Folding Bikes - Folders galore today!

Today, on our 7 mile ride to Surfer's Point and back, we saw SIX other folders!!!

That's as many as we had previously seen in the entire 1 1/2 yrs we've been living down here.

First was a Red Bike Friday in a group ride, next a couple on matching Yellow Airnimals, then a Blue Dahon (likely a Mariner) and then on the way back, a couple on two more Bike Fridays.

Add in the two Fridays we were riding, and that's eight folders on a 3 1/2 mile stretch of coastline.

Lou

Funny thing is that about a year before I bought my folder, I would see at least one every now and then, Now that I've got one, I might see 2 in a year. In fact, I see more recumbent bicycles or tricycles than folders by about a factor of 3 to 1 or 4 to 1.


Today, on our 7 mile ride to Surfer's Point and back, we saw SIX other folders!!!

That's as many as we had previously seen in the entire 1 1/2 yrs we've been living down here.

First was a Red Bike Friday in a group ride, next a couple on matching Yellow Airnimals, then a Blue Dahon (likely a Mariner) and then on the way back, a couple on two more Bike Fridays.

Add in the two Fridays we were riding, and that's eight folders on a 3 1/2 mile stretch of coastline.

Lou

I definitely think there are more folder riders out there now. I think a big surge happened when gas/petrol prices hit the roof a couple of years ago. I know I personally got 6 or 7 people into folders around then.

I've been surprised how few we've seen around here in this Marina Community - at least until today. I would guess most folder riders do not ride as often as the folks who ride Cruisers ans the homeless & unemployed who ride for daily transportation.

Today was a shocker, especially those Airnimals. The other folders usually are going in the opposite direction so I don't get more than a quick look and a chance to give them fast "hi".

And there will be plenty of others ready even eager, to join up to the folding bike club. With the rising prices in gas/petrol, un or underemployment looming-along with bike thefts increases, and general alternatives to cars being seriously explored now, I expect to see far more people on any type of folding bikes from now on-be it expensive or plain.

Saw my first one around Miami in months at our local Earth Day Festival out on Key Biscayne this past Sunday. Not to say they aren't around these parts but are mostly found over on our tourist hotspot, that being South Beach.

Here in Indonesia folding bike also gaining popularity, I have seen more people riding folder, and in our local cycling forum there are more and more people visiting folding bike subforum. I talk with few friends that just bought folding bike, some of them said that folding bike could be used not only by adult parents but also their 10 yr children. Maybe that's not their only reason, however it contributes to their decision of buying a folding bike.

i frequent bart train here in san francisco, ca. and in the past 4 months i've seen just 2 folders but regular sized bikes are everywhere.

I saw my first one last weekend on the bike path I usually ride but I was driving home. Most bikers I encounter are roadies and mtbs and a few recumbents. Location is Houston, TX.

Here in Indonesia folding bike also gaining popularity, I have seen more people riding folder, and in our local cycling forum there are more and more people visiting folding bike subforum. I talk with few friends that just bought folding bike, some of them said that folding bike could be used not only by adult parents but also their 10 yr children. Maybe that's not their only reason, however it contributes to their decision of buying a folding bike.

The ability for folders to "grow" with kids is a nice selling point that has been under-appreciated. I have a 6 year old son. I just converted my Downtube Mini for him to ride. This bike will accommodate him until he's 6 feet tall. So, hopefully, I don't have to buy a bike every 3 years while he grows. ( I can use that money to buy bikes for me instead! :p )

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/NIcholasDowntubeMini1.jpg

The ability for folders to "grow" with kids is a nice selling point that has been under-appreciated. I have a 6 year old son. I just converted my Downtube Mini for him to ride. This bike will accommodate him until he's 6 feet tall. So, hopefully, I don't have to buy a bike every 3 years while he grows. ( I can use that money to buy bikes for me instead! :p )

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/NIcholasDowntubeMini1.jpg

i remember seeing him in one of your posted pic riding your mini with the handlepost inverted and now it's not. kids do really grow fast. be careful next time when he asked if he can use one of your moultons...

The ability for folders to "grow" with kids is a nice selling point that has been under-appreciated. I have a 6 year old son. I just converted my Downtube Mini for him to ride. This bike will accommodate him until he's 6 feet tall. So, hopefully, I don't have to buy a bike every 3 years while he grows. ( I can use that money to buy bikes for me instead! :p )

Awesome idea, I have thought about getting my daughter a folder for her next bike! She's seven and has just about out grown her 16 inch Barbie bike we purchased at Costco a few years ago. If it stops raining today I may let her try out my Mu just to see if the size will work.

Today, on our 7 mile ride to Surfer's Point and back, we saw SIX other folders!!!

That's as many as we had previously seen in the entire 1 1/2 yrs we've been living down here.

I have noticed folders becoming more popular on campus over the last year or so. I have seen 2-3 Dahons, 1 KHS, and a few others that I have been unable to identify. As I ride through campus many take a double look at the guy riding the funny looking bike (my Mu P8), I get questioned about it every now and then as well. Feedback is always positive.

Awesome idea, I have thought about getting my daughter a folder for her next bike! She's seven and has just about out grown her 16 inch Barbie bike we purchased at Costco a few years ago. If it stops raining today I may let her try out my Mu just to see if the size will work.

You may need to accommodate her reach by turning the handlebar 180 degrees so it faces her. You can see it better on this video of my son on a 20" wheel Abio Verdion (more comparable to your Mu).

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/?action=view&current=NicholasonAbioMetroSpecial.flv

i remember seeing him in one of your posted pic riding your mini with the handlepost inverted and now it's not. kids do really grow fast. be careful next time when he asked if he can use one of your moultons...

oh now i see that it was a different bike he's using on your video/pic.

Is the bike on the video a 20 inch? Looks like it.

Hi SesameCrunch, yeah, kids outgrow their bikes quickly, as quick as they outsmart their parents too ! So if you think you can ask your kid to use the same bike long enough while you are getting new one....hmm..