Best looking folder on the market
#3
Eschew Obfuscation
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Boy, that's like trying to pick the prettiest woman/man. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Of course, if you're looking to stir things up a little, you picked a good topic. Let the war of words begin!
PS: This thread is worthless without pics!
PS: This thread is worthless without pics!
#4
Señor Mambo
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In terms of currently produced bikes, on pure aesthetics alone, I'd say the Brompton and most Bike Friday iterations.
Then the monocoque Birdys.
Mobikys also look nice, but they need bigger wheels.
Then the monocoque Birdys.
Mobikys also look nice, but they need bigger wheels.
#5
Professional Fuss-Budget
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Originally Posted by SesameCrunch
Boy, that's like trying to pick the prettiest woman/man....

I'm fairly fond of the aesthetics of my Dahon Mariner D7, unfortunately it's kind of a POS. I've gotten far more positive comments from pedestrians about the Mariner than my Swift.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by SesameCrunch
Boy, that's like trying to pick the prettiest woman/man. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Of course, if you're looking to stir things up a little, you picked a good topic. Let the war of words begin!


I would've voted on your DT, but its your own build and not as factory issued.
Oh, yes, pics please!

#8
Señor Mambo
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Moulton F-frames are real beauties too!
#9
Member, Schmember
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For a folder that looks like a folder, maybe Strida. Don't have one, don't want one, but they have one of a kind looks.
For a folder that doesn't quite look like a folder, maybe Airnimal Chameleon. Don't have one, can't afford one, unless I sell some of my other bikes.
For a folder that doesn't quite look like a folder, maybe Airnimal Chameleon. Don't have one, can't afford one, unless I sell some of my other bikes.

#11
Senior Member
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Bikes: GoBike, Long-john, Strida III, Oke Ja recumbent, Brompton, Moulton, BSA, Strida 5
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Strida 5 for it's combination of design simplicity, engineering excellence a triumph of form over function! Just did the Bristol folder ride on my 5, 20-25 miles of hills, rough tracks & only 1 hill beat me (as it did for most of the riders) there were several Brommies, SPs, Moultons, Dahons (inc 1 curve), 1 Micro, 1 Thompson & Jac my son on my GoBike.
Second place to GoBike purely on lokks let down by engineering deficiencies & lack of support.
Closely followed by the new Birdy in terms of looks but the Birdy beats the GoBike hands down in terms of ridability & engineering detail.
In the 'Breakable' dept. the 'Pylon' Moulton if money is no object & the Airnimal for it's beauty combined with sporty practicality.
Second place to GoBike purely on lokks let down by engineering deficiencies & lack of support.
Closely followed by the new Birdy in terms of looks but the Birdy beats the GoBike hands down in terms of ridability & engineering detail.
In the 'Breakable' dept. the 'Pylon' Moulton if money is no object & the Airnimal for it's beauty combined with sporty practicality.
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A to Z of Folding Bikes, Designers, Sellers, Accessories, Forums, Meetings, Publications
My bicycle site
My Microcar & alternate energy vehicle site.
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Chop! The mad Welshman, lost in the urban jungle somewhere between LLanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and Vladivostock!
A to Z of Folding Bikes, Designers, Sellers, Accessories, Forums, Meetings, Publications
My bicycle site
My Microcar & alternate energy vehicle site.
Site for the Rock& Roll Tour Bus that I drive.
Chop! The mad Welshman, lost in the urban jungle somewhere between LLanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and Vladivostock!
#12
Bromptonaut
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In order:
1)Dahon D3

2)Brompton

3) The legend of the GoBike
1)Dahon D3

2)Brompton

3) The legend of the GoBike

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Last edited by 14R; 05-08-07 at 06:12 PM.
#13
Hauja
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Best looking
My Dahon classic (not a 3 anymore but a fixie)because I have fixed it up myself to be the best it can be ,or possibly my dahon getaway (converted to a fixie) Both are red. None of my bikes are 100% stock.So what have you done(Your name here)? From taping the handlebars to changing the gearing to make your bike better for you?
Last edited by James H Haury; 05-07-07 at 07:47 AM.
#14
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
Beauty can be many things...
Classic Elegance: Bridgestone F-frame Moulton in white paint
Jeep-style Ruggedness: Airnimal Black/White Rhino
Modern Elegance: Dahon Mu SL in silver-grey paint / yellow stripes
Retro Chic: Raleigh RSW 16 with metallic blue paint and white balloon tyres
Gizmo-laden Coolness: Kuwahara Gaap Wind in white
Zen-like simplicity: Steel Swift in black with fixed gear
Wooden spoon for the ugliest goes to:
Mezzo (sorry Mezzo)






---
Classic Elegance: Bridgestone F-frame Moulton in white paint
Jeep-style Ruggedness: Airnimal Black/White Rhino
Modern Elegance: Dahon Mu SL in silver-grey paint / yellow stripes
Retro Chic: Raleigh RSW 16 with metallic blue paint and white balloon tyres
Gizmo-laden Coolness: Kuwahara Gaap Wind in white
Zen-like simplicity: Steel Swift in black with fixed gear
Wooden spoon for the ugliest goes to:
Mezzo (sorry Mezzo)






---

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My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
#15
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Originally Posted by LittlePixel
Beauty can be many things...
Classic Elegance: Bridgestone F-frame Moulton in white paint
Jeep-style Ruggedness: Airnimal Black/White Rhino
Modern Elegance: Dahon Mu SL in silver-grey paint / yellow stripes
Retro Chic: Raleigh RSW 16 with metallic blue paint and white balloon tyres
Gizmo-laden Coolness: Kuwahara Gaap Wind in white
Zen-like simplicity: Steel Swift in black with fixed gear
Wooden spoon for the ugliest goes to:
Mezzo (sorry Mezzo)






---

Classic Elegance: Bridgestone F-frame Moulton in white paint
Jeep-style Ruggedness: Airnimal Black/White Rhino
Modern Elegance: Dahon Mu SL in silver-grey paint / yellow stripes
Retro Chic: Raleigh RSW 16 with metallic blue paint and white balloon tyres
Gizmo-laden Coolness: Kuwahara Gaap Wind in white
Zen-like simplicity: Steel Swift in black with fixed gear
Wooden spoon for the ugliest goes to:
Mezzo (sorry Mezzo)






---




I want one of each. There goes 10th commandment right down the drain!
#18
too many bikes
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I dropped by Bikefix in Holbron (London) today after some IP meetings in the neighborhood. Bikefix appeared to be a very good stockist, but the proprietor was somewhat distracted by the bungling of a new assistant. I saw my first Airnimal Joey and Rhino in res, many Brommies, Birdys, and a number of curious vsf brand full-size frame, non-folding, German-made bikes with ISO 406 wheels. Strange. I would nominate vsf for the wooden spoon were they a folder.
Getting an Airnimal in a suitcase would be a chore. I second the Rhino as the most rugged folder.
Getting an Airnimal in a suitcase would be a chore. I second the Rhino as the most rugged folder.
#19
To fold or not to fold?
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Originally Posted by maunakea
I dropped by Bikefix in Holbron (London) today after some IP meetings in the neighborhood. Bikefix appeared to be a very good stockist, but the proprietor was somewhat distracted by the bungling of a new assistant. I saw my first Airnimal Joey and Rhino in res, many Brommies, Birdys, and a number of curious vsf brand full-size frame, non-folding, German-made bikes with ISO 406 wheels. Strange. I would nominate vsf for the wooden spoon were they a folder.
Getting an Airnimal in a suitcase would be a chore. I second the Rhino as the most rugged folder.
Getting an Airnimal in a suitcase would be a chore. I second the Rhino as the most rugged folder.
#20
To fold or not to fold?
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Originally Posted by LittlePixel
Beauty can be many things...
Wooden spoon for the ugliest goes to:
Mezzo (sorry Mezzo)

Wooden spoon for the ugliest goes to:
Mezzo (sorry Mezzo)


#21
Steel,Friction,Freewheels
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Some don't consider the Joey a true folder in terms of commuting on a crowded train.
But doesn't it have nice form. The possibilities are endless.
Looks like a offspring of the retro Raleigh Twenty and we know how goodlooking they are.
But doesn't it have nice form. The possibilities are endless.
Looks like a offspring of the retro Raleigh Twenty and we know how goodlooking they are.

#22
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I dropped by Bikefix in Holbron (London) today after some IP meetings in the neighborhood. Bikefix appeared to be a very good stockist, but the proprietor was somewhat distracted by the bungling of a new assistant. I saw my first Airnimal Joey and Rhino in res, many Brommies, Birdys, and a number of curious vsf brand full-size frame, non-folding, German-made bikes with ISO 406 wheels. Strange. I would nominate vsf for the wooden spoon were they a folder.
Was the German bike a "Fahrrad Manufaktur" - they don't fold but they are a sort of utility version of a Dahon mini-bike...
I still have not made my way to Velorution - but I hear good things.
Best Looking folder (well, separable): Moulton Double Pylon - a thing of beauty...
Best Looking bike when folded: Brompton - bijou...


Last edited by Fear&Trembling; 05-09-07 at 03:04 AM.
#23
too many bikes
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F&T, yes, the logo was "vsf Fahrrad Manufaktur", but since the last two words are simply "bicycle manufacturer" I took the brand to be vsf. I asked the proprietor, in between his barking at (training? supervising?) his assistant, why someone would buy a vsf, since it combines the size of a full frame bike and the compromises of ISO 406. He replied that it was not as long as a mountain bike. With the 2+" Big Apples on it, it wouldn't be that much shorter than a road bike. Plus, the vsf weighed about 15 kg/33 lb. I mused on this but spoke no more.
Matt, I'll visit Velorution on my next visit (I'm now back in Hawaii). I hope it has more Spoonerisms.
Matt, I'll visit Velorution on my next visit (I'm now back in Hawaii). I hope it has more Spoonerisms.
#24
Life in Mono
+1 on the Moulton Double Pylon.
+1 Strida, especially 5.
+1 Go bike (or is that Ghost Bike
)
+1 Swift, as long as kept simple and stripped down (that goes for most bikes - added 'stuff', water bottles, racks, even mudguards and dangly derailieurs kill nice clean looks).
-1 Always thought that the Brommie looks like a 'granny bike' - especially with traditional M-Type bars.
-1 Twenty IS a 'granny bike',
but
+1 customised, striped out and simplified, 20 becomes cool.
-1 mezzo looks all wrong to me - its that massive long stem out front that looks (and feels) spindly.
+1 Love the look of those black Airnimal Rhino's, and all the new Dahons seem so much better looking than the ones around even 5 years ago.
If I had to choose 1, I'd take the moulton - and put it on the wall, too expensive to ride
+1 Strida, especially 5.
+1 Go bike (or is that Ghost Bike

+1 Swift, as long as kept simple and stripped down (that goes for most bikes - added 'stuff', water bottles, racks, even mudguards and dangly derailieurs kill nice clean looks).
-1 Always thought that the Brommie looks like a 'granny bike' - especially with traditional M-Type bars.
-1 Twenty IS a 'granny bike',

+1 customised, striped out and simplified, 20 becomes cool.
-1 mezzo looks all wrong to me - its that massive long stem out front that looks (and feels) spindly.
+1 Love the look of those black Airnimal Rhino's, and all the new Dahons seem so much better looking than the ones around even 5 years ago.
If I had to choose 1, I'd take the moulton - and put it on the wall, too expensive to ride

#25
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I have a Helious,it's a beaut ! It's light,it cost $550 at the time,3-4 years ago.I didn't choose it because it was light to be fast or to show-off,we bought it 'cause it was light for the wife to heft.I use it more than she anyway.I like all the Dahons,I'm not on the ball with all they offer,the Curve seems cool,it's different.