Folding Bikes
 

Hey guys. I am still in a search of a bike to get as I don't want to get something then not like it. I recently was looking at some folding bikes. What are your opinions on them, etc. I am thinking about getting this one.

http://www.dahon.com/us/ciaop8.htm

Hey, TranDz. Check out the folding bike forum for more information. I have a Dahon and I love it.

Moving this to Folding Bikes -forum.

--J, a Forum Mod

Well, that's one way to get to the folders forum :D

Better yet, do a search on this forum first. There have been tons of questions like yours recently. Lots of good info there.

"What are your opinions on them"

Folding bikes are not as good mechanically as the best full size bikes, which is why they are not used in competition. The smaller wheels make for a rougher ride, and fall more easily into holes. They are often less stable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folding_bike

That said, my guess is you will get a lot more use from a folding bike due to its superior practicality.

Thanks. Didn't see a folding bike forum sorry as I book marked the commuting forums and never ventured out haha.

I want to use the bike mainly to go to and from school, and around town during the summer or w.e

geo8rge is correct about the folding bike's superior practicality. These bikes are sometimes the only option available to any cyclist since regular larger wheeled bikes may not be stored inside some places. These bikes are the only ones I use now. Dahon is an excellent brand to start out with to learn about and see if the folder is the bike for you.

You just can't go wrong with the Dahon. You've made the first and most important step by gettin' over that fact that they appear odd and dinky,I guess you rode one and know better now,it will get better yet. I have a Helious. I chose it because it was light,not so much for light on the road but seemed easier for the wife to heft when she'd want to use it.I use it more than she though. They're so adjustable,so much NOT an inferior ride. Yours is one of the high-end models,that's good go for it. The cheap ones are fine,I test rode a cheaper one at first before ordering mine. LBS's had none and seemed uninterested in offering to order it.

Look at some of the recent threads ... if you have a certain set of parameters and needs, that would be helpful.

I beg to differ. There are plenty of ways to go wrong with a Dahon.

• Ciao P8 has a fixed handlebar height, so no adjustment there.
• Ciao P8 weighs 32 (!!) lbs, largely irrelevant for performance but would be horrible to carry around
• Wheel quality on Dahons are substandard / bad quality control

The only pluses I can see for the Ciao over some other models is the low step and the internal hub, which is a good choice for commuting (presumably the OP's purpose)

If you're going to spend over $700, I'd highly recommend you get a Swift, which is very light (22 lbs), fully upgradeable, fast fold, designed for urban use.

If you want to spend less, look into Downtubes. They don't look as good as the Dahons and I have a few doubts about component quality, but afaik they're much easier to fix and upgrade than the low-end Dahons.


Well....

Folding bikes aren't used in most competitions (e.g. USAC, UCI) because the regulations are very strict about numerous aspects of a bike -- wheel size, weight, design, saddle height, handlebar height and so forth.

And if I am not mistaken, you can use 20" wheels in some Tri and long distance events (e.g. RAAM), so some people use Bike Fridays / Air Fridays.

That said, I would agree that sometimes there is a price premium to get the same mechanical quality on a folding bike as most road bikes.

I disagree with Geo8rge. Folding bikes aren't used in competition because they are not allowed in competition. If cycling associations allowed recumbants and odd shaped bikes, races would be much faster.

Some folders are at least as fast as road bikes, and at least one upright speed record was set on one.

In fact, road bikes are one of the less efficient bike designs out there, but they are the standard, and cycling associations don't permit anything that weighs too little or looks too weird to ensure that it's all about the rider and not about the bike.

A shame really because it would make the sport much more interesting.

I got another question.. Will a folding bike be reliable as a normal road bike. Especially in the snowand rain etc

As with any bike, it depends on what you get. If you get a fully sealed bike, you'll be fine. Some are even better than average. Dahon makes a Mariner that is designed to live in a saline environment.

Also, that leaves the Downtube out unless you replace all the moving parts and steel bits. The only reason I use mine as a rain bike is that I'm trying to motivate myself to rebuild the hubs. I've already replaced everything else on the bike with sealed components.

What about the Ciao P8? How would that do in snow and rain?

I just took a look at the specs. It would hold up better than most bikes, I'd think. Not only does it have extensive rust protection, but the chain is enclosed. Everything is sealed. That and a $10 rain suit, and you'll be set to go.

If you can get your hands on a 2006 Mu XL and don't need the step through frame, you will probably have a better ride and lighter bike with the Thudbuster seat post.