When I bought a folder two years ago I intended it for travelling, but I thought I would commute with it sometimes too, and I never have. Why?

My commuting bikes are good quality used bikes but you could also call them one step above beaters. If they are stolen, I lose an investment or replacement cost of about $200-$300 each. My folder is custom built and costs almost 10 times as much, so no way I would lock it outside, and of course, the whole point of a folder is you don't have to - just fold it and take it inside.

However, the other bikes are sitting there ready to go. Don't need to carry them outside and unfold them, and do the reverse at the other end.

I arrive at the office in summer a little warm, and most days I cool off for a moment and then go inside without needing to shower. If I had to fold a bike and lug it upstairs I would sweat more, so there would be more days I would have to shower. Plus, even folded, the bike takes up a fair amount of space and would clutter my office.

If I had intended the bike for commuting, I would have gotten a folder that rolls when folded, like Brompton, Strida or Tikit.