Why Choose a Folding Bicycle?

When choosing a bicycle, many people are attracted to the convenience of the folding bike but worry about its practicality. Because they fold, a common concern is whether the foldable bicycle is strong enough for practical usage. In this article Sunil Tanna dispels some of these misconceptions:

Folding Bikes
By Sunil Tanna

Many people thinking of folding bikes as a bit of a joke. This is because in the past many folding bikes were unwieldy and awkward to ride, and some models were prone to collapse. However, in recent years, new designs have come to the fore, and folding bikes have greatly improved - so much so that any negative reputation is no longer deserved.

Of course, just like any other type of bike, folding bicycles do require that the designers have to make some choices and compromises in the design between various different priorities. In the case of folding bicycles, designers have to strike a balance between the folding capability, the quality of the ride, and the price - and you will find that different models of folding bikes have struck this balance at different points. For example, some folding bicycles (mainly those designed for short hops) are designed to be simple to fold and unfurl every time they are ridden, whereas are designed to be kept unfolded most of the time and only folded away once in a while.

So why choosing a folding bike?

- Folding bikes can be packed away. That makes them easy to store, suitable for carrying on the bus or train, and is a big advantage of you worried about bicycle theft.

- If you're worried about the possibility of punctures or mechanical problems when commuting, again folding bikes come into their own - as in the event of a problem you can simply fold the bike away and hop on the bus or train.

One thing to be aware of though is that folding bikes generally have smaller wheels than other types of bikes. There are many types of tyre choices around, some with puncture-resistant bands and reflective strips, but because of their small size, tyre pressure is especially important - if you let your tyres go soft - riding becomes like running through treacle! Therefore be sure to invest in a decent bicycle pump!

First published at http://www.guide2cycling.com/p1_articles_kit_folding_bikes.php

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