Folding Bikes - Folding bikes are like chocolates...

... you can't have just one.

:lol:

LOL true! I have a Brompton and a Strida, and I am thinking of getting a Tikit or a Birdy. It is supposed to be for my wife, but in reality I just want to have another folder that I can ride :thumb:

I know my feeble stable pales in comparison to yours, jur. You're the Folda Man!

... every one is different.

Any more? :)

...chicks dig em

...they've often got nuts on top of them

...it's better not to indulge in them if you're overweight

...they probably contain toxic materials when made in chinese sweatshops

I agree. I have a Dahon Mu P8, I have a Dahon Speed TR on order that I hope will show up any day and here locally in Japan they make a bike called an Ignio that costs $150. Soon as I find one in the store it's mine.

I have zero reason to have three folding bikes other than I can.

I've just pared my stable from 3 bikes to "only 2", and I'm already looking for a Tikit to fill the huge void. At least it's a cheaper habit than doing the same thing with cars.

Plus it's more fun, better for you and the world, healthier, more relaxing - just like chocolate!

Meh - I can quit any time I want.




.... not!

I've only been cycling since March, and I'm already thinking of getting a third bike! I think it's because there are so many designs of folding bikes tuned to different needs and, well, I have a lot of needs. :-)

Here's what I've got:
1) Downtube 8H: I'm currently souping this one up to become my road/touring bike. Has higher gearing and feels more solid and robust than the Mini, plus it has an integrated rear rack.
2) Downtube Mini: My all-around commuting bike. Reasonably zippy, great for stopping and starting in traffic, folds quickly and compactly for the subway, the office, and my front hall closet.

What I'm fantasizing/curious about:
1) CarryMe, because I would love to have a mini bike I could take *everywhere* and never have to think/worry about locking it on the street. Of course, if NYC ever gets its act together and provides secure indoor bike parking facilities and a bike-sharing program, I wouldn't need a CarryMe (except for, maybe, the bus, where the one time I brought on a 20" folder, it was hell).

2) Trikke, not technically a bicycle, but it also falls in the ultra mini-bike category--portable, small footprint, take everywhere. Also, it has the reputed advantage of providing a full body workout.

3) A folding bicycle with a shaft drive or a belt drive--I love the concept of greaseless bikes since I ride in standard clothes and am tired of grease getting on my pants! (Although why your typical folding bike with an internal hub can't have a full chaincase like on the Dutch city bicycles is beyond me.)

Also, cycling allows you to eat *more* chocolate without packing on the pounds!

I'm up to 2 folders now, a REI Novara Fly By (made by Dahon) and a Raleigh 20. And I'm a mainly a recumbent rider.;)

Do recumbent folding bikes exist?

Yes, they have been produced by Bike Friday. But I believe they have been discontinued. They were called Bike Saturday.

Folders are sweet and antidepressive like chocolate :love:


Do recumbent folding bikes exist?

Yes: stockwise the grasshoper


and selfmade many others...for example like that - which will be my next :D

Do recumbent folding bikes exist?

I installed a Cruzbike (www.cruzbike.com) kit on a Downtube and the result was this:





Fairly simple install and relatively low cost recumbent. Not a racer, though.

The grasshopper looks very cool but dear. I will have to raid my coin jars. :-)

Do recumbent folding bikes exist?

More recently there's also the TW Bents Cobra:

http://www.rebel-cycles.com/cobra/cobra.html
http://www.twbents.com.tw/HTM/cobra.htm

which folds similarly to the grasshopper and is quite a bit cheaper.

However, it seems pretty hard to beat a cruzbike conversion on price because most folders are already low monotubes and, thus, side step the premiums charged for bikes which are so ridiculously niche.

P.S. For completeness let's not forget the fold rush

but I don't really consider this a real folder because it only folds down to the size of a regular bike (because its otherwise so massive).

P.S. For completeness let's not forget the fold rush


Ack, ptooey!

Mods, please help, we need a smiley that says "that's so ugly I almost tossed my breakfast"!

Ack, ptooey!

Mods, please help, we need a smiley that says "that's so ugly I almost tossed my breakfast"!

If you think that's ugly take a look at this one:

M5 CMPCT

Folders are like fine wines, while there are many good choices, we each have an obligation to limit our selection because overindulging would just be improper (or maybe I'm just cheap :) ).

you really have to try the lot before you decide on a favorite

...they never say no for a ride.....oh, sorry, that's for another comparison. :o


;)

I must admit, I didn't think much of them at first and thought you guys where a bunch of nuts!:) Then I bought a 20" Schwinn Hinge (entry level) folder and now I don't see how I got along without one. I have a 16" Flying Pigeon on the way and the Strida 5.0 is starting to appeal to me. If my cheap Hinge is good, how much better is a quality folder I ask myself.
Ernest
PS: Wheres a good place for folder accessories (panniers, tires)?

I must admit, I didn't think much of them at first and thought you guys where a bunch of nuts!:) Then I bought a 20" Schwinn Hinge (entry level) folder and now I don't see how I got along without one. I have a 16" Flying Pigeon on the way and the Strida 5.0 is starting to appeal to me. If my cheap Hinge is good, how much better is a quality folder I ask myself.
Ernest
PS: Wheres a good place for folder accessories (panniers, tires)?

I recommend Thor's shop (thorusa.com).

I must admit, I didn't think much of them at first and thought you guys where a bunch of nuts!:) T
Too right!


...they've often got nuts on top of them

I must admit, I didn't think much of them at first and thought you guys where a bunch of nuts!:)

We are and it just turns out that you are too! :lol:


PS: Wheres a good place for folder accessories (panniers, tires)?

www.calhouncycle.com (http://www.calhouncycle.com) seems to be the one stop american shop for small tires, but you can get 20" tires almost anywhere

Panniers on folders are a solution in search of a problem, IMO, because you can fit so much more on top of a rack:

We are and it just turns out that you are too! :lol:



www.calhouncycle.com (http://www.calhouncycle.com) seems to be the one stop american shop for small tires, but you can get 20" tires almost anywhere

Panniers on folders are a solution in search of a problem, IMO, because you can fit so much more on top of a rack:


Wow! Point well taken. Neilfein also mentioned using the top of the rack in preference to the sides. Thats a thought to consider.
Ernest

:roflmao2:
I couldn't agree more.
I've just added Swift, & STILL find my self say'n "...one more won't hurt, just one more.."

When I first picked up my Mu from the LBS, my 7yr old son commented, "Its just like a transformer!" :D
- More than meets the eye.:thumb: