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08-20-07, 11:49 AM
In a PM I asked oldiesonfoldies to give me an overview of his folding bike experiences since he seems to own or have tried all the folders which I find most compelling. He agreed to continue the discussion in public.
As you would know, there is no perfect folding bike which explains why I have 5. They are like my children - gifted in special areas. I shall give you a brief account on each one, and you don't have to agree with me
1. Brompton - This is the foldie that others are judged against. It is a British classic - full of character, reliable and built to last forever. It is my first foldie. Still the reigning champion of 16" smallest folded package. It rides pretty well too and serves as a beautiful commuter capable of light touring. Excellent built quality. This one is a keeper. Downside - brakes a bit weak and the 3 speed hub gear, while adequate in most rides, can be found wanting.
2. Bike Friday Tikit - My latest addition. The reputation BF has for making performance bicycles is not compromised in the little Tikit. This in my opinion, is the fastest 16" foldie. I rode with the Dahon Riding Club recently in their Speed Pro TTs and was not embarassed. I could hit 40kmh on the flat and Tikit cruises easily at 27-30kmh. The handling is razor sharp and has rock steady hi-speed stability due to a longer wheelbase. Though the folded size is nothing to shout about, the speed to fold and unfold is lightning. Claims 5 secs! I cant do this yet but certainly, the quickest fold/unfold of my foldies. It also can be wheeled around quite easily and that is a big plus. Tikit fits into the Samsonite F'lite and with the trailer system, it is the only bike that you can ride out of the airport. This is THE reason I got the Tikit. It is my touring bike no 2! Downside is the quality is at best average - Am experiencing some teething problems but the BF excellent after sales give me peace of mind.
3. Dahon Speed Pro - I got this bike to keep up with the boys. It flies! 24 speed gearing guarantees you never run out of gears no matter what the road throws at you. It also looks beautiful with its mango color and when you ride this, everyone knows you mean business. I have done a max of 61.8kmh on this. That said, I'm more of a tourer than a speedster so I use the SP the least. Downside - I have some problem of the chain coming out of the crank but this I'm told is easily sorted out.
4. Dahon Speed 8 - This must be the perfect value for $ touring foldie. With a removable handle stem post, it disassembles and fits snugly into a standard suitcase. The Big Apple tires gives it a plush ride and able to handle rough roads. Chromoly frame absorbs road bumps beautifully and you could ride all day on the S8. Comfort is the game. And if you want to, it can cruise at a respectable pace. Do read my Lao article found here for more info about the S8 - http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/22956. I love this bike! Downside, is at 12+kg, it is a bit porky.
5. Strida 3.3 - Simplicity that works. 3 tubes forming a triangle, belt drive, 2 wheels, 1 seat and no gears. A must have for all Product Designers, the Strida is one of the best looking piece of technology man has ever devised. I think of the word FUN when I take the Strida out for a ride and it simply makes you happy riding it. The folding is quick and when folded, it resembles a stroller with wheels. No need to carry it around, just push it. That makes it the most ideal bike for multi-modal commuting on MRT and buses as its footprint is the smallest. Downside is its road performance is limited to 17-18kmh and steep hills are a no no. Life in the slow lane folks but whats the hurry? The feel good factor plus all the attention warranted or unwarranted you get from riding a Strida more than compensates its slower speed.
A few further questions I have are:
-How would you compare the convenience of transporting a Brompton versus a Tikit versus a Strida versus a Carryme versus an A-bike?
-Regarding the "stroller folders", which is easier to push/stroll along, a Strida, a Tikit, or a Carryme?
-Does the lower weight of the A-bike make it much easier to transport than the Carryme (and ditto for the Carryme versus the Strida and the Strida versus the Tikit)?
-You said that the Tikit is "the only bike that you can ride out of the airport", but can't you also do that with your Brompton?
-What is your take on folding ergonomics and shape versus sheer rectangular folded dimensions? The fold of Tikit versus the fold of the Brompton seem to exemplify this more than anything else...which is more convenient? After all I think convenience is really what we're all looking to get out of our folding functionality, more so than a simple reduction of rectangularly measured dimensions.
As you would know, there is no perfect folding bike which explains why I have 5. They are like my children - gifted in special areas. I shall give you a brief account on each one, and you don't have to agree with me
1. Brompton - This is the foldie that others are judged against. It is a British classic - full of character, reliable and built to last forever. It is my first foldie. Still the reigning champion of 16" smallest folded package. It rides pretty well too and serves as a beautiful commuter capable of light touring. Excellent built quality. This one is a keeper. Downside - brakes a bit weak and the 3 speed hub gear, while adequate in most rides, can be found wanting.
2. Bike Friday Tikit - My latest addition. The reputation BF has for making performance bicycles is not compromised in the little Tikit. This in my opinion, is the fastest 16" foldie. I rode with the Dahon Riding Club recently in their Speed Pro TTs and was not embarassed. I could hit 40kmh on the flat and Tikit cruises easily at 27-30kmh. The handling is razor sharp and has rock steady hi-speed stability due to a longer wheelbase. Though the folded size is nothing to shout about, the speed to fold and unfold is lightning. Claims 5 secs! I cant do this yet but certainly, the quickest fold/unfold of my foldies. It also can be wheeled around quite easily and that is a big plus. Tikit fits into the Samsonite F'lite and with the trailer system, it is the only bike that you can ride out of the airport. This is THE reason I got the Tikit. It is my touring bike no 2! Downside is the quality is at best average - Am experiencing some teething problems but the BF excellent after sales give me peace of mind.
3. Dahon Speed Pro - I got this bike to keep up with the boys. It flies! 24 speed gearing guarantees you never run out of gears no matter what the road throws at you. It also looks beautiful with its mango color and when you ride this, everyone knows you mean business. I have done a max of 61.8kmh on this. That said, I'm more of a tourer than a speedster so I use the SP the least. Downside - I have some problem of the chain coming out of the crank but this I'm told is easily sorted out.
4. Dahon Speed 8 - This must be the perfect value for $ touring foldie. With a removable handle stem post, it disassembles and fits snugly into a standard suitcase. The Big Apple tires gives it a plush ride and able to handle rough roads. Chromoly frame absorbs road bumps beautifully and you could ride all day on the S8. Comfort is the game. And if you want to, it can cruise at a respectable pace. Do read my Lao article found here for more info about the S8 - http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/22956. I love this bike! Downside, is at 12+kg, it is a bit porky.
5. Strida 3.3 - Simplicity that works. 3 tubes forming a triangle, belt drive, 2 wheels, 1 seat and no gears. A must have for all Product Designers, the Strida is one of the best looking piece of technology man has ever devised. I think of the word FUN when I take the Strida out for a ride and it simply makes you happy riding it. The folding is quick and when folded, it resembles a stroller with wheels. No need to carry it around, just push it. That makes it the most ideal bike for multi-modal commuting on MRT and buses as its footprint is the smallest. Downside is its road performance is limited to 17-18kmh and steep hills are a no no. Life in the slow lane folks but whats the hurry? The feel good factor plus all the attention warranted or unwarranted you get from riding a Strida more than compensates its slower speed.
A few further questions I have are:
-How would you compare the convenience of transporting a Brompton versus a Tikit versus a Strida versus a Carryme versus an A-bike?
-Regarding the "stroller folders", which is easier to push/stroll along, a Strida, a Tikit, or a Carryme?
-Does the lower weight of the A-bike make it much easier to transport than the Carryme (and ditto for the Carryme versus the Strida and the Strida versus the Tikit)?
-You said that the Tikit is "the only bike that you can ride out of the airport", but can't you also do that with your Brompton?
-What is your take on folding ergonomics and shape versus sheer rectangular folded dimensions? The fold of Tikit versus the fold of the Brompton seem to exemplify this more than anything else...which is more convenient? After all I think convenience is really what we're all looking to get out of our folding functionality, more so than a simple reduction of rectangularly measured dimensions.