FOLDING BICYCLES

There seems to me to be quite a few folding bike companies especially in asia. I try to include here only the most accessible to the greatest amount of people. Bikes i regard as toys that fold are excluded.

1. BROMPTON FOLDING BIKE   This folding bike uses a 16" wheel. I apologize for omitting this very popular folding bicycle from this website. Read this comment by a recent visitor of this website from England: "The Brompton is the neatest folding bike I know of, and is quite capable of doing long distance journeys (I've ridden mine all the way along the Kennet and Avon canal in the UK from Bristol to Reading, some 120 miles). It's also the commuter bike of choice in London; it folds into a really neat package that can easily be carried on a train, and is very nippy and controllable. When you get off a commuter train in the morning you need to stand clear of the flock of Bromptons heading off across central London. I regularly do the journey from Paddington station to Canary Wharf (about 10 miles each way)". Brompton has dealers in the US who can sell to American buyers.
   Click here to take the Brompton Factory tour.
    
2. SETTE USA     New Folding bike. Looks in the picture to be well made. It is called their F-1 model. Features include: Frame: 7005 Series Aluminum, Crankset: Truvativ Touro, Wheelset: 20" Sun Ringle MC-18, Tires: Kenda, Shifter: Sram MXR Pro Twist shifters, Derailleur: Shimano Sora 8 speed.
    
3. KINN-OVATIONS     They sell a very neat looking 20" wheel chainless shaft-drive folding bicycle. "Kinn-Ovations is a premier driveshaft/chainless bicycle company with exciting products. We aspire to delight the customer with innovative quality products and continuously strive to be the best in our niche. We stand behind each of our products and believe in the driveshaft evolution of bicycles".
    
4. AIRNIMAL FOLDING BIKE   This bike uses a 24" wheel. "The travel bike for the serious cyclist. It packs easily into a suit case. The exciting Airnimal folding bike that fits and rides like a full sized bike! It can be configured with full touring options, for that much-anticipated trip to New Zealand or wherever. Or set up as a fast road bike to take along on your business trips, or as a very competitive triathlon machine. The versatility is there the choice is yours. Couple the aerodynamic frame with the smaller 24" wheels and we have a bike designed to cut wind drag. The smaller wheels accelerate faster because of the smaller moment of inertia. They also provide the responsiveness of small-wheel bikes (without the associated harshness) while maintaining the hands-free riding stability of big wheelers. The result is a machine that features remarkable acceleration and responsiveness combined with a smooth, stable ride".
    
5. IXIBIKE   They sell two models; both look the same except the frame of one folds. This bike has 16" x 1.5" tires. It appears to me to be a well made bicycle that uses a belt-drive instead of a standard bicycle chain. Gearing consists of a 4-speed Shimano Nexus hub with coaster brake.
    
6. SIDEKICK   "The shaft driven (chainless) folding bicycle from Dynamic Bicycles featuring a light aluminum frame with quick release hinges and foldable pedals that allow you to quickly and easily pack the bike down to a compact 24''W x 28"L x 28"H without any tools. When setup, the Sidekick offers a comfortable upright riding position and an extremely flexible design with an adjustable seat post and handlebar to accomodate riders from 5'0'' up to 6'0'' (minimum leg length 24"; maximum leg length 34"). The Sidekick uses the Shimano Nexus 3 or 7 speed hub, offering a nice range of gearing in a very compact space. We combine the Shimano hub with our street shaft (chainless) drive to create a gear range that will allow you to navigate streets, sidewalks and waterfront areas smoothly and easily. In addition, the Sidekick features a wide, comfortable seat, reliable alloy linear pull brakes, alloy rims and 20" x 1.75" tires for soft rides, great control, and excellent resistance to rust and corrosion".
    
7. DOWNTUBE   Their website displays folding bicycles exclusively plus some other items used with the bikes they sell. They list their bicycles for sale on eBay also.
    
8. CITIZEN BIKE   Based in Florida. They seem to sell two models of their folding bike, both 20" wheel and Shimano 6-Speed Derailleur. One they call hand-welded Alloy Frame and the other is called Suspension Frame. Suggested rider height for adults and teens (4'8" to 6'3") and Max rider weight up to 230 lbs.
    
9. ZENSX     This appears to be a relatively new bike business located in Los Angeles California. They sell what appears to me to be about 3 different models of a 20" wheeled folding bike in different color choices.
    
10. XOOTR SWIFT   Neat bikes. I just recently bought one of these. I have installed a set of Apex Fenders for 20" wheel size and they fit and work good.
    Also check out this neat Xootr Singlespeed.
     
11. STOW-A-WAY FOLDING BICYCLE   This looks like a nice little bike. Price: $127.44 plus S&H.
    Update: I had a chance to examine this bike today. It is a neat well made bicycle and certainly worth the money. But my opinion is that it is best suited for someone weighing under 200 lbs. and not more than 5ft-10in tall with an inseam less than 30in. "Easy to open, close and ride, this compact 5-speed folding bike is perfect for anyone with limited space. The lightweight aluminum frame sets up in 3 easy steps and folds just as quickly for storage in a closet or car trunk. Alloy rims help for lightweight riding ease. Lightweight, 20-inch frame. Quick-release seat and handlebar adjustment. Shimano 5-speed gearing with twist shifter. Weatherproof resin fender. No tools required for assembly or folding and unfolding. Maximum weight limit 250 pounds. Seat elevates to approximately 34".
     
12. STRIDA FOLDING BICYCLE   The "strida" is designed for riders who want clean, convenient and portable transportation available on a moment's notice. it is ideal for boaters, pilots and anyone with short commutes, island hopping, city life, getting around campus or any time you need a whole new way to move. It appears to be a quality little bike and a quality company. It has 16" wheels.
     
13. BREEZER BIKES   Check out their new little folders!
     
14. DAHON FOLDING BIKES   Famous name.
    Also, use this link for extra parts and accessories or upgrades: gaerlan.com.
     
15. BIKE FRIDAY   Expensive, but very well made. This is also a very nice and unique web site.
     
16. THE PEUGEOT BICHETTE   This is a real beauty.
     
17. KHS BICYCLES   "3 models for 2004: Cappuccino, F20-II, F20-III". Nice folding bikes.
     
18. MONTAGUE USA FOLDING BICYCLES   This company makes the full size (26" wheel) folding bicycles that I think may have been used by the military. Also, click on this link to see their "military models": PARATROOPER
     
19. SUN BICYCLES   They have two models to choose from. A single speed & one equipped with a three speed nexus hub. They are nice looking bikes.
     
20. SWIFT FOLDER   Recently discovered neat little bike.
     
21. BAZOOKA FOLDING BICYCLES   This company is based in Canada, but has a warehouse in Washington State, USA for shipment to customers living in the u.s. You can order these bicycles directly from the manufacturer by visiting the website and clicking on "Dealers". Or click here to order directly from them: info@bazookasports.com
     
22. BFOLD   They sell folding bikes only.
     
23. LUCA BIKE   Luca Bike by Sascher. This website does not show a way to purchase this very nifty folding bike. If i remember correctly this bike is something like in the $10,000 or higher price range. I think the developer of this bicycle screens his buyers like some realtors screen potential house buyers. But if you are interested in buying this bike i want you to know that he has always answered my email inquiries, he just markets the bike differently than most people probably would because of it being a very high end type bike, which is just fine with me.