Hi, I have a Tern Joe and I'm doing some research for an inexpensive 20in folder for my wife. This site has been great.
I am now curious about the folding bikes industry. There are many many designs, but I gather there are two main types of frames for mass market foldes - since I don't know the history of design, let me just call them "rectangular" (think Dahon mariner) and "curved" (think Dahon mu). Most of the generic/niche brand bikes I've seen follow one of the two designs - and I've even seen different bikes online based on the carbon frame appearing in the I'm seeing on this page. Even Dahon in their cheap line of "Ford by Dahon" has them as the stright Ford Taurus and the curved Convertible (sorry I can't post links). In some cases, the frames seem to be actually licensed from Dahon.
Are these designs now generic or widely copied and just made in different factories? Or are they licensed somehow and made to the same standards, perhaps even in the same factories?
Besides intellectual curiosity, I'm asking because even the cheapo importer in my country has one of the basic Mariner-types in aliminum and I'm wondering if it's even worthwhile to get one from the US.
Thanks!

designs might look generic
they differ in strength weight etc etc

usually its the components which are the culprit on a cheap bike
steel or even alloy seatpost bmx style versus microadjust for example
wheels with sub par spokes and hubs
etc etc
than there is the economy of scale lets take Dahon with half a million bikes made yearly, Do you want to bet that they get better prices from a crankset manufacturer than some importer who buys 4 containers a year ( 2000 bikes ) ?

In my opinion get the cheapo or import this

I think cutting out the middleman ( bike shop ) with their 35-40% margin is a more efficient approach.

Thanks,
Yan

That makes sense, and probably explains why bikes with similar frames seem to have better components in the "boutique" brands like yours vs the generic imports in the bike shops. For example, the mariner-like import in my country has the lowest grade components, etc.
The question still remains whether the frames are basically the same, or just the same or similar design but different qualities.
Thanks!

The frames are not the same, but similar..... Sometimes the same if from the same factory.

I am uncertain on judging quality of a product sold mail order. I guess reviews help, but they don't always work.

Thanks
Yan

This might not be the place to discuss the merits of IBD or Independent Bike Dealers.
One thing is for sure, if I keel over or retire, than my customers have literally thousands of Bike Shops who can take care of repairs or warranty claims. Tern has a 10 year warranty for example. I don't plan to work 10 more years !

Trek, Specalized, Giant, Raleigh, and more are now selling direct to customers online. Diamonback just started a new customer direct program Diamondback launches new consumer direct program, ReadyRide | Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

Additionally most bike shops complain about being fiscally insolvent in the trade journals. I would not invest my money into such a business model.

Thanks,
Yan

At least with Trek (and also probably the others), customers can buy them direct but they are only shipped to Trek authorized dealers. Trek is still protecting the IBD. And the best way to make a small fortune owning a bike shop is to start out with a large fortune.

i think there is a place for both models to exist. Hypothetically let's say I bought a bike online but wasn't comfortable setting it up out of the box. What do I do? Take it to my LBS and pay them to assemble and tune it up. Easy money for them. And while they aren't moving bikes off of their floor, maybe I also buy a few accessories while I am there.

I understand Trek charges participating online dealers 6k to get setup plus 3k per year. It looks to be like the dealer is being squeezed by their partner.

We have chosen to partner with mobile dealers across the country. Participating dealers will setup a new bike and provide a basic fitting for $50 or less. We are adding dealers weekly.

Thanks,
Yan

Fold in the Middle frame types seem the most common...

My LBS sells Trek and severasl other brands..




...

As I have opined for several years, IBDs need to evaluate their shop (service area) as a profit center rather than as a cost center. Many new car dealers in the USA went through this restructuring in the 1970s-1980s. For background on the decline in the number of bicycle shop locations in the USA see:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/...ons-in-the-us/


-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

Single tube folding bikes have been around for about 50 years, give or take a bit. Things have changed a bit, but my guess is that it would be hard to argue patent infringement if the designs aren't in fact identical.

I wouldn't be surprised if many of the Asian made "generics" are related.

If not buying a Brompton, Birdy, or Bike Friday, I'd be tempted to go generic, and upgrade as needed.

Of course, I wouldn't want to be caught riding a Chinese folding bike in Eugene... one of the worst cycling faux pas possible.

One thing to keep in mind. A couple of the name brand aluminum folding bikes had problems with hinge failures. Big manufacturers will recall faulty bikes. Small manufactures may just ignore them.

I'm also curious about the difference between the straight and curved frames on folders. Seems that the curved might be stronger, given the "arch" effect. Also I think only hydroformed aluminum can form the curved frame. However the price of the bike doesn't seem to matter regarding whether frames are straight or curved. There are cheap and expensive examples of both.

This is the big manufacturer in China.

As you can see they are a source of many folding bikes and do a wide range of folding frame designs plus others not shown or last year's designs etc.

They make for low end brands up to Cannondale and are excellent quality.

fuji-ta.com

It's up to the importer how good a bike they give you. They will decide what components are fitted and how much profit margin they add.

After looking at various uk forums recently, some mentioning Dahon frame failures and other's mentioned that he couldn't successfully clamp the seat post without it slipping on his Dahon I'm not convinced they are that great and some of the Dahon frames actually look like they are sourced from China anyway and may even by fuji-ta (battle) bikes. I personally think either professional or user reviews are most important. The Dahon models often seem lighter but is that at the expense of strength.

I think if you are trying to find the sweet spot between quality and value you need to avoid entry level prices where too many compromises have been made but you don't need to pay excessive money.

Things I'd look for is a cassette rather than freewheel and a sealed branded bottom bracket rather than a loose bearing design. Branded hubs, double wall rims, Shimano derailleur (preferably above tourney) as much aluminium as possible but not forks. A frame with decent strengthening. I wouldn't be looking for the lightest bike just not excessively heavy. Just a hard wearing low maintenance design. Something you can buy and use and not be thinking about changing components from day one. I'd want adjustable handlebar height not just for sizing but sometimes it helps with the fold too.

Sort of bike that would not be at entry level pricing but instead at mid to high level depending on brand. I wouldn't pay for the brand though, i.e. pay a chunk of additional money just to get a more desirable brand on the Chinese frame.

It is crazy that the number of bike shops is declining when we appear to be in a bicycling boom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bike_boom#21st_century

I guess big box stores can sell crap bikes and then people just throw them out if something goes wrong instead of fixing them? Online sales I guess eat into the specialty bikes shops too... but someone has to fix these things.

We all like a bargain and as you say online sales are I'm sure a big factor. It's the same across a wide range of products. People want to pay less not more and if that means bike shops are no longer viable so be it. Certain premium brands do work to ensure they are only sold at bike shops so you get a premium service with the premium price, Brompton springs to mind.