Folding bicycles have been around since the early seventies when innovative engineers came up with the idea of creating a bike that could be hung on a coat stand when not in use.
Early models like the British built Bickerton were heavy and clunky so were slow to catch on with the general public. But thanks to clever engineers like Andrew Ritchie and David Hon, inventors of the Brompton and Dahon brands, folding bikes of today are light, nimble and offer numerous advantages over conventional bicycles.
Advantages of Folding Bikes
- Foldable bikes offer flexibility and ease of commuting via train/bus and bike as they can be carried free on public transport.
- They are virtually thief-proof, a huge advantage in major cities like New York where bike theft is commonplace.
- Folders, as they are lovingly called by their owners, fit effortlessly into cramped spaces so are ideal for apartment owners.
- Used as a commuter bike, they offer a healthy, green method of transport and potential cost savings versus a car when used with public transport for longer journeys.
- Folding bikes are great as training bikes for cyclists travelling abroad and are super easy to pack as they simply fold into a travel bag.
- They have a high resale value so are a good investment.
- Buying a folding bike is pretty straightforward as they generally only come in one size with other parts such as the seat post offering different “sizes” for individual riders.
Folding Bikes Versus Conventional Bikes
A folding bicycle is intended for commuting or recreational purposes so it is designed with smaller 16” or 20” wheels and a frame built for comfort and longevity. Although the majority of folding bikes sold have these smaller wheels, manufacturers like market leader Dahon now produce high-end road and mountain bikes too, all with folding capability.
The short wheelbase on a folding bike can translate to a rougher ride on bumpy ground, which is why many folders have chunkier tires versus conventional hybrid bikes.
Disadvantages of Folding Bikes
- Designs are complicated which means that more parts can go wrong. The simplest frames have just one hinge to fold the bike roughly in half. More complex designs employ both swing and flip hinges allowing both the frame and steering column to fold into a more compact bike.
- Folding bicycles are more expensive than a similar performing conventional model. This is due to both the complexity of design making the bikes harder to manufacture and the fact that there is simply less demand for them.
- More complex designs are harder to fold quickly.
Cost of a Folding Bike
Cheaper “quality” models start around £250/$360 with top end folders made specifically for road or mountain use selling at over £1000/$1450. As with conventional bikes, the higher the cost, the better the components and the lighter the bike.
One of the lightest folding bikes on the market currently is the Sinclair A-Bike. Whilst the design is totally different from standard folders, it does offer a faster option than walking and is perfect for tube stations as it folds in less than 10 seconds.
Buying a Folding Bike
Key brands to consider are market leader Dahon which offers affordable folding bikes across a wide range of styles and pricepoints, Brompton for hand built designs made in London or perhaps one of the trendy newer brands like Birdy or Airnimal.
Folding bikes offer the flexibility of multi-mode travel and are perfect for people looking to offset their carbon footprints by jumping on the bike+bus/train instead of taking the car. A boost to health and fitness is an added bonus.
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Helen Smeaton - Helen Smeaton runs a cycling and hiking business and is also a freelance writer and web designer. Read her profile for more information
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