Comments on: Folding bikes: Great leap forward

By: ha1ku

ha1ku — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:16:56 +0000

They’re squirrelly for maybe the first two rides around the parking lot. Then you get used to the handling and they really do steel well as their larger-wheeled brethren.

I’m riding my second Dahon — a 2008 Speed TR. My commute to the office is only 3.5 miles each way. The gear range on this model really helps with the hills.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:22:22 +0000

The ride on small wheels is squirrelly, even on those bikes that claim to ‘ride like a normal bike.’ Some folders are downright uncomfortable to ride because of the “one size fits all” geometry.

But keep in mind that most of these folders (there are exceptions) are meant for short distance rides only to get you literally that last mile to and from the bus stop or train station. Many folding bikes roll around so carrying is minimal, and like I mentioned elsewhere carrying a 30 lb folding bike is easier than carrying a 22 lb full size bike because they’re actually designed to be carried.

By: Quinn

Quinn — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:37:25 +0000

a few things bug me about folding bikes
weight- my 29er is lighter than a lot of them- what’s the use of it folding if its heavy to carry around.
wheels- I commute on my road bike or my 29er, not my 26er for a reason, I can only image 20″ wheels .o0(IM Not Lance)
the geo/ergo- those have to be the weirdesy riding bikes!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 05:01:42 +0000

@Peter: I hope you are not under 5’2″ or taller than 6’4″!
The 20″ wheel Dahon Vitesse is one-size-fits-all and you should be able to get a comfy setup. I had to move the seat forward a lot further forward than ‘mid-rails’, and seat height is quite critical (tip-toes only) if I am not to get a bad lower back.
I manage 25 miles a day on a Vitesse, and now all the other bikes stay in the garage, never to emerge. My commute does involve a train (hence the uptake of the folder) and I am truly amazed at how much I prefer the small wheel to the big wheel. I would never have thought it, but that is the situation. I quite enjoy being laughed at by ‘big-bike’ cyclists, what with their ‘that’s not a bike!’ attitudes.

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:25:47 +0000

I have the Dahon Jack, and it is great – and it was a steal at $460, I think. It’s absolutely necessary for my 60-mile, bike-train-bike commute, and pretty damn good for around-town errands and jaunts that don’t necessarily require a folder. Every time I take it on the train I get friendly inquiries, and when I explain my commute, people say, “Man, I should start doing that!”

By: SF Bike Commuter

SF Bike Commuter — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:04:13 +0000

I ride several different bikes for my commute. One of my favorite is my Bike Friday NWT which is set up as a fixed gear. I recently added a Surly Dingle Cog to the rear wheel and a second chain ring up front which gives me a hill climbing gear and a cruising gear. The Bike Friday bikes are fun to ride and can be custom built to fit like your favorite “regular” bike. The upside is that when I travel I can bring it along.

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:16:45 +0000

I love my Dahon Curve SL! I use it to ride from the ship I am to all over Norfolk, Va. Another bonus is if the ship is docked in a secure area, I can just fold up my bike to get through the turnstyle. I bring it into resturants, the mall, and grocery stores. I rode it 13 miles yesterday from Norfolk to Chesapeake to Portsmouth and then the ferry back to Norfolk. The saddle is pretty comfortable ( I didn’t have to switch it out like the one that came with my cannondale). The only problem is if the wind gets blowing, it is hard to get into a crouched position.

By: Peter Wang

Peter Wang — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:55:09 +0000

I recently tried out my new Dahon Vitesse on my 25 miles round-trip commute. It was slow, and the ergonomics weren’t right… but it did work. I’m glad I have it. It’s easy to take onto a crowded transit vehicle.