Folding Bikes - Any better quality folding bikes avaliable from "chain" type stores (USA)?

Hi, I am looking to test ride a few folders and none of the LBS around me stock folders of any type. They can order one for me, but I really would like to test ride one before I go ahead and make a purchase.

I am interested in a ~20" wheeled bike for touring in the $300+ price range (not a cheap piece of junk), I am now kind of leaning towards a birdy or some of the dahon's, I wouldn't mind spending more on a nice bike, but would like to have it fold up easily (so a custom bike friday is not for me)...

Anyways, my question is this: I have only ridden a folder once, and want to make sure that I will be happy with the bike that I get. I work most of the time and don't forsee having time to travel ~500 miles to a bike shop that has dahons in stock any time soon....

So, do any of the sporting goods type chain stores, department stores, or other national (US) chains stock Dahons, or really any other folders? How about marine chain stores- do any of them stock anything (maybe even the dahon mariner?) I have quite a few malls and suburban shopping centers nearby actually, so there are quite a few possible stores nearby... I just don't enjoy these types of places, so I was hoping that some kind person might be able to save me the trouble / time of going to them ...

Thank You!
Greg

I think LL bean carries the boardwalk 7 also Try Camping World.I know of an LBS that carries dahons in Berwyn Illinois only a mile or so from my house . If you want advice on places which carry dahons though, knowing the general area you live in would help others help you.Also check BoatU.S they have a nice selection of Dahons. :)

Greg,

I suggest avoiding the outlet malls. I went to a lot of them on my folder search and turned up nothing of value - all the good stuff was at independent local bike shops. W*lmart caters to "bottom-feeders" (words from their corporate memos, not mine) so the folding bikes you find there are gas-pipe and not what you're after.

I haven't visited any boating-supply stores in person (don't have any locally) but I turn up their websites on a Google search for folding bikes. If you've got those shops where you are, it's worth a call.

When I was shopping for my first folder, I was determined to test-ride any bike before buying.

I have about 1,000km on my folder (KHS, linked in my sig-file) and have tried about half a dozen folders and I wouldn't hesitate to buy a folder on reputation alone now.

I guess what I'm saying is, try whatever's available locally but perhaps you'd consider a mail-order purchase based on input from people in this forum.

Let us know what you get to test ride locally and those of us who've tried similar bikes might be able to make comparisons. With all the knowledge floating around this forum, mail ordering something we've said our peace about is probably a low risk venture. :)

Chris

Look on the folding bike's maker's website. It usually has an option on the menu for locating a dealer that might be somewhat close to your residence. I just purchase a high end folder (a Brompton) this way with the help of other folder fanatics on this forum. But I still had to go some 90 miles from my home to see one. I felt that if I need to see and test ride one, the trip was worth it. The trip was a sucess and I have one of my choice now.

There are precious few places in the USA where you can see and/or test ride a variety of folders. Dahon is the most commonly stocked folder.

I also think it best to stay away from chain stores. They offer mostly shoddy products when it comes to bikes and almost zero service. Even if you can get a Dahon from one of them i would suggest you support different/better (on-line) stores that will offer something in return one day.