Hello, I am looking to buy a folding bike. I've never had one before, so this will be my first.

I don't know anything about folding bikes, so hopefully you guys can help me out.

I need something small and light, that I can quickly and easily fold and unfold. It will be stored in the trunk of a car and used to ride about 4 blocks from the parking lot to the office.

Also, my lady will be using one too. So there will be 2 of these in the trunk.

I am basically looking for the smallest, lightest, fastest folding/unfolding, at the cheapest price.

I just want to grab it and go. And I want it to be significantly faster than if I just walked without dealing with folding and unfolding a bike.

Any suggestions?

If you are going to fold/unfold a lot, you need to look at Brompton. Get a used one if price matters.

Even with a Brompton, it might be just as fast to walk the four blocks. Walking a quarter mile would take about 5 minutes. Taking the bikes out of the trunk and unfolding them is about a minute and then you have to fold or secure them when you get to the office.

Where are you located? And, what kind of car?


-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

I'm in the USA but not a huge city.

Not sure what kind of car it will be, we're actually looking for a new commuter vehicle at the moment. Probably something really small and gutless though.

Is your area mostly flat or mostly hilly? What vehicles are you currently considering?


-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

If it's just four blocks, why not skateboards? More compact than a folding bike and you don't have to bother about folding and unfolding it.

It's a flat area. There is a slight incline from the parking lot to the job, but you can't see it with the naked eye.

I actually thought about getting electric scooters instead. I may still go that route. But I thought the added exercise wouldn't hurt, and the bike will probably last longer. Plus it would probably be faster.

Unless you and your lady are going to have some other uses for these bikes I'd forget it and buy a nice new comfy pair of shoes each. Even if you got a kick scooter it's going to be more expense and trouble than it's really worth for such a short walk.

What's the distance? In NYC 4 blocks = 0.2 miles (up/downtown) or 0.6 miles crosstown. Also, how about indoor office distance? - a long indoor carry is a PITA vs wheeling while folded.

Buy a couple of Fitbits. The walk to and from the office should get you at least 1000 steps. Of course, then you would have to find a way to get the other 9000 steps a day you need to be a slave to the Fitbit.

2 bikes in a trunk(boot for the euro types)? If it's a small trunk, Bromptons.
Won't be the cheapest option; but 1 speed titanium model with Kojaks will be
light & compact.
Going Green at the Grocery by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

hmm you need two .. I only have one crius one speed. To me that would be perfect... than again I also have one 5 speed left .. they would make an awesome pair :-)

Warning: biased response ahead.

Take a look at the Origami Wasp. Very compact and lightweight, 7-speeds, highly adjustable. Two will fit easily into even a small trunk.

4 blocks? Are you sure you need a folding bike?

Regardless, I'm very happy with my STRIDA. Very robust, light, and quick folding. Also rolls better than any other folding bike I've ever tried while folded. It's only a single speed, but if you're looking for something to replace some moderately long walks, it should be an excellent fit.

Not a cheap option, and will you get two stridas in the trunk/boot of a car ?

My boyfriend and I both have Origami Crane bicycles (although the cheapest is the Hawk), I drive a Ford Focus, and both bikes fit very easily in my trunk. They are very easy and quick to fold and unfold, lightweight, and perfect for any distance and almost any terrain.

EmmyLou, you have only six posts to your credit, all in the last 10 days and all singing the praises of Origami bikes, is there something we should know about you ?

Come, on. Cut EmmyLou some slack. I am sure she's 'just providing information to help our fellow enthusiasts'.

4 blocks...? You could drop to the ground and roll that far. Hell buy a wider car, that will get you halfway there.

Yes it's not a very convincing story is it.

If the grade isn't too bad I'd get a large wheel kickscooter. Oxelo Town 9 is a good one; I had one and kicked that thing for 2 hours before. On a really smooth surface 1 kick could glide 25 feet without losing much momemtum. Dangerous on wet surfaces though unless you get rubber tires, but that's a whole different forum. Let's Kick Scoot Forums

I'd recommend a Xootr Scooter if I thought this thread was real. I think Emmy is Mr. Pingis. Let's take a look at some of Emmy's posts:

In her first post we see that she is a college student and owns a Gazelle

In post #2 is innocent enough

Post #3 gets weird...she wants to know about Origami:

In post #4 she talks about an Origami seat cushion. Does anyone other than Paul know that Origami sells seat cushions?
Post #5 feels like Paul's normal sales pitch:

In post #6 she switches to a Crane from a Gazelle.....Gazelle, it was a Gazelle just a week before.

I really hope the admins do something about this.

Thanks,
Yan

What's weird is the Gazelle is a new model. I don't know what EmmyLou's story is, but someone working for Origami would know not to start with a story about owning a Gazelle "for years".

I bet Paul has had a Gazelle for years

Thanks
Yan