Folding Bikes - Forget foldermania, folders are everywhere!

I was very excited by the foldermania (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=128687) I perceived to be taking hold of NYC last year, but now... now folders are EVERYWHERE. I don't think I've had a ride along the Hudson Greenway in NYC without seeing 4-5 folders or more each time.

While the public seems to be taking to folders, IMO, they still get short-changed at shops. For whatever reason, shops aren't stocking that many. I believe they'd sell like crazy if they were given more and better placement at shops. Heck, with mass-produced bikes like Dahons which are one-size-fits-all, I'd think that shops would love to stock more (thereby not having to stock different sizes for a given model). Maybe if more shop employees and owners hopped on a folder from time to time they'd "get it" and start moving more stock.

Why do I care? I don't know, because we already have two nice folders at home. Call me a fan, or better yet, an afficionado. :D

I think you are right that folders get no respect in the bike shops. I went riding along the Silver Comet Trail (http://www.trailexpress.com/silvercomet/maps.php) with some friends yesterday. One on a new Specialied Tarmac Pro yet whenever we stopped, people wanted to ask about my Dahon Mu. If nothing else, it would draw showroom traffic I think.

If I worked for one of the folding bike companies, I would be designing an inexpensive window display that showed a folder folding and unfolding.

I would also be sure the employees at the shop knew how to fold one.

While the public seems to be taking to folders, IMO, they still get short-changed at shops. For whatever reason, shops aren't stocking that many. I believe they'd sell like crazy if they were given more and better placement at shops. Heck, with mass-produced bikes like Dahons which are one-size-fits-all, I'd think that shops would love to stock more (thereby not having to stock different sizes for a given model). Maybe if more shop employees and owners hopped on a folder from time to time they'd "get it" and start moving more stock. -oboeguy

I had the opportunity to speak candidly with a shop owner who works on my family's folders. He told me the one folder (a brand new Dahon Mariner) sat in his shop for several months without sparking interest by customers that came by his shop to buy a bike. He said people have absolutely no interest in tiny wheeled bikes. I had to feature his unwanted folder on various forums, and Craigslist to move it. I have a slightly different outlook on the folder revolution. There is a limited interest in folding bikes when people find out about them. Most people don't even know that these bikes exist. If they have a need for them and have an opportunity to find out about them and use a good one, they will buy. If not, they pass. When cars prices go beyond what people could afford, they will actively seek out another alternative (a bike purchased at the spur of the moment) to get around. When these non-folding bikes are stolen in large numbers due to a lack of secure parking, or more use of mass transit-and a specially designed bike to augment it, the folders will rule-even in the car capital of Southern California. Most people are like sheep. They are reactive rather than proactive. Right now people on this and other forums are the pioneers of the future. That means in financial talk, this population is not large enough to stimulate (push) the bike shop owners to risk purchasing one folding bike, much less several makes of folding bikes. That will simply take time and alot of pain on the gereral population of consumers before the demand happens.

I generally agree with FF.... Most people don't know about and don't need the advantages of a folding bike. They're best for dense cities, travelers and some commuters, who are willing to put up with the minor disadvantages in exchange for the conveniences.

Maybe they'll take off, maybe they won't. I just hope they become routine enough in NYC that I don't have to give the Folding Bike Elucidation Speech every 30 seconds. :D

I'm a merit badge counselor for Cycling Merit Badge.

I've been taking my folder on our Santa Ana River Trail rides. The guys have never seen anything like it. They think it's very cool the way it folds up.

...and they have yet to beat me... :D

Maybe our next generation will have more of a clue?

Until then FF, it's just you and me in So Cal!

Around here, my experience is that people know about folders - they are just not aware of how well some of them can ride and how customizable some can be. In a perfect world, if I could get away with a full-size bike everywhere I went, then I most likely wouldn't have a folder. Maybe there are just more people in the world who can get away with it. It's not the fault of any shop owner.

But as long as people are riding bikes, it's all good.

Once folders got some press in the NY Times, they took off. Expect the same from custom built road bikes since the NYT recently did an article on them featuring Serotta and Seven. As for getting short shrift, I see them in both Larry & Jeff's along w/ SS/FGs, the other bike that used to get short shrift.

Once folders got some press in the NY Times, they took off. Expect the same from custom built road bikes since the NYT recently did an article on them featuring Serotta and Seven. As for getting short shrift, I see them in both Larry & Jeff's along w/ SS/FGs, the other bike that used to get short shrift.

There WAS an article last year in the Times about folders, "These riders know when to fold them" or something like that. That's how I found out about bfold, in fact (reading the article).

You'll know folders have hit showtime when SoCal people with padded lips and hair transplants have embraced them. -Brian_1

Hey, I resent that! I am all 100% natural (my figure and frame is still the same as the Good Lord gave me 25 or so years ago).