Originally Posted by
Jipe
No, its not simpler nor mature: there are a lot of differences in the way the center hinge and the locking system of the hinge of the several manufacturers are designed and manufacturers who have an engineering department and devote some effort in bike design are still working on improving the center hinge to make it more reliable.
And for the manufacturers who are just copycats like Litepro, anything is simple and cheap, bi-folds as well as Brompton clones tri-folds.
Manufacturers and users who try to save planet resources are making and buying serviceable bikes, not throw away bikes.
Price is not the only criteria to choose a bike.
Fair points, of course. As you mention it seems hinge technology has come a long way. This is obvious in the quality of both of the Chinese frames I have shown here - the FnHon and the Takachia trifold. It’s obvious these Chinese builders have benefited and learned from the engineering of Brompton, Dahon and I’m sure others. The financial benefits of “copycat” fabrication are passed on to the consumer. As for “throwaway” frames, these chromoly ones seem anything but. Although when/if they eventually fail steel is an eminently recyclable material.
Edit: I should add that it seems some companies like Brompton have basically stopped innovation and improvements on their original designs, whereas “copycats” have taken up that slack with offers of better drivetrains, standard hub dimensions, brakes, racks, components… and at competitive prices