Folding Bikes Reviews

Folding bikes are great for a couple of different uses. One is when you take a car trip with a bicycle, and don't want to install a bike rack or have to rent a bicycle. Then there are commuters who ride to work, fold their bike and carry in to the office; no worries about the bike getting stolen from a bike rack (jealous office mates are another matter). And if you live in a small house or apartment, storing a folding bicycle is a more compact option than a regular bike. Dahon is one of the leaders in folding bicycles.

  1. Get to Know Jack

    • Jack, by Dahon, is a 28-pound, 7-speed bike that folds in half and can be carried easily in a car trunk. It is not quite as convenient to carry with you as some other folding bikes, but it has nice, fat tires that give a smooth ride and it is as comfortable as any hybrid bike. It has a nifty tire pump in the seat post. The 2009 price is $579.

    Speed Demon

    • Dahon also makes the Speed P8, which collapses into itself in a compact 11.7 inches by 30 inches by 25 inches (by comparison, Jack is 13.3 inches by 36.7 inches by 30.8 inches). The folded Speed weighs 27.5 pounds, but when the frame is locked and collapsed, it it easier to carry with one hand. You ride in a more upright position in this bicycle, and it may not be as comfortable for long rides, though it is perfect for riding in a suit. With its small wheels, it does look a little like a clown bike, so you have to get used to the giggles. The 2009 price is $649.

    Bargain Schwinn

    • Schwinn makes the Hinge, a folding bicycle that resembles the Dahon, but it weighs 42 pounds and is difficult to carry one-handed. If you are just getting this to store in your apartment, the weight might not matter, but even when you are riding the bicycle, the extra weight drags on you. The Hinge's 2009 price is $199.

    18-Wheeler

    • The Montague DX Grand Canyon Crossover Bike is an 18-speed bicycle that rides most like a regular hybrid bike. But is is also the bulkiest and most confusing to collapse or open up, so if you are looking for speed or convenience there, the Montague falls short. Its 2009 price is $489.

    Compact

    • The Kent Compact 16 has 16-inch wheels, 6 speeds and weighs in at only 25 pounds. However, it is the least comfortable of the bikes, and even at the 2009 price of $199 seems overpriced for what you are getting.