Review of Brompton M3L folding bicycle

GH Institute

Folding bicycles

GH Brompton M3L folding bike open and folded

This review is now out of date.

Please see:

10 reasons to try cycling
Cycling advice for beginners
The UK's best cycle routes

Features

Folded dimensions: H 56.5 x W 27 x L 54.5cm. Weight: 11.5kg; 3 speed hub gears; 16" wheels; steel frame; adjustable seat; angle adjustable handlebars; towing wheels; one folding pedal; lazy fold keeps it upright when not folded; front and rear reflectors; bell. Colour: wide choice.

Comments

Differs from the others in that the frame doesn't lock open but your weight keeps it unfolded. This makes it hard to manoeuvre the bike when lifting it up kerbs. Has clamps which screw the folding parts together - these are a little time consuming to do up. There is a good section of frame to hold when folded and it locks together securely. Compact when folded.

Tester comments: Quick to master folding mechanism and folds very compact. Easy to carry when folded. Comfortable to ride and would definitely consider buying this bike.

Rating: 80/100

Price: £500

Stockist: 020 8232 8484 - http://www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk

GHI Test Report - June 2007

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Review of Saracen Compact 1 folding bicycle

This review is now out of date.

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10 reasons to try cycling
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Features

Folded dimensions: H 65 x W 28 x L 76cm. Weight: 13kg; 3 speed hub gears; 20" wheels; aluminium frame; adjustable seat; height adjustable handlebars; rear luggage carrier; full chain guard; folding pedals; kickstand; front and rear reflectors; bell. Colour: black.

Comments

Very easy to fold and unfold. Generally a comfortable ride but quite forward. It is hard to find room to grip the bike when carrying it folded. Doesn't lock together when folded but doesn't come apart when carrying it. Gears are easy to change. Heavy at one end when carrying.

Tester comments: Seat comfortable to start off with then sore with longer use. Tight turning circle, too responsive at times. Lowest gear not great for long inclines and highest gear too fast for long straights.

Rating: 71/100

Price: £350

Stockist: 01926 437700 - http://www.saracencycles.com

GHI Test Report - June 2007
Review of Raleigh Boardwalk Lite folding bicycle

This review is now out of date.

Please see:

10 reasons to try cycling
Cycling advice for beginners
The UK's best cycle routes
Features
Folded dimensions: H 56 x W 28 x L 81cm. Weight: 11.7kg; 6 speed derailleur gears; 20" wheels; aluminium frame; adjustable seat; set handlebar height and angle; rear luggage carrier; one folding pedal; kickstand; front and rear reflectors; bell. Colour: silver.
Comments
Folds easily enough but the mechanism doesn't lock together when folded. It is hard to find a good place to hold when carrying. The seat is rather angular and brakes are set quite low on the handlebars which makes them hard to reach with small hands as the angle of the handlebars is set.
Tester comments: Responds just as well as a normal bike. The folding technique is easy to master but it is heavy and bulky so best for just one lift into car boot or onto train. I would definitely consider buying this bike.

Rating: 72/100

Price: £329.99

Stockist: http://www.Raleigh.co.uk

GHI Test Report - June 2007
Review of Saracen Compact 2 folding bicycle

This review is now out of date.

Please see:

10 reasons to try cycling
Cycling advice for beginners
The UK's best cycle routes
Features
Folded dimensions: H 65 x W 28 x L 54.5cm. Weight: 13kg; 7 speed hub gears; 20" wheels; aluminium frame; adjustable seat; height adjustable handlebars; rear luggage carrier; folding pedals; kickstand; front and rear reflectors; bell. Colour: silver.

Comments
The mechanism is easy to fold and unfold but the main latch which holds the frame together is quite stiff to open and close. Good choice of gears makes tackling hills a breeze. Slightly tipped forward position when riding but otherwise quite comfortable. Slightly unbalanced when carrying.
Tester comments: very comfortable to ride and provides a good upright position for riding through traffic. Brakes and gears are responsive and folding mechanism is really easy to master. It is heavy though and doesn't fold compactly enough for a hassle free train journey

Rating: 74/100

Price: £450

Stockist: 01926 437700 - http://www.saracencycles.com

GHI Test Report - June 2007
Review of Mezzo D9 folding bicycle

This review is now out of date.

Please see:

10 reasons to try cycling
Cycling advice for beginners
The UK's best cycle routes
Features
Folded dimensions: H 63 x W 31 x L 69cm.Weight: 11kg; 9 speed derailleur gears; 16" wheels; aluminium frame; adjustable seat; fully adjustable handlebars; rear luggage carrier; towing wheels; folding pedals; lazy fold keeps it upright when not folded; front and rear reflectors; bell. Colour: black , blue, gold, silver and pink.
Comments
The folding mechanism takes practice as there is no hinge in the frame, the wheels tuck under and to the side. It locks very securely into place when folded and unfolded. The seat post has guidelines on it so you can find your perfect height again after the bike has been folded. Smaller towing wheels are useful allowing the bike to be pushed or pulled.
Tester comments: Quite bulky when folded with lots of folding and unfolding stages to learn. Height adjustable handle bars are a great feature. Lack of numbers on gears. Unbalanced to carry. Price would be a deterrent.

Rating: 76/100

Price: £645

Stockist: 01424 753566 - http://www.mezzobikes.com

GHI Test Report - June 2007
Review of Brompton M3L folding bicycle

This review is now out of date.

Please see:

10 reasons to try cycling
Cycling advice for beginners
The UK's best cycle routes
Features
Folded dimensions: H 56.5 x W 27 x L 54.5cm. Weight: 11.5kg; 3 speed hub gears; 16" wheels; steel frame; adjustable seat; angle adjustable handlebars; towing wheels; one folding pedal; lazy fold keeps it upright when not folded; front and rear reflectors; bell. Colour: wide choice.
Comments
Differs from the others in that the frame doesn't lock open but your weight keeps it unfolded. This makes it hard to manoeuvre the bike when lifting it up kerbs. Has clamps which screw the folding parts together - these are a little time consuming to do up. There is a good section of frame to hold when folded and it locks together securely. Compact when folded.
Tester comments: Quick to master folding mechanism and folds very compact. Easy to carry when folded. Comfortable to ride and would definitely consider buying this bike.

Rating: 80/100

Price: £500

Stockist: 020 8232 8484 - http://www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk

GHI Test Report - June 2007
Review of Dahon Ciao folding bicycle

This review is now out of date.

Please see:

10 reasons to try cycling
Cycling advice for beginners
The UK's best cycle routes

Good Housekeeping Top Scorer
Features
Folded dimensions: H 64.5 x W 31 x L 82cm. Weight: 14.3kg; 5 speed hub gears; 20" wheels; aluminium frame; adjustable seat; angle adjustable handlebars; rear luggage carrier; full chain guard; folding pedals; kickstand; seat suspension; front and rear lights; front and rear reflectors; bell. Colours: chocolate.
Comments
The very low step-through frame makes this easy to mount and dismount, ideal for inexperienced or skirt wearing riders. The frame is quick and easy to fold and unfold. Although it is heavy it can be towed using the main wheels. This model is comfortable and solidly built, inspiring confidence in the rider. The wider areas on the handle grips enable you to rest your palms comfortably when riding.
Tester comments: Quick to master folding but heavy to carry and doesn't fold neatly. Easy to manoeuvre when riding and extremely comfortable. Responsive gears and brakes

Rating: 83/100

Price: £479.99

Stockist: 01727 798345 - http://www.dahon.co.uk

GHI Test Report - June 2007