Commuting in London with a Folding Bicycle
For the typical city occupant folding bikes would be the optimal way to travel. With lots of Londoners residing in flats and apartments with minimal space for storage a foldable cycle is actually much more convenient when compared to a regular sized bike. The bikes fold up rapidly and are small enough to be stowed away in the home or taken on trains and buses during the times that regular bicycles are banned on account of overcrowding.
Folding bikes may be taken on the tube system, taken on buses and even taken on London Transport’s Tramlink system. Officially the bikes may need to be in a lightweight bag but in practice Transport for London rarely implement this and if they do then a pair of black binliners will suffice. A folding bike enables anyone to bypass the train companies’ cycle rules and you can even take your folding bike home in a taxi cab on a Friday night after a drink in the pub!
There are plenty of different kinds of folders available, from top brands including Halfords, Dahon, Brompton, Pashley and Raleigh. Each design has its own benefits and drawbacks, so remember to check out the details on each of the models within your price range. Many manufacturer’s websites have specification comparison charts to help you see immediately the information that interests you.
Folding bikes offer different types of models, each with their own features. Gears, brakes and wheels differ according to the design of bike you select. MTBs and racers are also available as folding bikes. These are ideal if you have only a little space but wish to take up biking as a new sport in the greenery that surrounds London or in one of the Royal Parks where cycling is allowed such as Regent’s Park or Richmond Park.
The weight of the bike may also be a primary factor for anyone going on the London Tube or buses. If you need to lift your bike on and off public transport, a lighter bike can make it a lot easier. You’ll find the weight of the bike detailed in the manufacturer’s specifications.
Because you can’t fold wheels up you’ll find all folding bikes have small diameter wheels.. Some companies have added a suspension system to their folding cycles to counteract the rough ride that smaller wheels give. So it might be worth paying a bit more for a bike with suspension to provide you with additional comfort if you are worried about a back injury being irritated by the potholes of the London streets. Costs of folding bicycles vary, so considering the amount you want to spend is usually a good starting point. Although most cyclists who use folding bikes will realise that the cash they save on car or transport expenses far outweighs their original outlay on their folder. Folding bikes are just like regular bikes; the more you pay the higher quality of bike you’ll get. That is not to say you will not find a bike want within budget, you can find a lot of inexpensive folding bikes available. If you're looking for good buy, check out the prices for last year’s models or search for discounts on seconf hand online websites like Folding Bicycles For Sale. There are so many to choose from so there will be a folding bike available for you to have fun with in London.