[Leica] OT!!! Folding Bikes

[mark at whitedogs.co.uk (Mark Pope)]

I'm 5'11 and I don't have a problem on a Brompton, though for me the 
standard seat post is OK - Just.
The small wheels take a bit of getting used to - it's very nippy, but 
overall, it's a comfortable ride.  If you're after a folder that folds 
down to a compact size, then there will inevitably be compromises.

Another alternative for a more traditional type of machine is the 
Airnimal - http://www.airnimal.eu/News/Home.php

I briefly rode with someone on the 2004 Etape du tour who was on an 
Airnimal.  He was full of praise for it.



Mark



Mark Pope,
Swindon, Wilts
UK

Homepage               http://www.monomagic.co.uk
Blog                   http://www.monomagic.co.uk/blog
Picture a week (2009)  http://www.monomagic.co.uk/index.php?gallery=paw/2009
                (2008) 
http://www.monomagic.co.uk/index.php?gallery=paw/2008


George Lottermoser wrote:
> Thanks Mark,
> I also can't help wondering if the wheelbase gets a tad short and the 
> center of gravity a bit high
> with this solution
> 
> Regards,
> George Lottermoser
> george at imagist.com
> http://www.imagist.com
> http://www.imagist.com/blog
> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist
> 
> On Jul 13, 2009, at 10:42 AM, Mark Pope wrote:
> 
>> George,
>>
>> the Brompton may fit the bill.  It's possible to get an extended seat 
>> post to accommodate taller riders.
>>
>> Regards
>>
>>
>> Mark
>>
>>
>>
>> Mark Pope,
>> Swindon, Wilts
>> UK
>>
>> Homepage               http://www.monomagic.co.uk
>> Blog                   http://www.monomagic.co.uk/blog
>> Picture a week (2009)  
>> http://www.monomagic.co.uk/index.php?gallery=paw/2009
>>                (2008) 
>> http://www.monomagic.co.uk/index.php?gallery=paw/2008
>>
>>
>> George Lottermoser wrote:
>>> In your research, Erik, did you find many reports from
>>> 6' 2" riders who wear a 36" inseam slacks?
>>> I'm truly interested in finding comfort in a folding bike
>>> yet none around my area to to "try on"
>>> Potentially an expensive mistake for a tall, long legged rider?
>>> Regards,
>>> George Lottermoser
>>> george at imagist.com
>>> http://www.imagist.com
>>> http://www.imagist.com/blog
>>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist
>>> On Jul 13, 2009, at 3:21 AM, Erik van der Meulen wrote:
>>>> Ha, finally one I feel qualified to answer, after all this time
>>>> lurking and asking the occasional dub question...
>>>>
>>>> I have quite thoroughly researched this issue before settling for a
>>>> British Brompton. Would buy it again instantly if I even need another!
>>>>
>>>> It serves me well in heavy Amsterdam street traffic, folds away nicely
>>>> in a corner of the bar when drinking beer (never leave it outside in
>>>> Amsterdam) or along with my coat at the opera house.
>>>>
>>>> It also is a brilliant companion on my holidays, using it for 40 km+
>>>> day trips (even off road, I have the 6 speed one) when I am traveling
>>>> with my motor home. In fact, I am taking it along to Croatia right
>>>> now.
>>>>
>>>> The thing to look for is the comfort in riding the thing. There are
>>>> others that are lighter, fold more nifty into your shirt pocket and
>>>> are cheaper, but you want to be comfortable on longer rides. That
>>>> according to me the Brompton does best.
>>>>
>>>> And hey - to keep it at least slightly on topic - it comes with a
>>>> genuine screw mount too!
>>>>
>>>> Good luck,
>>>>
>>>> Erik
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 13/07/2009, photo.forrest at earthlink.net 
>>>> <photo.forrest at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>>> Moultons are still decent bikes but for the best folding bike with 
>>>>> the best
>>>>> components for the money, you'd be better served by a Bike Friday 
>>>>> model.
>>>>> They fold up amazingly small & a few people here in Philly sling 
>>>>> them under
>>>>> their arm on a strap then bring them into the office instead of 
>>>>> locking a
>>>>> bike up out on the street.
>>>>> Phil Forrest
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>
>>>>> From:  Jefffery Smith <jsmith342 at gmail.com>
>>>>> Subj:  [Leica] OT!!! Folding Bikes
>>>>> Date:  Sun Jul 12, 2009 21:13
>>>>> Size:  589 bytes
>>>>> To:  Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org>
>>>>>
>>>>> This is the most European group of friends I have, so I have to assume
>>>>> that someone (more than one) owns a folding bicycle. I would like to
>>>>> have one in my trunk (oops, that's what we call the storage space on
>>>>> the back of the auto) at all times. Do I go with a cheap Citizen, or
>>>>> that more expensive British model that looks absolutely fab? Or that
>>>>> triangular Japanese model that I can fold up in 7 seconds?
>>>>>
>>>>> Jeffery
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>>>>
>>>>> --- message truncated ---
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -- 
>>>>   Erik van der Meulen
>>>>   <erik at avondel.com>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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> 
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