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From: reid@Glacier.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: folding bicycles
Message-ID: <1178@Glacier.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 7-Nov-84 23:00:48 EST
Article-I.D.: Glacier.1178
Posted: Wed Nov  7 23:00:48 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 10-Nov-84 02:48:22 EST
References: <89@athena.UUCP>
Organization: Stanford University
Lines: 20

> Does anyone know of a good quality folding bicycle? We're moving onto
> a boat and won't have room for conventional bicycles. Thanks.
> Liz Heller

My wife and I each own Bickerton folding bicycles. We have had them for 6
years and are very happy with them. Most folding bicycle companies go out of
business after a few years, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Bickerton
had gone under. Bickertons are made in England by Harry Bickerton Ltd, Tewin
Water, Hertsfordshire. They have Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hubs, weigh 19
pounds, fold up small enough to fit in a Samsonite suitcase, and hold my
250-pound bulk. My chief problem with them is that the front innertubes are
very hard to find (14-inch front wheels). They are not very rigid; the frame
flexes all over the place when you pedal up a hill, but they don't break. 

I have seen a Hon folding bicycle that belongs to a friend. He wouldn't let
me ride it because of how much I weigh, but it looked like a good sturdy
machine.  It is a bit heavier than the Bickerton and doesn't fold up as
small, but it is American-made and likely to be more available. Hon is being
very widely advertised right now in the high-tech catalogs like Sharper
Image and Markline.