Brompton or Dahon?

Skybird · 05-25-16, 05:11 PM

I am considering to get one of these. I know the Brompton, and just have heared of Dahon yesterday, am not even sure I could get it in Germany. Has anyone experience with these bikes, especially the Dahon? Driving comfort, compared to each other?

I know Brompton is expensive, but it is a proven design. Is Dahon really "better", as the video claims?

In Germany, trains and busses accept this without additional fees if you fold it. Else, ordinary bicycles over here cost additional fees on trains and sometimes are even banned, within certain time windows with increased passenger numbers. Due to health problems I cannot do the long distances anymore I once did on bicycle, so I evade on mixed train-bicycle tours now.

Skybird · 05-25-16, 05:17 PM

Or one of these, maybe?

Rockstar · 05-25-16, 07:05 PM

When I lived aboard my sailboat I had a folding bike, not as hightech as the ones you're looking at. I liked it primarily because I could stow it below decks out of the elements.

But riding it wasnt much of a pleasant experience. It took a lot of energy any further than a short trip to the store and it soon became uncomfortable to ride. Of course I'm six foot 3 inch 220 pounds so the bike really wasnt suited for me.

Skybird · 05-25-16, 07:14 PM

The Brompton I know, my parents have two, and I tried them. Its not bad, they themselves even prefer it to their regular bicycles. But a 100km tour I would not want to do with it, too. I want it to get to some other place via train (I have no car) and then beign a bit more mobile there than I would be on feet. 20-30 km rides, not more.

Brompton may be using old connectors, but it surely is a proven design, every detail matches the cause, and it is well-thought out, also the available equipment. Packed up it really is extrenely small, and you can fold and unfold it very fast if you know the drill. They are hilariously expensive, too...

Dahon I never have heard of.

Catfish · 05-26-16, 01:36 AM

Have no folding bike myself, and not much experience apart from the awkward 1970ies folding bikes, but this is a very good forum, Brompton should be in the classic/vintage subforum:
http://www.bikeforums.net/bike-forums/
http://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...ahon-tern.html
(but you can ask for it anywhere, everyone knows them there)
We used Bromptons in the swedish marinas from time to time, since they stow away easily in the yachts, and they are great for short rides. I still think they are too expensive for what they deliver, but they are 'hip' and you pay the brand. You can of course sell them again, at appropriate (high) resale prices.
There are special editions of the 'Brompton' from time to time, with a different colour or outfit, often less expensive.

Also this: Which is the best folding bike?
https://www.theguardian.com/technolo...da-dahon-birdy

If you know a bit about repairing bicycles you can buy it via the internet (probably using the Amazon link at Subsim

)

05-25-16, 05:11 PM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,635 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Brompton or Dahon? I am considering to get one of these. I know the Brompton, and just have heared of Dahon yesterday, am not even sure I could get it in Germany. Has anyone experience with these bikes, especially the Dahon? Driving comfort, compared to each other? I know Brompton is expensive, but it is a proven design. Is Dahon really "better", as the video claims? In Germany, trains and busses accept this without additional fees if you fold it. Else, ordinary bicycles over here cost additional fees on trains and sometimes are even banned, within certain time windows with increased passenger numbers. Due to health problems I cannot do the long distances anymore I once did on bicycle, so I evade on mixed train-bicycle tours now. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

05-25-16, 05:17 PM	#2
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,635 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Or one of these, maybe? __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

05-25-16, 07:14 PM	#4
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,635 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	The Brompton I know, my parents have two, and I tried them. Its not bad, they themselves even prefer it to their regular bicycles. But a 100km tour I would not want to do with it, too. I want it to get to some other place via train (I have no car) and then beign a bit more mobile there than I would be on feet. 20-30 km rides, not more. Brompton may be using old connectors, but it surely is a proven design, every detail matches the cause, and it is well-thought out, also the available equipment. Packed up it really is extrenely small, and you can fold and unfold it very fast if you know the drill. They are hilariously expensive, too... Dahon I never have heard of. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

05-26-16, 01:36 AM	#5
Catfish Dipped Squirrel Operative Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..where the ocean meets the sky Posts: 17,767 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	Have no folding bike myself, and not much experience apart from the awkward 1970ies folding bikes, but this is a very good forum, Brompton should be in the classic/vintage subforum: http://www.bikeforums.net/bike-forums/ http://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...ahon-tern.html (but you can ask for it anywhere, everyone knows them there) We used Bromptons in the swedish marinas from time to time, since they stow away easily in the yachts, and they are great for short rides. I still think they are too expensive for what they deliver, but they are 'hip' and you pay the brand. You can of course sell them again, at appropriate (high) resale prices. There are special editions of the 'Brompton' from time to time, with a different colour or outfit, often less expensive. Also this: Which is the best folding bike? https://www.theguardian.com/technolo...da-dahon-birdy If you know a bit about repairing bicycles you can buy it via the internet (probably using the Amazon link at Subsim ) __________________ >^..^<)))>{ All generalizations are wrong. Last edited by Catfish; 05-26-16 at 05:13 AM.*

05-25-16, 07:05 PM	#3
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	When I lived aboard my sailboat I had a folding bike, not as hightech as the ones you're looking at. I liked it primarily because I could stow it below decks out of the elements. But riding it wasnt much of a pleasant experience. It took a lot of energy any further than a short trip to the store and it soon became uncomfortable to ride. Of course I'm six foot 3 inch 220 pounds so the bike really wasnt suited for me.