The Brompton S6L and all the other six-speed folding bikes that Brompton makes elegantly transforms into a package that shaves 3 inches off the height, 2 inches off the width, and 8 inches off the length of the folded Mariner D8 and even more off the dimensions of the Tern D8 , making for an easier carry.
The numeral in a Brompton model name indicates the number of gears; the letters refer to the handlebar style and whether the bike has racks or fenders or both.
The handlebars, gearing, frame type, accessories, cargo options, and paint job are all customizable—for a price. In addition, she was formerly a staff writer for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she was intimately involved with the scientific testing of all manner of products for the magazine and website. Amy also consulted with general bike expert Damon Strub, owner of the Queens, New York—based custom-bike shop Nomad Cycle which carried Dahon before its storefront in Astoria closed ; Strub answered technical questions about derailleurs and hubs.
And she recruited eight cyclists—ranging from recreational to competitive, and including males and females of various heights—to test-ride the original bikes and provide their thoughtful feedback. Duncan Niederlitz—who wrote the edition of this guide—worked for more than a decade as a professional bicycle mechanic, in Florida, Massachusetts, California, and England.
He lives in Southern California. Anyone who wants to ride a bike without the bulky hassle of lugging and storing a full-size model may want to consider a folding bike. After all, not only are people different sizes physically, but they also ride for a variety of reasons.
Originally, we focused on the commuter segment—the riders who want to get to and from work at least a few days a week; who may have a bus, subway, or car ride within that equation; who want to bring their bike inside during the day to avoid theft; and who may want to carry some stuff on their bike, rather than on their back.
For the update, we also considered the casual rider and, especially, recreational-vehicle owners, since many riders may have room for only one bike—even folding. We also wanted to make sure our picks would be comfortable for getting into town to shop or seeing the local sights. Even as the pandemic seems to be waning, we understand that many people may be trying to avoid public transportation.
So we also wanted to be sure our picks were comfortable for most riders if a longer journey was needed. People who are starting to commute again may want to skip the most-crowded part of their journey by getting off a few stops early and riding the last few miles to work. Or they may hope to ride most days and resort to transit only if the weather is awful. Even so, our picks have some limitations. And none of them really ride quite as smoothly or comfortably as a good full-size bike.
Choosing any bike that needs to perform multiple functions is always an exercise in compromise. But picking a folding bike takes it to another level, as seemingly every choice that increases the ride quality comes with a penalty to weight or folded size. Larger wheels and wider tires generally amount to a better ride over rough terrain, yet they are going to result in a larger folded dimension.
These can include having limited room for storage in, say, an RV, a boat, or an apartment , needing to fit a bike onto a bus or in a suitcase for traveling, or needing to adhere to local public transportation rules. Many cities do allow full-size bikes on their metro systems, or just not at rush hour.
So depending on your circumstances, a folding bike may not, in fact, be necessary. We started by zeroing in on the brands and models that had good reputations and good reviews from other outlets, such as BikeRadar , Folding Bike Guy , Momentum Mag , and Bicycling. With our experts, we discussed at length the merits of a variety of options, as well as the specs to use as limiting factors to narrow the field. We settled on bikes with:. Both Amy and Duncan also had long discussions with our editors about price versus value.
A number of companies sell very inexpensive folding bikes on Amazon and at big-box stores like Target and Walmart. On the other end, we considered a few pricier picks for more-serious riders who are willing to shell out for higher quality or extra features.
Finally, with the established producers Dahon, Schwinn, and Tern , we looked at both an entry-level model and an upgrade version. Our final list in was:. Soon after we published this guide in , we learned that Dahon would be replacing the Mariner D7 with the new Mariner D8.
Amy subsequently tested the D8 as we had the D7 see below , though without the input of the panel of cyclists. In Amy tested our initial group of bikes in New York City. In and , Duncan tested the updated and new bikes against our previous picks—with an eye especially toward their ability to handle longer rides—in Southern California.
In both cases, we unboxed, assembled if needed , adjusted, and assessed each bike to record our initial impressions. In a few instances, the bikes needed more-extensive adjustments. For those adjustments, Amy brought bikes to Nomad Cycle then located in Astoria , and Duncan did them himself.
Note that if you buy a bike online, you should bring it to a mechanic for a once-over, no matter what. With folding bikes, there are long and circuitous cable routings that get bent around with every fold. So they tend to stretch a bit more than usual during the initial break-in period, normally leading to at least needing a shifting adjustment. Amy then rode each bike she tested on a commute into Manhattan and schlepped it back on the N train.
Go ahead and buy your foldable bicycle right away! The ultimate guide on. How to choose foldable bicycle. Table of Contents. Define your riding purpose! Foldable bicycles for fun and leisure. Foldable bicycles for commuting. Determine the bicycle frame material You have defined your purpose and got ready to buy a new foldable bike. Aluminium Aluminium is one of the most common and widely used bicycle frame materials across the globe. Foldable bicycles under 10 KG. Choose your wheel size The Foldable bike wheels are usually within the size range from inches to inches.
Small wheel size The prominent advantage of a small wheel size in a folding bike is that it can turn quickly, accelerate the speed to ride, and climb easier than a bike with a bigger wheel or a traditional bike. Big wheel size On the other hand, a folding bike with a bigger wheel size will have the advantage of coming with wider tires and better suspension.
Decide on your budget Deciding on your budget before buying your folding bike can save you time and effort. Conclusion Choosing to ride a bicycle is an environmentally friendly decision and can also be a good exercise for a healthy and safe lifestyle.
Shop for foldable bicycle now Browse. Share this. Share on facebook. However, if it takes as many steps as an origami crane, steer clear. Also, consider the quality and number of joints. The more joints, the smaller the bike will be folded. However, it also introduces more points for flex, which can make for vague handling and pedalling. We're seeing a lot more pedal-assist folding bikes these days, which is a double-edged sword. When buying a new folding bike, it's likely that you're trying to avoid leaving it at the train station or on the bike rack outside.
It'll certainly be safer parked under your desk, but a bike is never completely safe from bike theft. The last thing you want for your new bike is for it to be stolen, so ensure you take steps to reduce this risk. We have an article dedicated to advising how to prevent bike theft , but the key takeaways are to ensure you choose the best bike lock , know how to lock a bike correctly, and shop around to compare bicycle insurance to ensure you are covered by the best bike insurance policy for your needs.
Sign up to the Cyclingnews Newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how to do this, and how we hold your data, please see our privacy policy. Group 3 Created with Sketch. Cyclingnews The World Centre of Cycling. Sign in. The Planning Hub offers in-depth guides to planning permission in England, brought to you by Cyclingnews's planning experts. Included in this guide: 1. Tern Link C8. Specifications Folded size: Gears: 1 x 8.
Weight: Reasons to avoid - Not as compact as a Brompton. Brompton B Gears: 1 x 3. Reasons to avoid - B75 doesn't allow for the same customisation as other Bromptons. B'Twin Tilt Specifications Folded size: 78 x 66 x 44 cm. Gears: 1 x 7. Reasons to avoid - Large when folded. If you plan to ride off-road, then a folding fat bike with 4-inch tires can smooth out a bumpy trail.
As folding bikes get more expensive, their overall weight typically goes down due to higher-quality parts and lighter frame materials, such as carbon fiber and titanium.
If you climb stairs more often than you climb hills, opt for a singlespeed or a model with fewer gears, which can shave even more weight. Check for quick-release levers or simple adjustments so that the bike fits and rides well.
A model with a lot of versatility may even be suitable for more than one member of your family. Most electric folding-bike options come with a watt motor and enough torque for safe but fast acceleration. The higher the torque, the faster the acceleration and the more powerful the bike will feel.
Most folding e-bikes are Class 1, meaning they top out at 20 mph and are acceptable on bike paths. Every product here has been thoroughly evaluated and vetted by our team of test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience folding, unfolding, carrying, stashing, and of course, riding these bikes to determine the best options. The bikes are much sought after due to their overall high quality, and the fact that they pack down really small—so small you can commute to and from the airport and wedge one into the overhead compartment for a long-distance, car-free commute.
The brand offers a variety of drivetrain setups, color schemes, and handlebar shapes—and a full lineup of luggage systems. We love the popular M6L for its six-speed drivetrain and u-shaped handlebar, which puts the rider in a comfortable, upright position. The steel frame is hand-brazed and ready to ride in wet weather, thanks to full-coverage fenders.
Note: The M6L is currently sold out online, but expect to see a restock in early spring. Read Full Review More Images. The S11 model has a 1xspeed Shimano Ultegra drivetrain and comes equipped with fenders, front and rear racks, and a chain guard—a bonus for commuters. Read Full Review View 42 Images. The Rad Power RadMini is a lot to take in. This Class 2 e-bike top outs at 20 mph and has both pedal assist and a throttle. Read Full Review View 30 Images. Tern uses inch wheels to position the weight lower to the ground and keep the bike from becoming top-heavy while hauling cargo on the integrated rear rack, which is now longer and lower, thanks to a diagonally mounted battery.
A watt motor gives you the power and torque you need to climb hills, and a throttle gives you the option of not pedaling at all. That means the Sinch is better for people buying a folding e-bike to take up minimal space in an RV or apartment, not those needing to carry their bike regularly.
The folding bike with the cult following check out bromptonmafia on Instagram recently got a motor, adding even more capacity for distance and cargo to an already ultra-practical bike. The e-assist tops out at
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