Folding Bikes - "Foldy" article in Bicycling

Unfortunately, it is not available online yet. But I just read the article: a NYC guy researches and buys a folding bike followed by a story on life with the folding bike (tikit). More of an "artistic" story than factual but from my read the facts are generally correct and there are some interesting anecdotes as well as an appearance by David Lam at BFold.

Can you tell me which month's issue? Thanks!

Can you tell me which month's issue? Thanks!

I just got it in the mail last week. Presumably for September, but to be honest, I am unsure.

It's the October issue.

Unfortunately, it is not available online yet.

It is now. (http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-3-11-20582-1-P,00.html)

Well, great story, i can recognise quite a few personal traits too boot.

He's sure not nice to the SL though.

I would show it to my wife. But she wouldn't understand the bits about cheating. Never did.

It is now. (http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-3-11-20582-1-P,00.html)

Excellent. Thanks.

As a British person it seems strange that anyone would want to disclose the fact that they had been to see a shrink:rolleyes:... over here going to see a shrink (and telling people about it) is seen as an admission that you have a mental health problem... not something your average Brit is going to want people to know about.:eek:

I’ve never had people make fun of my folders, quite the opposite in fact. I get a cross section of people asking about the bike, or even for a demonstration of how it folds. I often catch sight through the corner of my eye those people who are too reserved / shy to say anything watching as I fold the bike on the station platform. Even the hoodies who you expect to take the mick are all interested in that “cool” bike. Only last night on the train there was a little girl of about 2 with her mum looking at the Brompton as I was getting ready for my stop.... so it was a case of “here, you go, this is how you do it”.... they loved it. Folders are a really good conversation piece :thumb:

I’ve never had people make fun of my folders, quite the opposite in fact. I get a cross section of people asking about the bike, or even for a demonstration of how it folds. I often catch sight through the corner of my eye those people who are too reserved / shy to say anything watching as I fold the bike on the station platform. Even the hoodies who you expect to take the mick are all interested in that “cool” bike. Only last night on the train there was a little girl of about 2 with her mum looking at the Brompton as I was getting ready for my stop.... so it was a case of “here, you go, this is how you do it”.... they loved it. Folders are a really good conversation piece :thumb:

I concluded that the bike is a "chick magnet". The boss concluded that her bike is a "dude magnet".

Both of us are disappointed we didn't have the bikes earlier! ;)

As a British person it seems strange that anyone would want to disclose the fact that they had been to see a shrink:rolleyes:... over here going to see a shrink (and telling people about it) is seen as an admission that you have a mental health problem... not something your average Brit is going to want people to know about.:eek:

Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way.

- P. Floyd

;)

That guy has some issues...

And Peter Reich is not a cranky guy as he mentioned.

Haha!

Thanks, that was a nice read. I love self-deprecating humor and New York neurotics.

And folders, too, of course.

That was a fun read... I almost wished I lived in NYC and not suburban, coastal, wide-open Virginia. Those Tikit's are quite charming.

:thumb:

Excellent read!

I keep my Twenty (yet to be named:p) beside the bed in my motel room when on the road.;) Currently I have both Twentys with me in a motel room:D

Maybe I need a therapist:roflmao2::innocent:

Aaron:)

Maybe I need a therapist:roflmao2::innocent:

Aaron:)
Or a 12 step program:
"Hi, I'm Aaron, and I'm a folderholic."
"Hi, Aaron."

:thumb:

Excellent read!

I keep my Twenty (yet to be named:p) beside the bed in my motel room when on the road.;) Currently I have both Twentys with me in a motel room:D

Maybe I need a therapist roflmao2::innocent:

Aaron:)

Well Aaron, you've made the first step on the road to recovery and normality.....

Therapist: " Now Aaron, lie down on this couch and tell me what's the problem"

Aaron: " Doc, I think...I've got...FFFFF...fol fol fold folder.....{SIGH**"

Therapist: " Well done Aaron!!...you nearly said "FOLDERITIS", that will be $250 for today's session, come back next week and we'll work on the "ITIS" bit

I've been saying this for a while but folding owners are a strange bunch! A couple months ago, a Brompton owner was telling me how my old Schwinn was "Just Like all the other large wheel bicycles" while his folder was different because all folders are. I didn't want to argue with the guy but someone's bicycle is a personal matter. I some how was made to feel like my bicycle was just an ordinary collection of scrap metal!

You'll notice that he had no problem getting the Tikit into places like stores, resturants but it did require planning. A larger folder requires more so than a smaller one. In the end, it appears he sold the Dahon because of the harsh ride.

Folders aren't my ONLY problem....:cry: It is bicycles in general. According to the official scorekeeper (my lovely wife) there are 24 rideable bikes in the collection at the moment.:love: That doesn't include the 4 or 5 frames and parts to build up a few more:innocent: Technically we have 5 folders; 2 Raleigh Twentys, a Raleigh Compact RSW, her Columbia Commuter II and a full sized folding MTB that was a Rolling Rock promo bike possibly built by Dahon. If my bonus pans out this quarter and I sell a couple of bikes that I don't ride I am going to get a BF Season Tikit built up to my specifications:thumb::p

Aaron:)

I finally finished the article this morning (bathroom read.....). What a hoot! Fortunately, we aren't all that strange.

Or maybe we are in our own way??? Like Wahoonc, my basement looks like a bike shop. Mostly vintage steel from the 70's / early 80's in various states of completeness. Yet dispite the collection, it's my Dahon that gets the daily workout.

Nice write! "Circus bear on wheels." LOL

As a British person it seems strange that anyone would want to disclose the fact that they had been to see a shrink:rolleyes:... over here going to see a shrink (and telling people about it) is seen as an admission that you have a mental health problem... not something your average Brit is going to want people to know about.:eek:

I’ve never had people make fun of my folders, quite the opposite in fact. I get a cross section of people asking about the bike, or even for a demonstration of how it folds. I often catch sight through the corner of my eye those people who are too reserved / shy to say anything watching as I fold the bike on the station platform. Even the hoodies who you expect to take the mick are all interested in that “cool” bike. Only last night on the train there was a little girl of about 2 with her mum looking at the Brompton as I was getting ready for my stop.... so it was a case of “here, you go, this is how you do it”.... they loved it. Folders are a really good conversation piece :thumb:

Mental therapy for actors, writers, etc is ok even expected. For those who want to stay mainstream and cultural conservative, those who want to appear to be "normal", and Tony Soprano it is adviseable to hide it in the U. S. .

Heheh. That guy isn't a true folder aficionado. He has only one. :) (Admittedly he did have a Mu for a little while. And admittedly he has drooled over other ones.)

And I suppose he has frequented this forum as well, perhaps posted anonymously...? (Anyone here from NYC?)

As a British person it seems strange that anyone would want to disclose the fact that they had been to see a shrink:rolleyes:... over here going to see a shrink (and telling people about it) is seen as an admission that you have a mental health problem... not something your average Brit is going to want people to know about.:eek:

I’ve never had people make fun of my folders, quite the opposite in fact. I get a cross section of people asking about the bike, or even for a demonstration of how it folds. I often catch sight through the corner of my eye those people who are too reserved / shy to say anything watching as I fold the bike on the station platform. Even the hoodies who you expect to take the mick are all interested in that “cool” bike. Only last night on the train there was a little girl of about 2 with her mum looking at the Brompton as I was getting ready for my stop.... so it was a case of “here, you go, this is how you do it”.... they loved it. Folders are a really good conversation piece :thumb:

I think the man was desperally injecting his brand of humor that seemed to got lost on others-especially people who like a literal discussion on a topic without going all out in other directions that had nothing to do with the original topic-in this case folding bikes. I think he is simply another man looking for some sermblance of a real life. I do wish he stuck with folding bikes, regular bikes-anything but too personal issues. I feel like a "peeping Thomasina."


I concluded that the bike is a "chick magnet". The boss concluded that her bike is a "dude magnet".

Both of us are disappointed we didn't have the bikes earlier! ;)

It is a "people magnet" for me. That way everyone is included.


That guy has some issues...

And Peter Reich is not a cranky guy as he mentioned.

Naw, just a case of someone trying too hard to be "witty" or something like that.


Haha!

Thanks, that was a nice read. I love self-deprecating humor and New York neurotics.

And folders, too, of course.

A good way of looking at and reading this article.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9-XVXMGm60&feature=channel_page

Seems like a nice guy, a little nerdy, neurotic. I can relate to some of the thoughts as I'm going through the process of sorting out which folder to buy! And despite my internet research, I keep running into new brands (mezzo, diabasi) on this forum!

BTW, what is the Mercedes of folding bikes?

BTW, what is the Mercedes of folding bikes?

That would be this: :D
http://www.besportier.com/archives/mercedes-benz-bike-collection-folding-bike.jpg

Seriously though, there are lots of folding bikes, and Mercedes makes lots of cars - are you looking for an A180 or a GL600?

I live in Manhattan and ride a Swift Folder in Riverside & Central Parks on a regular basis.
I see lots of folding bikes being used on the bike paths in the parks. Most of them are Dahons. I once saw a Bike Friday. I am not sure if I have seen another Swift except for the one that my wife rides.

My estimate is that about 25% of the bikes in the parks are folders. About 25% racing road bikes ridden by people in full racing regalia. 25% mountain bikes. 25% clunkers.

But some of those people on "clunkers" are riding bikes that are disguised as clunkers to reduce their attractiveness to bike thieves. (A fair percent of people who lock their bikes at the public tennis courts are using massive, hardened steel chains and locks that may weigh 40% as much as their bikes.)

There are 2 bike stores in Manhattan that specialize in folding bikes. One of them was mentioned in the article.


Heheh. That guy isn't a true folder aficionado. He has only one. :) (Admittedly he did have a Mu for a little while. And admittedly he has drooled over other ones.)

And I suppose he has frequented this forum as well, perhaps posted anonymously...? (Anyone here from NYC?)