Although folding bicycles were around in the 1800s, only recently have they enjoyed an increase in popularity. In big cities throughout the United States, you'll see everyone from students to businessmen riding or carrying their folding bicycle, and with well over 100 companies manufacturing folding bikes, it's easy to find one that's the perfect size for you.
Wheel Size
According to "A to B" magazine, folding bikes come in three classes, depending on wheel size: grand tourer folding bikes, with wheels 20 inches or larger; super-compact folding bikes, with wheels 16 to 18 inches; and very small wheeled folding bikes, with wheels less than 16 inches. Choose a bike that fits your needs; if you want a bike that's easy to pack in the car and go to the park you may be happy with a larger bike, but if you need one that will fold up for the train or bus look for something smaller and more lightweight.
Grand Tourer
In general, bikes with wheels 20 inches or larger will have the performance of a more traditional bike, but it's harder to fold them up and they create a bigger package. You can find a folding bike with 24 or 26 inch wheels, which is basically a regular bicycle, meaning your local bike shop can easily fix and replace its components. These bikes would be harder to take with you, however, on public transportation.
Super Compact
Bikes with wheels in the 16 to 18 inch range fold up quickly and are about the size of a suitcase, making them easy to carry onto public transportation or stick under a desk. The smaller wheels maneuver quickly and are generally stronger than bigger wheels. However, they will give you a rougher ride, so if you have much distance to travel, look for one with good suspension.
Very Small Wheeled
"A to B" magazine explains that despite the fact that these bicycles have smaller wheels than their 16-inch counterparts, they often they don't fold into a smaller package. In addition, they typically use soft tires to absorb the bumps in the road instead of suspension, which may make them harder to pedal. Even with adjustable seats and handlebars, these bikes may be uncomfortable for taller people. On the plus side, these bikes are often cheaper than their bigger counterparts.
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