Folding bicycle
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Image:Brompton1.jpeg Template:TOCright A folding bicycle or folder is a type of bicycle that can be compressed to a smaller size, typically via folding one or more of the bicycle's components, most often the frame.
Folding bicycles are popular in East Asia and the United Kingdom, but uncommon in the United States. Their major advantage is that they can be folded up and taken on public transport and into buildings where conventional bicycles cannot be taken. This has advantages in cities as the owner can be sure the bicycle will not be stolen and allows journeys by public transport to be completed on bicycle. Manufacturers include major bicycle manufacturing corporations such as Giant, and Trek, as well as specialized companies such as Dahon, Brompton Bicycle and Bike Friday.
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Performance
One possible explanation for folding bicycles' lack of popularity compared to conventional bikes is the perception of compromised fit and performance.
On the street folding bikes are capable of high performance. The idea that a folder is slower than a conventional bike doesn't necessarily hold true. Image:Brompton5.jpeg
A Moulton folding bike was used to win a criterium race on the streets of Toronto, Canada where acceleration and maneuverability gave it an edge over conventional bikes. A Moulton was also used to set a human-powered vehicle speed record on an indoor track, behind a pace vehicle. An Airnimal folder was ridden to a 3rd place victory at the world time trial championships.
According to the Bike Friday FAQ, here: http://www.bikefriday.com/LexiconFull.cfm?ID=53
- "...tests have shown that up to 16 mp/h, the small wheel is more efficient than a big wheel. Between 16 and 33 mp/h there is little difference. Over 33 mp/h the gyroscopic effect of the big wheel makes it more effective. Most folks do not go over 33 mp/h..." (Note: the Tour de France averages somewhere around 25mp/h and those are world class athletes including the likes of Lance Armstrong.)
Size
Image:Brompton7.jpeg Folding bikes generally come with a wider range of adjustments than conventional bikes for accommodating different riders.
Seatposts and handlebar stems on folders extend as much as four times higher than conventional bikes. For even greater range of adjustment, longer aftermarket posts and stems are available.
While folders may appear to be "small," the distance between center of bottom bracket, top of saddle and handlebars is often identical to that of conventional bikes, the primary factors in determining if a bike "fits" a rider.
You can see this concept illustrated by this diagram—a 20" wheeled KHS F20 folding bike overlaid on a conventional, 700c wheel (27"), non-folding KHS Flite 100.
The rider's seat, hands and feet are in exactly the same position for either type of bike.
Challenging perceptions
While it's important to shop carefully for a bicycle—including a folder—with an adjustment range to suit the rider and with a suitable drivetrain and tires capable of low-friction and high speed, it's hoped continued education of the consumer will help to popularize the folder by dispelling the myths of "too small, too slow". Image:Bus foldingbike montage.jpg
The wide variety of folding bicycles reflects different ideas about what makes a bicycle a folder. For example, bicycles such as the Bazooka simply fold in half. Bikes such as the Birdy and Brompton fold in a more complicated manner but fold smaller. Bikes such as those from Airnimal and Bike Friday partly fold and partly disassemble. The Giatex folds and retracts, adjusting to the size of the rider. The iXi literally breaks into 2 halves. The Strida's triangular frame folds to resemble a unicycle. Regardless of how each folds, the result is easier to transport and store than traditional bicycles.
External links
- The Folding Society – guides to choosing a folder and reviews of many types
- The Folding Bike Forum on BikeForums.net
- Folding bike forum at dahon.com
- "Cheg"s Super-Modified Raleigh 20 folder - proof a folder made in the 1960s can still compete with its modern counterparts
- Folding Bicycle Information compiled by Steven M. Scharf (nordicgroup.us)
- Chicagoland folding bike society
Folding bike manufacturers
Some manufacturers of folding bikes:
- a huge, growing list of folding bike manufacturers - by "Chop", with countries and regions indicated. Chop owns many folders and does comparisons between them on other parts of his site.
- Airnimal - high-end, high-performance folding/disassemblable bikes
- Birdy - German designed folding bike with enviable international reputation for quality
- Bike Friday - high-end, customizable "disassemblable" bikes for traveling
- Blanc Marine - makes a variety of folding bikes in different wheel sizes; based in France
- Brompton Bicycle - in the 16" wheel size, no bike folds smaller than a Brompton - so small it has been used as carry-on airline luggage
- Citizen Bike - convenient and affordable Citizen Folding Bikes "for Going and Being Human"
- Dahon bicycle - a variety of models for any budget, Dahon is the worlds largest folding bike manufacturer
- Bazooka Sports - folding bicycles available in Canada and international
- Diblasi - folding bikes, trikes and scooters made in Italy
- iXi - Belt driven bike that separates into two pieces.
- Giatex - "stretching" bikes
- KHS - (different models available in Japan and the Pacific Rim versus North America; best source in North America is SanteFe bicycles)
- Montague - Full Size, 26", mountain/touring style folding bicycle.
- Moulton Bicycle - not a "folder" but available as a "take-apart" bike
- Strida - Belt driven, unique frame collapsible bike.
- Xootr - makers of the "Swift" brand of folding bike
References
Hadland, Tony. It's in the Bag! – a History in Outline of Portable Cycles in the UK. ISBN 0950743186de:Faltrad es:Bicicleta plegable it:Bicicletta pieghevole nl:Vouwfiets pl:Rower składany