Folding bikes

[rgmcf]

Does anyone have recommendations? Alternatively, is there an existing forum on this subject that I just haven’t found yet?:confused:

Topic

[mstone]

@rgmcf 90254 wrote:

Does anyone have recommendations? Alternatively, is there an existing forum on this subject that I just haven’t found yet?:confused:

It’s like any other bike purchase, but with fewer options (which makes it easier, I’d guess). Start by defining what you want to do with the bike.

[vvill]

LMGTFY

http://www.google.com/search?q=folding+bikes+site%3Abikearlingtonforum.com

That said, if you have any specific questions on them I’m happy to help. I’ve ridden 3 different folding bikes, and have about 1600 miles on the one I own (a Swift/Xootr).

[consularrider]

Another good source for infomation is the folding bikes subforum on bikeforums.net. Bikes@vienna has folding bike as does College Park Bikes.

[Bicyclebug]

2nd bikes@vienna for figuring out what type of folding bike you may like since they have a large selection of brands and models in stock.

The two more popular ones are Dahon (wallet-friendly price range) and Brompton (unbeatable fold). Tern (performance) is another brand you may want to research.

I’ve owned all three of these brands at one some point. The price of the Dahon made it attractive to me to test the small wheeled life. It did it’s job well (multimodal metro commuting). A few years later, I set my sights on the new Terns. I bought a Verge s11. It felt like a real bike. The internal Alfine 11 gear hub was super smooth. It didn’t fold as well as the Dahon – think of the tern as a bike that folds vs a folding bike (although it folds way quicker and more compactly than a bike Friday). Eventually, I decided since I already had a full sized bike that fit the niche of as a “normal bike” (go figure), I wanted a bike that was all about a small fold. I got the brompton. The brompton is a true folder. It’s cleaver design locks the bike together when the seat post is lowered – no swinging open on the metro platform. You can also roll it easily when folded too. The bike does have some quirks and is a bit twitcher than the tern. I see this as compromising to get a better fold. The brompton is still a very capable bike able to handle its own.

There are cheaper folders like citizen, which may be fine for some but you get what you pay for (heavier, lower quality parts).

Spend a day experimenting, riding, and figuring out what price range your stomach can handle.

[KLizotte]

@Bicyclebug 90571 wrote:

2nd bikes@vienna for figuring out what type of folding bike you may like since they have a large selection of brands and models in stock.

The two more popular ones are Dahon (wallet-friendly price range) and Brompton (unbeatable fold). Tern (performance) is another brand you may want to research.

I’ve owned all three of these brands at one some point. The price of the Dahon made it attractive to me to test the small wheeled life. It did it’s job well (multimodal metro commuting). A few years later, I set my sights on the new Terns. I bought a Verge s11. It felt like a real bike. The internal Alfine 11 gear hub was super smooth. It didn’t fold as well as the Dahon – think of the tern as a bike that folds vs a folding bike (although it folds way quicker and more compactly than a bike Friday). Eventually, I decided since I already had a full sized bike that fit the niche of as a “normal bike” (go figure), I wanted a bike that was all about a small fold. I got the brompton. The brompton is a true folder. It’s cleaver design locks the bike together when the seat post is lowered – no swinging open on the metro platform. You can also roll it easily when folded too. The bike does have some quirks and is a bit twitcher than the tern. I see this as compromising to get a better fold. The brompton is still a very capable bike able to handle its own.

There are cheaper folders like citizen, which may be fine for some but you get what you pay for (heavier, lower quality parts).

Spend a day experimenting, riding, and figuring out what price range your stomach can handle.

Have you ever checked any of these folders on to an airplane? How do they compare in terms of packing and airline charges? I really like the idea of a Tern but need a bike I can easily check as baggage. Obviously Brompton would be smallest but I like the look/feel of the Terns.

[Author]

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