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May 16, 2007
Fast Folding Commuter Cycle
For the most part I avoid writing about Cycling BUT every now and again it just kinda happens. Regular reader(s) of Youthblog know that I ride a fast skinny road bike, a hardtailed Mountainbike and my folding bicycle (although not all 
at the same time you understand). My folder is a British built (yay) bike called a Brompton. This piece of kit goes nearly everywhere with me and is SO useful, folding as it does into a small package in under 20 seconds (and unfolding as fast) and riding in a zippy, fun and efficient manner. The folding market is seeing massive growth at the moment as these bikes are harder to steal (if you keep them with you, which you can), join transport options together (you can take them on buses and trains without hassle, or indeed being thrown off) and they are dead easy to store. Brompton have been producing their bikes as fast as they can while companies like Dahon have innovated and produced a wide range of folders. The holy grail though has been to make a bike that rides well, folds down to a small package AND folds quicker more efficiently than the Brompton. I think Bike Friday may have done it, check this out ...........
The instruction video is here. I've not ridden one yet so can't comment BUT it's genius is it not?
Posted by ian at May 16, 2007 08:44 AM
Comments
Sure is genius! But almost looks like it may spontaneously fold whilst your riding it! Not such a genius situation!
Posted by: Laura at May 16, 2007 09:28 AM
brilliant! altho i was thinking something similar to laura...
Posted by: Zaac at May 16, 2007 11:20 AM
Yes, Bike Friday's Tikit is a work of genius but so is the Mobiky 3 second folding bike. Besides costing less than the Tikit, the Mobiky is French - oooo la la!
For more about the Mobiky as well as folding bikes that start from as little as $159, visit...
http://ridethisbike.com/folding_bikes.htm
Posted by: Larry Lagarde at May 16, 2007 04:23 PM
Larry, that is blatantly an advert but I'll let it go for the mo'
Posted by: Youthblog at May 16, 2007 04:40 PM
I use to have a white bike that folded in half in the early 80's. (It was exceptable in the 80's) ;)
Posted by: Tanya Heasley at May 17, 2007 10:30 AM