Folding Bike Argos - Waste of Money?

TanG411

I was looking to get a fold-up bike, knowing I would be paying about €600 or so, until I came across this bike in Argos.

I'll be using the bike for college Monday to Friday, and would be travelling about one mile a day, so I doubt that would be considered heavy use.

I am interested in the bike, but have very little knowledge about bikes, and wanted to know would it be worth getting the one in Argos?

Any thoughts appreciated.

mgmt

http://reviews.argos.co.uk/1493-en_gb/3321360/reviews.htm

TanG411

mgmt wrote: »

http://reviews.argos.co.uk/1493-en_gb/3321360/reviews.htm

Never knew the UK site did reviews, thanks.

Raam

According to the reviews the bike is both very light and very heavy, incredibly difficult to assemble yet a sinch to put together. It goes well in a caravan or a train. Saddle is both great and awful. Easy to setup and fold or really difficult to fold depending on who you believe.

TanG411

Just noticed those polar reviews as well. I'm starting to guess what part of Britain the reviews are coming from.
Seems the closer to Scotland, the stronger the people are.

dayshah

Tombiman wrote: »

I was looking to get a fold-up bike, knowing I would be paying about €600 or so, until I came across this bike in Argos.

I'll be using the bike for college Monday to Friday, and would be travelling about one mile a day, so I doubt that would be considered heavy use.

I am interested in the bike, but have very little knowledge about bikes, and wanted to know would it be worth getting the one in Argos?

Any thoughts appreciated.

As a general rule I'd avoid a folding bike, but if you only will use it for 1 mile its probably fine. Why do you want a folding bike? No place to keep a normal bike at home?

TanG411

dayshah wrote: »

As a general rule I'd avoid a folding bike, but if you only will use it for 1 mile its probably fine. Why do you want a folding bike? No place to keep a normal bike at home?

No, I would be getting the bus home, so the bike is handy to bring on.
I just need the bike because I am never on time for most of my lectures due to them being a fair distance out. I'd only be about 5 minutes late, but the bike would just help me to get there faster.

That and exercise. Always have to mention exercise.

flower tattoo

I'm a sucker for Argos reviews, I bought a hairdryer there today and came home and read the reviews after. I even reviewed plates last week

tomasrojo

You could get a basic 3-speed Brompton with front luggage mount for about €800 in Cycleways. That will last for years and have a good re-sale value too.

I can't find a review of that Argos bike at foldsoc.co.uk, which is generally a good site for folder reviews.

This might help you decide what you're looking for:
http://foldsoc.co.uk/buyguide.html

A bad folder is a terrible thing. Can be very hard to steer, very hard to fold and very hard to carry.

This is not a good sign (from one of the Argos reviews):

But it fits in a normal size boot (just about)

You might very quickly tire of carrying a folder of that size and weight. Actually, I don't know the weight because I can't find it in the specifications. Not a good sign. Quite a few complaints about the weight, so I presume it's at least 12 or 13kg.

However, you'd probably end up carrying a Brompton around with you all day. You'd be safer locking up this cheaper folder outside than a Brompton.

tomasrojo

The Mobiky is cheaper than a Brompton.

It has tiny wheels, but this review says it's ok for short distances.

http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/mobiky.html