The thrill of wind brushing through your face, rubber grinding through rocky terrain, your hands on a handlebar, and your legs peddling their strength out is a great way to exercise your body and enjoy the process while at it. Biking is exactly what I’m talking about! No doubt but bikes are some of the most fun ways to get around and especially folding bikes if you have one.
Personally I use folding bikes a lot and yes, I enjoy every moment on them. In fact, among some of the best folding bikes I have used are.
- Dahon Mariner D7 Folding Bike
- Dahon Vigor P9
- Schwinn Loop 7
- Dahon Speed Uno
- Montague Paratrooper Pro
The Dahon Mariner D7 Folding Bike for instance is my best choice. It has so many traits that any great folding bike should have and looking at well researched folding bike reviews you can never miss out on it. However, choosing a great folding bike isn’t easy but in case you are faced by the challenge, here are the most important factors to consider.
Folding Mechanism
A bikes folding mechanism is really significant when it comes to buying your very first model, many people don’t realize that! From my experience this is the solitary component that gives the bike a customized outlook. It should solitary depend on how quickly it can fold. Here are some of the best folding mechanisms to look at.
- Split fold mechanism: Utilizes a hinge located in the center point of the bike’s frame to fold it into two.
- Triangular hinge mechanism: Can contain both hinges and clasps and function by intricately folding together in a particularly compact form.
- Break away mechanism: These bike models function by splitting entirely into two separate pieces, awesome!
Design Materials
Another vital specification that biking has taught me is the material of the frame? From steel to aluminum, frames are vital is providing durability, value for your money, and also a suitable weight to ride around on. Always choose relatively lightweight frames. Here are some of the best frames.
- Aluminum
- Carbon Fiber
- Steel
- Titanium
The Bike Size
If you read the best folding bike reviews you’ll never miss out in the mention of the size; the size of your folding bike is should be that which suits the dimensions of your body. Are your able to sit comfortably on your model? Can it be adjusted to your size? Look for bikes that can vary their handlebars, saddles and frames if possible. Additionally choose the right size wheel for you; 16″, 20″, 24″ or 26″.
Go For The Gears
Initially I found it really difficult to choose between a geared model or not. But here is what I learnt, single speed bikes use a single chain, they are slow at accelerating, have high top speed. However they really struggle at climbing hills. Geared bikes on the other side accelerate quickly, can traverse hills with relative ease and also have a high top speed.
Other factors that you can consider will also include price of the bike, your budget, the use of the bike. Always choose what is comfortable and easy to learn.
There are many types of folding bikes that you can use including leisure, commuters, and mountain bikes. The model you choose depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and also the terrain you choose to ride on.