Folding bike advice!
I am a student bus driver at my university. On all my routes, they do not end where they start. I need a form of personal transportation I can take with me on the bus so I can leave as soon as my shift is over. I am looking at folding bikes because I enjoy cycling daily. I ride about 25-30 miles a week. This is in commute to my school. I am looking at bromptons however I don’t like the cost, but if that is a top quality item that won’t give me any trouble with folding then what choice do I have. Our busses have a wheel well area to put out stuff, so ideally it fits right there. Any insight is appreciated, I am seeing if y’all think the brompton would be right for me? It will be folded a minimum of 4 times a week, but upwards of 10.
by MacaronNo336
4 Comments
They are good bikes. So I am sure it will do the job. I am sure you can also use another kind of foldable for what you want to do. I have never used another foldable bike (like most people here). So I cannot say what exactly Brompton does better or worse. I can just say, it does most things well.
You say the thing that holds you back to buy one is price. You also have to take into consideration resale price. In the EU a well maintained 10 year old Bromton easily sells for EUR 1k. Brompton only changes minor details of their design over time. So having a newer one does not profoundly change your experience. I bought mine used. If I compare to what they are traded for 2-3 years later it did not loose much value.
I think the Brompton would serve you well, and would fit in the circled space.. but you might choose to lay the folded bike on it’s side, so that it can’t topple over while the bus is in motion. Alternatively, strap it to something to keep it upright
Also, Bromptons are very desirable, so chain it to that rail in the picture, to stop one of your passengers *accidentally* smuggling it past your eagle eye as he gets off the bus.
Do you mean to lay the bike on top of the wheel well?
I think there’s a Curbside Cycle video with a shot of a Brompton parked there.