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As folders go mainstream, we test-ride six to help whittle down your options.
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By Sarah Rose
Moulton TSR 9
The TSR 9’s ultralight 20-pound frame feels too whippy and over-sensitive around town. Another downside: The Moulton doesn’t fold — it splits in two. That’s handy for travelers packing it in luggage, but a hassle on the train or bus — which is where you’ll be if the Moulton’s full-suspension system breaks, since it’s custom made. [$2,295; moultonbicycles.co.uk]
OUR RATING: 4/10
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Brompton
Despite looking like your average gawky folder, the Brompton is an engineering triumph that earned our love. It’s fairly light (around 25 pounds). It folds down smaller than anything else here save the tiny Strida. It locks shut. And after an acclimation ride, the Brompton proves itself a surprisingly stable cruiser due to its long wheelbase. [from $1,040; brompton.co.uk]
OUR RATING: 9/10
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Strida 5.0
It looks like a wheeled coat hanger, it has only one gear, and the seat front’s proximity to the frame puts your junk in peril during hard stops, but what worried us most was the fragile-feeling center joint. Still, the Strida is easy to carry, and for short trips on flat roads (16-inch wheels and potholes don’t mix), it can be a blast to ride. [$800; strida.com]
OUR RATING: 5/10
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Dahon IOS XL
Dahon’s newest is part folding bike, part teched-out cockpit. A dynamo in the front hub powers a headlight and recharges your iPhone (which you attach via an optional $59 waterproof mount). Balloon-tired 24-inch wheels smooth out bumps. But the IOS XL is large and porky (33.4 pounds), making it feel unwieldy both on road and folded. [$1,499; dahon.com]
OUR RATING: 8/10
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Montague Boston
Witness the world’s first 700c-wheeled, single-speed folding bike. If you live in a flat city and don’t mind arriving with some sweat on your brow, then you’ll also appreciate the Boston for its sturdiness and simplicity. If you live in San Francisco, commute in a suit, or need a ride that fits under your desk when folded, keep looking. [$769; montaguebikes.com]
OUR RATING: 8/10
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Xootr Swift
The Swift folds, yes, but the end result is an ungainly jumble of bars and tires bound to earn you eye darts on the elevator. A bummer, because unfolded it handles like a full-size hybrid bike thanks to its strong yet lightweight frame and upright stance. Bonus: It’s the only bike here you can set up at home — no bike-shop assembly necessary. [$679; xootr.com]
OUR RATING: 6/10
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This article originally appeared in the April 2010 issue of Men’s Journal.
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April 7th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Thanks for the breakdown on folding bikes. The difference in form and function on these rides is striking.
[Reply]
May 13th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
MOULTON: Your comments are spot-on as is your ranking; I agree 4/10
BROMPTON: is loved in the UK but against others e.g. Dahon range, doesnt rate 9/10, I have riden a 6 Speed Brompton for 500km it is but a fast folding Commuter. I would rank it 7/10
STRIDA 5: I own one and they are fun, fast folding, full-on, fastinating bicycles. STRIDA (Ming Cycles Korea) make a tall person model and an expensive 2 speed. For the fun provided and the small fold plus clean toothed belt I would rank it 6/10 and the two speed 7/10
DAHON IOS: Yes it is a Commuters Dream, a quick folder with 7 Speed, lights and racks included plus an iPhone recharger (If you ride plugged into music at least you will not hear the Car that Hits you) All of my Dahon bikes are very durable, a Company that sets out to improve its range 15% every year is a very worthy winner of many prizes. I commute Daily on a Dahon Speedpro 24 Speed if you want real value for money buy one. I accept your los ranking at 8/10
MONTAGUE BOSTON You need to love single speed to rate this bike highly, and it will not fit under your desk. Montague make a trade mark style that does ride like a regular full sized bike, indeed it is full sized and no it can’t fold that small. I rank Boston 4/10 their model with gears rates a 7/10 if you need a fullsized bicycle try a Dahon Matrix
XOOTR SWIFT: Now you have got me, I have never riden nor seen one of these I will leave your ranking as is.
BIKE FRIDAY: How did you leave them off your list? All their bicycles are made to order and all would rank above 6/10 check them out but be prepared to pay more for the priviledge of specifying your own Bike.
[Reply]
July 6th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Xootr Swift is probably the best of the lot. As you state, it handles like a full-size hybrid. It does what the big bikes do, but with a smaller footprint. Built like a tank, and with 8-speeds you can go anywhere. The matched SRAM shifter and derailleur insures smooth effortless shifting on the fly. Chicks and dudes are always complimenting me on mine. Downside is the limited colors available. They don’t realize that with more colors there would be 2nd and 3rd purchases to the same person.
Now for the Strida, mainland has no less than 7 factories each cranking out knockoffs on this wildly overpriced Taiwan or Korean version, whichever it is. It is not an $800 bike and I have three that I purchased from the mainland for $110, $129, and $139 respectively. It’s just that EMS eats you up in shipping. Add another $100 to get it to your door, but EMS is very reliable and it only takes a week. Again, lots of stares and compliments because it looks unusual. As far as a smash in the nads, one engineer was so certain this would not could not happen that he deliberately smashed his to prove it. Not pretty, but no problem down there. It just flipped over and landed on top of him. No one wants 22 pounds of metal to come crashing down on them from above.
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