Folding Bike Buyer's Guide

This is a quick help guide to what you might look for when selecting a folding bike. Folding bikes can be utilized in numerous different situations and how the bike is to be used will determine the significance of the various factors to be considered.

Speed and compactness of folding.
If you are going to be commuting and using trains and buses regularly then you will ought to select a folding bike that folds quickly without getting yourself covered in oil. There are a number of bikes on the market that will fold in under 10 seconds. The Strida may be folded in seconds making it very convenient for simple commutes on the train then the office. The Brompton takes around Around 10 secs to fold and wins over the Strida due to its compactness and also the Brompton's clever engineering makes certain no oily parts are exposed and in contact with you. TheDahon is typical of the mid-frame fold so will fold very quickly but is not nearly as compact so might be less convenient on trains and buses. Other bikes types are separables in which the frame instead of folding will separate. These might be ideal for airline travel where speed is less of issue and compactness more so. The Bike Friday is really a typical type of a separable bike.

Weight
If your commute involves carrying your bike then this is a 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 its collapsed form. The Brompton has Easy wheels attached to allow it to be wheeled when folded. There is also a titanium Brompton model available which is around 9kg ensure it is relatively light and portable (standard models weigh from 11kg upwards).

How does it ride?
The important thing to the good folder is the fact that it should seem like riding a standard sized non-folding bike. To do this the wheel base length of the bike should be similar to the standard adult bikes. Usually the larger the wheel of your folder the more stable it may feel whilst navigating tricky road conditions. Personally i have tried a Brompton for a number of years and was amazed how it felt just 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 need to test out a few bikes to have a feel for what suits you. Most bikes may have some kind of seat height adjustment to suit taller riders. Saddles are generally interchangeable. I have upgraded mine to a Brooks B17 vintage saddle which I use on long tours. Check how the bike free wheels and whether there are tyre options for its use off-road. Again I have travelled for miles on the Brompton off-road using a touring panier and rucksack and haven't had any difficulty with the tyres (Kevlar) or bike.

Gears
It's a good idea to match the gear range with the uses that you want to put your folding bike to. Living in a hilly area then you'll need to check the range that the gears provide. Some folders are now able to match the range of the standard mtb. The Bike Friday, custom built in USA has a range of bikes to suit all purposes but is a separable rather than a folder. The Brompton now have Wide Range gearing that can be set very low to handle hilly areas but not be compromised in the downhill sections.

Luggage
Check what luggage options there are for the bike. What will your needs be for commuting, recreational or touring? Resist using a rucksack on your back as this will make you soon uncomfortable. Perhaps there is adequate rack and pannier space? Will the luggage for the front of the bike obstruct the front wheel steering?

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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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