Folding Bike Buyer's Guide
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This is a quick guide to what you might look for when choosing a folding bike. Folding bikes can be utilized in numerous different situations and how the bike is to be used will determine the importance of the different factors to be considered.
Speed and compactness of folding.
If you are going to be commuting and using trains and buses regularly you'll need to pick a folding bike that folds quickly without getting covered in oil. There are a variety of bikes on the market that may fold in less than 10 seconds. The Strida may be folded in seconds making it very convenient for easy commutes to the train and then your place of work. The Brompton takes around 10 seconds to fold and wins over the Strida due to its compactness and the Brompton's clever engineering makes sure no oily parts are exposed and in contact with you. TheDahon is typical of the mid-frame fold so will fold rapidly but is not nearly as compact so could be less convenient on trains and buses. Other bikes types are separables in which the frame as opposed to folding will separate. These may be ideal for air travel where speed is less of issue and compactness more so. The Bike Friday is a typical type of a separable bike.
Weight
If your commute involves carrying your bike then this is an important factor to consider. In London most stations will prohibit you unfolding your bike and wheeling it as the platforms are extremely congested. The Strida will allow you to wheel it in the collapsed form. The Brompton has Easy wheels attached to allow it to be wheeled when folded. There's also a titanium Brompton model available which is around 9kg ensure it is relatively light and portable (the standard models weigh from 11kg upwards).
So how exactly does it ride?
The key to the good folder is that it should feel like riding a standard sized non-folding bike. To achieve this the wheel base length of the bike should be similar to the standard adult bikes. Generally the larger the wheel of the folder the more stable it might feel whilst navigating tricky road conditions. Personally i have tried a Brompton for a number of years and was amazed the way it felt like a normal bike despite its smaller wheels. The steering is more sensitive and you will get a firm ride from the high pressured tyres. You will need to test out a few bikes to get a feel for what suits you. Most bikes may have some kind of seat height adjustment to suit taller riders. Saddles are mostly interchangeable. I have upgraded mine to a Brooks B17 vintage saddle which I use on long tours. Check the way the bike free wheels and whether there are tyre choices for its use off-road. Again I've travelled for miles on the Brompton off-road with a touring panier and rucksack and haven't had any issues with the tyres (Kevlar) or bike.
Gears
It's a good idea to match the gear range with the uses that you would like to put your folding bike to. Living in a hilly area then you'll want to check the range that the gears provide. Some folders can now match the range of the standard mountain bike. The Bike Friday, custom made in USA features a selection of bikes to suit all purposes but is really a separable as opposed to a folder. The Brompton now have Wide Range gearing that can be set very low to deal with hilly areas and not be compromised in the downhill sections.
Luggage
Check what luggage options you can find for your bike. What will your needs be for commuting, recreational or touring? Stay away from having a rucksack on your back because this could make you soon uncomfortable. Is there adequate rack and pannier space? Will the luggage on the front of the bike interfere with the front wheel steering?
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Author Resource:-
SARAH BOYS is an expert when it comes to folding bikes. To find out everything about folding bicycles, visit her website at bestfoldingbikes.net.
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By :
Jessie Stone
Submitted
2011-01-23 20:37:46 |
Article From Article Mayhem
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