Advice for buying a foldable bicycle

[pulchritude]

Hello!

I'm seriously considering buying a foldable bicycle for getting to and from work (8 km or so each way), and I was wondering if you guys have any recommendations for the type I should get? I'm not sure what else I should put here, since I've never bought a bike before. I do think that I would like a bike that can change gears and basically one I could also ride recreationally.

Any help would be appreciated, and thanks in advance!

Comments

[sara]

Where do you live?

If you're in the U.S., I would certainly recommend a Bike Friday, but I'm biased because they're made right down the road from me and I own one. They aren't cheap but they're good (I am thinking of buying another this winter, once I start my new job -- mine is a tandem).

My impression of Dahons is not positive.

I hear good things about Bromptons but they are spendy.

[pulchritude]

I live in Asia, so.... :P

Why do you have a negative impression of Dahons? I've read tonnes of positive things about them online.

And yeah, a Brompton is out of my price range, sadly :(

[sara]

Yeah, I'm not sure what'll be available there.

I have yet to see a Dahon that looks like it works well -- they're heavy, they seem to rust easily, the components do not look too good to me. But I'm comparing them to the Fridays, which are very popular around here and which are really well-engineered.

Hah, I think Bromptons are out of almost everyone's price range, but they sure are pretty.

[jae]

I am a Rider of Recumbents, but if I were a Rider of Uprights, I would buy a Brompton. So foldy!

I own a Bike Friday (recumbent) and find it much less foldy, which is sad. It is a really nice bike once folded, though.

-J

[pinesandmaples]

Asking the obvious: is there a reason you need a folding bike instead of a standard bike?

[pulchritude]

Mainly because it would be easier to take around. I would be able to take it with me into the office/the flat/other people's homes, on public transport if I didn't want to ride back/the weather changes mid-ride/I've bought too much stuff and can't ride back, easier to take if/when I move/travel, stuff like that.