Folding bikes have a longer history than we all thought, some dated back to the 1890s. It is a bicycle that can be folded into a compact shape when it is not in use. This is a great option as the bike can be stored in a cramped space. It can also be transported easily as it generally fits in a car trunk and you can travel from one place to another by taking the bike along. A folding bike is a great option for people who like to exercise.
Besides, it is difficult to find parking spaces in the city, so a folding bike is a great option as it allows urban commuters to multi-modal commute. That means you can cycle to and from the subway station, then carry your compact folder on board which is not possible with regular bikes.
Here are some of the important points when buying a new folding bike.
Size: The folding bikes are generally smaller than conventional bikes. The wheel size ranges from 12 inches up to 26 inches depending on the category you buy. Dahon, KHS and Montague have up to 26-inch wheel size folding bicycles. This also depends on how compact you want the folding size and also the physical attributes of the person who is going to ride the bike. For example, a very tall person may find the smaller bike difficult to handle and vice versa. The most popular wheel sizes are 16 and 20 inches.
Weight and Portability: The bike should be easy to carry around and not weigh too much. So, while selecting a bike, look at the weight category of the bike. There are various types of folding patterns available in bikes and you can select the best fit for yourself. Also, the bike should be easily foldable and not have many steps involved in folding which can create an unnecessary hassle.
Price: In the folding bike industry, the price ranges on the brand name, the type of bike, the speed, the quality of the bike etc. To buy a high-quality bike, customers might need to spend around $1,000. There are, however, decent bikes available at a more reasonable price range.
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Speed: Speed of the folding bike also varies. If you are looking at speedy bikes, there are a few bikes out there which are designed to travel at faster speeds than others.
Quality: Always buy good quality bikes from reputable folding bicycle manufacturers. If the material quality used in the bike is good, then it will not have a problem in the long term. It will be safer to drive and also last longer. So, when buying a folding bicycle, one needs to look at the quality and not get swayed by cheaper and less reliable options.
Electric: Electric or non-electric? This is also an important factor to consider. Folding electric bikes have become more popular as they help us ride faster without having to break a sweat. However, they are also a lot more expensive as some high-end options could cost more than $3,000. However, there are many high-quality folding e-bikes at more affordable price tags.
Brands: You can buy folding bicycles online or at many of the bike shops in the U.S. Many bicycle companies have a variety of folding bikes available. Some of the leading brands that sell high-quality folding bicycles include Dahon, Brompton, Montague Bikes, KHS Bikes, Doppelganger, A-Bike, Birdie, Schwinn, Bridgestone Picnica, etc.
So while buying a folding bike one needs to keep in mind the above-mentioned points.
