161–170 of 431 posts
These small bicycles have one major disadvantage: The wheels are too small to provide much of a gyroscopic effect while riding, so they are far less stable than a traditional bicycle. https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/bicycle-wheel-gyro
It's a folding bike which lives in my car's trunk. It's also easily and quickly adjustable so that I can bring one of my other bikes for me and then set the Tern up for pretty much anyone else.
It's a little small for me and with a short wheel base, there's a limit to how steep it will go without the front wheel just lifting off the ground.
One of the positives that I've found with this bike is that I like smaller wheels, 24" rather than 700C. You accelerate faster. It might not work for a road bike doing a loop ride but for urban riding, I do like it.
I think the niche of "personal vehicle that you can take on the metro" is better filled by PEVs. Shrinking down a bike's drivetrain size is harder than just putting together a single wheel, some circuit boards, batteries, and an electric motor to make an electric unicycle. A big advantage EUCs have is you don't have to bother with folding like a bike, just hop off, grab the trolley handle and walk on. Electric scoote…
I usually spend a few minutes waiting for public transit, though - which would be more than enough time to fold up a bicycle.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Real bicycles also have larger wheels for a reason - its much more efficient and rolls over bumps and ruts much easier.
What do you mean by efficient?
I don't think I could ever get over the look of the small wheels. It seems like the fanny pack of bikes: pretty useful but you gotta look dorky if you want to use it. It's vain but I'd find it hard to believe I'm alone here.
The folding bicycle is bastardized version that shoehorns the concept of portability at the expense of nearly every other quality except "gets from point A to point B".
I'm likely wrong and they probably are a great solution for many but goodness.. I love normal bicycles too much to look at a folding bike with anything but cringe.
I've spent a long time with folding bikes over the years. My advice: bite the bullet and buy a Brompton[1]. Yes, Bromptons are expensive. But they ride like a bicycle, have gears, a stiff enough frame, luggage racks etc. There's very little compromise. The fastest I've done on mine is 45 kph and I've ridden 70km in a day. I carry it on and off buses and trains multiple times a day without issue. In the past I had an…
Also the fold is the most compact possible, even more compact than Brompton in terms of maximizing the use of space. It also fits in a standard airline luggage without any disassembly which few other folding bikes can claim.
The frame is full titanium including the locking mechanisms. It’s made in Canada and is the lowest cost complete titanium bike on the market, folding or not.
Full disclosure, I’m the owner/founder of Helix. Happy to answer any questions related to it or folding bikes in general.
If portability is the ultimate goal then its probably better to go with learning how to ride unicycle instead of buying a intricate folding bike with a lot of compromises. Sometimes the the problem can't be fixed with a technical solution and the user simply needs to learn to use a new tool ;)
Couldn't agree more. Electric Unicycles are unbelievable, here are the benefits: 1. Size / Portable, about 7" x 17" x 24" 2. Agility, better maneuverability around cars and obstacles 3. Speed, can go >40mph, most of the time you only need 15~25mph 4. Hands free, can carry stuff 5. Wheel size is 16" and up (better than scooters with small wheels) Downsides: 1. Weight, 40lbs and up (my current one is 65lbs) 2. Electric…
I've spent a long time with folding bikes over the years. My advice: bite the bullet and buy a Brompton[1]. Yes, Bromptons are expensive. But they ride like a bicycle, have gears, a stiff enough frame, luggage racks etc. There's very little compromise. The fastest I've done on mine is 45 kph and I've ridden 70km in a day. I carry it on and off buses and trains multiple times a day without issue. In the past I had an…
A discussion about folding bikes would not be complete without mentioning Helix. Helix folds almost as small as a Brompton but has 24” wheels and standard bicycle components such as disc brakes, Shimano/SRAM drivetrain etc. Also the fold is the most compact possible, even more compact than Brompton in terms of maximizing the use of space. It also fits in a standard airline luggage without any disassembly which few ot…