Folding Bike

[Joan]

I am thinking about buying a folding bike. I searched and noticed that a number of you have bought one from Camping World. Do you like it?

[chalet05]

Joan, I bought one in November and have had very little chance to really ride it. My friend, LeRoy, who is about 6 feet tall, rode it a few miles one day to retrieve his truck after he got mine stuck in a desert wash. For what it is worth, and he just mentioned it again last evening, he was really impressed with it. I know several people (non-forum) who have one and like it.

[mtngal]

Love mine! That said, I use for campgrounds and dedicated bike trails, never on open road, mine is not meant for that! Although folding bikes are very popular in Europe and are made for real riding, camping World models are not. Also, the 20" wheels make hills kinda challenging! The 'folding' is quick and easy. It's almost always in my rig, really do love it!

[Azusateach]

Not all folding bikes are the same, and CW's run heavy, and can be harder to push. If you're really serious about wanting a lightweight bike that is easy to ride you might want to do some checking around. I got a Dahon from REI and love it. Much lighter-weight and the components are far superior to the ones on the CW bikes.

That said, CW sells a great bag for them. Keeps my bike clean and everything around it grease-free.

Laura

[Joan]

Thanks for the replies. I already have a regular road bike. I am trying to decide between getting a rack for my teardrop or a folding bike. If I go the rack route, I need to get one that can swing out of the way when I want to get into the galley. I have researched folding bikes. I have looked at the really fancy ones but they are a bit too pricey for what I have in mind. I just want something to ride around the campground or short rides in the area I am visiting. I have also considered the dahon. The one that I am interested in is a couple of hundred more than the Camping World bike. I may go next weekend to the bike shop in Portland that carries them and have a look.

Again, thanks for the feedback.

[havingfunnow]

My sister had a folding bike for a long time. She loved it because when folded it fit into its own little bag and could be taken on an airplane as checked baggage. She had to travel a lot for work then, and the bike really made that more tolerable.

She never rode it at home; she said it wasn't suitable for a good ride. She considers 20 miles a pleasant Saturday ride, which probably has something to do with that evaluation.

[TarheelBornGal]

We have Bike Friday (http://www.bikefriday.com/) folding bikes. They were expensive compared to most folders but are lightweight and on par with good bikes from a bike shop. We bought them for a bike tour in upstate NY in 2004, and they have proved to be excellent utility/market bikes ever since. We are cyclists so having nice, lightweight bikes is important to us. Some of the garden-variety folders are so heavy and clunky. Good for very short rides but not much else. Like with everything, you get what you pay for, and the more you plan to use it, the more you want to pay for quality.

Emily