Folding Bikes - american folding bike companies?

i'm looking to buy a folding bike... and would prefer to purchase from an american company (for some reason i like buying domestic relative to where i am, since i'm keeping this bike stateside... will look for a taiwanese made bike when if i end up taking a job there... and will go for the iconic brompto/strida when the economy is a bit better....)

as far as i know,

bike friday
dahon
downtube

are the three reputable american companies, with bike friday actually making the folding bikes stateside...

i am looking for a bike to travel around 5-10 miles per trip but would be comfortable enough for occssional trips around 30 miles.... another preference is that when folded, the bike would have to be wheelable...

i would like to keep the price under 1k, so i guess bike friday is out of the question unless there's another sale at the end of the year...

what models would y'all recommend? are there other american manufacturers out there?

thanks in advance!!

Citizen Bike
Xootr

There is a whole section of bikeforums dedicated to folders. Tons of knowledge there. http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=221

I was researching and decided on the Xootr Swift. http://www.xootr.com The company is American, but the bikes are made in Taiwan.

I am very happy with it. I don't think you'll find a better folding bike for the money. My initial thoughts are here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=482980

The main considerations (in no particular order) are:
1. folding size
2. folding speed/convenience
3. cost
4. speed/stiffness for riding (when unfolded)
5. reliability/use of specialized parts vs. regular bike parts
6. ease of customization (also ties to 5)
7. looks/style
8. weight

You can get some of these things, but not all. Folding bikes are all about compromise. Some are willing to give up speed to get a bike that folds up really small. I went for a bike that is fast and fairly light (22 lbs), cheap ($700), but that doesn't fold super small. I think it will be excellent for my intended uses. I also think the Xootr looks really sharp (some folders don't look very attractive IMHO).

Good luck!

PS- Based on your considerations (especially the ability to roll it while folded), you should check out the Bike Friday Tikit or Tikit Model T. I believe that the Model T starts at $999. I think the regular model would be worth the $100-200 more. Sometimes Bike Friday has deals at the end of the year as well. Check out this very cool video of a Tikit (many others on Youtube as well): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSSgkcWqR6I

Worksman Bikes (http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page21.html)

I just looked at the Worksman site and see no specs on size and weight. Any ideas?
>hankski

i'm looking to buy a folding bike... and would prefer to purchase from an american company (for some reason i like buying domestic relative to where i am, since i'm keeping this bike stateside... will look for a taiwanese made bike when if i end up taking a job there... and will go for the iconic brompto/strida when the economy is a bit better....)

as far as i know,

bike friday
dahon
downtube

are the three reputable american companies, with bike friday actually making the folding bikes stateside...

i am looking for a bike to travel around 5-10 miles per trip but would be comfortable enough for occssional trips around 30 miles.... another preference is that when folded, the bike would have to be wheelable...

i would like to keep the price under 1k, so i guess bike friday is out of the question unless there's another sale at the end of the year...

what models would y'all recommend? are there other american manufacturers out there?

thanks in advance!!

sorry...but some of those bikes are manfacture in china...if u look at the bottom of the downtube mini...it said "made in china" same with dahon...even thought both are american company the bike are manufacture in china. not sure about bike friday though.

AFAIK, Bike Friday is the only "made in US" folding bike brand.

Of course it's kind of silly to think in those terms these days, since the only difference in that respect between a BF and, for example, a Xootr Swift is that a) the frames were welded in the US and b) the bike was assembled in the US. All the components (gears, shifters, bars, tires, rims etc) are manufactured Asia. Who even knows where the steel used for the frame comes from?

Given the costs of a BF, by the way, unless BF happens to meet your needs you might as well go for the Brompton or Strida straight off.

One of the reasons I went with Bike Friday is because they do manufacture their own frames and assemble their bikes in Eugene, Or. They provide good jobs (over 40) for their employees that pay well and provide benefits. Their stock bikes start at $895 http://www.bikefriday.com/PreBuilt and their customer service is excellent. I know how important it is to save money when we can and that one bike purchase is not going to affect the US economy or the trade deficit and that we all purchase alot of products manufactured somewhere else. That being said I feel good about my purchase and connected to the company and people who work there. It's cool to actually meet the people who built your bike. Living where I do I also got to meet the people who built my work boots (Nick's) and they also cost more than anything I could have bought 'off the shelf'. however after four years I just had them resoled and they'll be good for another four. A sense of community is something that is getting increasingly difficult to find and I think alot of it has to do with the disconnection we have with the people who manufacture our goods. Obviously we can't go back to the 'village' but it was oddly satisfying buying that bike.

and you are sure that all bike friday frames are welded here in the states?
please make sure and ask them one of these days ...

I dont have a real answer , Dahon is an US company but produces in Taiwan, China and Europe
They do treat their employess well, no matter where ... but again does it make a difference where the frame is welded ?
The frame of a bicycle is usually NOT the most expensive part .... the components are much more expensive and they all come from the far east no matter what ...

thor

My Swift frame was designed in Brooklyn, crafted in Scranton and the bike was built-up in Eugene.

There are two sources for a Swift steel framed folder. One is http://www.catoregon.org/hpm/swift.htm
and the other is http://www.swiftfolders.com/

Both use steel frames built in the US. But almost all the components are made is other countries.
Jan Vandertuin in Eugene, Oregon and Peter Reich in Brooklyn, NY will assists you in choosing the
components that best suit your type riding. One thing you need with both builders is patience.
They can be difficult to contact, at times.

There is a wealth of information on this forum and on the web. Attached is a picture of the Xootr Swift
it give you an idea of the appearance and geometry.

Not so Swift Flitzer

and you are sure that all bike friday frames are welded here in the states?
please make sure and ask them one of these days ...

I am sure. I've met a number of the welders and brazers who work for Bike Friday.

One of the reasons I went with Bike Friday is because they do manufacture their own frames and assemble their bikes in Eugene, Or. They provide good jobs (over 40) for their employees that pay well and provide benefits. Their stock bikes start at $895 http://www.bikefriday.com/PreBuilt and their customer service is excellent. I know how important it is to save money when we can and that one bike purchase is not going to affect the US economy or the trade deficit and that we all purchase alot of products manufactured somewhere else. That being said I feel good about my purchase and connected to the company and people who work there.

+ 100...it's great to have a North American manufactured folding bike option like the Tikit. Being able to call up Bike Friday and talk to someone who designed your bike or who built it is nice.:)

the brompton is made in the 51st state.... (hohoho)

the brompton is made in the 51st state.... (hohoho)

GrrrrrrRRRRRHHH!

Shouldn't that be the Master State? :)

i'm looking to buy a folding bike... and would prefer to purchase from an american company (for some reason i like buying domestic relative to where i am, since i'm keeping this bike stateside... will look for a taiwanese made bike when if i end up taking a job there... and will go for the iconic brompto/strida when the economy is a bit better....)

as far as i know,

bike friday
dahon
downtube

are the three reputable american companies, with bike friday actually making the folding bikes stateside...

i am looking for a bike to travel around 5-10 miles per trip but would be comfortable enough for occssional trips around 30 miles.... another preference is that when folded, the bike would have to be wheelable...

i would like to keep the price under 1k, so i guess bike friday is out of the question unless there's another sale at the end of the year...

what models would y'all recommend? are there other american manufacturers out there?

thanks in advance!!

Specifically regarding the tikit, if you don't need the super fast fold:

http://www.bikefriday.com/node/6622?styleId=0

The current low-end of the tikit range is $999. Which is only notionally below $1000 after tax/shipping/the cost of a coffee when you order it, but if that's your hard line, then there you go :)

-Peter

been trying to see if i can take advantage of the $200 live.com discount on ebay.com... but seems like only dahons and stridas are on ebay right now....

and you are sure that all bike friday frames are welded here in the states?

thor

Thor,

My wife and I have toured the BF factory twice in last two years and have watched them welding and powder coating frames. (If you have ever worked in such a factory - as I did in a trailer furnace factory during High School - you definitely recognize the smell.)

Lou

I know they making most of their frames, no doubt. I just have it somewhere in the back of my head that they import some ....


But I might be wrong , maybe it was just a plan at one time and never workd out...

again ... if it is of concern than call them and ask them directly.
They are honest people and what they say it is ...

thor

the brompton is made in the 51st state.... (hohoho)

Canada. The Maple Leaf State.

Peregrine Bicycle Works
http://www.pbwbikes.com/index.php/cPath/3