Folding Bikes are named together with normal other bike like city bike, road bike, mountain bike …to make the bike market become more rich and vibrant. The trend of choosing a folding bike is increasing ,because of their design and performance are suitable with modern life. Due to their own specific features like light ,comfort, budget friendly and easy to stored and carried around. Folding bikes seem to have become more dominant in recent years.
The most prominent characteristic of a folding bike is folding to minimize the use of spaces and easy to carry around. So it led to the design and function being slightly different when compared with normal bikes.
In order to help you understand more about folding bikes. This article will explain all factors that you may want to know about. Such as how they work? how many types of folding bikes , what are their advantages, who can get their most benefits from?
We will together slowly walk through all necessary information
What is a folding bike?
A folding bike is a type of bike which can be folded in a compact form. Making it easy to carry ,store away. This design solves a long controversial issue about utility and space which other types of bikes can not respond to.
They have few methods of folding. Each brand has their own design and folding method. But generally a folding bike can be folded in half where both tires are paralleled in just a few minutes. The seat post, handle bars ,and telescopic tubes can be bent down in the synchronized way which make a compact set totally neat and easy to carry.
There are many types of folding bikes. They can be mountain, road , city folding bike cruisers or even BMX style. Characteristically, each type of folding bike has it’ own specific to meet up the requirement and condition where it perform. The only difference is that they have similar frame design that can be easier to fold down.
Generally, many manufacturers tent to optimize their products to the most convenient and utility benefits
History of folding bikes
Folding bikes are not new, they were first used in the French army in the 1890s,during world war I and world war II. They were modified from normal bikes to compress bikes which soldiers could carry with their backpacks
In 1900. Mikael Pedersen created a new version of folding bike for the British army. That weighed 15 pounds and 24 inch wheels. This bike version was the main transport in the Second Boer War.
During world war II. Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) made them into smaller versions which strong enough and they could be landed to ground from the parachute of aircraft without deforming.
This BSA company changed the design of traditional diamond bicycle frames which were weak for shock into rigged elliptical frames. This frame had two parallel tubes. One was the top tube and seat stay, and the other was the chain stay and downtube.
Folding bikes are mostly used in the Military and served during world war I, world war II. It was forgotten for a long time till the 1980s. Manufactures modified and made a new modern folding bike turning it more familiar and creating a using trend as now.
Folding bikes features
Material of Frame
Like other bike, the frame is always the skeleton of a folding bike. Material for making a folding bike can be
- Steel : steel is an inexpensive material which is much cheaper when compare with Aluminum alloy ,carbon fiber and titanium. However very fine steel alloy can make the bike frame become strong and stability
- Carbon Fiber: is a strong and durable material. It is lightweight. Frame made from this material is durable and shock absorption, which provides riders massive comfort. However, the price of this material is expensive
- Titanium: is strong, fine and very expensive material. This material used in the aerospace industry. A high -end folding bike made from this material is very expensive. But it offers incredible value as lightweight, durable, shock absorption comfort.
- Aluminum alloy : is light but strong and durable. The price is reasonable and mostly folding bikes are made from this material.
Gears
Folding bikes have many types. So multi-gear systems are quite normal for each type of folding bike. A folding mountain bike and folding road bike can have a gear changing system till 21 gears.
For a city folding bike The number of gears can be less but it can be up to 7 gears. It is quite enough for changing speed responding to different types of roads ,uphill, downhill or flat areas.
Brakes
Brakes of folding bikes come with different varieties. It can be U rim brakes, high-end sharp mechanical disc brakes or hydraulic disc brakes. Depending on each type of folding bikes and riding styles .Manufacturers can provide different brake styles.
Rim brakes are cheaper and for commuting city class bikes. They are good enough. But for folding mountain bikes or folding road bikes .Disc brakes are normal option due to the quick response required. They have prices higher than rim brakes. as usually
Saddle
Saddle has each own design specifically following each type of folding bikes. However, saddle of city or commune bikes have high adjustable ability. Because folding commuter bikes have much smaller wheel sizes, frames are lower and mostly they are one size fit. Adjusting the saddle, seat post is the only correct way to fix the size to fit with different high size riders.
Wheel sizes
The Sizes of folding bikes are different. Each type has its own specific.Folding mountain bikes can be up to 27,5 or 29 inch. Folding road bikes can be to 26 inch
City bikes or commuter bikes have typical 20 inch size, similarly to non-dirt BMX bikes.
Tires
Are different if folding bikes belong to each type of bikes. Tires of folding mountain bikes are wider, thicker with a lot of knobs for better friction. While folding road bikes have less tread for smooth movement on paved roads.
Folding methods
Folding methods probably the most interesting part of story . People are curious to know how folding bikes can be folded and how many methods are existing.
Half or mid-fold
Most folding bikes have a classic diamond frame. Feature with a hinge point or double hinges allow the bike to fold in half. While quick-release clamps allow raising or lowering steering and seat column. Similarly a swing hinge may be connected with a folding steering column.
Vertical Fold
Folding bikes with one or two hinges along the main tube , chain and seat stays which providing the bike a ability to fold vertically. Two wheels will stay side by side in more compact than a horizontally hinged design.
Triangle hinge
A triangle hinge in the frame will allow the rear triangle and wheel to be folded down. And flipped forward under the main tube. This type of folding mechanism typically involves latches and quick releases which affect the speed of the fold and unfold.
Magnet folding
A magnet combined with a rear shock absorber which creates the folding mechanism. Realistically, this magnet connects and locks the back wheel to the frame. Disconnecting the magnet, the bike will automatically fold in half.
Break away
Bikes can partly fold and partly disassemble for packing following a standard or custom sized suitcase for air travel .
Types of folding bikes
There are few type of folding bike, like mountain folding bike, road folding bike , city folding bike, E- folding bike
Each type of folding bike has its own specific design. Mountain mostly are high carbon steel. Due to the frame designed as a single bar for easy folding. Material must be very strong, durable. Wheel size can be 26 inches, full suspension and disc brakes in both wheels. Front and rear.
Folding mountain bike has all of the necessary features for light mountain biking style like trail and for hobby bikers. For heavy mountain biking like enduro or downhill style, racers need professional mountain bikes for special purposes.
Similarly to folding mountain bike. folding road bike has full function bike for road styling for hobby and fitness cyclists. For a more serious ride, a special road bike is necessary.
City folding bike is the most prominent for the class of bike. Most people search for a folding bike for the purpose of commuting inside the city. Because they are lightweight, simple, fit for every body. People can carry and store them anywhere without taking much space.
City folding bike normally has only one size, with wheel size around 16’’ or 20’’. The compact design makes them the choice of most people due to its convenience and neatness.
E- folding Bikes
An E- folding bike is a bike with a power- assisted motor. Battery of a folding bike can support a bike with speed up to 65 km per hour.
Folding bikes with theft prevention
Due to the fact that most folding bikes are for commuting inside the city. People put them outside of the house, apartment or school. Manufacturers make a self lock system for a folding bike to make them become very secure.
Who get most benefits from folding bikes
Folding bikes bring comfort for everybody. They fit with most people who need simple bikes to go for daily transportation and leisure purposes.
They are of extreme value for someone who needs a folding bike due to limited space of living.
The bottom line
We just walk through some main features, types and their own characteristics of a folding bike. Hope that information will give you some basic understanding before going further into the market of the best folding bikes.
Source: Wikipedia ,Wikimedia common
