Worse. I'm a prostitute trying in utter futility to wrangle $$ out of government johns while Columbia Presbyterian strings me along on a wage that is utterly inappropriate for all of my years of graduate training. But how many prostitutes can say they love their work?

Don't they all say that?

Oh boy ... :lol:

OK, so maybe I'm a little late to the party, but....

I used folders exclusively for about a year, and am now back to 700c full-time. I prefer the stability and comfort of the larger wheels, without sacrificing performance or cost, and towards the end I rarely used the fold. I still have a cheap Dahon collecting dust in the basement, haven't decided whether or not to sell it.

Keeping that in mind, if a folder is working for you, go for it. Just maintain it well, and you can do almost anything on a folder as you can with a larger bike.

I am similar Bacciagalupe. My Swift gets little use unless the folding aspect is really necessary. The steel frame bikes I have or have had provide a much more comfy ride than the Swift. Then again, I'm not a fan of aluminum, even scandium frames. I don't consider myself a roadie, more of a utilitarian rider. Surfaces I normally travel in complete comfort on my other bikes(small and stone sized gravel roads, country roads that cause you to bob up and down like a porn star, and city pot holed infesed roads) are really miserable on the Swift. I'd really like to try a full suspension folder, but they are not popular enough around here to find a test ride. In fact, I only remember seeing a cheap Dahon around here some years ago, and that's it. My insistance for a comfy ride and load capacity keep me from more interest in folders for now(I tried a trailer and hated it). I'd really like to try the IF Reach when they are available. This might be an option.

I like the idea of a folder that can handle all my needs but they don't exist at a reasonable enough price for me. The curse of being poor by our standards I guess. Mind you, I don't travel by train or bus and don't need to commute on a bike that I cannot store indoors. This would change my mind if I had those needs. Folder are groovy, just not compatible within my price point. My wants are far too great for my wallet.

The folder to normal bike debate is as ridiculous as the chicken or the egg debate. No right answer. Bikes all have versatile purposes. I hate hybrid bikes, let me repeat, I HATE HYBRID BIKES!!!!!!! This doesn't mean they are the wrong bike for everyone. It's just a opinion. The Swift is compared to one, but I don't look at the Swift as one because of it's use. This may be hypacritical.

A couple of beers and rant over. Some here take their bikes too serious. The only bike that's right is the one you actually ride and have a real use for(whatever that may be), not just post online about and say "hey look at me, I'm cool I have bikes".

Why have a normal bike if it isn't useful, and why have a folding bike if it isn't useful?

I could ride a unicycle in the Tour de France if they would let me, but would I want/need/like to? This last one isn't against non-folding or folding bikes. Sorry for the grammar.

I had a Bianchi folder (Nealeco) for a while. Got it for $25, sold it for a little more after putting on some 20" whitewalls. I'd say folders have their place and time. That little Bianchi was fun as hell for heading up to the grocery store. I had a milk crate bungeed to the rack.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21162852@N07/2275944948/

I love the idea of rear rack incorporated into the frame! I'd like to see non-folders with the chain/seat-stays like that...

Oh, yeah, I was trying to remember who else had chain/seat stays like that. It was Yeti. Total Sweetness.

imeself, you are stern :rolleyes:

why not take ones bikes "too serious" if that's what gives one a feeling of belonging and mastership? Why not "seriously" discussing in the internet, if that makes you feel you are spending a good time? Why not have a bike that isn't useful but fun and enjoyment -that's a good use - even if its not ridden much. Why not feel cool because of having bikes and show them - I cant see severe harm in that. "Hatred" is a ridiculous feeling towards a poor innocent hybrid bike and I am sure you don't mean it literally but light...suppose other eagerly debaters do alike :)

@lester
Wow, like the bianchi - did you post a pic to the name your folder thread

somnatash

Hopefully I didn't make anyone angry with that post. As far as the people taking their bikes too serious, this wasn't a dig at people here who talk about bikes or post bikes. This was aimed at people who say that bikes cannot be useful regardless of what it is, or that certain types of bikes are necessary or better for certain functions. I actually agree with everything you said. I did a poor job with the last post.

To me, yes, fun bikes are useful. I like mine for that very reason. Hatred of hybrids was, as you said, to be taken lightly and simply used as an example.

I'm sorry if I insulted anyone. And yes, I would ride the Tour de France on a unicycle, because it would be hilarious, which to me would be useful.

(I hear Aussies are all Islamacismists.) I can't even pronounce Islamacisthingamy. How can I be one?

(I hear Aussies are all Islamacismists.) I can't even pronounce Islamacisthingamy. How can I be one? :D

Sorry I stutter.

I love my folder, a Dahon Curve D3. It's great for carrying on the bus. I don't ride it everywhere because it's not designed for that. So getting back to the original subject, I'd recomend a folder for commuting but keep your Hybrid for other riding if you have the room where you live.

Here's my experience... I commute with my bike, but part of my commute is by train. Sometimes, that train is very crowded. In the case of Amtrak, it actually costs more to take a full-sized bike. I use the folding bike so that I can get on the train without extra expense... or when it is extremely crowded.

If I were commuting without getting on the train. Just straight up riding the whole way to work and back. I would not use a folding bike... even if my commute was reasonable (which it isn't at 29 miles one way). I would just find a good full-sized bike that I felt comfortable on for a lot less money.

All bikes are compromises. Folding bikes are no exception. That said, I ride my folder exclusively. I rarely ride incredibly great distances, and I love, love, love...

*that I don't need a lock
*if I meet a friend with a car, I can catch a ride with the bike in the trunk
*if something breaks, I can fold it and easily catch a bus, cab or train
*if I need to shop or eat, I can fold it and bring it inside

So... yes... there are compromises. My folder will never win any races (at least as long as my slow ass is riding it). I still have some minor issues with fit that I'm working through. However, the advantages I enjoy far outweigh those compromises.

Your mileage may vary. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. Yo Momma! ;)

--sam

Folders are fun
 

I recently bought a XootrSwift and i'm having a great time with it. I don't use it for commuting but it is great to have it ready in my car trunk to take a quick trail ride after a long day at work. For me to load up my full size bike on a rack is too time consuming. I think cycling is mostly about having fun. I would never give up my road bikes but the Xootr gives me options. BTW I believe you can never have too any bikes. Right now I'm looking to make fixie out of an old steel frame road bike. My desire is to acquire as many bikes as possible to enhance my riding experience and pleasure. So really there is no right or wrong with any bike as long as you enjoy it.

Hi imeself,
did you try the swift with butt buddy (nothing to do with the "porn star" here :twitchy:) or thudbuster or some suspension in the front like pantour?
BTW: no need to excuse, your post was fine:)

Front panniers? I think I saw you today...

I consider myself to be very fortunate in that I have multiple bikes and plenty of storage and repair space.

My desire to ride more made a folding bike a sensible purchase. It lives in the back of my Subaru, and I ride it around the industrial complex where I work, and off-site to lunch a few days a week. I like it, it handles well, and is convenient. I hadn't touched my other bikes in months.

Today I needed to come home at lunchtime, so I grabbed my conventional bike. I had forgotten how nice it was.... suspension, knobby tires that handled the neighbors private dirt road with confidence, smooth drivetrain. It was a reminder that no one single bike, like no one single vehicle, has a full monopoly on doing everything well.

I can ride a bike again finally after a very long hiatus because of my little folders. I kept to the basic models of Dahon and Brompton. I stripped off all the excess accessories that bikes generally come in. With the elimination of the hunched over position & the awful narrow hard saddles, my little bikes are far more comfortable and a pleasure to ride. The lower step over frames means I don't have to wear special (spandex) clothing to ride one. As I get older, I don't have to give up cycling since I can climb aboard with no assistance. I have regular pedals for any shoe means I don't have to change shoes either. Speed? I feel I go just as fast as when I used road bikes. I don't need special storage areas for my bikes anywhere I am-at home or out and about. And there is the matter of true liberation from those stupid ineffective locks that don't work around here.

Thus "Folder Fanatic" and the "World Of Folding Bicycles" Web series were born.

I just posted this on the other (Bike Friday) thread, so I guess I'll post it on this (more appropriate) thread, too, and get some more mileage out of it ;-)


I like my Swift, and I liked that Bike Friday Pocket Rocket I tried out even more, but to be honest the folding bike's only real advantage is that it folds, so it can be more easily transported or stored. I also like small wheels because they are fun to ride and more compact even without the folding feature, and the low stepover is very comfortable and convenient (but tires wear out faster and they are skittish). But who makes a high quality small wheeled non-folder besides the overly-complex (I think) super-expensive barely distributed in the US Moulton?

The 2007 Dahon Smooth Hound and HammerHead bikes are sturdy non-folders. The earlier models are also. And I believe that the 2009 Dahon Smooth Hound does not fold either, but is is not currently available in the USA.
Their are some 2006 Dahon HammerHeads for sale on the BrandsCycle website.
Check it out!:thumb:

I only get hey nice bike or wow that is wicked when
1) riding my impossible chopper or
2) the brommie
3) the pugsley

my ti mtb, no one notices,
cf road bike, alum TT bike, alum CX bike, SS MTB, 29" MTB, no one cares

Hey, thanks for the tip, BB! I never knew about the Dahon non-folders. Don't suppose there's anyplace to try one out in AZ...

The Dahon site says that there is a Dahon dealer here in Tucson - my favorite bike shop, too - but unfortunately they don't stock them so it's by special order only.

That's another problem with buying a folding bike, or a non-folding small wheeler, or any out of the ordinary bike, I guess - it's always so hard to find one to see and try out before you buy it.

No Smoothhounds or Hammerheads are shown on the Dahon US website.

http://dahon.com/us/folding-bicycles-us-models.htm

Their are some 2006 Dahon HammerHeads for sale on the BrandsCycle website.

_____________

I just called them up. They're gone, and he has no other non-folding small wheel bikes, only what's on the Dahon website.