| ou thinking about getting a folding bicycle to take along | | | | more suitable for a bike commuting type of lifestyle. |
| when you travel? | | | | How They Perform |
| While not as common in the United States, the folding | | | | Most folding bikes are not intended for racing and |
| bicycle has a great following in other places around the | | | | therefore are built for ease in handling, toughness and |
| world where bikes rule the road. Also called a | | | | comfort. You will find that the ride quality of the folding |
| “folder” by its large following, the folding | | | | bicycle is a bit stiffer and a little rougher because a |
| bicycle has a number of joints and hinges which allow | | | | suspension system is not always advantageous in the |
| the bike to be folded into a smaller size that is totally | | | | bike design. The bike has wheels that are smaller in |
| portable and easy to carry. Most folders have several | | | | diameter and has a wheelbase that is shorter than its |
| parts of the frame which are folded for a compact | | | | full size counterparts. The result of these wheel design |
| size. | | | | changes in the folding bike is what produces the more |
| Major Advantages | | | | rugged ride. |
| The folding bicycle has a huge advantage when you | | | | These folders typically will fold in the bike |
| are traveling via public transportation or other public | | | | frame’s middle but the overall design will dictate |
| areas because it can be folded up to take up less | | | | that as placing the joint or fold in the wrong area could |
| space. It is quite difficult, if not impossible to take a full | | | | make the integrity of the bike weaker. You will notice |
| size bike on a bus, in a taxi or even on an airplane. | | | | that the folding bicycle will typically have a few extra |
| However, with a folder, you can place them for | | | | parts than a regular bike to accommodate the folding |
| portable transportation in the fully folded state easily in | | | | joints and other mechanisms to allow for the folding |
| a large trunk of a vehicle or carry it with you aboard a | | | | action. |
| bus, subway or train. | | | | The size of the bike when totally assembled from its |
| Commuters will find that the folding bicycle does not | | | | folded state is typically a little smaller than a full size |
| have to be left chained outdoors and placed at the | | | | bike. Also, don’t expect to win any races with |
| mercy of potential thieves or even the weather. | | | | the folding bicycle as it is made for its portability and |
| Instead, they can fold up their bike and take it up the | | | | convenience. There are some folding racing bikes on |
| stairs or elevator to store in a corner of their office | | | | the market but the average consumer does not need |
| until it is time to go home. While these folders do cost | | | | the extra bells and whistles or the extra cost when |
| more than the average full size, unfoldable bike, they | | | | they are not going to be racing. |
| do have the same features as one and will be much | | | | |