I am looking for a folding bike I can take on the bus a few times a week.

I currently am considering buying the Giant ExpressWay 1.

Does anyone own one and what do you think?

I don't know much about Giant bikes but if your're looking for options there are other brands you should look.
The most of the folks here own folders like: Dahon, Tern bicycles, Bike friday, Birdy, and Brompton. Just to name few.

IMO the Giant website are really vague about their spec. Makes you wonder.

The expressway is my first FB (my 2nd is a Brommie) that I bought about 6 months ago. It's a good one! I have since replaced the handlebar (with a CF one), saddle (with Brooks) and the rear brake (with Avid BB7 mech disc brake). It's stiff. No creaks. A bit heavy and the fold not so compact. If you plan on going bi-modal with it, there may be better alternatives but it's one good FB that rides like a proper bike!

Thanks for the options. I actually did look at Brompton but the price is not right for me at the moment.
I was looking to spend around $500 on a bike I would use for 2 years or so and then sell. One of the appeals of Giant is that its fairly easy to resell a Giant bike.

My main need is to bring it on a bus. Here in Orange County, I have tried to use a bicycle/bus combo to do some computing to a local college-but at the college the bike rack on the bus is usually full so a folding bike would take away that barrier.

I am still looking at Dahon. Never had any experience with Tern. Is it good?

(I have a few other bikes I ride for enjoyment so this bike would have a very specific use).

Also, thank you for your input amf14

Edit: I am taking a serious look at the Tern D8 now as well

What's missing besides the weight? https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/....1/9018/48865/
(Giants don't put weights on their bikes)

My wife owns an "Expressway" and I have a "Halfway". Both are excellent bikes for riding, but the "Halfway" folds better and has a unique clamping arrangement. You can check out our recent thread "A New pair of Giants" for pics and comments.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Pair-of-Giants

I did a quick weight check, not official,used bathroom scales. Expressay 29lbs with rack and lights, Halfway 27.5 lbs with rack and lights

I'd look at a Dahon Curve mainly for its small fold.
It has flex in the stem but the small fold may be more important on a bus and it will be less intrusive at school.
Every folder is a compromise of rigidity, price, fold size, ride comfort, and weight.
I don't know of any bike that has all the positives.
In my opinion the perfect folder doesn't exist yet.

A full titanium or aluminum Brompton style frame, carbon seatpost and bars, 16" tires, carbon wheelset, Sram Red shifting, and Hollowgram cranks would be close to perfect.
Sadly it does not exist and even if the frame did, this bike would retail for $4000+.
Nice to dream though.

Tern is basically Dahon. The son and wife (of the founder of dahon) left to form Tern in 2011. They improved the bike and imo looks sexier. Anyway, there's many recent topic around here you should look at.
With the info from the post above, its definitely heavier than dahon/tern.

As for my very brief review of Link d8... smooth ride, makes me looks sexy when going out, and all that good stuff. But seriously, I don't use all of its 8 gears, or the rack that comes with (i removed it). I spend a lot on upgrades and to come. Kind of like having a nice car, you spend too much on add-ons.

You might want to consider single/duo gear models. There are members here that can give you something more detailed.

I did a quick look at the Los Angeles CL listings for folding bikes and it looks like the bike prices are inflated a bit. Perhaps you should try Origami Bikes. They supposedly have a few new offerings, but there's reviews are limited on these at the moment.

https://www.origamibicycles.com/

I'd get a Tern D8

Thank you everyone for your comments. I ended up buying a 2012 Giant Expressway 2 from a LBS for $330. I am going to ride it around and see how much use it gets. More info later.

I did test ride a Tern as well, and I liked the Tern very much. The final decision this time came down to price, but if I get enough use out of the folding bike, I will look to upgrade around this time next year.
MFM

Congrats! You got a really good deal as those bike generally sell for about $450. Enjoy!

Congrats! For the price and the folding size of a typical mid-frame hinged 20" folder I think you did well. On paper it seems to be a good choice... 32-88 gear inch range, rear rack, forward canted handlebar stem, decent shifter, derailleur and drive train... keep us updated with your impressions.

Hi - I have GIANT Expressway which I like very much and which is strong and most reliable even after multiple foldings and set ups.
I upgraded chain soon after purchase as transmission was not smooth. With new Shimano chain it is smooth as silk.
Bike weighs 12kgs about 26lbs. I think this is heavy? I personally would not take this on a commuter bus as is akward and flops about unless you use a couple of velcro straps to hold it tight closed. It is not as small when folded as you might hope.
I recently took on international flight using bag provided, I tight Velcro strapped bike, then tight strapped around outside of carry case.
I wrapped chainwheel in thick foam rubber as I felt this was one weaknes baggage handling could damage. There was no damage during handling.Also find it takes 10-mins more to cycle 20kms than on my Cannondale roadbike. Rear tyre needs to be really hard.
Any advice on folding bike use welcome.

Thanks for the comments PastBest

I took my folding bike out for a 18 mile ride today (which has a light grade uphill for 2-3 miles) and it performed ok.

I also noticed my handlebar has a slight bend to the left. Is this part of the fold or something I can adjust?

Handle bars should be straight. I'm sure no folding bike design makes you cycle in circles. If you can't straighten it for some reason, the dealer should sort it out for you.

it can be very disconcerting, but its not serious, your handlebars are out of alignment with the front wheel, you need to slacken off the stem, grip the front wheel between your knees and turn the handlebars slightly till they are centred, then tighten up the stem. On a lot of bikes this is a normal part of the unfolding sequence, some people make a mark on the stem at the correct alignment to make it easier and quicker.

I looked at image closely then checked the folding quick release on my bike and cannot see how adjustment here would correct this.
I also checked handlebar quick release and cannot see how adjustment here would correct this either.
It is possible that the stem is bent? I would take back to dealer.
Q. Do you find drive/transmission smooth with existing chain?

I had several negative experiences with Giant Folding bikes. Not coming back to them. Please see my comments from back in 2005 about my 1/2ways:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hlight=halfway

Looks like another fold in half , and fold the stem down, telescoping seatpost, bike.

IDK, maybe Giant, like so much of their production, is sold in multiple customer's
contract names , to various distributors , as well as under their own Brand Name.

The name is also the size of the company.. Merida is another Biggie.

While we're on thr GIANT. I have taken off mudguards, bike stand and added lightweight saddle. Now plan to search for folding pedals which will take toe clips as I miss security and 360deg pedal action (I may try to affix clips to rubber folding pedals somehow). I do not want to use my my 'cleet' pedals (don't fold) or bike shoes as this reduce walking mobility. Any ideas or posts you've seen on this?