I've come across a new ORI M9 (http://www.oribikes.com/products/det...=0&cID=1&Key=3) being sold for $700 (sticker price $1400) by a great bike shop that happens to know absolutely nothing about folding bikes. After a year on the shop floor with no takers, they've decided to sell it at well below cost. I took it for a test ride, and while the top-end gearing isn't super quick, the bike is a lot of fun.

Since losing my Dahon a few years back, I've been thinking of eventually getting back into folders with a Brompton. But now I see this ORI, which seems almost as practical and significantly cheaper. Can anyone with more experience with the M9 comment on whether it's a worthy alternative? I could sort of justify a $700 purchase now if it's really a great deal -- if I were to get a Brompton, I'd probably put it off for a few months at least.

I'd also like to get comments on the ease of folding. The guys in the store had no idea how to fold it, and the process that I figured out seemed unnecessarily complicated -- I'm sure there must be an easier way. How long does it take to fold with a bit of practice?

I've done some searching, but couldn't find much -- apologies if I missed something!