We took the Vybe and Mariner to Phoenix over the long weekend. I was not sure if the bikes could handle riding on the trail systems. There are pretty good trail reviews and even supporting videos online- but none of them indicated if you could get away with a folder, or even a hybrid.

We stuck to the bikepath between Scottsdale and Tempe on day 1 but I was itching to see if it could be done so we headed to Brown's Ranch.



One review I read gave an awesome piece of advice- download the Trailforks app. It provides offline maps of every segment, the distance and degree of difficulty, and the grade. I stuck with the hardtail trails, which were a mix of hardpack, sand, and scattered rocks.

Happy to report that both bikes handled things great and we even passed a few MTB's Spent hours on a lot of tight turns and quick burst up and downs. I found the folders quick and responsive- especially on the turns. Biggest issue I faced were some good size divots, but nothing you could not scamper over. I scraped my derailleur on a boulder but it was fine and quite frankly it probably is abused more in the suitcase.



For those considering some off-roading with a folder, I think anything rated hard-tail or green circle is within reason and really changes things up.

We do rail trails (and some state and federal park trails) often on our Origami bikes. We do one 26 mile ride in Virginia Beach that includes about 11.5 miles of dirt, swamp, and sand. They hold up well, but need a good cleaning when we get home.

Cool post, thanks.

There is a YT video of a Bike Friday ridden fast on a section of groomed single track ..


406/20" wheels in common with BMX bikes, so tire options for gravel are abundant..

We ride our folders 21+ miles around the entirety of this reservoir. 17 miles of which are unpaved, dirt, rocks, and cinders. We haven't even had a flat there (knocks on wood). If you're luck you wont encounter a mountain lion there...there are signs warning of them and we live nearby enough we know they arent strangers in thiese parts.

Ride on!

Great posts! I'll add a picture of my Dahon ridden along and near the beach in the Florida panhandle.


Ever since purchasing it 5-6 years ago I've wanted to return to the Phoenix Scottsdale AZ area and ride some of the desert trails, but alas I've not had the chance. [MENTION=454349]kayakindude[/MENTION] I'm pretty certain I've been in the same spot where you took that picture, only I was hiking and not pedaling.

here my Dahon Curve d3(modded to 8 speeds) with 16" wheels during the cruce of Andes between Bariloche/Argentina and Puerto Varas/Chile.

My old Citizen Tokyo on some beach paths in Aruba:
My current Brompton on hard packed dirt in southern California: