The problem here is that with bicycles, possibly more than most things, the old saying, 'you get wat you pay for', very much applies here. Yes you can get cheap folding bikes, but they are not neccessarily going to be very great. And the absolute priority with folders is that you get a decent hinging mechanism. The thought of it failing whilst you are riding, should make you think hard about going for a budget option!.

You don't say what you want to spend, but this time of year is going to be about the best for seeking out bargains. Best bet to start with is to go on the website of some large online bike retailers such as evans cycles or wiggle to look up customer reviews of folding bikes. You are right about brompton, they are very expensive. But they are very well designed and have a bit of a cult following. But other marques like dahon or tern are definately worth a look, as is montague, who seem to specialise in folding bikes with full size wheels. Once you have decided what you like the look of, then simply do an online search to see who sells them for the best price. Alternatively, some people like the personal touch, and want to deal with a bike shop which can set the bike up and deal directly with any issues which may occur. This of course, requires you to have a decent bike shop near you, as opposed to the one most likely to be near you (no names mentioned, but i think we all know who i refer to!)

Here are a couple of options from tredz

www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Halfway-2018-Folding-Bike_1...m

www.tredz.co.uk/.Dahon-Mu-Uno-20w-2017-Folding-Bik...m

www.tredz.co.uk/.Montague-Crosstown-2018-Folding-B...m

www.tredz.co.uk/.Tern-Node-D8-24w-2017-Folding-Bik...m

If you want to carry full size bikes on a car use roof carriers.

The Brompton is the best at folding, and not a bad ride. It's not that light. I've a 6 speed with the P bar.

If you are thinking Brompton then have a proper test. I hired one from the bike shop in Warwick for a couple of days.

I have had a Dahon for years and I think it is excellent for the price. As previously mentioned when buying a folder, hindges are a known problem area especially if it has a "crackaminium" frame. This is the reason I would only buy a well known brand.

I once misjudged a kerb at a reasonable pace and smacked straight into it. I was surprised neither the forks nor the wheel were damaged.. I used to use a cycle lane that went the opposite way to the traffic so I can confirm it has also survived unscathed from impact with 3 suited business types on different occasions. I can swerve around 1 or 2 but when a whole group just step out without looking I had no chance.

I normally thimk Halfords prices are much higher than most but a few days ago they had an aluminium framed Dahon with £100 off their normal price, now £3?? .. Looked like a good price at the time + a bit of back up.

I have two Ridgeback folding bikes (I believe these are rebadged Dahon ones); the older one which is probably about 20 years old has a normal derailleur gears, and the newer one purchased a couple of years ago has Shimano hub gears.

I can highly recommend these types of bicycles for certain uses.

These take up much more space folded compared to a Brompton but are much cheaper. If one may be taking the bike on say the Tube, I would go with a Brompton. But just as an alternative to taking a full sized bicycle, the Ridgeback folding bikes are great, and can provide options when going to places such as Cambridge where parking in the city centre is very expensive.

As for suitability for longer cycle rides, I have been for 50 mile cycle rides and they are fine. The riding position is more upright so there tends to be more pressure on one's bottom on a long ride, but otherwise pretty good.

I was at a cycling event, I was lucky enough to ride on a GoCyle. It is an electric cycle and when I rode, it was one of the most exciting cycling experience of my life! You need to start peddling a little, press a button and the power kicks in. I have never gone so fast on a cyle. It does fold down.

The first evolution of the GoCyle was £1000, the next generation was GoCyle G2 was £2,000, and the GoCycle G3 came it at £3,000. So I have not been happy with prices going up on every generation, but the new GoCycle GS is back at a £2,400+

The cycle is designed by a former McLaren car design engineer Richard Thorpe...

It is only my wish list and the first thing to buy when I win the lottery!