Folding Bikes - Should I get a folding bike?

I don't know much about bikes in general, and I don't really want to learn all the ins and outs of them. Would it be a dumb idea to get a folding bike? Or is it not really neccesary to know everything about them?

If you believe you can benefit from the advantages a folding bike will offer you, you can have one without knowing everything about them. That's how I am with cars. I have no background on mechanics and I rely on professionals properly trained to do things to my car.

Now, without being a mechanic, I do know that I benefit more from having a Sedan than a pickup truck. The same rule can be applied to your needs.

Does it make any sense? I am very tired, finishing my Grad. Thesis. :(

I think as long as you know how to bicycle, buy one, but I think a little reading here would be good:p

It all depends on your need and ridding habits. I bought a folder (DT VIIIH) so I can stash it on my car trunk and take it with me on my long travels (vacation, business travels, tooling around parks...etc). No need for bike racks that leave my bike exposed (just another thing to worry about).
I like ridding for exercise and leisure, so gearing and bike geometry is not that important to me.
Also, it really does saves space on my already cramp garage.
As for knowing about folders, well.....knowledge is always good, so, read along and enjoy!

Yes. You should get a folding bike. :D

Now that the preliminaries are out of the way, what bike(s) do you have at present? What sort of riding do you do? Those answers will provide a guide as the type of folder you're after.

I don't know much about bikes in general, and I don't really want to learn all the ins and outs of them. Would it be a dumb idea to get a folding bike? Or is it not really neccesary to know everything about them?

You do not have to learn all about folding bikes. Just the basic maintenance to keep them in good working order. As for buying one, I have 3 now and might add a fourth in a couple of years. I just love them. I knew next to nothing about them just 4 years ago. Now I have a series of Web site on these little wonders (see below for direct links). I can never get over the sheer flexibility and adaptability these bikes offer anyone considering them.

well i was considering getting one because I live in the dorms at school and the campus is quite large, so having a bike would be handy. I like that I would be able to keep it indoors. I would anticipate using it maybe 2 times a week on average in seasons that permit the riding of bikes :)

Yes. You should get a folding bike. :D

Now that the preliminaries are out of the way, what bike(s) do you have at present? What sort of riding do you do? Those answers will provide a guide as the type of folder you're after.

I don't have any bikes now. and if i got one it would be primarily to get me from A to B faster.

is the distance between A and B usually 10 miles or less or more than 10 miles?

Is the terrain paved or off-road?

How tall are you?

What is your budget?

Question from beginners are asked so very often here, they should really be compiled into a FAQ and stickied.

Question from beginners are asked so very often here, they should really be compiled into a FAQ and stickied.

+1

is the distance between A and B usually 10 miles or less or more than 10 miles?

Is the terrain paved or off-road?

How tall are you?

What is your budget?

-less than 10 mi.
-paved and brick
-6'
-under $400

-less than 10 mi.
-paved and brick
-6'
-under $400

I would strongly consider a Downtube for the following reasons:

1-You are a tall person, and within your budget I don't think there is any other choices that will accomodate your needs;

2-If you fall in love with bike, you can have a really good time upgrading it with better components later. That is something that not all folder will allow you to do.

3-if you really don't like it, you can return it.


Hopefully other forum members will come and give you some other imput. Good luck with your final choice.

14R.

Maybe we can make a beginners FAQ like this:
Want a folder? Get a Downtube. Ask any questions afterwards.

What am I saying? I don't even have a Downtube. :D

I think the downtube has a broad target audience, but it is not the best model for everyone. Here are a few negative aspects of all DTs:

1-They are very adverse to carry once folded. They don't stay together, they don't have a well defined region to grab, they don't have a flat, clear side for you to carry them and walk "normal" while carrying them and you need to be creative to roll them;

2-They are heavy. besides the Mini, if you are planning on carrying your bike as often as you ride it, you better be very muscular with no back issues, otherwise your downtube will be part of your mobility problems, not part of your mobility solutions;

3-They are big. 2 20" DTs are hard to fit inside a conventional sedan's trunk. I had 2 downtubes for a while. Folding them and fitting them inside a sedan's trunk was taking the same amount of time used to put the bike rack and hang 2 coventional sized bikes on it. Preparing them to travel by plane may be too time consuming for some people;

4- They are not the cutest. It may not affect most of their target audience, but the (now endangered) Trek F-400 and F-600, Giant Halfway, Dahons and Birdys have a more sophisticated-looking folding mechanism (please, not that I said they LOOK more sophisticated, I am not saying downtube has an obsolete or bad folding system), they all come in a broad variety of colors (ok, not all, but most of them) and some kind of merchandise/upgrade list of items to go with them. I personally think the DT FS has one of the most attractive frames ever, but I never found anyone to agree with me (Yan, please tell me you agree!!)


5-Just a few proviledged, strategically placed consumers can ride the bike before they buy them.


I still think it is a GREAT bike. It's by far the closest you can get from a conventional size bike if your budget is US$ 500 or less. It is one of the most upgradable folders, so you can tinker yours, loaded with Carbon Fiber components, make it really lighter than standard and lean it towards your preference. It is the only folder that I would attempt off-road trails with (well, besides full size Dahons, those don't count lol). besides the folding mechanism, most of the cheap-looking parts can be replaced.

devd-
I was in your position last March. I'm 5' 11", I live in NYC, my commute/riding is 10-20 miles per week. I ended up buying the Dahon Speed D7 for a few reasons. I want to store it away in my closet and I want to be able to take it with me where I go (coffeeshop, store, etc.) instead of locking it. I got a brand new 2006 model for $290 (which included the tax and next day shipping) from www.brandscycle.com ...they were excellent to deal with. Also, c Check out the Dahon board for more info...they're very cool folks that maintain close contact with their buyers (www.dahon.com). Best of luck with the purchase.