Folding Bikes - How fast is your Folder? How far can you ride?

How fast is your folder?

How far can you ride?

How do they feel when you ride?

Pros vs. Cons of folders?

Are they reliable?

Got Pics?

After seeing pics of these Im really impressed. They just look so cool! And the pics on http://dahon.com/community/gallery1.htm are so awesome! I can believe the loads people carry on these. These bikes look like they glide. Im really thinking of getting one of these as my commuter.:D



David

How fast is your folder?
The black bike you asked about is a Dahon Boardwalk S1. Since it has so many steel parts, it is a heavy, though solid, bike (probably came at 27lbs; I now have it around 24lbs). Of course speed will depend on how fit you are, but if you want to ride at 17+ mph, I would not want to do it regularly on this bike. Not that it couldn't handle speed, but I have it set up for riding through potholes and construction debris, so it will remain pretty unmodified to take the abuse.

For speed, I have an 18lb Bike Friday single-speed conversion. For portability, a Brompton single-speed conversion.

If you're talking about folding speed, 15 - 20 sec. is accurate for the Dahon, a couple seconds longer for the Brompton, a minute or two (which includes putting it into a bag) for the Bike Friday.



How far can you ride?
In terms of commuting, 17mi round trip.



How do they feel when you ride?
In terms of riding in general, all these bikes fit me well, so I can last pretty long without pain or numbness. I never got used to the sizing of a Birdy, so it's gone.



Are they reliable?
Many of them are. I'd specifically check the main folding hinge when considering one. Also check for availability of parts, as well as whether the company in particular uses proprietary parts.

Im just curious. Are the pics on http://dahon.com/community/gallery.htm, just propaganda? Are the bikes truly that versatile, or is it really not all that practical?

Either way they still look cool and I want to own one.

But what do you guys/gals think? Do the pics reflect true life? Maybe its just me, but I get the impression that these people in some of the pics road a really long way to get to some of thous places. Is it smoke and mirrors, or a dream come true?

After reading your remarks about "smoke and mirrors" I half expected to see a Dahon scaling the North face of the Eiger...!

A folding bike with a wide gear range and relatively fit rider can be incredibly versatile.

As regards a number of your questions, you can tour on a folder, speeds of 40mph are fine, folding time can be as quick as 10 secs (or less) and I have found them as reliable as other bicycles.

However, as there are a plethora of folding bikes available (and some are more suited to certain uses), it would really depend on your specific requirements.

A few pics of my folders in dull surroundings:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16114972@N00/

That section of the Dahon site you mentioned states that they are either professional or amateur images.

I have seen amazing pix of people doing all manner of mad stuff with Dahons, DTs, Bike Fridays, Birdys, Bromptons etc.

A well set up and specd folder can do pretty anything a standard bike can do (yes, within reason)

Most folders are as reliable as other bikes. IF you go for the better folding bike of course (BF,Dahon,Swift,Brompton.....)
The average speed I reach on my Dahon Jetstream is about 20 Km/h, but I 'm not really a fast rider. A good folder gives you the same comfort a normal-sized bike gives you, so it's not only good for commuting, also for longer-distance touring. I often ride 30Kms or more on weekend-trips. Some people do a century on their folder. In terms of folding-speed: a decent folder should (un)fold in 15 to 30 seconds. If it takes you longer, it isn't a practical folding bike (IMO)

PRO's:

- You can take it anywhere (train, plane, car)
- It will not get stolen (if you take it with you)
- It fits in a small space
- same benefits as a normal bike but in a smaller package
- same riding comfort (if you buy a decent one)
- ....


CONS:

- Some folding bikes are on the heavy side (= unpractical)
- There are lots of Wannabee-folders on the market which are low-quality (esp. components are less good) at tempting prices
- When riding your folder, people will look at you as if you're from Mars, but if you demonstrate them the bike they are always impressed.

So you see, there are no real CONS !

I've got a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro. Had it for about a year, and the more I ride it the more I like it. To your questions:

1) Q: How fast is it?
A: It is almost as fast as my ti road bike--but it's a tad heavier.

2) Q: How far can you ride?
A: As far as the engine will allow. It's very comfy and has extra-low gearing. It's my most comfortable bike. Great for big hills and touring.

3) Q: How do you feel when you ride?
A: Very similar to a conventional bike. But the small wheels do make you feel the potholes more.

4) Pros: Basically, it folds! Bike Friday fits in rolling hardshell suitcase and can be shipped as regular luggage on any airline. Mine has a quick-fold option that is fine for the back of a car but a bit unwieldy when traveling by bus. Brompton and others are better for that kind of commuting.

Cons: Small wheels don't take the bumps quite as well. Tires, in some places, may be harder to come by.

5: Q: Are they reliable?
A: After one year of cycling, including a trip to Italy, mine has worked like a champ.

How fast is your folder?

My 2 folders are almost as fast as my 26" Phillips-although in manuverabilty they are faster!

How far can you ride?

I ride as far as I care to. Which in a heavily congested city is about 10 miles one way.

How do they feel when you ride?

They feel good under me. They are sure in handling and shifting (they both have Sturmey-Archer AW three speed drivetrains) and seem to be the combination of all my past bike's characteristics into one (or two if you count the number of folders I have).

Pros vs. Cons of folders?

The Pros outweigh the cons for me. Athough they both weigh in at around 25-29 pounds each, I am still able to bring them into stores, restaurants, etc. for theft resistant storage, travel in trains, buses, taxis, non bike rack cars etc.which is very important in a crime infested city where I live and do business.

Are they reliable?

Once they have their new bike tune up after a month or so of ownership, I never experience any major problem with either of them. Reliability was one factor that drew me to purchasing and having them.

Got Pics?

Not at this time. I am planning to take some digital shots of both of them after I finish the upgrades on the Brompton and if I can, posting them.

But what do you guys/gals think? Do the pics reflect true life? Maybe its just me, but I get the impression that these people in some of the pics road a really long way to get to some of thous places. Is it smoke and mirrors, or a dream come true?

I can't vouch for those pictures, but in my case these bikes are the most flexilble ones available. These bikes are the ultimate personal transportation.

How fast is your folder?

Cruises at 14-17mph, can reach 37 flat (for about 6 seconds), 46 downhill

How far can you ride?

Did 73 miles in a single shot, but usually is about 20 miles /week (4 miles here, 6 there...)

How do they feel when you ride?

Took me about 3 miles to get used to the smaller wheels, after that I think it is the best thing I ever rode

Pros vs. Cons of folders?

Pros:

Because it folds, I ride more often than if it didn't;
It is quite sexy.

Cons:

Far from optimum for off road and trails;
Little heavier than I wanted;
Not as portable as a Brompton (It may take up to one hour to prepare it for luggage travelling)



Are they reliable?

Just like any other bike

Got Pics?

Yes, photography is my other passion. I have about 200 pix of my folder

I've got a lowly Dahon Mariner. It's about the same speed as my hybrid (~15mph on flat pavement). The gearing is decent but it won't go super-fast -- maybe 25-30 mph downhill in top gear.

I was riding around 50 miles a day on tour with it, longest ride was 65 miles -- and that was on a stock Mariner, including the saddle. But I'll probably still use my hybrid for the upcoming century rides, as I think after about 75 miles I'll want something with a little more suspension and a little less impact on my hands.

It's too new for me to really say much about the reliability, although I've put almost 1000 miles on mine in about 6 months without any major issues yet.

I've seen some other folding bikes, and I suspect that something like a Swift or BF will give you a faster ride. But it seems like the Dahon has the best fold for a 20" wheeled bike.

My Dahon SpeedPro 2005 is not as fast as my road bike, but it's fast when I have the stock Stelvio tires on it. I usually have Marathon tires on, though, because it's more of my "city" bike (lots of crud on the Greenways and streets). I've ridden up to 115 miles in one day on it (century, duh) and could easily have ridden more. Now that my position is dialed-in pretty well it's more comfortable than my road bike, though I still can't truly ride no-hands on it and what's more on the steepest of grades (think 15+%) I have to weight the front wheel to keep it from skippiing off of the ground.

I've had some issues with the spokes in the rear wheel but Dahon was awesome about replacing it under warranty. I've had some other issues too but without question I am still thrilled by my folder. It's a great bike. My only regret? That they didn't come out with the hot TT model last year. :D

I have a pretty much stock 2003 Dahon Boardwalk D6 (replaced fenders and pedals). At first I found the gearing a bit too low (max ratio was 52x14, but factor in the small wheels and the fact that I live in a place with no hills). I've since improved my spinning technique, and I've come to like the gearing. I go as fast as I care to, probably a bit faster than that. I feel comfortable using it for any ride I might do on a full-sized bike. My longest rides have been on the order of 30-40km, and I didn't feel at all uncomfortable. I should add that this bike has rekindled my love of biking.

My Dahon Boardwalk 6 is geared for about 18 mph max at a reasonable cadence.

My longest ride in one day was 50 miles (on a rail/trail).

My Dahon is a bit twitchy, you can't ride it hands free. Bumps are more troublesome than on my commuter. Climbing can be a bit problemmatic. The stem is quite a bit more flexible than a standard bike and you really have to concentrate on spinning when going uphill.

Mechanically, the only problem that I have had (that wasn't self-induced) was one broken spoke.

How fast is your folder?
Fixed gear : 15-25mph on flat; about 30 (and spinning out) down a hill
Sram Spectro 7 hub: 15-30mph on flat; about 35 down a good hill. Highest total at about 39mph.(ran out of hill)

How far can you ride?
Most I've done is 64 miles in a day on it but could maybe have done 10/15 more had it not been high summer. Bike was fine and legs were not sore/achey. Just got too hot

How do they feel when you ride?
Nimble, fun, great through city traffic, bit skittery till you get used to the smaller wheels but this is not a problem just a change and associated acclimatisation thing. I get smiles, questions at the traffic lights and occasional "WTF?s?" from bemused kids who've never seen a suspension fork on a Shopper bike which usually warms my day.

Pros vs. Cons of folders?
Pros: Small, bring it in the house, put under your desk, get it in a taxi after a night in a bar, cuteness, speed of acceleration, nimble steering, smaller length (even with same wheelbase)
Cons: Mud on the carpet; mind your fingers in the fold, bit heavy sometimes, some people will laugh at you, sometimes harder to get parts.

Are they reliable?
Yes. Well mine isn't always (punctures) but I built it myself so I have no-one to blame but my own self and my penchant for skinny tyres on cruddy roads.

Got Pics?
Link to full-on Folder pr0n in my signature.

How fast is your folder?
I rock a 68 inch gear (single speed), which allows me to cruise comfortably at 17mph@85RPM, and spin-out at 25mph@~120RPM (it's hard to count when your legs are goin' 'round that fast).

My Swift folds in 5 seconds. I often get "Wow, that folded fast!", from people on the train.

How far can you ride?
I commute 10miles/day, 5 days/week.


How do they feel when you ride?
My Swift has geometry similar to that of a hybrid bike: http://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/frame.shtml
After dialing-in the fit with a longer stem and drop bars, my riding position feels identical to my old road bike.


Pros vs. Cons of folders?
Small wheels + big potholes = no joy


Are they reliable?
Over a thousand miles on my Swift and still going...


Got Pics?
Check the sig.

This past weekend, I was in Tempe for the Arizona Ironman, and one of the female participants was riding a folder with 16" or 20" wheels (I wasn't close enough to see which make/model). The bicycle segment was 112 miles, so it went that far and she was keeping up with the guys on the Kestrels and Cervelos. She got cheers from all the spectators along the route (including me).

If you go to the Bike Friday site, one of their emplyees won his category in a time trial, averaging 27+ mph. The same guy came in 5th in a Cat5 race on his folder.

]How fast is your folder?
I usually top at 18-20mph, but since it is a friday, you could get it geared to go faster

How far can you ride?
Most I've done in aday on it is 60 miles
How do they feel when you ride?
Like eveyone else said, if you don't look down, you won't noticed the difference

Pros vs. Cons of folders?
you take one just about anywhere a little more comilcated than a regular bike, and you do have to get used to peopel asking about it and wanting to test ride it.
Are they reliable?
I've only had for 4 months, but about the same as a "Big Wheeler"

Like some other folks, I would suggest you check out www.bikefriday.com, espically the "what do you on a Friday" section. I think you'll find that folding bikes can be used like any regular bike can

So which would go the fastest and go the farthest, a BMX or a folder? They seem to be very similar (except for the folding part). What are the differences that would make one go fastest and or farthest than the other?

Bmx have shorter wheelbases and only one gear; Most folders start with at least three and go up to the full roadie amount of gears making them far more usable as a day-to-day/commuting/touring bike. I think the thing to try and remember about folders is they are adult bikes designed to be as small as possible rather than BMX which are really just kids bikes through and through in terms of the geometry. Yes - you could hook up a bmx with a tall seatpost and gears but it would not really be a long distance machine as the reach would uncomfortable for most.
:

Preface: My folder is a non-custom aluminum-framed Swift, ordered November 2005. Still all-original, but I think a new seat will be coming soon (the original is creaking).

> How fast is your folder?
Plenty fast enough. With a standard commute load on flat ground, I can hit 24mph. I think the fastest I've taken it so far was about 28mph on one of the downhills around my house. I'd love a larger chainring and faster tires) to see if I can push it a little harder when I'm on Central Expressway.

> How far can you ride?
The furthest I've taken it so far has been about 20mi. I haven't had the time in 5 months to go any further (christmas, wedding planning, etc.).

> How do they feel when you ride?
With fully-inflated 100psi Kenda Kwests, it rides like a skateboard. Very rigid, light touch on the steering, great acceleration. I really enjoy riding it and my Giant Rainier with the slicks is probably insanely jealous.

> Pros vs. Cons of folders?
Pro: Size. I can fit it in my cube. I can fit it in my fiancee's trunk (she has a Civic). I can fit it in her back seat (without folding!). I can fit it in the back of my Tacoma... with 2 full-size bikes and a long weekend's worth of luggage. I can fit it in my closet with all of my other stuff if I need to. The performance is great. The simpler parts spec (e.g., no front derailleur) can be easier to service. It makes flexibility in transportation methods much easier (Ride to work and stay late? Put it in your buddy's car and get a ride home). The amusement of people looking at it and trying to guess HOW it folds (Seems difficult for most people to figure out the Swift.).

Con: Servicing is strictly on-your-own most of the time. Accessories for 20" bikes are hard to find sometimes. You become the topic of discussion at staff meetings and on train station platforms because you're the guy with the weird bike (this might not be a con for you!). You go on a ride with your family and your dad makes jokes about you having "the clown bike" the whole time. Occasionally, there are weird parts (The 34mm seatpost is a consternation when mounting some accessories).

> Are they reliable?
As much so as any other bicycle, yes.

> Got Pics?
I have some, I should put them up somewhere.

How fast is your folder?

How far can you ride?


My Brompton has topped 75 kph on a good downgrade and I've done >200 km in a day on it (as has my wife, distance only, she is a bit slow down hills). An Italian rode LEL on a Brompton (1400 km in less than 5 days) in 2001.

It isn't about the bike... :D :rolleyes: