Folding Bikes - How many actually fold?

I have a folding bike mostly because I like the idea of a folding bike and I also like the way the bikes look. However, I do not live in some small apartment in a cramped up city and do not ride to work. All of my riding is recreational so basically, I never really have a reason to fold up the bike.

How many of you actually fold your bike?

I only fold a few times a month such as when my wife picks me up or we take a bike somewhere to ride back on an errand or such.

I only VERY rarely fold mine right down, but quite often do a partial fold to put it in the back of the car, I find the Merc fits in very nicely if I tuck the back wheel under, and topple the handle bar post over and puch in the seat. The final transformation of folding over the main beam is something I'd only do for a train or bus. Nice to have that option though, because it makes the bike so much more versatile.

Multi-mode commute, so I fold/unfold three times daily:

1a. complete compact fold for Amtrak
1b. unfold to ride to work
2a. normal fold into my office at work
2b. unfold to ride to train
3a. complete compact fold for Amtrak
3b. unfold to ride home.

I have the Downtube IXNS, so "complete compact" means I remove the handlebars, and fold both pedals, and velcro everything into a nice package. "normal fold" leaves the handlebars in place, and I only fold the right pedal.

I only fold mine when I travel, about once a month.

Multi-mode commute, so I fold/unfold two to four times daily:

1a. complete fold for NJ Transit train
1b. unfold to ride to work
2a. incomplete fold into grocery store on the way to work -- but this only once or twice a week
2b. unfold to finish ride to work
3a. complete fold for NJTransit train
3b. unfold to ride home. Unless my wife is working late, which happens once or twice a week, so...:

4a. Ride to her office, complete fold and put the bike in the car so I can pick up my son at school...
4b. take the car back to her office, unfold, and ride home... This is only once or twice a week.

I have the Downtube Mini, so "complete fold" means I fold down the handlebars, fold both pedals, fold the frame in half, bungee it all together, and lower the seat. "Incomplete fold" means leaving the seat up so it can serve as a handle for wheeling the bike through the grocery store.

[JugglerDave: Thanks, I copied your style for ease of comparison. Cheers!]

I fold mine about twice a week and then it says folded when in storage.

I fold the bike friday for club rides that we have to drive to. I regularly--although less than once a day--fold the mini for local jaunts.

I fold when:

1) I'm transporting in a car to go somewhere, or

2) to show off to an inquisitive onlooker :D

Only packed for an airline once.

Every time I go out with one of my folders, I must fold up to: use public transportation, take with me into stores and other places, hide it from prying critical eyes, or a combination of these reasons. The bikes ability to fold is the primary reason I paid extra and even consider these bikes. Nothing else works in a high crime area such as mine.

I am also in SoCal, the OC. Where do you live that it's so bad?

Mine lives in the trunk of my car, so I fold and unfold every time I ride.

I don't use my folder when I don't need my bike to fold.

The bigger bike is more comfortable and less effort at any speed. I ride it to the train station when weather allows, and lock it up. I don't live in a high crime area, and my bike is 10 years old.

When I need a bike that folds, boy, there is nothing like the glory of folding the bike. I am everyone's hero (or nutcase) when I ride up, fold my bike and get on the train.

A typical day during last semester:

1. Unfold to bike to school.
2. Fold for class.
3. Unfold to bike to the library.
4. Fold when entering library.
5. Unfold to bike to the cafeteria.
6. Fold when entering cafeteria.
7. Unfold when biking to class.
8. Fold for class.
9. Unfold when biking to class.
10. Fold for class.
11. Unfold when biking to the grocery store.
12. Fold when entering the grocery store.
13. Unfold when biking home.
14. Fold when entering home.

I bring my bike everywhere. The above list doesn't include infrequent folds such as when I go in banks, bike shops and other stores, post offices, restaurants, appointments, buses, a friend's car, etc.

It took me a while to realize that most people in this forum don't fold their bikes as often as I do or take their bikes where I take mine, so their recommendations usually don't apply to my situation. The first bike I bought when I was originally looking for a portable folder for urban commuting had 20" wheels and a bulky fold. I sold it immediately. I eventually learned that most of the people who had recommended this bike live in the burbs and fold their bikes only to get them into the trunk of their car. :-)

^ This begs the important question, what bike do you have now?

I only fold the bike generally when putting in the trunk of the car.

I voted 'never really need to' but in actuality once every few months, I'll fold it into a car trunk or tuck it under my desk.

This begs the important question, what bike do you have now?
I have a Dahon Piccolo for which I've upgraded around eight components. My only real complaints are its limited number of gears and the flexiness of its frame and stem.

Earlier this year I was planning to get a 6-speed Brompton, but I decided against it because:

- I wouldn't be able to use Avid Single Digit Ultimate brakes and Avid Speed Dial Ultimate levers.

- The Brompton folds in such a way that I wouldn't be able to use a 28" wide carbon fiber, doublewall aluminum, or other vibration-dampening riser handlebar.

- I wouldn't be able to use Schwalbe Big Apple tires.

- I learned that the 2008 Dahon Curve SL will have a Shimano Nexus Inter-8 hub, which is the gear system I want.

I had also considered getting a Downtube Mini, but the lack of a magnet or something equally convenient to keep the folded bike together was a deal breaker. (My first folder was a Downtube with 20" wheels.)

So now I'm planning to get a Curve SL next year. I hope it's not as flexy as the Piccolo! :-)

I use my folder for my daily commute.

I fold it to store it in the trunk of my carpool buddys' car.

At home, it lives in the entryway of my house, in full unfolded splendor.

My wife is very understanding...:D

Have all three folders in the SUV right now - off camping again tomorrow.

Taking both my Boardwalk Single-Speed and my Boardwalk D-7, as well as the wife;s D-7.

Not sure just how hilly this campground is.