Best stowaway bikes for cruisers??

[AthenaB]

Big thumbs up for the Brompton mentions - we love ours. Awesome build quality and the folding system is super smooth as well as compact. Here are a few pics to show them half folded on a cruise along the Dubai corniche:

[Sailingmartin]

If we are showing off our Brompton pictures, how about this one? Taken on the Caribbean island of Barbuda. The biggest problem was getting the dinghy in and out through the surf, but the bike was great to get some supplies from the local shop.

[Tortuga's Lie]

Originally Posted by Sailingmartin

If we are showing off our Brompton pictures, how about this one? Taken on the Caribbean island of Barbuda. The biggest problem was getting the dinghy in and out through the surf, but the bike was great to get some supplies from the local shop. Attachment 231586

I didn't know Brompton had a sand tire option! Cool!

[Tortuga's Lie]

We had two Chinese knock-off versions of a Dahon for years, very inexpensive and had cheap components. The reason we went with these was because they were so cheap (under $200 U.S. new) and this was an experiment to see how well we liked having a bike on board. After a few years of use, we decided we really liked having the bikes, but we hated the folded size of them, lugging them up the companionway and then transporting them into the dink was a pain.

This past fall, we purchased two new Bromptons for the fact that they folded much, much smaller than the Dahon knock-off and they were relatively light. The ride quality of the Bromtons compare to a full sized bike and what amazed me was the acceleration of them. The build quality is very good, they offer lots of cool colors. Having it stolen is a concern but so far, we have been able to fold it up and wheel it into stores and restaurants without issue, so it stays with us at all times. If the establishment balks at allowing you in with it, there's a slip-over cover that you could use which makes it look like a piece of luggage.
We keep our bikes stored below in our garage..........errr, guest bunk.

[mvweebles]

Originally Posted by drgtmartin

+1 on the Dahon Mariner Folding Bike. Bought 2 at the beginning of last summer off of amazon (~$750 / each) for a cruise throughout New England. They are 7 speeds and rid them even through Acadia National Park. Make sure you get the bike bags for them. It makes it much easier to load/unload the dinghy.

We liked ours too. If anyone is interested, I have two older Dahon Mariners for sale for $175/ea in St Pete FL area. They are not practical to ship so local pickup only . PM me and I'll send link from CF classifieds

[AthenaB]

Originally Posted by Sailingmartin

If we are showing off our Brompton pictures, how about this one? Taken on the Caribbean island of Barbuda. The biggest problem was getting the dinghy in and out through the surf, but the bike was great to get some supplies from the local shop. Attachment 231586

Nice one, Sailingmartin - perhaps these pics will inspire a Brompton owner gallery of exotic locations!

[Capdave360]

Originally Posted by markiobe

For us the primary purpose for bikes isn’t as a utility it’s for exercise, training and travelling. For that reason we want proper road/gravel bikes and are having our boat built with the area that would usually be an aft cabin (in a catamaran) as a bike ‘garage’. The bikes are carbon and so they’re not bothered by the environment and are light, ~8-9kg.

There will be a big hatch from the cockpit to be able post the bikes through to avoid having to take them though the boat and a door from inside the hull to be able to access the garage for maintenance etc. I’m guessing this wouldn’t be too difficult to back-engineer into an existing boat if you wanted to.

Could live without our bikes!!

We have a pair of Montague Urbans with 26" wheels and gravel tires. Similar on our last boat. Like you, we want the exercise - so we reaped the catamaran dividend and keep one of them set up on the aft deck in a trainer. We cover it with a weather proof cover when we sail.

We've used the bikes ashore quite a lot, just not in the Caribbean - death wish roads & drivers.

[nwdiver]

Originally Posted by COOGOR

Anyone having a foldable bike with belt drive? I would like to avoid greasy chains...

Both Tern and Bike Friday do belt drive internal cassette geared bikes, no grease to worry about.

[MIRELOS]

Carbo X is carbon fiber with a belt drive........been waiting to receive mine

[Tortuga's Lie]

Originally Posted by nwdiver

Both Tern and Bike Friday do belt drive internal cassette geared bikes, no grease to worry about.

As well with the Bromptons, though they do have chains

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by Tortuga's Lie

As well with the Bromptons, though they do have chains

When folded the Brompton does not expose its chain: it is covered by the front wheel. I have not found it to be a problem for staining pants legs. To a certain extent the arguments here are a bit silly: if you have a bicycle you need to know a bit about maintaining and adjusting it. Admittedly the more capable a bicycle is the more knowledge it takes to maintain it, which is a fairy simple trade-off. If you have gears you will need to know how to adjust the cables and stops, if you have brakes you need to know how to adjust cables and adjust the pads (rim brakes). If you want everything to continue to work on a boat without maintenance then enjoy your fantasy.

Greg

[The Traveler]

Ded Reckoner, which Zizzo models did you purchase? I'm looking at them now. Also, did you purchase the dust cover or the actual bad ($100)? Looks like the dust cover is just a cover, and is open on the bottom. I'll be stowing mine in the v-berth so would like the bike totally covered.

Has anyone used Downtube folding bikes?

[CaptainMarkS]

We purchase a couple of Zizzo Liberte foldables after doing comparisons with Bromptons and Dahons. In short, what we found appealing was: a) cost; b) 23 lb weight; c) marine grade components; d) ride quality; e) aesthetics: they LOOK cool. (Un)folding requires a bit more work than a Brompton. However, value for money won out.

[CarinaPDX]

That's quite a find. While not nearly as small as a Brompton when folded, the lighter weight, larger 20" wheels, 8-speed Shimano derailleur, and the price (currently $430) make it a no-brainer. Also, some of the smaller details like the hollow spindle and cartridge bearing headset are attractive. Good choice.

Greg

[Tortuga's Lie]

I'm all about saving money, but for us, the folded size was the primary concern as space savings is critical on a small boat, followed by quality, ride comfort and then price and that's why we went with the Bromptons. Everyone may have slightly different criteria and therefore, you need to educate yourself to the options available.