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Bickertons are infamously flexy, so that's something to be aware of if you're big or like to push along. They do have their enthusiasts, but TBH unless you desperately need the storage space I'd give it a miss as an actual utility bike - something like a Shopper will be much nicer to ride.
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They ride terribly and are highly prone to failure...
Fold is lengthy.
Old aluminium.
Get a Brompton
You could look out for a Riese & Muller Birdy - the old ones are pretty decent and they’re German so you might find some local bargains. Again aluminium, check for cracks on head tube, forks and rear triangle.
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A to B magazine is quite fond of Bickertons, but they've had their day.
http://www.atob.org.uk/folding-bikes/history-folding-bike/
As has been said, they are very flexy:
The Bickerton was the first modern folder, and for many years was the only one readily available. Its novel aluminium construction produced a very light frame, but one which was very flexible, which most people found very undesirable. The Bickerton is long out of production, but due to the large number that were sold, quite a lot still survive. Probably not a good choice for anyone nowadays, unless you are interested in a piece of cycling history. If you do have one, support is available via Derek Baker, and Mark Bickerton, the son of the designer Harry Bickerton, is still actively involved in the cycle industry (Cyclemotion, who are associated with Dahon amongst others), and has made a start on recording some Bickerton history.
http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/buyguide.html
The brand has been revived:
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My mum had a Bickerton in the late 70s/early 80s. She used to drive to the childminders with it in the boot, leave the car and kids there and cycle on to work, about 3 miles I think.
I nabbed it off her about 10 years ago, tried it once and was terrified by the flex. Freecycled it.
I also had the same Halfords folder as posted at the start of the thread, and agree it was a great ride. Way nicer ride than a Raleigh 20 IMO.
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Thrustvector
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@salad
Has somebody on here experience with these Bickerton folding bikes?
There's one for sale in my neighbourhood and I'm thinking about it..
It should serve as a means of transportation for short distances from now to next spring
(do not want to use my main (road-) bike through all of the Berlin winter).
I see they go for around 40 on UK eBay (though I'm a bit confused, there's quite a lot of different models / versions) - anybody got an idea what would be a fair price for this one in the picture above?
Also anything important to check when taking a look at the bike?
Thanks in advance!
Ps: Look at those cables..
: D