Many types of folding bikes are on the market today, and it can be hard to decide which is the best one for you. Each ccompany has its own version of how a folding bike should ride and fold. To choose, you may want to start considering what you would use your folding bike for and then go from there. You will be able to pick the one that best suits your needs.
Function
A folding bike is for a very special consumer. This consumer needs a bike that is going to ride well and fold up nicely. Some folding bike companies might focus too much on one or the other. The quality of components should also be considered, you want your bike to last. Brompton, Dahon and Bike Friday are among the cream of the crop in the folding bike world.
Brompton
The Brompton folding bike is made in England and is one of the easiest bikes to fold. According to Micheal McGettigan, owner of Trophy Bikes in Philadelphia, the Brompton fold is easy to learn and he's never had to teach someone to fold the bike twice. The Brompton frame is made of steel with options of titanium for the fork and rear triangle. According to McGettigan, the most popular model in his shop is the M3L in black. He believes it is the most popular because it is the most hybrid-like. The Brompton is a quality folder that you can stick with, states McGettigan.
Dahon
Dahon folding bikes come in a variety of styles and sizes. They are cheaper than a Brompton and might be more suited for the novice folder rider. Different wheel sizes, specifically the 24-inch, aims at making a smoother, less twitchy ride. New models offer the capacity to charge your electronic devices from the offstored energy generated by the rotating hub.
Bike Friday
The Bike Friday brand hails from Eugene, Oregon, a place where bike commuting is habitual. Bike Friday generally makes "travel" bikes, but they do make one folding bike called The Tikit. Like the Brompton, the Bike Friday has an easy to fold design and touts itself as the fastest fold on the market. There are two folds to choose from: the hyperfold or the Model T. The Tikit is available in a variety of designs suited for each riders needs.
References
- Michael McGettigan; owner Trophy Bikes; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Dahon.com Reviews
- Bike Friday: Tikit
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