Folding Bike Recommendations

[Dirt]

Not an easy thing to find a quality folding bike in that price range. Dahon makes a model called the Boardwalk which I see on Amazon sells in that price range. Dahon makes some very nice bikes. I can’t attest to this particular model though.

Sorry that I can’t be of more help.

Pete

[KLizotte]

I’ve never tried a folding bike but everyone in London, UK (where I once lived) seemed to use a Brompton (a UK brand). My impression is that they are very well built but on the heavy (and expensive) side.

[Greenbelt]

My LBS had some on sale a while back. I’ll ask tonight if they have any left and report back. But considerably more than $250 I think, even on sale, even for the single speed version.

Bike Maryland is lobbying for MARC to allow full sized bikes. That might be worth looking in to. I know they could use all the help they could get this legislative session.

[americancyclo]

I’ve seen a lot of ads on the internet lately for citizen folding bicycles. They look cheap. Personally, I’d look for a Dahon. I was really tempted to get one of the Dahon Mu Uno Shadow 2010 for $289 that Greenbelt posted about at Proteus.

[vvill]

This is probably not a helpful post because of the prices, but if I were to buy a folder today it would be the Swift. http://www.swiftfolders.com/swift/Home.html Lifetime warranty on the frame.

It doesn’t fold *that* small though. If I wanted a folder for smallest folding size I’d get a Brompton.

I actually got on a folding bike kick when I was on vacation recently as I got to ride around on a Strida and a Dahon-copy and had a look at some Birdy and Pacific Reach bikes in-store too. I can’t justify one yet though.

I think even more than regular bicycles, you get what you pay for with a folding bike.

[Greenbelt]

@americancyclo 13328 wrote:

I’ve seen a lot of ads on the internet lately for citizen folding bicycles. They look cheap. Personally, I’d look for a Dahon. I was really tempted to get one of the Dahon Mu Uno Shadow 2010 for $289 that Greenbelt posted about at Proteus.

I checked last night and those bikes did sell out when they went on sale.

[KLizotte]

Given the bike shed next to Union Station, perhaps it would be worth buying a regular size bike and leaving it parked there overnight. I believe they sell monthly and annual contracts.

[Fallguy51]

Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll check with Bike Maryland to see what the latest news is.

[Pinigis]

I don’t know if you are still in the market for a quality folding bike at a reasonable price, but if so, check out OrigamiBicycles.com.

[vvill]

I rode briefly with a guy on a Tern on the last day of TJROW (he flew from SF to DC for the bike summit). He was very happy with it and quite tall too – one of the reasons he opted for a Tern he said.

I have to admit I pulled the trigger on a folder and am now commuting on 406 wheels. Wheeeeeee!

[Veik]

Get a used Dahon.
I recently got a full commuter equiped Dahon for $300
Someone rode it few times, it didnt work out for them and they put it on CL.
This makes my second used Dahon.

[KLizotte]

Momentum Magazine recently did a comparison of folding bikes.

http://momentummag.com/articles/folding-bike-reviews/index.html

[americancyclo]

@americancyclo 13328 wrote:

I’ve seen a lot of ads on the internet lately for citizen folding bicycles. They look cheap. Personally, I’d look for a Dahon. I was really tempted to get one of the Dahon Mu Uno Shadow 2010 for $289 that Greenbelt posted about at Proteus.

@Drewdane 92918 wrote:

Certainly not one that’s worth the money spent. Cheapo folders are the worst, even worse than department-store regular bikes.

I was wandering around oakland recently and saw a Citizen Gotham 7 parked outside a bookstore. I had remembered wondering about build quality and weight, so I asked the owner if I could take it for a quick ride. It was lighter than I thought it would be (for the 28 lbs listed on the website) and handled alright. The headset seemed a bit loose, and I didn’t find out how long she had owned the bike, but it didn’t seem horrible for around $300.

I still think I’d go for a single speed Dahon over a Citizen, though.

[jcflack54]

I had a Citizen Tokyo which I loved – until the poor quality got me. When my second rear wheel self destructed, that was the end for me. I bought myself a Giant Escape. While I miss the small storage profile and ability to take the folder on Metro in rush hour, I have been happier overall.

[Author]

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