Folding Bike Buying and Brand Advice

kaleidoscope on 28/05/2018 - 14:04
Last edited 28/05/2018 - 19:00

Hi all,
So I’m planning to get a folding bike for commuting to work. Daily travel distance is about 6km each way. As I havent used a push bike for a while, (10 years may be) I’m not very sure of what I should be looking for.

My requirements:
- Folding bike due to space constraints
- 15kg or less (in case there is unexpected event or weather change, i should be able to carry it on train/ bus)
- low maintenance

I’ve so far shortlisted few models I’ve found interesting. But as the price difference is so big i’m a bit lost. So any any advice on buying or past experience is really appreciated.

Fortis urban traveller (160-300)
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/fortis-urban-traveller-20-foldi…

Progear nomad (329-350)
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/progear-nomad-20-folding-bike-w…

Xds city pro (450-500)
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/folding-bikes/xds/vic/brun…

Giant expressway 1 (650-700)
https://www.bicyclesuperstore.com.au/giant-expressway-1-2018…

Dahon Vybe D7 (600-800)
https://www.99bikes.com.au/dahon-vybe-d7-20in-black-2018

There is even 1500+ mark bikes from Brompton which is too much for my budget. I saw a dahon model around 700-800 mark as well. (added above)

is the almost double price difference from nomad to giant justifiable? (I’m asking as I have no idea, they both offer good warranty overall and lifetime frame warranty and even weighs similar + shimono gear)

*update:
Added Dahon link I could not locate earlier.

Thanks,
M

Sports & Outdoors Bicycle

closed Comments

  • kaleidoscope on 05/06/2018 - 00:01

    Thanks all for the helpful advices and insights. I’ve ride tested the giant expressway 1, dahon vybe d7 and dahon suv d6 models during the weekend. Kind of liked how d7 felt and went with it. (Giant was equally good, but kind of liked the handling of dahon model)

    That being said there was definitely a big difference between dahon d7 and the budget friendly dahon d6 model.

    Thanks again,
    M

    @moderators, this post can be closed now.

  • eraser215 on 28/05/2018 - 14:31
    +2

    Don't buy the cheapo bikes. They will perform poorly, you won't want to ride them, and they will be a waste of money as they sit there gathering dust. Giant's 8 speed Shimano Acera gear is good enough, and you can't go wrong with the world's biggest manufacturer. The XDS is OK but i'd spend the extra $$$ and get the Giant. You can always go to the store and go for a test ride.

    • kaleidoscope on 28/05/2018 - 19:09

      Thanks, thats very helpful. What do you think between Giant and Dahon (link in OP). I’m going to try them both this weekend.

  • Quantumcat on 28/05/2018 - 14:59
    +1

    Unless you need a folding bike due to being on a crowded train, or a bus without a bike rack, I wouldn't get a folding bike. If you haven't ridden in a while you would want the commute to be as comfortable as possible, and that won't happen if you have a bike whose sole purpose ISN'T being a good bike, and instead is being small and foldable. Folding bikes are more for if you catch a train and still need to go a decent distance (>1km) after the train and walking would take too long, and you don't have any hills or anything to tackle on the way.

    • kaleidoscope on 28/05/2018 - 19:12

      Yeap agreed. I currently have parking space problem hence I was thinking for folding type. Next year I will likely relocate to elsewhere, then it’d be train + bike ride (5-6km).

      • Quantumcat on 28/05/2018 - 23:15

        Is there nowhere to lock up a bike at work?

        • kaleidoscope on 29/05/2018 - 00:31

          No parking unfortunately and others just park side of the main road… At home pretty much the same story as I live in an apartment and the car takes all the parking space. That being said, It's not impossible to have a normal sized bike, just that at-least for now it's not very practical. Cheers.

  • tebbybabes on 28/05/2018 - 15:44
    +1

    I've only ever ridden an old vintage steel german Dahon Tokaido… It was definitely around the 15kg mark, and quite bulky folded up, so not very comfortable carrying around.

    I also found riding it a far far cry from the comfort I'm used to with any of my full size bikes. In fact, it was a combination of these two factors that led me to unloading it.

    However, I have a friend with a folding with much bigger wheels than my vintage and he rides it around his neighbourhood without any complaints. In fact, I've ridden it for maybe 50 meters and definitely felt much better with it than my vintage foldable.

    I guess what I'm trying to say is, try them out first.

    • kaleidoscope on 28/05/2018 - 19:13

      Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes going to try the Dahon and Giant models this weekend.

      Cheers

  • Fergy1987 on 28/05/2018 - 15:55
    +2

    If you have to get a folding bike - definitely the Giant - the rest are no good.

    But yeah definitely agree only if you HAVE to…..anything else would be better in a full size bike. especially if you are going to hit any sort of hill

    • kaleidoscope on 28/05/2018 - 19:05

      Thank you. I’ve added Dahon Vybe D7 model which is on discount at the moment. Do you think Giant still is better over that or It’s more like pick the model which feels better after trial run.

      Cheers,

  • tsunamisurfer on 28/05/2018 - 17:16
    +1

    My first impression of riding a folding bike is that the crank is so short you are basically riding a clown bike.

    It wasn't enjoyable at all after the first minute.

    • kaleidoscope on 28/05/2018 - 19:15

      🤣 haha, it does look like clown bike, but am considering due to practical reasons.

      • Quantumcat on 28/05/2018 - 23:16
        +1

        If you don't enjoy riding it, it will be an expensive garage decoration pretty soon.

  • twocsies on 28/05/2018 - 19:52

    The Progear Nomad is listed for $242 https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/folding-bikes/progear/vic/…

    A good selection on https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/folding-bikes

  • Rifraf on 29/05/2018 - 01:00
    +1

    Last time I looked, here in WA, a Brompton bike, folded, was the only one you were allowed to take onto a bus with you.

    Something to look into where you are OP

    I've just looked and they have changed the wording:

    "Folding bicycles

    If your folding bicycle has small wheels and is in a bag no more than 86 cm long, 68 cm high and 36cm wide, you may carry it on any bus, train or ferry service. Please consider your fellow passengers by keeping your folding bike out of aisles and off seats that others need. "
    http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/using-transperth/taking-item…

  • Rifraf on 29/05/2018 - 01:18

    Depending on where and why your thinking about a folder OP, have you considered a separable?
    I rode a Moulton APB for around 20 or so years and found it a comfortable and practical commuter.

    Having only room for one bike and having taken up multi surface touring, I've sold it and opted for a Surly Ogre.

    • kaleidoscope on 29/05/2018 - 12:53

      I had not heard of it until you mentioned it.

  • dasher86 on 29/05/2018 - 09:27

    Get a scooter?

  • Euphemistic on 29/05/2018 - 12:49
    +1

    Make sure you try before you buy. There are lots of compromises about a folding bike, even more with a cheap folding bike. I’ve tried a couple of folding bikes and they can be vastly different in ease of folding and riding comfort/speed.

    For commuting you want a decent reliable bike. If you were buying one to chuck in the caravan and only use on holidays then a cheaper one would probably do the job ok.

  • Euphemistic on 29/05/2018 - 13:22
    +1

    Make sure you try before you buy. There are lots of compromises about a folding bike, even more with a cheap folding bike. I’ve tried a couple of folding bikes and they can be vastly different in ease of folding and riding comfort/speed.

    For commuting you want a decent reliable bike. If you were buying one to chuck in the caravan and only use on holidays then a cheaper one would probably do the job ok.

  • Moderatorscrimshaw on 05/06/2018 - 13:19

    Thread closed

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