soleilombre

Hello, I'm new here and new to folding bikes. I just bought a new Giant Expressway 2 at what I think is a great price ( ~$265, they seem to retail for about $500 ). It folds to a little larger than what I was wanting. I was considering Brompton because it folds so small and is easy to carry, but at almost $1700, I'd have to save up for a few months for something like that. I went to a bike show and took a look at the folders there, and this was the best combination of quality and price. Choice is my nemesis and there are sooooo many different options for folding bikes that I think I'd go crazy looking at every one if I didn't find this one on sale :-p So I will have this one for now and if in the future I decide I want something that folds smaller, I can invest then.

When I bought it home I noticed that there doesn't seem to be a good way to carry it. There is nothing holding the two sides together, and the way I carried it had me grabbing the tube with the brake cables which didn't seem like a good idea. I know it comes with a carry bag (that seems flimsy for the weight of the bike...) but I don't want to have to put it in the bag and take it out. For those of you who have this bike, how do you carry it?

I decided I wanted a folding bike because the train doesn't allow full sized bikes and I want to be able to take it easily to any of the parks with cycling paths. So I intend to use it for regular cycling on weekends. It's going to require me carrying it folded on public transit, so I'd like to figure out a better way to carry it.

sdwphoto

I'm not that familar with Giant express 2 but took a look on Youtube and it looks like a very nice bike at a good price. Just a few tips I have picked up from other folks when talking folding bikes.
how do you carry it? You don't if you can avoid it except in special situations and the rest of the time you roll it.Below is a link to a video of how to fold and roll a Dahon by just folding the frame in half instead of folding every thing down,leaving the seat post up and the handle bars up that save time and provide a way to steer it around.I know you have a Giant not a dahon but you might find them very similar to each other or after a few times trying to roll it you can figure it out.
Also, would suggest picking the folded bike up a few times each day to get used to the weight and walking around with it.I also, know someone who has a Dahon ,he has to carry up and down stairs alot so he made up a strap that attaches to the folded bike he can throw over his shoulder when he carries it like a duffle. Good luck.

soleilombre

Thanks, that works pretty well with the handlebar. I'm also concerned with getting it up and down stairs, but the guy in the video showed velcro and mentioned a bungee cord, so I'm sure I can find one of those two.