A Folding Bike Goes Places That Other Bikes Just Can't Go
The folding bike has changed dramatically in recent years. They have made giant strides in their designs and can now rival their full size cousins. They have many advantages over bigger bikes from a standpoint of storage and port- ability. And,you don't need a vehicle rack to transport them.
Dahon Glide P8
A folding bike goes places that no other bike can go. Like a closet, a car trunk, an elevator,a bus, a train, a plane, or a office building. You may sacrifice a bit in ride and handling (not as much as you might think) but it makes up for it in storage and convenience. They are very popular in Europe and Asia and catching on, rapidly, in the USA.
The Dahon bike shown above uses the Up-Right frame geometry that puts your body in a relaxed upright position like you are walking, just a lot faster. And, the step through design makes boarding easy.
You've never ridden a smoother, more comfortable bike. And when it comes time to fold, you'll really appreciate how fast and small the Glide packs down. It has 8 Speeds and only weights 33 lbs.
Folding bikes, while smaller, aren't usually lighter than a conventional full sized bike and, in fact, may be heavier since they use an alloy steel frame for rigidity and incorporate one, or several, hinges.
Some are nearly as big as a full sized bike and use 26" tires. These usually fold in half and, while they are larger than the smaller fold-ups, they ride and handle like a conventional bike.
Your choice depends largely on whether you are intending to use it for multi-mode commuting and need to carry it or are just riding back and forth to work with limited storage space.
Why a folding bicycle may be a good choice.
Convenient storage- The compact size make it great for campers, boaters, and apartment dwellers. Most will be about the size of a suitcase when folded.
Portability- You can carry it in the trunk of your car or in to work in you commute. Most weigh under 35 lbs.
Easy set-up and breakdown- Most can be folded or unfolded in about 30 seconds.
Can go in elevators- This is important to city dwellers and office workers that commute by bike.
Security- You can take it with you and don't need to worry about theft.
Great for traveling- You can pack it in a case and take it on vacation with you.
The folding bike has changed dramatically in recent years. They have made giant strides in their designs and can now rival their full size cousins. They have many advantages over bigger bikes from a standpoint of storage and port- ability. And,you don't need a vehicle rack to transport them.
