The folding bicycle has not been a very popular form or transport, but in these hard economic times, with people always on the lookout for transportation that is reliable and affordable, it is making a comeback. Folding bikes come in many shapes and sizes, and are ideally suited for residents of cities who want to get to their destinations without the hassle of driving the crowded streets or riding the subway, and for commuters who need an alternative to walking or taking the bus.

The history of the Folding Bicycle

The first prominent use of the folding bicycle in history was in the late 19th century, when it became popular for military use. During the 1st World War folding bikes were used by British, French and Italian troops, since they could be used to travel over roads, and folded up, packed and carried when the terrain became too rough.

Some of the most compact folding bikes ever built were carried by British paratroopers during World War II. The bikes were small enough to be brought along on parachute jumps, and were used by British troops that landed on D-Day. The bikes unfolded to a full size, and utilized a wingnut for turning rather than traditional handlebars.

Sizes and Types

The size of one folding bicycle frame is essentially the same as any other bike, but unlike other types of bicycles, folding bikes are extremely adjustable. The frames are generally one size to enable compact folding. Aspects such as the height of the seats and the handlebars can be altered to a much greater degree than on a standard bike, in order to accommodate riders of many different sizes. Additionally, accessories can be purchased to customize seat posts and handlebar stems, allowing for even further customization.

Folding bikes are categorized according to their folding mechanism. Bikes known as half-folds have a hinge in the middle of the frame, allowing it to fold in half. A triangle hinge bike folds the rear wheel and triangle down and flips it forward under the main frame tube. The Brompton and the Dahon, two of the most popular models of folding bikes, are of this type. Bikes called break-aways combine hinge points with removable parts.

Popular Brands

Though far from the only brands on the market, the two most popular folding bicycle manufacturers are Brompton and Dahon.

Dahon, based in Los Angeles, California, is the world’s largest maker of folding bikes. It was founded in 1982 by a laser physicist who hoped to manufacturer cheaper and cleaner modes of transportation. Dahon offers over 30 different models for sale in a variety of wheel sizes and folding mechanisms.

The number two name in the folding bike industry, by most reckoning, is London-based Brompton Bicycle. Brompton is the largest bicycle manufacturer in Britain by volume. All of its very popular folding bikes feature the same frame and folding mechanism, designed and patented by company founder Andrew Ritchie in 1979. The famous four-step fold involves first folding in the rear wheel, then folding in the front wheel, then folding down the handlebar stem, then pushing down the seat post and saddle, locking the folded bike tight.

Other notable manufacturers of folding bicycles include Strida, A-bike, Montague, and Bike Friday, all of which specialize in folding bikes, and major bicycle companies like Schwinn and Bridgestone, which feature folding bikes alongside the standards bicycles in their catalogs.

The Costs and Benefits of Folding Bicycles

Depending on the type of bike you are looking for, a folding bicycle could cost anywhere from just over $100 to $500 or even more. But most owners would probably agree that the expense of buying the bikes was offset by the money they saved as a result of riding them.

Folding bikes were once made for the military, but now their most common use is on the commute. They are ideal for a mixed commute, where some distance is traveled on foot and some on public transportation. Instead of walking to or from the bus stop or train station, a folding bicycle can be ridden, then collapsed and easily carried along on the bus or the subway.

In today’s struggling economy, with gas prices still high, saving money is foremost in the minds a of many people. That, more than any other reason, is why so many have now invested in the fantastic invention known as the folding bicycle.