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| *Vultures Knob>>>Bike Pedals |
Is there a difference riding a folding bicycle vs.normal one? |
I'm really thinking about the small wheel size. Does this mean it goes slower, or doesn't travel as far as a larger bike for the same amount of pedalling? Are there any other problems, like less stability. I like the storage factor of a foldup but don't want to end up either exhausted or veering off the towpath into the canal! Dealing with your points in order: * Small-wheeled bikes can go just as fast as larger-wheeled ones. Look how big the front chainring is on them next time you look at one. The gearing compensates for wheel size. * Smaller wheels are inherently less stable than larger ones, as the gyroscopic effect is smaller. However, a well-designed bike will have this factor taken care of. * I have a Birdy folder and just went for a week's tour in Austria. I easily kept up with my mates on "normal" machines. * If size is your main factor, go for a Brompton. It won't ride as well as a Birdy, but it is THE folder for compactness. * Don't buy a cheapo folder. It will be heavy and have a poor folding mechanism. I'm afraid you won't get much decent for less than 400 Quid. Look at bikes by Brompton, Birdy by Riese und Muller and Dahon's very extensive range. * You quickly get used to the different feel of smaller wheels and learn to appreciate the acceleration benefits of smaller wheels. * Enjoy whatever you get :-)Most folding bikes (with the exception of full-sized folding/take apart bikes) have smaller & wider wheels/tires which are not as efficient as the wheels/tires on a standard road bike. However, folding bikes are great for riding around town and shorter distances. You can do long distances but your pace will be a little slower than what you could do on a racing bike. The bikes are stable and you should not have a handling problem. Since towbaths and canals are flat, I don't see how you could become exhausted.... I work for London Underground, and so see a lot of folding bikes every day - they're the only type allowed on the trains during peak hours. Before that my only experience of a folding bike was when we used to play football in our school field, and the caretaker used to chase us off the property, and one time his bike folded up on him. Mwahaha. Anyway I asked one of my customers the other day how the bikes ride, and he said they're great, you can ride miles on them comfortably. They're light, have good gemoetry (with an upright seating position), and the gears are biased toward the smaller wheel size - his was single speed on the front and 6 on the back, and as he told me, you could ride on any road, up any gradient you're likely to come across, with ease. So, I' say go for one if you need to store it well. You can also get offroad, 26" wheel, folders, but I'm still not sure I'd trust it. Especially after that caretaker. I would find it rather difficult to ride a bicycle as it was folding.. Good luck! only if you don't unfold it first |
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