Folding Bikes: Urban Practicality or Just a Toy?
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- When we ride our folding bikes around the neighbourhood, we get a lot of questions about them: how well do they ride? Are they easy to fold? How much do they cost? In this video we cover our experiences with folding bikes (specifically the Zizzo Forte and Via), after about 500 kilometres of use so far.
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Big advantages of folding bikes is taking them with you on mass transit. The city where I live has no restrictions on folding bikes provided you are not blocking other passengers. A regular road or mountain bike has limited hours (weekends) when the bike is permitted on the train. So if part of your commute involves a train/subway, the folder is advantageous.
Same situation in the Netherlands: Folding bikes get a free ride, no reservation is needed, while normal size bikes need a reservation and you have to pay 7 Euros day ticket. Regardless of the distance. I carried my folding trike (HP Velotechnik Gekko 26 FX) too on the train for free.
Great point! I really could have used a folding bike when I was riding transit everyday.
Yeah, I'm looking to get one if I move to London for university this year, since full size bikes aren't allowed on any TFL services. After researching them, I might get one sooner because it would be really useful to be able to take a bike with me on my local buses and trains even if I don't end up moving to a big city.
@@idot3331 Real London or Fake London?
Why would public-transit have a restriction on folding-bikes? They're about the size of a suitcase, and they don't ban those. 🤷
I bought a folding bike so I can throw it in my 18 wheeler. Makes it easier to venture out of truck stops. Plus it adds a little exercise since we spend a lot of time just sitting.
In the Netherlands folding bikes are free to take on the train and can be taken in the rush hour (weekdays 6:30-9:00, 16:00-18:30). Normal bikes can only be taken outside the rush hour and it costs €6/day. This is pretty much their main advantage here because in some cities local public transit can be lacking.
Interesting!
In Belgium, there's no time restriction, except "too busy, you can't get on", but otherwise, it's €4/trip for a normal bike, and indeed free for a (folded!) folding bike. They are very popular with city dwellers and commuters for this reason.
In Denmark, we have a system of bike-tracks, even a high speed system through Cph. with traffic lights to fit the cyclists. And of course you may bring a folding bike in busses and trains, for free.
Here in germany we have similar-ish rules and those are THE reason why to get a folding bike.
Trains will cost 6€/day for bikes as well. And there is NO guarantee, that you can actually take your bike with you - if the train is crowded, your full size bike will need to stay out. So if you need to get somewhere - trains are not a safe option, if you need a bike as well. Folding bikes tough are small enough to go on any train, even in rush hour, and for free. If I could take my bike with me guaranteed - I wouldn't even remotely concider a damn folding bike, they are completely useless for ME outside of this scenario.
I'm currently figuring out ways, to get rid off my car. There are 2 Trips that I regulary do, that aren't possible/viable with bike or train alone. But if I get out of a train 3 km away from my destination, that is a very fast and easy trip on a bike.
Another great option would be cheap rental bikes. My city has some, but the cities of my destinations don't. If I could just rent a bike real quick for 2-3$, I would DEFENETLY use that option.
so right now, IDK. I would like to get a better full sized bike, as it is what I use to commute daily. But maybe living car free would be possible with a cheap folding bike.....
@@sagichdirdochnicht4653 how about a cheap full-sized bike that you park at your destination train station? This is quite a common thing to do in the Netherlands, which is why the average person owns more than 1 bike. We have 1 at home to get to our train station, and then another one parked at our destination train station to get from the station to the office/school/wherever.
Several years ago I switched to riding a folding bike from a road bike. I originally bought the folder because I'd planned to travel with it and thought it would be handy for flights, trains, and even hitchhiking if necessary. I had no intention of replacing my beloved road machine with it. However after riding it for a couple of weeks I realised that I generally enjoyed the folder more than the road bike and also that there were a few advantages over the other bike.
I had bought one of the last Xootr Swifts before these went out of production for a clearance price of US$699. This is a 20" wheel folder of which I'd already read many reviews and I knew it was likely a good option for me. Many reviewers were impressed with its performance. It was also a huge bonus that it mostly uses standard bike parts, so replacing and modifying the bike is a breeze. Unlike most other 20" folders it doesn't have a heavy hinge and locking mechanism holding the bike together in the middle of the frame, but instead uses the seat post and two quick release seat post skewers to hold the bike together. This reduces overall weight and also ensures that the frame is stiff. In fact my Swift is stiffer than the road bike I used to ride, which is unusual for a folder. The fold isn't the most elegant, but it does reduce sufficiently to easily fit the back of a small car or in one instance into the small luggage space of a TGV train in France. Anyway, I digress...
My 20" Swift folder is very nice to ride. I live in a mountainous area (La Alpujarras in Granada, Sierra Nevada Spain) and my little bike climbs very well. I regularly use it on rides which I cover more than a hundred km and gain more than 1500 meters. I've covered more than 200km in a single day and climbed more than 2000 meters on it. The small wheels are like an extra low gear and these eat up the steep inclines very well. I'm kind of competitive with roadies on the up and ups. Coming down is fun, but I tend to relax, let the lycra zip by and just ride the bike more slowly. My fastest Strava time on the Swift in a descent was over 90km/h, but on average I rarely exceed 70km/h and this is fast enough as I really don't fancy crashing at anything close to these speeds. There's very often a death drop into the abyss at one's elbow in these mountains, which I prefer to avoid. I run a 58t chainring on the front to give me more gear inches, but descending and flat riding is where the bike is a little slower than a 700c road bike. At very high speeds (over 40km/h) the smaller wheels just don't hold momentum as well as larger wheels. However it's easy to maintain pace up to that speed. Another disadvantage of the bike is that it isn't very aero. Basically I can keep up with the fastest of the fast of the carbon-lycra crowd so long as someone is in front of me or I'm in the middle of the peleton. I cannot maintain being in front breaking through the wind for very long at racing speed.
I'm a bit of a nut case, but it gives me pleasure to push the roadies on such a little bike and I know what a 20" bike can do well and where it falls slightly short in terms of performance. One area almost any half decent 20" folder can beat a road bike is in a high traffic urban environment. On advantage of having smaller wheels is that these accelerate up to speed much more quickly than on a bike with larger wheels. So in a city situation where a cross town journey is making a series of 200 meter sprints between traffic lights, the folder usually gets there first. Also, even though my folder has the same wheelbase as my road bike, it's still significantly shorter, which in addition to the more responsive handling afforded by smaller wheels makes it great for nipping in and out of traffic.
Sadly, folding bikes have yet to catch on (except in far away places with excellent public transport.) But even in a car dependent North American city a folding bike makes a lot of sense, and for a lot of people it might be the best option available. If only they could see past it's diminutive looks these would be an epiphany for many. Well designed and constructed 20" folders can offer performance and flexibility in a package that has a small footprint. Whether wanting a bike one can bring inside after commuting, something that will fit in a tiny apartment, or something that rides well that will fit in a small car, there are many advantages and few drawbacks.
Great to read your comment! I'm flying from Australia to Penang early next month to pick up my Decathlon Tilt 900 folding bicycle. Then I'll jump on a train up to southern Thailand and cycle tour and take the train alternatively. Hopefully next year, I'll go to Netherlands and tour down to Spain on a folder as well. Nothing beats being on a bicycle.
In the Netherlands these are really common. Great for cycling to the trainstation, get on the train and go to work on the rest of the trip. They aren't more expensive than normal bikes either over here.
Not where I live, almost never see the folding bikes in Gorinchem
They actually are slightly more expensive. When I was buying my bike I was considering buying a folding one but in the end I bought a normal omafiets because it was cheaper by at least 50€, not to mention that full size omafiets is more practical in my case at least :v
As someone who lived car-free for several years, my biggest use of folding bikes was picking up and returning rental cars. Ride the bike one way, fold it up and put it in the trunk of the car for the drive back. Avoids the expense of Uber and the time of riding the bus. For car owners, folding bikes are also good for taking cars to or from repair shops, for similar reasons.
The only big negative, in my opinion is the cost. I spent a lot of money on my folding bike, thinking I would use it much more than I actually did, and I don't think I've ridden it enough for the saved Uber rides to come anywhere close to the up-front cost of buying the bike. Still, if you can find a cheap one somewhere, it's worth considering.
1000x this. 2 kids, no car but we rent when we have to. 20 minute walk vs a few minutes on the bike.
ive seen basic non electrical folding bikes for as little as 200€ where i am from. ive considered them as a last mile vehicle since i drive an EV and owning one would vastly increase my chances of finding a charging station within the acceptable distance from from whatever event i am attending. but as far as i am concerned, electric scooters seem to be a better fit for that.
This is the kind of video that a lot of other folding bike enthusiasts are missing on the platform. I love all the videos! Keep up the great work!
Folding bikes are also useful for people with hip mobility problems who find it difficult to lift their legs over a conventional crossbar as they usually have a low stepover frame height.
We spent one summer driving across Canada in our Tesla, and we bought foldies so that we could bike around during times when we had to charge during the day. We ended up using our bikes way more than we anticipated, because cycling is such a great way to get around and the upright seating position is great for sightseeing.
The Tesla is a fantastic car but bicycles are the ultimate green machines 👍
@@jasonclarke7422 Absolutely!
@@jasonclarke7422Tesla is shit. Sold mine. It’s stupid really. I realised how moronic it is to think that you’re saving the environment driving a Tesla when it’s not actually that environmentally friendly vehicle. It’s just an overpriced vehicle that fooled many fools with crafty marketing.
Thanks for this video. I bought a folding bike this year. Before this year, I always thought they were a ridiculous investment, but now that I have one, I love it. I usually keep it in my trunk, and whenever I see a trail or series of bike lanes I want to explore, I park, unfold, and take off. I thought the long distance would be a challenge, but last week, I was in Montreal for the Bike Festival and quickly completed the Friday night ride and the longer Sunday ride on the folder. The main drawback I found is the small wheels. I have a Tern Verge 9 with thin 20 in x 1.35 tires. It can pick up speed really quick but on patchy, uneven streets, the ride can feel more unstable than on a full-sized bike.
I have owned a Zizzo Urbano for nearly 9 months, and I can surely tell you that the overall practicality is very well worth any downsides a folding bike may have. I’ve used it a ton for commuting between towns and the workplace, and it takes up little space in my bedroom. The bike also feels sturdy in its construction, which surprised me for a relatively lower-cost folding bike. The problems I’ve had with it were either fixed by tightening up a loose part or flat-related. I also get a lotta compliments on my bike, since it’s a rather rare sight to see folding bikes, and it’s honestly hard to respond, but it’s nice to see folks enjoy the novelty of such a bike.
The Urbano is the one I’m thinking about getting. My biggest concern is the steering twitchiness, but seeing as a Razor A6 scooter is my only portable option at the moment, I’m thinking the Urbano would be a step up.
I have 10-years experience biking with my Brompton around the world. Mine performs well under almost all situations ranging from a 5-day bike trip around one of Europe's largest lakes, to day-to-day biking around Portland, Maine. As you mentioned, it easily fits in my vehicle, on trains, planes and buses. I have 6-speeds which meets 95% of my requirements.
Every time I get on my Brompton folding bike a smile comes across my face. And that, is the bottom line.
Hi. Are you allowed to take it with you on the plane or is it like tagged luggage?
@@A_Box Most planes can't accommodate bikes in cases in the overhead bin-though a few bigger planes on International flights do. I almost always put it on as "checked-in" baggage with a "fragile" notice on the case.
@@A_Box Depends on airline, but most can handle folding bikes without blink.
6 speed is overkill. Personally I use 3 speed hub gearbox with widest range I can find . Sometimes You need to install smaller rear sprocket to offset smaller wheels, most bike shops have them in catalogue so it's not a problem.
Nowadays there are belt drive options too, wchich are very clean and self-tensioning. If you worry they last shorter, just get wider belt, and be careful to choose something cheap, available in car parts store etc, beware of vendor-lock-in as this is common curse of bike industry. If in doubt always remember that CNC shop will machine custom pulley for you in minutes, it is most common product in industry 😅
I didn't own a bike for many years because of fears it would just get stolen. Then I learned about folding bikes and how they are actually viable bikes. I settled on the Brompton because I figured if I was going to get a folding bike, it would be so that I can take it with me, and the Brompton just seemed like the easiest to fold and the easiest to carry and keep with you while folded. I have been so happy riding my own bike again for the past couple years. I agree with you regarding the feeling of unstability at higher speeds, but my Brompton is good up to about 25mph or so. Long distances are also a bit of an issue because of the riding position putting more strain on your tailbone instead of your sit bones, but I have done 50 mile rides on my Brompton and taken it more places because I was able to take it on planes, trains, and cars without needing to pay extra bike fares. I always miss my road bike if the ride is more than 20 miles or so, but if I'm just going somewhere in town instead of just riding for fun or exercise, I always choose my Brompton over my road bike. Those are my opinions about my bikes, but the best bike for you is the one that will motivate you to get out and ride😁
I recently got a Zizzo Forte. It's not my first folder. I previous owned a very sturdy and inexpensive Columba which was a heavy folding cruiser masquerading as a dirt bike. It was too big folded to be practical in that regard.
The Zizzo is decidedly inexpensive. It'll cost me about $1K w/ mods and gadgets (speedo, et al.). My dirt bike would cost about $3K to replace including that stuff. My road bike, maybe $2700. I'm here to tell you that the Zizzo works on high desert trails, though you have to walk around rock gardens. Mine is modified w/ wider tires and a lower gear. And, btw, I don't run out of high gear until maybe 24 mph and the brakes (dry) stop almost as well as the disc brakes on the dirt bike.
I got the Zizzo to carry in my RV.
I like your channel and am glad you guys talked about folding bikes! I got a folding bike a couple months ago for $30 from a thrift store. My dad and I had to fix it up but it works great now! It's a big upgrade having gears compared to my other bike, a single speed beach cruiser. The folder also is easier to take in and out of my apartment without having to worry about annoying my roommates if the bike is dirty
My apartment building doesn't permit full size bikes in elevators or stair wells. There's a shared bike locker on the ground floor but it's just a place for bike thieves to cut your lock in private. There was an experiment with dockless bike shares in the city (Victoria) but it was a complete disaster. So a folding bike was really my only option. I went with a Zizzo Urbano. So far I love it. The only real complaint I have is that it doesn't have room for paniers. I have a milk crate mounted on the back but when I load it up with groceries it's quite top heavy. Finding accessories that fit without hindering the folding mechanism can also be a bit of an annoyance. I'm still trying to find a good mirror.
Had my 3rd hand Zizzo Forte for a year now living car free around NYC. I won't go to a solid frame again unless I move out of the city. The ability to go from bike, to train, to rental car and up my narrow stairs is priceless.
Bought a Brompton a while back. It was quite expensive, but it’s a joy to ride. Easy to take on the train and transforms in less than a minute. It’s very useful for multimodal train / bike trips.
Great video! Thanks! I've lived in Montreal for 4 years and had a budget folding bike during that time. I loved it so much that when I moved back to my country I got another one. They're compact, easy to carry, don't take much space at home, great for riding around the city because they're more maneuverable that big bikes. It had only 7 gears but it's enough for a city like Montreal that doesn't have many hills. I used almost every day to buy groceries, ride the awesome bike paths around parks and on Jean Drapeau's island. On one particular occasion it was a life saver: Canada Post was on strike and amazon shipped a package thru purolator. But I had to pick it up on their distribution center (didn't have a choice). So I got the bike on the subway to the last station Honoré Beaugrand and biked the rest (about 10Km aller-retour). Obviously I did not own a car.
I have a Btwin Tilt 900 and I've been out on it so much since I got it in March. It's so handy to go on trains - in the UK folding bikes are allowed on trains and buses without pre-booking or paying extra. I just love it!
We've had our Bromptons for 8 years and love them! We mainly got them for travelling, but also ride them around home because they're fun and fast. I also have a Strida for winter because it's the most rust-proof folding bike I've found. But when my mom was looking for a folding bike, she did not want to spend a lot of money, plus she doesn't plan on taking it on planes and trains, so I steered her towards buying a Zizzo. Now that we're all double-vaxxed, we're finally going to visit her and will have to do a video comparing our Bromptons and her Zizzo (she too has the blue Via).
Sounds great! We look forward to watching that comparison video
@@OhTheUrbanity Here it is - Brompton vs Zizzo! ua-cam.com/video/787qVKxh2-Y/v-deo.html
Same Zizzo bike and in the Toronto area! I actually got rid of my regular hybrid bike and only have my folding bike as i found i was never really using my regular bike once i got the small one. I didnt really take my regular bike onto dirt trails or use it for any sort of speed training. I need a bike mostly to visit friends when I dont want to drive, and to just ride around for a bit of exercise and fresh air. So this folding bike has been perfect, with the added benefit of no more bike rack on the car! I do wish the front gear was larger to utilize a better top cruising speed, as in all honestly gear 1 is just useless as no one is taking this bike on trails that steep.
I have the top end Liberty Zizzo, which weighs 23 pounds as shipped, and from what I can tell is pretty bullet proof as long as you are not using it as a down hill mountain bike on rugged, high speed courses. And compared to other folding bikes, they are a pure bargain. That is why I have 3.
I’ve been riding a classic upright Dutch bike but found it cumbersome carry around let alone struggle to climb many sloped roads in my country which is pretty hilly. That’s why I just got me a Mongoose foldie and it’s easier now . Thanks for the really informative video
I bought a folding bike in Japan and brought it back to Canada. It was approximately $120CAD brand new. I encountered 2 problems. The tire valves used in Japan is Dunlop valve and it's pretty uncommon here in Canada. If the rubber stem breaks, you have to find those in bike tire patch kits. I could replace the tube entirely with a presta valve. The second problem is those foldable bikes are designed for riding in Japanese streets conditions (always clean). The number or little rocks, dust and debris here would damage easily and you have to wash the bike more frequently. Sadly my foldable bike is sitting in my garage for years.
Thank you for such a balanced coverage of the topic that is attracting a lot of attention, but seldom seriously impartial reviews. Clearly you are a power couple 😊 Thanks again.
I have a folding bike and I love it. Not all the time but when I do ride it it makes me smile. Kind of like playing ukulele instead of a guitar. I bought it in Tokyo and used it to tour Japan, it was perfect for that. I could take it into my hotel at night and the couple of times I took a train I brought it aboard no problem.
I got fed up with hauling a full size bike up stairs years ago so I got a foldable. I've never regretted it.
Great content! Bike commuter here, using folding bikes for same reasons as yours. I agree, folding bikes are not built for speed but we can still improve the geometry and drivetrain. There are stem extenders to improve handlebar geometry and put road bike or mountain bike drivetrain components (up to 11 speed). These involve cost but it will improve the riding experience.
Folding bikes are not popular for most cyclist but it can move you to point A to B safely, with bi-modal option to boot.
Great video! I love my Zizzo Urbano! I use it for riding on trails during camping trips or just riding in parks at local day outings. The compact size makes it so easy to pack up in the car even when loaded with camping gear. i just love that it rides well off road and is quite nimble and sturdy. Thanks for sharing!
This is an awesome overview! Great cost/benefit analysis and attention to detail. Thank you so much. … from a fellow Montrealer.
For me commuting with a folder has one huge advantage and that is I can bring my bike inside and keep it in the storage closet. I would never keep my bike in a public bike rack. Not because I'm afraid of it being stolen but because of the doinks with junk bikes who could care less and slam their rust buckets against my bike,
Rust buckets for sure. I'm not leaving my £2,500 Tern verge X11 anywhere. Its like a folding road bike. As fast as a folder is gonna get. And being able to bring it in was worth the expense.
We use folding bikes to take on public transportation which is free in my country and removes the added hassle and cost of taking a regular bike with you. Also when we're going on a long Geocaching tour or visiting somewhere we can just put them in the trunk of the car. Your observations about speed versus upright riding comfort were the same as ours. Both types of bikes have their own strengths and weaknesses, folding bikes are often a bit more flimsy (especially the seat) but because of their size and upright seating position, they feel lighter, easier to handle and better to climb hills with. For us, they were actually really cheap because they were the last few of the past model.
Pretty good experience with folding bikes for home-work and weekend cycling. Load bicycles in car, wife joins and if we get to a nice area take out the bikes & ride.
Great video once again! What about a future video on the Bike sharing system in Mtl ?
We live in Ontario, and bought Solorock folding bikes 3 or 4 years ago. We take them when we go camping, they are compact and easy to put in the car. They are great on pavement and hard surface bike trails.Not so much mountain trails, but being seniors that is not an issue. Enjoyed the video. Thanks
Thank you! This was really helpful for figuring out how a folder lines up with my needs.
This is very informative as I just bought a folding bike. So excites to use it. Great quality video and narration. Subscribed!
Much appreciated! Welcome on board.
I briefly owned a Dahon folding bike. It was well-built and generally usable, but as you guys mentioned it was not nearly as good going over bumps here in NYC where there are plenty. The stability and comfort at higher speed of a full-sized bike works much better for me for daily commuting and my solution was to move to a more bike-friendly apartment instead.
In a tightly spaced smoothly paved city eg if I lived in a college town and only studied and worked at the local college that had smooth pavement, then I would consider using a folding bike daily.
Buy bigger tires for your folding bike to deal with NYC bumps and bums laying on the cycle track.
Folding bikes are great. In my opinion they offer so many more advantages over full size bikes. I commute daily on my Brompton and it’s so handy being able to store it away. I’ve also done longer journeys on it and it’s more comfortable than larger mountain and gravel bikes. They are also far more causal which helps blend it in to everyday life and activity.
I’d definitely get one if anyone is thinking of it. If you can afford to I’d just go with a Brompton, parts are common to find (at least in the UK) and the quality is seemingly superior to other brands.
I got the Tern Eclipse X22. Love it so far with the 26 in wheels that looks like a regular size road bike. And as you mentioned it’s easier when I take it in and out of my condo. I don’t hog the whole elevator and it’s easy to store inside my unit (don’t trust the bike parking in the garage). Plus I can put it in the trunk of my friend’s car if we decide to bike out of town or easy to fit inside an Uber/taxi for emergencies if I biked too far and can’t bike back. And this bike rides fast and light.
The few downsides is it’s not as easy to roll around folded inside a store if you decide to do grocery with it. And if I wanted to bring it with me in my travels it’s not as compact to fit in a luggage.
The next folding bike I’m looking into is the Helix folding bike which also looks close to a regular size bike that uses I think 24 in wheels but it folds much more compact and by the reviews online you can easily roll it around folded in a store while doing errands and also bring it with you when travelling inside a large suitcase. But it would be another 4K to spend 😳.
I have a couple of folding/travel bikes and have had a lot of fun adventures with them. When I visited Washington DC, I left them at home and used DCRideshare bike rental. Its fantastic, there is no way I could have done all i sight seeing and visited as many places if it hadn’t been for the bike. With rideshare, I check the bike in, walk away. If I had my folding bike, I’d be worrying about it.
Having said that, last weekend took Amtrak to visited a town of about 25,000. No ride share available, so took my Bike Friday and I rode about 30 miles checking out the city and nearby communities. Great fun and the folding bike makes it easy to stop and chat with people to learn about things.
Sometimes I take the Amtrak 50miles in the morning, and take the day to ride back home, again the folding bike make it all work.
I really liked your video.
I’ve owned road bikes costing over $5000 and still ride the hills in my area on my Cannondale Synapse, but more and more I’m enamored with folding bicycles.
I’ve had nine different folding bicycles, and currently have A couple Dahon bicycles which are roughly the equivalent of your Zizzos. Our experience has been pretty much the same as yours. We got them to bring into our hotel room when valet parking was the only option.(which meant every time we wanted to zip around the urban core we had to wait for our car) we also use them for a lot of day trips driving to an area and exploring by bicycle. I’ve come to appreciate the aesthetic of some of the vintage folding bikes and I have a matching pair of Dahon classic three bikes that we ride in critical mass events.
We ONLY have folding bikes. Even our tandems fold. For long distance folding bike that are custom built to fit u, check out Bike Friday based out in Eugene, OR, USA. We have their tandems but they specialize in single bikes. The reason we bought 2 of their tandems is because they are made for touring. No special components.
Excellent video! So thorough and informative! Covered all angles! Thank you! 😀
Appreciated! Thanks for watching!
Converted a few years ago to exclusively owning a folding bike for the warmer Montreal month! I love it. Such a perfect and versatile way to get around the urban environment with little downsides.
I will say however to people considering these sorts of bicycles that the topic brought up of unique parts is a major downside.
My last bike bought was an exclusive model from Sports Expert. It was great, but however the mechanism to lock the handlebars broke after a few years. It was impossible to repair, since the model in question was discontinued. I had to get a completely new model this year in 2021, which was a shame since I tend to value maintaining and repairing what I own for environmental reasons.
And also keep in mind that most folding bicycles are NOT made for full-time urban riders. Putting one through its paces with daily commutes will grind one down MUCH faster than you'd expect.
In any case, they are cute and worth it. If you're reading this, I hope you'll consider this unique riding style!
Thanks for the thoughtful response! Some good things to consider for sure.
Got a Zizzo Forte 2 weeks ago. Worth noting that besides the foldy bits, pretty much everything is off the shelf. I had the cassette replaced locally with another 7 speed better suited to Central BC's 'hills'.
I also like to describe the folded size as 'computer tower'
I used to fly a kite at Félix-Leclerc park when I was younger. Nice park.
They, the small wheels are giving more resistance than ordinary wheels, but being able to bring a bike during travels, or bringing my car to service, and ride back, is very valuable
Great review guy's , keep it up!!
Great video, this made me decide on a folding bike! I rode a lot when I was younger, but now I just want something to throw in my trunk and go fishing with.
Really fine video. I’ve had a Brompton here in Ottawa for 2 yrs now. Good bike (summer only, I don’t find it good in the snow -Dutch bike for that!), but pricey. The gears are fiddly and the running gear gets filthy in the rain. But it’s light and quick, easy to store and great fun. Almost all proprietary parts, though. I order from Curbside in TO.
I've got several folding bikes. The 20" Dahons are useful for taking on the train. Zizzo are pretty good Dahon clones.
I've also got an Airnimal Joey with 26" wheels which is a lot faster than the 20" folders due to the stiffer frame.
The wheel size makes virtually no difference to the speed of the bike. Frame flex and a single frame size are more of the limiting factors. Bar ends can help.
One thing that everyone misses about these bikes is the low speed manoeuvrability. I live in Naples, Italy, and commute to work on one every day. My route goes down extremely narrow streets and piazzas packed with tourists, "main" roads used heavily by scooters, and everything in between. I can navigate around pedestrians at walking/dawdling speed and switch to full road speed without ever having to put a foot on the ground. I can also avoid potholes and other obstacles easily.
When my Brompton was being serviced a few weeks back, the guy lent me a full size bike for me to use in the meantime. It felt dangerous, and required so much more distance for stopping, starting, changing direction... using it turned my 20 minute commute to a 35 minute+ one! I had to constantly stop and push.
I bought a Dahon folding bike recently, and it's fun to ride in the downtown of my city. Loving it.
Thanks, you've made me consider this option
As an older cyclist my low set folder is safer because if something happens I just stick my legs out rather than crash to the ground and an added bonus is that when I rode a full size so many nutters wanted to race me, but not with a folder.
As others have said about the Netherlands, the UK is similar in that you are allowed to take folding bikes on the train in rush hour, when you can't take a normal bike. I don't ride one myself, but I've seen a lot of people bring Bromptons onto the train on their way home from work out of London.
I also have a foldable bike, model Tern link C7i, in Brazil. It is really useful as a modal of transportation. And ir is very confortable for riding quite long distances.
There are two better options than folding bikes. I use these options and got rid of my folding bicycle.
1. Convert a 26 inch wheeled compact bike into a semi-folding bike. You need only get a drop post handlebar or a folding handlebar, folding pedals, and the drop post seat. The resulting bicycle is just a bit longer than a Brompton while being flatter. In a pinch, you can remove the rear wheel especially if you have quick release axles, and that makes it more compact than a Brompton.
2. Use an electric unicycle. You can get a "30/30" electric unicycle (it goes 30 miles at 30 mph) for about $1500, they fit wonderfully in cars and public transportation, and they all comes with handles. I put about 3000 miles in about two years mostly just commuting and taking public transportation. Hands down this is the fastest way to commute; unicycles can store under your desk, come with built in electric locks and alarms, and allow you to show up not sweaty.
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
I just boight a second hand Element Troy folding bike, very happy with it. I also have a full size Trek hybrid that I also like
Awesome review. I just bought tilt 500. Looking forward riding. 😊
Nice video, really enjoyed it. We have Bromptons and just love them.
Excellent review ⭐️
The only non-standard parts on folding bikes are arguably the frame and handlebar. Also, there are full-size folding bikes (Montague), but a lot of folding bikes can be had with 24" dia. wheels, which offers a great compromise in portability and ride quality.
I'd say there are two use cases for folding bikes: folding for carrying (e.g. on transit), and folding for storage. My full-size Montague folding bike has basically zero compromises compared to a non-folding bike, but I wouldn't want to carry it any significant distance.
Great video 👍 I ride my brompton for 16 years now and i am still very happy with the bike.
I have a single speed carbon folding bike (a hummingbird bike). It is very expensive but I have more fun riding it than any of my other bikes and use it much more often than even my electra cruiser bike (which is a large bike with gears and big tires). There is a different feeling you get altogether when riding a bike that weighs under 15 pounds and has no gears. It is almost like flying. I typically stand pedal to get it going and then sit and pedal. I also stand pedal for hills. If you use your body weight in place of a low gear (for hills and starting), you don't even need gears it turns out. I have another folding bike but I don't get the same feeling with it (it has an aluminum frame and 8 gears and is nowhere near as lightweight). Also, if you are going longer distances or touring, you don't have to worry about gettting 'stuck' cycling where you don't want to because you can easily call an uber or get on any kind of public transportation since it folds in about 5 seconds and is super light. Or you can walk it up hills easily if you want and barely notice you are even pushing it up hill, again because of the light weight.
OMG! Thanks for the introduction to Hummingbird bikes. I NEED ONE OF THOSE! 😀
I love having a folding bike. The only place for me to store my bike is in our tiny compartment of the building's basement (or in the flat, but I don't want that).
My back used to really hurt from carrying a full size bike up and down the stairs each day. The problem isn't even that the bike is heavy, but that you have to move in weird ways while carrying it or else you get stuck in the narrow hallway.
Now I have a folding bike and it's a breeze to carry upstairs and downstairs aswell. And riding it is a lot of fun!
I would love for my hysband to get one too so we could cycle together, but he is 6'4 and unfortunately, folding bikes for someone that size are hard to find and very expensive. :( I would say that's a disadvantage
Just bought one becase I needed one for my aviation camping trips. Should fit well in the back of my dad's Cessna 172. great video
Alot of people use them where I live, I dont need one but was curious to see the pros and cons, thanks for the video!
In Germany also you can take folding bikes on the train at no extra cost, so I mostly use mine when I'm headed to a different town so I can get about easily.
Brilliant informative and friendly video, thank you for sharing! Ps. I tried a folding bike today and loved it, totally agree with the great points you made. Personally the amount that it's eases multi modal transport will be really handy! 👍🏼🙏
You can get folding bikes with 26" wheels. Most seem to be 20" with 14" and 16" also popular at the low end.
They can be very light or heavy (especially the Ebikes)
Storage is the main advantage of them, especially the ability to bring them inside to lessen the chance of theft. If yours fits at the bottom of a grocery cart then you don't have to lock it oputside when shopping.
It's light transit folders I'm excited about. A small folder can cut a multi transfer transit trip down to one main route, saving a lot of time.
The idea of using a folding bike for commuting including public transit is intriguing, but there is only one bike with which it really works, the Brompton. I have a 16" Giant folder, weighs like 12 kg, but is really too heavy to carry, for example through turnstiles or down a train platform, or into your office building, etc.
Like most folders (except the brompton) it folds to the right, which leaves the drivetrain exposed. So you could easily bump your dirty chain against someone or something.
It's also fairly wide when folded, because also like most folders the front and rear axles meet, which adds a couple inches more to the fold.
It was convenient to carry in the trunk of the car. 2 folders fit easily, so we always had our bikes with us, and didn't need to carry them into the house and store them anywhere.
But it didn't work for commuting on public transport.
I got a folding bike almost 2 years ago to use on a road trip. Actually I drove to Zizzo HQ and picked up my Ferro model there. If I had to do it all over again I would buy one that is lighter and has no wires to snag in my car. Well, there is one, the Vilano Urbana. Weighs 21 lbs and single speed with coaster brakes. Even though my Zizzo has 7 speeds, I use only the highest gear 99% of the time so a single speed is not only lighter but less complicated due to a lack of shifter and derailleur. The only thing I’ve done was swap out the god awful twist shifter for a shimano trigger shifter and alloy brake levers.
Have a look at a Dahon Mu Uno, it ticks most of your boxes. I think they still make it!
I've been rocking a folding bike since 2012. the brand and model is a micargi mft-30. Pre-pandemic bike accommodation on BART was restricted to off-commute hours and weekends so in my mind this would enable me to enjoy multi-modal travel more convenient. So far I've replaced the chain, bottom bracket, grips, seat, tires, and pedals. the joints that allow the handlebars to fold are really loose and creak and move if I exert pressure on them. All that being said, this bike has been surprisingly reliable! One of the more understated convivences of a folding bike is the ability to pack it in your car without needing to mess with seat configurations or buying a bike rack. It makes that particular multi-modal travel way more convenient. I have often packed my folding bike on roadtrips so I can enjoy a little bit of biking in situations where I felt like it and being able to bring a bike along in this manner has been a really enjoyable way to spend my time once I reach my destination.
I've been riding a folding bike for years personally the main advantage for me is being able to put them into anyone's car I personally have ended up in situations where I'm riding my bike and a friend shows up out of nowhere and wants to drive me somewhere fairly often and it's really nice to be able to get a ride home after work but still having my bike in case I can't find a ride or just want to ride it which is more common now I have a folding e-bike but that's new
One of the reasons why I like having a garage is that I can roll my bike into it, store it with ease, and I don't have to take it up a flight of stairs or inside my house risking scuffing a wall or damaging something.
Not really sure if there's a better engineering solution for apartment or condo residents that want to own bicycles without the hassles of bringing it into an upstairs apartment.
My apartment complex has storage lockers, but even then thieves broke in and ripped off locked bikes. I'm lucky that my apartment is right across from the elevator so hitting and scratching the walls is minimal
Elevators...
@@johndope7980 are expensive
Some years ago I had to commute to work with High speed ICE trains (Germany). On the older generation trains there is no option for taking a bike with you but folding bikes are considered as luggage in Germany. So it was easy to get of at the train station, fold the bike open and ride the last mile to my office.
Excelente informe, muchas gracias!
I have a Zizzo Urbano as my main analog bike! My ebike is also a folder, a Blix Vika+. The convenience of folding it and being able to take it inside instead of locking it up is just sooo nice. Carrying it up stairs is so much easier, as well. I also live in Seattle, and I had heard that the smaller wheels help with climbing hills, which are ubiquitous here. I don't have much to compare it to, but it works reasonably well, though hills are never easy to climb 😅
I was living in a smaller apartment when I bought it, and I lived in an area where bikes thieves would even break into keyed access parking garages, so the foldability was key for me. I've taken it to work a few times, and storing in the building near my desk gives me peace of mind. I'd probably ride it there more but my office is 26 km away.
I haven't had a chance to go on super long rides with my ebike folder, yet since I just got it in January, but I hope to soon now that the weather is nicer. I'll probably ride it to the office once things start to open and I have to go back a few days a week.
I LOVE the Zizzo Urbano! I put a Bafang mid drive motor on it. It's one of my favorite ebikes out of those I put together.
Thank you! That was very informative.
Glad to hear it!
My combination: I use bikeshare. I got a folding bike that fits in my condo closet when I am going somewhere that doesn't have a bikeshare station.
I don't see this in the comments yet, but a folding bike is an ideal choice to add an ebike kit too, though I will say this adds weight to your bike so check the weight of the kit / battery before purchase... Ps -Love this post, great video!
My well ridden 1994 Bike Friday is still a great bike.
If they are built well the bike will last.
I got my folder because I have to use a company car for just certain jobs and I was wasting too much time going to pick it up or return it after use. I had already tried using a full-size bike and a towball carrier which I carried on the bike using the loops on my saddlebag. That wasn't too practical because I couldn't carry the bike on the towball during the job - too difficult reversing into a narrow gateway with the bike out back. Then I tried just walking but that took too long and was a bind with arthritis. My local shop had a cheap folder to get rid of from an unwanted order and gave me a very big discount. It's a bit like the Zizzo, called a Montana and I love it. I've made an extension for the seat pillar, put bar-ends on the bars and changed the freewheel to get a slightly bigger top gear and the tyres to roll a bit easier (Mitas BMX comp tyres, heavily discounted, insteas of Kenda tractor tyres). I got very unfit during lockdown but the folder is, surprisingly, about as quick as my road bikes and a lot more comfortable than some. I am now looking to put a front panier rack on it to do some touring where it can go on buses that are substituting for train services. It still suffers from nota high enough top gear. Next mod will be an 8sp cassette rear wheel. I have arthritic hands, I like twist grips!
I use a Montague folding bike, which settles on a different compromise point regarding compactness vs performance. It's a full size bike and performs like one, but won't fold up nearly as compact as the 20" bikes you've been using. For my uses it's a regular bike 99% of the time but can be crammed into a car trunk if need be.
I have a Tern Verge X11 2021. It is a beautiful machine built for speed. It has top of the range components, light and fit for all sorts of riding situations. You get what you pay for.
Yep we got fairly cheap bikes and they work fairly well, and we've covered quite a few kms on them
I am getting a folding bike to keep in my trunk for riding during my lunch breaks to get some exercise and in case I break down or just to get a ride in wherever.
In Seattle most buses just have 2 bike racks. This would be perfect since you can carry it in
I do not see the slower pace and more upright position as a disadvantage. I think the more sporty high speed road bikes with the low position to some extent suffer from the same thing as the car, since you do not as easily see other people around you and you have a high speed it makes you stop thinking a bit of people as other humans you need to negotiate movement with and more as obstacles to conquer. If you look at places with significant bicycle populations the average speeds are usually between 15-20kph and most people are on upright bikes. This makes bicycling more accessible for all kind of people, kids, old people, and even people that need to be a little dressed up for work or a party. For those situations your bike is actually a little overpowered.
I don’t consider folding bikes as toys, just like other bikes, they are forms of transportation. I own two folding bikes and ride them on long distances frequently
I am riding folding bicycles for last five years, haven't found a single non-standard part except the frame yet.
The frame is a bit heavier, but the convenience counters it just okay.
Thanks guys love that video awesome🤜 just bought a folding bike., i’ll be honest I was not keen on folding bikes because I thought I may look stupid on it
Love your content. 🖖
Thank you!!
Bought a folder in Toronto 12 years ago for the GO train, beat it to hell over that time, bought two more gently used for this summer for guests to use (might bring them to Montreal, incidentally). I find folders generally safer and easier to ride, owing to the tire size, gearing, and centre of gravity.
I recommend people buy more durable/higher pressure tires for folders immediately. Most of them come with child bike tires or low-pressure kwests, so an upgrade will immediately increase speed and eliminate punctuates (just have to search on more niche sites for 20x1.50 Schwalbes, etc.).
I bought a folding bike when I was getting into urban cycling thinking that I needed it but later found out that there was a bike rack at my workplace. Since getting a BTwin I havent used it that much but I feel like I could give it another go someday.
I was scrolling through UA-cam, saw the title of your video cover photo and the lyrics of Kenny Rogers song, the Gambler, immediately started playing in my mind. "You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away and know when to run".... I wonder if you guys did that intentionally? It caught my attention and made me laugh. :)
I probably shouldn't mention that I got my folding bike for £50 second hand. ;-) Add in about another £50 for a new rear brake, replacement brake cables, and lights and I got a commuter bike for less than £100 that can happily live in the corner of the living room of my flat.