Folding Bikes - Bang for the buck

I've become very interested in purchasing a folding back for my daily commute to and from work. But, I know very little about folding bikes. As a beginner, what bike would be best to purchase that will offer the best bang for the buck? I'm interested in the quality, yes, but I don't like paying through the nose for a brand name that doesn't offer much difference in quality than a cheaper bike without the name.

Any tips to help a newbie?

My own experience is with Dahon and Bike Friday.

Bike Fridays are very high quality, and are usually custom built, which can help if you're unusually short, tall, or heavy. You can get a very basic, non-customized stock model for around $700.00, but budget in the low $1000 range for even a simple custom built bike with lower end components. You can spend two or three times that for a high performance setup. May not be the best choice if you just want to do a short commute (is it a short commute?), and don't have a lot of strong opinions on how you want it built up. Mine was worth it to me, but I use it for longer road rides.

If you do want to get a BF, for a commuting bike, you might want to keep it simple. An eight or nine speed model would be good, or they will even build you a hub gear model.

I'd start by looking at Dahons, the 7 or 8 speed Derailleur models or the three speed hub gear ones. They will fold a little easier than the BFs, come with decent component options, will fit a fairly wide range of riders, and the prices are very reasonable. If you do decide that yours needs to be customized, though, you'll either have to do it yourself or pay a bike shop to do it for you.

Others will probably want to comment on Swifts and Downtubes. I haven't ridden either of those brands.

I've become very interested in purchasing a folding back for my daily commute to and from work. But, I know very little about folding bikes. As a beginner, what bike would be best to purchase that will offer the best bang for the buck? I'm interested in the quality, yes, but I don't like paying through the nose for a brand name that doesn't offer much difference in quality than a cheaper bike without the name.

Any tips to help a newbie?

Hello Tettsuo,

I have found, bang for the buck-wise, that the Downtube bike is a pretty darn good value. I bought mine brand new through ebay for well under the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Do a search on ebay for "downtube"

A google search for "downtube bike" should bring up a link to the mfg's page

Rik

I've become very interested in purchasing a folding back for my daily commute to and from work. But, I know very little about folding bikes. As a beginner, what bike would be best to purchase that will offer the best bang for the buck? I'm interested in the quality, yes, but I don't like paying through the nose for a brand name that doesn't offer much difference in quality than a cheaper bike without the name.

Any tips to help a newbie?

Tettsuo, you are in exactly the right place. :)

A bike that's available in one part of the world may not be in another so one factor affecting choice will be location. If I might ask you some questions:

What part of the world are you in?
Will this only be a commuter bike or do you want to do any touring or recreational riding on it?
How far is your commute? Do you want to take the bike on a bus or subway with you?

Some of my suggestions include: KHS, Downtube, Dahon.
If you want the absolute smallest folded package, Brompton.
GoBike rivals Brompton but isn't widely available & is very expensive.

Of those, the Downtube is probably the absolute best-bang-for-buck.
Their DT VIII FS (http://www.downtube.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1308&osCsid=2a650f37597d2e335cc9badc293ab355) has no rivals in it's price class. (about $390US)

I was going to post a bunch of links but it might be information overload. "Chop" here on the forum has a page up that lists HUNDREDS of folding bikes - but without a guide as to price and quality, it could be confusing. The Wiki page on folding bikes is a good primer but probably for someone who's never seen a folding bike as opposed to someone trying to decide which one to buy.

With that caveat in mind, here are those two pages:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folding_bicycle
http://long-john.com/pagefoldlinks.htm

Regards,
Chris

Tettsuo, you are in exactly the right place. :)
What part of the world are you in?
New York City

Will this only be a commuter bike or do you want to do any touring or recreational riding on it?
I'll mainly be using it for commuting.

How far is your commute? Do you want to take the bike on a bus or subway with you?
Approximately 10miles. If necessary (if I didn't feel like biking in a rainstorm or some such excuse) I'd like the option to carry on the subway.

Much thanks for the info. :)

Hello Tettsuo!

Like you, I am also in NYC and am new to folding bike. I have done a lot of research and got two used folding bike off new york & philly craigslist.org. I currently have a Breezer i3 (around 32 lb, but have wheels to push around), a Hercules folding bike from 1983 (very HEAVY!) and saving my money for a Brompton. I just saw a listing on new york craiglist for a Brompton going for $ 675 yesterday, but I am set on saving my money to get a brand new Brompton.

The following are some questions that I hope can be a help to you in reaching your own answer:
1. Is commute on bike short term or long term?
If it is long term, then you might want to pay more for a good bike folds well and small and that last. I just did the math the other day, the money you give to MTA for 12 monthly Metro Cards can get you a Brompton. A few more months of Gym membership can upgrade that Brompton even more!
2. How much do you want to pay?
If around $ 300, then Dahon is a good deal. If you are willing to pay up to $ 500, then you might as well save up for another $ 300 to get a Brompton. (Again, 12 monthly Metro Cards = Brompton)
3. How compact do you want your bike to fold?
Most folders fold to 20"-25" x 30" x 12" and weight from 25 lb. 30 lb. Brompton is around 22" x 22" x 10" and weight 25 lb.

Just in case you want to know how and why I got a Breezer i3 and why am I saving up for a Brompton? Here is my story:
After I got the 1983 Hercules folding bike off new york craigslist, I realized that it is just too big to bring into any places. So I got onto craigslist and search new york, philly and boston listing for folding bike. I found a Breezer i3 on the Philly listing for $ 340 including a folding bag for the bike. The bike retail at $ 399-450 and the bag is another extra $ 50. So at $ 340 plus $ 20 round trip bus tickets from NYC Chinatown to Philly Chinatown, the bike was a deal. The seller met me in Philly Chinatown and I was able to test ride the bike and that's how I ended up with a Breezer i3. I have the Breezer i3 since Sept. 2005 and have upgraded the 2 wheels on the rack to larger rollerblade wheels so it is eaiser to push around. I have been taking it into Subway without any problem, but I still would prefer to have something that's even smaller and lighter. I was thinking about the smaller folder from Dahon, but I have decided to save up from a Brompton after I have seen one in person. Last week, I stop by to have an appointment with a Brompton dealer near Union Sq. and saw the bike in person and now I know why the bike is worth the price. I went to this dealer because he only deal folding bikes and very willing to answer questions for newbies. Seeing the Brompton in person, the bike just fold so well. Nothing sticking out, parts stay in place, no bugee cord needed to tie up the bike. It just fold so small. 22" x 22" x 10."

Anyway! Sorry if this was sort of long post. I am just crazy about folding bikes and wants to help any other new yorker when I can. Good luck on your search! Peace!

Get a bicycle that you feel comfortable with because you'll ride it more. A bicycle that's uncomfortable will not be ridden and end up a dust collector. Many people do not like the 16' wheel of the Brompton and Dahon Presto so you're better off going with a 20' inch wheel or test them before going to a smaller wheel. The 20' inch wheel folder can get inside trains and office buildings just as easy as it's 16' inch cousin. Furthmore, the larger wheel is more efficient, comfortable and stable than a smaller 16' inch folding bike. This is more important in my opinion that the compactness of the fold.

The only reason you would even think about getting a 16' inch wheel folder is if your commute involves a bus. Even still. I've heard many Bike Friday owners who boarded inside the cabin and did not get kicked out.

I have a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket which I think rides almost like my road bike with drop bars. I'm happy with it for air travel, but I were using it for daily commuting in conjunction with transit, then I'd look at other folding bikes.

I was were you are now 2 years ago. I chose my Dahon Boardwalk S1 for the larger wheels since that particular bike is more for distance (10+ miles) than using it with other modes of transport since I purchase it during a transit strike. I upgrade to a Brompton along with other family members very recently. This bike was chosen more for intergrating with other forms of transport.

Please see my two new threads Brompton Seeking and Brompton Found! for more information on my Brommi search. And check out my various other threads and comments on my Dahon here and other forums.

I suggest looking at Downtube or KHS. I have the regular (not full suspension) downtube for commuting (rack on back holds my commute stuff nicely). I first bought a dahon speed8 but - for me and my low level of wanting to deal with annoying little bike problems that made commute difficult and less safe (middle aged woman commuting 8-9pm)(slipped chain, adjustable handlebar stem quit adjusting/got stuck, gear problems, lots of flats) - it was not the right bike for me, although there are many happy dahon owners. Downtube has been great and my friend has had no problems with her khs.

My picks in order of preference (and also price more or less): Downtube, Dahon/Swift, KHS, Brompton, Bike Friday.

I've gone with the Downtube. I purchased it off of ebay for about 200 bucks (not including shipping and handling). Once I get started, I'll post my findings.

Thanks all for the info. :)

For commuting i would go with a downtube or Dahon . Bike friday has said they will have a bike that folds more easily for commuting out sometime . I have seen pictures of it.Apparently they are testing it with current BF owners.Just when it will be available for sale I do not know.

Yeah i can't wait for that Friday offering as well as the one Downtube is planning, i hope they will be the folders to 'rule them all' *evil cackling ensues*

New York City? Need a folder? Consider the excellent and locally-made Swift folder: http://www.swiftfolder.com

I've gone with the Downtube. I purchased it off of ebay for about 200 bucks (not including shipping and handling). Once I get started, I'll post my findings.

Thanks all for the info. :)

I'm glad you chose our bike....now I hope you like it :)

Thanks,
Yan

I've gone with the Downtube. I purchased it off of ebay for about 200 bucks (not including shipping and handling). Once I get started, I'll post my findings.

Thanks all for the info.



I'm glad you chose our bike....now I hope you like it :)

Thanks,
Yan


Based on this forum, I decided to go with the Downtube VIII FS for my first folding bike :D
Hopefully, I will get it on ebay for a similar price.
Thank you all for your info and Yan, I hope to do business with you soon :)

[QUOTE=oldguy52]Hello Tettsuo,

I have found, bang for the buck-wise, that the Downtube bike is a pretty darn good value.

Oldguy,
What part of MidMn? I'm a winter commuter in St. Cloud looking for a folder for many uses. The Downtube is a new one to me. Had my sights on the Swift...but...I haven't bought anything yet.

I'm also looking for my new, first foldable in the low price range of $2-300. I was looking at dahon, but have recently come across downtube. What one's are you looking at? and what price range?

There is another bike worth your consideration perhaps, it is called the LiteRide,
just do a search on these boards. We are sortoff debating the merits of it when compared to the Downtube.

[QUOTE=oldguy52]Hello Tettsuo,

I have found, bang for the buck-wise, that the Downtube bike is a pretty darn good value.

Oldguy,
What part of MidMn? I'm a winter commuter in St. Cloud looking for a folder for many uses. The Downtube is a new one to me. Had my sights on the Swift...but...I haven't bought anything yet.

Hello Holstein50,

Sorry I didn't see this post sooner.

I'm about 60 miles NW of St. Cloud in Long Prairie. Been wishing the roads would dry up so I could get back to riding. Since I've gotten to be an old dude, I don't appreciate riding on the snopak like I used to

Hello Holstein50,

Sorry I didn't see this post sooner.

I'm about 60 miles NW of St. Cloud in Long Prairie. Been wishing the roads would dry up so I could get back to riding. Since I've gotten to be an old dude, I don't appreciate riding on the snopak like I used to

Wow, counting me there are 3 folder fanatics from Minnesota on this board. Amazing! Obviously this state is well represented. :D