say that the Brompton or other would not also be a joy to ride, but at 6’3” with longish legs, the customizability of my Bike Friday is a selling point.

tcs

Sold worldwide, just not in NA. Dahon even featured a Curl "Mk II" with disc brakes and internal cabling in their virtual showroom.

mobamoba

I don't see myself using this particular bike recreationally. Don't get me wrong; I love recreational biking (my brother and I used to go mountain biking and it was a blast) but NYC with all the traffic and pedestrians and crowded bike lanes... I mean anything can happen, but I just don't see myself using the bike other than as straight-up transportation.

I don't commute as I work from home and part of my mental struggle has been that BF and Brompton almost seem like overkill for essentially errands, seeing friends, and having a way out of the city in a public transit emergency. cat0020 made the point about using a cheap bike and not worrying about theft so much (my prime reason for wanting a super-compact folder) and at this point, I'm contemplating getting two bikes: an old 10-speed Schwinn my brother said he'd give to me and which I could use in an emergency plus something like a Fiido D11 or similar (a Swagtron? a Jetson Pro?) which I've seen for around $600ish and lock it up and hope that between the lock and removing the battery and seat (the D11 has the battery in the seat which is appealing in that regard) a thief will decide it's not worth it.

I'm vacillating at this point between going one high-end/compact/no-thieving (since will never leave my side) bike vs 2 low-end/bulkier/thief-risk-but-cheap bikes.

vaultbrad

Fair. In your shoes, I’d get the Brompton or BYB. And just have the one bike to worry about.

tds101 

Do not get the Fiido D11 off of eBay, as it has no warranty, support, and is most likely the version of the bike that may have a faulty frame. I messaged the seller, and I'd recommend passing on this one. Direct from Fiido is how I'd go.

mobamoba

Thanks. Fiido's website listed a local dealer and I was going to buy from them. I didn't realize the D11 had a frame issue (I'm aware the Fiido X did). Also, not married to the Fiido D11, just an example of the sort of cheaper folding ebike I was contemplating if I go the non-high-end route with this.

Jipe

Brompton is not necessarily high end, there is the A-line which is cheaper than a C-line and much cheaper than a P-line (and T-line) !