How to Choose a Folding Bike
Advice on Buying a Foldable Bicycle
Folding bikes come with varying wheel sizes and frame designs. Choosing the right bike comes down to where and how it will be ridden plus ease of foldability.
Folding bicycles were invented in the early seventies and heavy early models were slow to catch on with the general public.
Modern foldable bikes use lightweight steel and aluminium and advances in frame design have made the best models fast and easy to fold and store. Their growing popularity is evident with market leader Dahon selling over 2 million folding bikes in the last 25 years.
Buying a Folding Bicycle
Most folding bikes come with either 16” or 20” wheels. Smaller than their conventional bicycle counterparts, they are practical for speedy folding/unfolding on commuter journeys and weigh less making bikes easy to carry when necessary.
Larger wheel sizes, 24” or 26” for off-road and 700c for road are also available though these are less popular as they compete with conventional bikes of the same size.
Types of Folding Bike
These fit broadly into four main categories. Choose a bike according to the type of riding planned.
Comfort / Utility Bikes
Great for popping down to the local store and urban recreational cycling but not intended for long hard days in the saddle.
Easy to fold and store in a tight space.
Performance Commuting Bikes
With sturdier, lighter frames and components, these folding bikes offer greater comfort and durability whether riding fast to work in the city or cycle training at the weekend.
Foldable Road Bikes
For keen cyclists who travel abroad a lot and don’t want to train on a hire bike or pay extra to carry a large bike case.
Foldable Mountain Bikes
Really only for enthusiasts who can afford an additional mountain bike purely for overseas travel.
Which Folding Bike Wheel Size?
•16” wheels are great for commuting on public transport, as they are lighter and more compact when folded. They can be less comfortable for taller riders and longer journeys so choose 16” for maximum convenience and tight space urban living.
•20” wheels generally offer a more comfortable ride and better performance yet are still sufficiently compact when folded. Higher spec models are suitable for long day rides so choose 20” if performance in a folding bike is more important than compact portability.
•24” and 26” wheels are simply conventional bikes that are easily portable. In addition many of the components are off the shelf so can be bought in any regular bike shop.
Which Folding Bike Brand?
Market leader Dahon offers a comprehensive range of bikes and price points and some of the most advanced patented technology around including superlite chromoly tubing, seatposts with integrated floor pumps and telescopic adjustable handleposts plus folding times as fast as 5 seconds on some models.
Brompton bikes, hand built in London, have three models in 16” wheel sizes only; the 3 speed classic for city and country riding, a 6 speed tourer with multi-position handlebars and a lighter 2 speed sporty model with a more positive feel. With 1200 unique parts, a Brompton will cost more than most comparable folders but will hold its value well.
Other brands to consider include Airnimal for performance models, Birdy for all purpose multi-speed riding or Airframe for super light, sexy styling and a unique scissor-like folding action.
Which Folding Bike Wheel Size?
•16” wheels are great for commuting on public transport, as they are lighter and more compact when folded. They can be less comfortable for taller riders and longer journeys so choose 16” for maximum convenience and tight space urban living.
•20” wheels generally offer a more comfortable ride and better performance yet are still sufficiently compact when folded. Higher spec models are suitable for long day rides so choose 20” if performance in a folding bike is more important than compact portability.
•24” and 26” wheels are simply conventional bikes that are easily portable. In addition many of the components are off the shelf so can be bought in any regular bike shop.
Which Folding Bike?
Match the folding bike type to intended riding purpose and decide whether performance advantages of a 20” wheel are more important than the ease of 16” wheel portability. Then cross-reference the key brands to find a bike that suits the budget.
