Compact folding bikes with a Brompton twist.

Brompton fold is legendary compact and after owning them for 4 years.  I vouch that it a really nifty fold. This is the de-facto standard for folding bike even after so many years. See this video. The experienced rider can do this under 10 second flat.
For folks who looking for the Singapore dealer (mightyvelo). Here's the local dealer link 

Strangely there have been very few folding bikes that follow the Brompton fold.
My guess is that it is due to the patent on the fold by the Brompton company. 

By some fluke, I saw an FB update and it caught my eye. A Tyrell with a Brompton-ish fold?   

Visually it looks more modern and most importantly I was excited that it used standard modern bicycle components - Shimano shifters, cassettes and derailleurs. This is one of the weakest link on the Brompton bike. Antiqued components. I mean, who the hell does the shift left and then right to change gears? 

Here are the new challengers. 

1) Tyrell IVE
Cost: -No pricing found. Finding out now or u can share with me
Where to buy: Finding out now or u can share with me 

Photo credit Wing Fung Company HK 

Photo credit Wing Fung Company HK 

2) Anemos
More buying infor here  << $SG 700

Photo Credit by Peerless folding bike company

3) Dahon Jifo 
More infor here  - USD899

Photo Credit Dahon 

Photo Credit Daho

4) Birdy 

Photo credit - Flickr account Benny Ng 

Cost:Finding out now or u can share with me 
Where to buy: Ewalker in Singapore

I love my Brompton,  I really do. It's sturdy and well made. But I think its a tinge too expensive.  Have also a look at my long term review of the Brompton. 

With these folding bike alternatives, I hope bikes can be made more affordable and give the consumers more choices.

If you have tried the above bikes, I would love to hear from you how they ride. After all, its a bicycle. Its not just the fold that matters. The ride is something I can't google. Let me know. 

Ride with MBS folks and servicing demo 17th Sept Sat

David and me @ Pandan Reservoir 

Located near Clementi area is Mybikeshop. They specialised on Foldies and what is cool about the place is the easy going, knowledgeble and friendly staff.  Usually u will see some of our kakis there ogling at the latest bicycles and parts. Then u will see the agony of decision making..... then europhia.... when the rider "submits" and hand over his credit card.  It is funny to see grown ups coming into the shop and becoming like kids in a candy store. So...we are going to bring more folks there!!! 
It is about time we do a refresher on bike servicing (good for newer riders and those totally clueless) and I am glad to have MBS team (Kian Lin, Joseph and Jai) who will share with us the tips on general bike maintaince.  Stuff covered will be general bike check, brake adjustments, gear shifting adjustment, Chain Cleaning, oiling ur chain, Correct tyre pressure/inspection. But before that we do a group ride around Pandan loop area and return to MBS for the Servicing Demo.  
Date: 17th Sept, Sat
Time:10 am for ride, 1150 for the servicing demo
Oh, MBS will be giving some discount on the day... More details @ lovecyclingsg forum below

http://lovecyclingsg.niceboard.com/t338-17th-sept-2011-sat-pandan-reservoir-loop-area-and-servicing-demo-mbs-update

Poison alley                                photo credits Mybikeshop

Pandan reservoir

Jai when he is not wrenching bicycles... 

looks familar... 

Why a foldie? This is another reason why...

trial test to fit the bikes into the van

papa mike putting his dear Dahon...

Full house

This means we can just seat back and enjoy the scenery!!! yayyy

brompton sitting nicely in front of me.. + point for Brompton

nice to just sitting and not pedalling for a while.... Ken smiling!

On our Mekong ride, we managed to cramped 8 adults(including driver), with 7 folding bikes and panniers into a 9 seated van for our way back to Nong Chiang.  Friends, I tell u.. this can only be achieved with foldies...... As they say, a photo tell a thousand words.

Ride and enjoy the sights by Pathlesspedaled

I like to ride, but I don't like to kill myself riding super long distances and be so tired that I can't chat with people on the ride and places...  Call me soft, wussy... whatever... I think riding should be fun and be what ever u want to be ... and floats your boat.  My "boat" happens to be the relaxed version...:)  Bicycle touring doesn't need to be "ass" breaking...  See how Russ and Laura of pathlesspedaled.com combines regional bus travel with bromptons to explore the sights from Portland to Tillamook.  Oh... I can even taste the bubblegum icecream!  Check out the wonderful intro and video by Russ and Laura...:)
Do visit their website @  http://pathlesspedaled.com/ and support them in what ever means possible! I think what they are doing is super cool!

Francis- Cycling advocate and zenman

Off road @ Pulau Ubin using a JZ88.... steady man!

Francis is the one who got me back into cycling. We met as colleagues at Philips design Singapore. Every morning, without fail Francis would ride his folding JZ88 bicycle to work. Rain or shine... and it was amazing to see him dripping wet from the rain, but still smiley and happy. That got me really intrigued and over coffee breaks, I asked him his "secret". "I used to drive every where and my health was failing me. Doctor say I need more exercise. So when my kids were bigger, I sold the car and started to ride bicycles. It is fun and u should try it..."  So we did. First by venturing out at lunch time with Peikang, Tahching and Francis.  With the bicycle, we could go further then walking and it was a good break from the office. From lunch time rides, we "graduated" to organising lovecycling Sunday rides...to lovecycling.net which is now attended by many riders. Francis is a classic "not the bike but the man" kind of guy. You will see him everywhere either with his trusty JZ88 or his classic Colnago Fixie. His laid back, serene and quiet ways conceal a strong conviction - to make cycling more accessible to all. Recently, he has taken step to focus full time on bicycles and all cycling related activities! That's is true commitment! Thank you Francis, for showing how much cycling can be fun and that cycling is a possible commuting alternative in Singapore.

Ride to eat! Tahching and Francis, founders of lovecycling

When I say bicycle is part of him...I wasn't kidding... bicycle as a chair...

Francis the innovator, tinkerer with his safety sail!

KC, relax rider, super duper rider, cool dude!

The legend... KC,  taken 24th Oct 2010

This is KC. I met him outside the food centre at Changi village during one of the Sunday rides. I remember that day clearly. It was 24th Oct 2010, Sunday where I brought the crew to the Giant guns and Changi chapel. Andy told me while eating his fishball noodle.."hey Taiwoon, u got to meet this guy..." So I did. Relaxing outside the hawker centre , holding a packet of teh-O (tea)was the man. He was riding his recumbent which he had for over 30 years.... So much so he couldn't find the correct rear tyre as the company which made the bike is already gone...
Now KC is a regular feature in the lovecycling Sunday rides.  Being one of the most experienced rider in the group,  KC shares his crazy ride stories... like riding to Penang!! Yes, that is riding from Singapore to Penang, my friends! Still he rides as a group, never showy but always ready to lend a hand to the newbies or anyone.  He changes tyres so fast that he can put the Ferrari mechanic to shame.
During a Sunday ride,  I once asked him how he started to ride and how he could ride so far.  His reply was... "I just started 2004 or so... then when I was the slowest riders in my group... and I told myself that I will train hard.. and with time I could keep up with others... it is not about the bike, just keep riding. Soon I was riding everywhere... " When he say anyway.... he really means anywhere
And I can go on and on and on about this amazing guy V24 engined super nice guy...  but nothing beats meeting him personally. So come on down and join us for a ride sometime! KC, it is my pleasure and honor to ride along side you! Keep on spinning and smiling!

Passing on knowledge, at Lifecycle.  Teaching other how to change/ patch up tyre...   

KC's  recumbent with ah long sticker 

Full steam ahead!

SG Indiana Jones

Matt and his steel horse

Matt and his beloved D7

Matt riding the nice quiet roads at Pengarang

Watching the world go by....

This is Matt, one of the lovecycling kakis, good friend and fellow photographer.  He has a dream which is to ride Taiwan countryside. I believe he is now well prepared for the ordeal. However, the toughest part awaits.. getting the "visa" from CEO(wife) :) 

His ride is a Dahon jade green D7, souped up with a 105 Crank, good bearings. For tyres, it is Big apple front and marathon supreme on the rear. This makes for a nice comfy ride. Carrying the load is done by a sturdy Dahon rear rack and lotus pannierbags.  Visit his personal blog to see more of his photos and ride acount. http://mattchia.com/blog/   Ride on brudder!

The perfect bicycle bag...is there one?

Flamingo fully loaded

Blinker on helmet 

Topeak rack and bag

Riding a bicycle is an enjoyable experience. I get to feel the wind in my face, riding slowly and observing all the surroundings.  As simple as riding ... there are stuff we will carry... I am curious to understand what do we all bring on a day ride... My "weapon of choice" is usually the Flamingo. I will use the Topeak beam rack with a Topeak MTX trunk bag loaded with all this stuff listed below

1)Wallet, coins (buy food and drinks.. and stuff in bike shop)
2)Cellphone/ Iphone (always miss called as I cant access it quickly)
3)Sunblock (no ugly tan lines)
4) Mini Tool/patch kit/tyre levers (Just in case when I get a flat)
5) point and shoot Digital Camera  or  DSLR  (Captures the ride, places and people)
6) Small face towel (I sweat buckets...so it helps to make me dry)
7) Small snacks like Museli bar 
8) First Aid kit (When sh@#@ happens... this is really very useful)
9) Small note pad and pen (jot down good ideas, inspiration)
10) Tripod (very good for group shot) --- sometimes
11) Cable lock
12) copies of map of riding routes 

Mounted on bike
1) Hand Pump 
2) Water bottle
3) Front and rear Blinkers

Others stuff
1)Helmet

Usually all the stuff goes inside my top peak pannier bag....and a friend remarked "u like machiam going on mission...so heavy..."   So, tell me what do u carry on a sunday ride?

Punggol to Changi village 10th April 2011

lovecycling crew at the newly completed Punggol PCN    (photo credit Francis)

David helping Mary to pump up her tyres, after seeing how long it took...

Punggol heading to PCN

Lovecycling group visited Punggol this time. Yes!!... no need to wake up so early as I am staying just 2 blocks away from the meeting place. But that was not the point....punggol is really very beautiful and I am glad I can share this with my friends.. We got a few new riders joining for the rides like George, Kimi, Adrian and Elynn. After the usual safety briefing, we rode along my morning cycling route which was nice and quiet, rolling to Punggol PCN

The route we took... thanks TC! 

Nice girder bridge to Lorong harlus

This is Singapore! 

      It was then a short ride crossing the girder bridge that links Punggol to Lorong Harlus.  Riding in the morning was really nice feeling, esp. when u feel the cool air and the serene waters... very hard to imagine that not too long ago, this area was a dumping ground. Well done PUB and Nparks for the sensitive landscaping and using natural methods to reduce the swellage at Lorong Harlus. It is really working!

Derek on his trusty brompton..rolling along and smiling

motivation to ride... food!

The ride pace was unusually fast this time and we zipped like a horde of deer passing pasir ris park and in no time reached Changi Village around 930am for breakfast. I like Changi village as it is kind of the cycling hub... and  we brought another cool mix to cycling. I think our motley group of folding bikes, MTB, road bike drew some envious glances from the roadies. Riding just because we enjoy it..... just ride... :)

More photos here and Lovecycling.net 

Sunday ride and Demo bike servicing 3rd April 2011

Ride like the wind!

Dempsey road to ourselves!

We are with u, Japan! 

Steve sharing how he services his brakes

KC showing how to massage tyre...

Steve telling all the bolts and nuts of servicing...

48 riders met at Botanical gardens for our regular Sunday lovecycling ride. Bromptons, Dahons, Xtoor folding bicycles, MTB, fixies and roadies... brands didn't matter, all united by the love of cycling... meeting new friends and reaffirming old ones... The plan was to roam around Dempsey area, shoot the "support Japan Video", ride slowly to Margaret drive and then to the newly opened Alexandra PCN to Asian Civilization museum, lastly to lifecycle for the Demo.
Riding at Dempsey road was a nice experience as there was hardly any cars around and we had the places just for ourselves. We stopped by the parrots to say hello and then found a nice and quiet place for the video. I hope this message reaches our Japanese friends. We are thinking of u!
From Dempsey road, we made our way leisurely towards Margaret drive market. It was already closed for redevelopment and took the last look/photos of the place. From there, it was just rolling alond Alexandra PCN, stopping for late breakfast at Zion road. Having our bellies topped up with fishball noodles and stuff, we snaked along Singapore river and to Lifecycle for the Servicing Demo. Steve shared on the fine  details of brake servicing and shifter, deraileur adjustment. KC did a very smooth tyre change demo, no doubt trained under very harsh conditions.. :) And he very kindly shared on the process of removing the tyre and patching the hole. Guess we will have plenty of people ready to help on the group rides... :) Lastly, I also shared my personal way of cleaning the drive train. Taking out the chain and putting into a gatorade can filled with some degreaser. The result was a gleaming chain...and dirty hands. Later over wanton noodles, I got feedback from the riders that they really enjoyed the session. I promise I will try to cater more sharing session. Thanks David, Matt, Francis, Simon, Clarence, Stanley, KC, Steve for contributing in this ride/servicing demo!

Another great ride with friends!  What do u think we can do better the next time round? 

more photos here and blog account...

http://lovecycling.net/2011/04/03/dempsey-rd-queens-town-service-demo-lifecycle/

Kranji ride - 27th March 2011- Photo account

Good morning Kranji!

I am 4 and I ride!

This is 2nd time visiting Kranji. The first being 17th Oct 2010 which we had quite a heavy rain at the start. My prayers were answered...maybe too much.. It didn't rain and was extremely sunny for the whole ride. Andy also brought bean curd for the riders at the start point. which was really nice of him!

spoke cards anyone?

We got new folks joining us like Kenneth who rides solely a roadie but bought a 2nd hand Dahon for Sunday rides.  Teo KL who rode his Raw Brompton M equipped with Carandice bags and Andrew loh riding with us - finally. I am also glad to see Bay, Eddie showing that cycling can be a great way of family bonding.  Impressive!

Bay Jr leading the pack

Riding to Kranji war memorial was easy... just 1km from the Kranji MRT. The hairy part of the ride for me was old Kranji road towards the Reservoir. There was so many cars and trucks on a Sunday morning!  Despite of the challenging road conditions, regulars like Andy, David, Clarence, Francis, Andrew help to create a buffer zone so that newbies and younger rides can feel more comfortable. I find that also riding as a group helps to create a bigger road "signature" which means cars are more conscious of our presence and give us more space. 

Bollywood veggies was the stop point for breakfast and I had their signature Curry and prata. This time the food wasn't as good, but the environment and friendliness of staff more than made up for it. Ivy also popped by to meet the group and very graciously gave our riders a free tour of the farm. After the meal,  Dillion,our farm guide gave an extensive explanation of the farm and plants. Really worth another visit again.
Hay Daries was the next stop follow by Lim chu kang jetty and then Armour camp tank. By then, the weather was heating up and together with the slopes, it was quite challenging for some... tongues sticking out...complaining and groaning.... Slowly, surely we made it back to Kranji MRT. Lovely ulu Kranji ride! Let's go there sometime again?

More pics here
Taiwoon photos
Francis photos
Eddie videos

City dwellers getting Kampong tour at Bollywood veggies

Hot and Sweaty, but loving it!

Andrew and his beloved Tank...once an Armour, always Armour!