Bike for 3 or 4 long haul flights per month
Barry7879
Posts: 62 Member
Hi guys,
Started running in March but cycling has taken over as primary cardio as my knees started hurting and every runner I met at work has had double knee surgery.
I've got a Scott Ltd Road bike with Shimano 105 setup and I'm enjoying a lot.
I'm a long-haul pilot so down route I've been running or using the gym but since I discovered this whole folding bike craze that's going on in London, I've been thinking about dragging a folder around with me on trips. It would be a great way to see more of our route network while getting a workout.
I think I've narrowed it down to 4 and be grateful for any thoughts you may have:-
Brompton - Ideal for our city destinations but maybe not the best for longer rides - would probably upgrade to some kind of 8 to 11 speed hub to get a bit more performance out of it.
Tern Verge X20 - 9.3kg road bike folder kitted out with SRAM Red - $3000 though. The X30 is Shimano Ultegra at $2000. Looks really sweet but made in Taiwan (son of Dahon) and I've heard bad things about the hing joint on Dahon's needing a lot of service.
Moulton TSR30 - Rode one of these last week - rides beautiful - felt like my road bike but more comfortable. Not a folder though but undoubtedly great on longer rides. Would need all the usual hassle of locking it up outside shops and restaurants and carrying bike locks around though..
Birdy Speed or Rohloff - $2500 to $4500. Seems to be a half way point between Moulton and Brompton. Better performance than Brompton but more portable than a Moulton. I'm leaning toward this one at the moment. The Rohloff Speedhub seems crazy money but sounds from reviews like it will last as long as the bike.
One of my mates thinks I should just get a decent bike box and lug my Scott about - I guess that won't be much more work than a Moulton - and I won't get hit with any baggage charges when I'm part of the crew I guess.
Bike needs to fit into a suitcase to go in the hold. My primary desire is that it should be an enjoyable ride to enjoy my workouts but it would be great to be able to put it on a train / bus in Tokyo or LA to get away from the cities for a day or 2 on work trips.
Many thanks for any thoughts or experiences you might have.
Baz
Started running in March but cycling has taken over as primary cardio as my knees started hurting and every runner I met at work has had double knee surgery.
I've got a Scott Ltd Road bike with Shimano 105 setup and I'm enjoying a lot.
I'm a long-haul pilot so down route I've been running or using the gym but since I discovered this whole folding bike craze that's going on in London, I've been thinking about dragging a folder around with me on trips. It would be a great way to see more of our route network while getting a workout.
I think I've narrowed it down to 4 and be grateful for any thoughts you may have:-
Brompton - Ideal for our city destinations but maybe not the best for longer rides - would probably upgrade to some kind of 8 to 11 speed hub to get a bit more performance out of it.
Tern Verge X20 - 9.3kg road bike folder kitted out with SRAM Red - $3000 though. The X30 is Shimano Ultegra at $2000. Looks really sweet but made in Taiwan (son of Dahon) and I've heard bad things about the hing joint on Dahon's needing a lot of service.
Moulton TSR30 - Rode one of these last week - rides beautiful - felt like my road bike but more comfortable. Not a folder though but undoubtedly great on longer rides. Would need all the usual hassle of locking it up outside shops and restaurants and carrying bike locks around though..
Birdy Speed or Rohloff - $2500 to $4500. Seems to be a half way point between Moulton and Brompton. Better performance than Brompton but more portable than a Moulton. I'm leaning toward this one at the moment. The Rohloff Speedhub seems crazy money but sounds from reviews like it will last as long as the bike.
One of my mates thinks I should just get a decent bike box and lug my Scott about - I guess that won't be much more work than a Moulton - and I won't get hit with any baggage charges when I'm part of the crew I guess.
Bike needs to fit into a suitcase to go in the hold. My primary desire is that it should be an enjoyable ride to enjoy my workouts but it would be great to be able to put it on a train / bus in Tokyo or LA to get away from the cities for a day or 2 on work trips.
Many thanks for any thoughts or experiences you might have.
Baz
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Replies
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If your not going to get hit by baggage charges, then go with your own bike in a bike case, otherwise I'd look at:
Dahon X27h
The Tern X30h
Expensive, but good quality machines. Please bear in mind that they won't be anywhere near as 'stiff' as your road bike!0 -
Why not hire a bike? It must work out cheaper than freight charges.0
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I'd be getting something like the Ritchey Breakaway frame, and building it up with the bits from the Scott..
Proper - Full size roadbike that is as capable as your current one, but frame separates and fits into a suitcase...
http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=4723990 -
I have traveled with my 2012 Kona Sutra, in a Serfas Iron Case. Works fine. Takes about 45 minutes to assemble / disassemble once you are used to the case, and putting everything in it.
My bike is more of a touring bike, so it may not be a good fit for you.
I can tell you though, that traveling with the bike is great. I have great memories of my rides in the various areas that I have traveled. Well worth doing.0 -
I had a friend who regularly traveled with a Birdy. It was great bike to ride and he found a large hard case suitcase to pack it in. It seemed like it was one of the best at folding up easily in comparison to some of the other brands. I'd love to get one, but have to get rid of one bike to add another to my herd.0
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Many thanks for your thoughts guys0
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there's a pilot in our cycling club who takes a ritchey breakaway frame everywhere with him! I tried it, it's damn stiff (almost too stiff) but quick and light.
the moulton is a fantastic bike (I had one) but PITA to re-assemble
the brompton isn't a great ride if you're anything more than skinny
I have a yellow dahon speed, it's great for a folding bike, but not as good as a ritchey
I'd go ritchey, but get the cross frame so if my exploring took me on trails instead of roads, I could carry on rather than turn back!0
