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Anyone got a tip on the best brand of folding bicycle?

Bromptons are the best known and the only one I have ridden personally. They are OK but I would rather see trains with cycle carrying capacity

me too badger. I tried carrying my colleague's folding bike when I was working years ago and it was really heavy!

I just got a Dahon that's serving me quite well. That's the brand the bike shop that does all my work sells (well, they started selling them when I ordered it... and have sold four more since). I've put 800 miles / 1290 km on it and I love the way it bounces over potholes and squirts up hills.

It really depends what your needs are, ie, how far you're riding it and carrying it.

I had a Dahon for a while and it was very nice to ride. I never folded it up though as I had no need. It was more 'bike' than 'folding'

Have you had a look at the A-bike or Strida? They're more towards the 'folding' than 'bike' end of the continuum. I recently got a Micro Original Kickboard which is right at the end of 'folding' and doesn't even count as a bike.

Fair enough Rod: my work is moving to about 10 minutes further away (by foot) which takes my commute up to an unacceptable level so I need to switch to a bike. I need the bike to be able to taken on the train (usual UK train peak time cycle restrictions apply) but I'm not expecting a particularly long and arduous cycle to work. On the way back, I go up a fairly steep hill so I need the bike to be able to cope with that as well (i.e. I will be standing up on the pedals).

Does that narrow down the options?

I'd go for a Brompton if I were you. For the big hill you might need to have the gears lowered - shop should be able to do this for you by changing the sprocket. Bromptons are a bit more expensive than the equivilent Dahon but they do hold their value better and also have a superior fold.

I ride a Birdy as I like the ride but this might have more features than you really need, and is more expensive than the Brommie.