Folding bikes are technically not a new invention, but have recently begun to make an appearance in cities. Folding bikes are typically lighter than traditional bikes and fold into a neat design that makes getting on and off mass transportation less difficult. Although most folding bikes are made for commuting, there are folding bikes built for trail riding. Others are multi-purpose; they can be taken on mountain biking trails, provided you purchase the right tires.
Dahon Flo
One of the highest rated folding mountain bikes is Dahon's Flo. Designed in part by mountain bike pioneer Joe Murray, this bike earned 5 out of 5 stars on Bikeradar.com. Reviewers called it "the best folding MTB on the market." The bike is not a true "folding" bike, but using an Allen wrench you can separate the front and back for easy packing. It has a RockShox Reba fork, a SRAM X9 drivetrain, Avid disc brakes and 27 gears that can take you over slickrock as well as roots and mud. Although only 24 pounds, the Flo's handmade steel frame proved to withstand even the toughest single track trails.
Montague SwissBike
Folding bikes typically have small wheels, making rides on dirt and trails difficult. Montague's SwissBike, however, maintains the standard 26 inch mountain bike tire, which earned the bike 3.5 out of 5 stars on Bikeradar.com. The larger tire allows the bike to roll more smoothly and efficiently over poor surfaces; larger tires are also more durable than the smaller tires on other folding bikes. The SwissBike comes with front suspension for handling rocks and drops and 21 gears for tackling hills and potential mountain climbs. The only drawback to the bike is that the tires make it less compact after folding, and more difficult to carry on buses and trains.
Dahon Vitesse P18 (ref 3)
While not technically a mountain bike, the Dahon Vitesse P18 is tough enough to endure the rugged terrain of a trail, providing you with 18 gears for climbing grades without too much effort. Coming in at number 6 on Foldingbikereviews.us, the Vitesse is light and even comes with its own integrated tired pump if you have a flat. Its 20 inch tires are not as big as standard mountain bike tires, but give better performance and durability than the standard 16 inch folding bike tire. As a versatile bike, it still provides comfort and proficient handling on city streets and can be loaded up, thanks to its rear rack, for trips to the grocery store.
Columba 26 Inch Double Suspension (also ref 3, scroll down to #9)
If you want a folding mountain bike with both front and rear suspension, Columba's folding mountain bike is an excellent option. With its standard, 26 inch mountain bike tires and fast fold-up, this bike ranked in the top ten on Foldingbikereviews.us. Reviewers found it versatile enough for your daily commute as well as day and weekend trips to the mountains; the dual suspension allows you to take on both potholes and rocks with ease. High-quality Kenda tires come standard, and its aluminum alloy frame and V brakes are durable enough to handle a variety of terrain.
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