Foldable bikes enable a great range of cycling possibilities. Unfortunately, train companies increasingly make it difficult to carry bikes, especially at rush hour. Purchasing a fold up bike enables you to take the train and bike. For commuting around London a fold up bike will be perfect for getting around. The bike doesn’t need to be expensive you can get a good one for £200-£300. As usual the more you spend, the more you will get for your money. Make sure the bike will fit you, there is a rough guide to saddle height here. Usually, the more you spend the lighter the bike will become. This is useful if you have to carry the bike around a train station. Folding bikes are also good for going on holiday, it saves the cost of buying a bike box and enables you to be mobile where ever you go.
Foldable Bikes – The best protection against theft. Even the best locked bike can be stolen. If you take it with you, its about the best protection that you can give.
Foldable Bikes as Hand Luggage
One of the main reasons behind the innovation of foldable bikes is the ability to carry bikes as carry on luggage at airports and trains. If you buy a small enough bike you might get it on an aeroplane as handluggage
The big drawback to folding bikes is that they are significantly slower than ordinary bikes, mainly due to the small wheel size. Therefore, if you want to do any serious cycling and touring, a folding bike will always leave you dissatisfied.
However, there are a new range of foldable bikes which have regular sized wheels. They are bigger than their small wheeled counterparts but they offer a much better ride, ideal for touring. Look out for the full sized Dahon range. Prices will start from around £250
Foldable bikes at Wiggle
Foldable Bikes – good reasons to buy
I forgot – always use the safety catches – otherwise handlebars can work ‘free’ seven miles or so into your ride. The same with the main hinge, and it is not good when that happens!
Also, safety oriented, tyre care is a must – the small wheel hits sharp objects with a shorter contact patch, i.e. more likely to puncture. The air can escape instantly due to the smaller volume. This can be very dangerous, not that I have taken a tumble – yet!
‘Dodo’ commuters (lost use of their legs) are usually quite impressed by the folding show – who knows, you could persuade them to follow your example.
I haven’t gone back to legacy bikes since getting the folder, and it sits under my desk at work saving me time parking up and locking the bike – not that I carry one of those when out with the folder.
There is a hidden benefit to using a Dahon 20″ folder on the train – folded it makes a seat with better legroom than a regular seat. Put your gloves and the free paper on the rack and bestraddle it. An old fashioned saddle bag works well in this configuration as you have food items, PC and whatever reading matter conveniently in front of you.
The joy of the 20″ folder is not so much the folding, the small ‘BMX’ wheel is quick to accelerate with, and once you learn where the potholes are there is no disadvantage. The older 700c/27″/26″ wheel sizes are legacy – Alex Moulton was right all along!
As for the folding, that takes ten seconds if you HAVE TO get THAT train!