I HATE the "which bike should I buy" threads…

[mstone]

If you haven’t already, check out rei’s folder for price point.

[CPTJohnC]

thanks – I can certainly do that.

[vvill]

I have a Swift Folder configured with dropbars. The bike is also sold under license as Xootr. http://www.xootr.com/swift-folding-bicycles.html

I rode it a lot when I first got it because it was my main spare bike (other than the road bike which was having the fork warrantied, it was my only bike with drop bars at the time). It rides nice on flat / even surfaces, and is plenty stiff for climbing. It doesn’t do so well with potholes, roots, etc. because of the wheel size (my rims are 406), which is why I don’t ride it as much as I used to. I thought I would use it as a travel bike more, as it can be packed into a regular size suitcase, but I’ve never actually bothered to do that… I end up just renting a bike instead. And like all folding bikes, it’s a bit heavy, and steering is a little twitchy.

It doesn’t fold that small, but even unfolded I can fit it in the backseat of my Corolla. I chose it because the ride quality is more comparable to a full size bike than a super foldable folding bike (I use it more like a mini-velo, really) and also, it uses standard parts for almost everything unlike say, a Brompton – stem, handlebars, brakes, saddle, pedals, drivetrain, 406 tires (a common recumbent/BMX size, so lots of options).

The only other folders I’ve ridden are the Strida (the model with disc brakes and belt drive) and a knockoff Dahon – they were fine for the short flat rides I used them on, but I wouldn’t really recommend them for say, the Custis.

Nowadays this bike does duty as a spare/rain geared bike (it has permanent fenders) although one day I will probably convert it to a fixed gear as it has track ends.

There are also these which seem good value (I’ve never ridden one). I think (one of?) the owners of the brand lives in Virginia.
http://shop.origamibicycles.com/

[Drewdane]

Why do you want a folder? I borrowed a friend’s a while back to take on the Metro during rush hours only to find out even though it’s allowed, it’s still obnoxious. I’m toying with seeing if I can get away with bringing a minivelo from [URL=”http://respectcycles.com/products/respect-minivelo%5DRespect Cycles[/URL] on the train instead. It’s not a folder, so technically is against Metro rules, but I think it would actually be less cumbersome and in the way on a crowded train.

[mstone]

I’ve kicked around the idea of a folder to throw in the car while traveling. Transporting a full size bike in the trunk is a PITA.

[CPTJohnC]

@Drewdane 114948 wrote:

Why do you want a folder? I borrowed a friend’s a while back to take on the Metro during rush hours only to find out even though it’s allowed, it’s still obnoxious. I’m toying with seeing if I can get away with bringing a minivelo from [URL=”http://respectcycles.com/products/respect-minivelo%5DRespect Cycles[/URL] on the train instead. It’s not a folder, so technically is against Metro rules, but I think it would actually be less cumbersome and in the way on a crowded train.

I would not plan to use it on metro very often, if at all. I do a lot of multi-mode drive and bike (I have two teenagers who go to school in DC, I work in DC, we live in VA). My main objective is to use it for the final leg of my commute from their school (where I usually park) to my office — about 5.5 miles, mostly on the MBT and 1st NE cycle track. If Capital bikeshare had a dock at Providence Hospital, I probably wouldn’t even be considering it. But I can’t fit a full size bike in the car with both boys, and I hate using a rack for commuting on 66, 395 and city streets.

That said, while I can see that it would be a pain, and definitely obnoxious on full trains, is it really any worse than all the other oversize luggage people carry? Or worse than a stroller?

[vvill]

@Drewdane 114948 wrote:

I borrowed a friend’s a while back to take on the Metro during rush hours only to find out even though it’s allowed, it’s still obnoxious.

Yeah I’ve never taken mine on Metro, although I know it’s an option. I have taken it on the VRE a couple times – it’s obnoxious there too…

Bikesdirect also sell a minivelo, or at least they used to.

[CPTJohnC]

For better or for worse (I think better), I bought a Tern Link D7i.

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