Folding bicycles

[glarnold]

Does anyone here have any experience with or recommendations about the folding bicycles offered by CW for around $170?

I've done a search of the forums, and find nothing. Am looking for practical advice. Are they worth the money?

Thanks for any help.

[glarnold]

Does anyone here have any experience with or recommendations about the folding bicycles offered by CW for around $170?

I've done a search of the forums, and find nothing. Am looking for practical advice. Are they worth the money?

Thanks for any help.

[RRT2]

That depends...we got the 2/$300 6-speed a couple of years ago. The basement storage is such (we have tooo much 'stuff'!) that only one fits in there...the other one goes in the car trunk!

We winter for 3 - 4 months in south Texas....and it's nice to be able to bike around the park.

So the 'depends' is on how you intend to use the bike(s). . . and if storage is a problem. I'd rather spend the $$ on 6-speed instead of a one-speed.

We're not sorry we got them....just wish we had more time to use them when we're at the stick house!!


Rose

[smlranger]

I also looked at those at CW but got the Citizen folding bike instead:

Folding Bike

It has 6 gears and rides fine on all but steep terrain. I either fold it and put in the back of the toad or on a bike rack if we are also taking the DW's 6 speed cruiser along. FYI, I have the steel frame 20" version and it was $174 when I got it.

The folding bike is fine and fun to ride but not nearly as nice as a full size bike. I will sometimes use the DW's Raleigh 6 speed cruiser and it is like going from a Pinto to a Crown Vic.

[dgerstel]

I had some from CW, but didn't like them for long rides. I got some from here:

DownTube

They are a bit pricey compared to CW, but very good bikes.

[LK23]

I did not like the small diameter wheels found on most folding bikes. Last year I purchased a Montague folding bike with full size wheels. It is excellent!! Its dimensions are almost identical to the bicycle I ride when we are not traveling. The bike folds into a relatively small size and is stored in a nylon bag. The folded bike fits nicely in my bottom compartment. It is a high quality bike and I could not be more pleased. You can see the various models at this web site:

Montague Folding Bikes

[stearn]

We bought the Dahon 7 speed folding bikes from CW. We did up grade the seats (larger/softer), and like RRT2 used them around the RV parks. They fold easy, and fit in the back of our Malibu Max toad. I would suggest getting the 20" wheels. We have no regrets!

[GG1]

We had the Dahon folding bikes for a few years, they are very easy to store and good for short rides but now we have full size bikes they are much easier to pedal, and more comfortable to ride. We keep the bike rack on the back of the toad.

[Lil'Darlin1972]

<span class="ev_code_PURPLE">I would just put a bike rack on the back of your RV and go with traditional bikes. They are more comfortable and study. </span>

[Jerry J]

If possible I would go with the full size bikes. We have the small (16" wheel) 3 speed Dahons and they will fit almost anywhere. We also have a Montague Paratrooper and a Dahon Matrix folding mtn. bikes which are better riding with front suspension, etc. They both will fit folded in the back of our Honda CRV and with racks will haul groceries. But around the campground or not too far the small Dahons are fine. Just depends on your use.

Jerry J.
2006 Winnebago Outlook 25F

[Gary CA]

glarnoid: I purchased 2 Dahon- Helious (all aluminum and stainless) great camp bikes. These are like the Dahon- Mariner models that will not RUST in the great outdoors. Spend a few dollars more and you will enjoy many years of good riding.

http://www.dahon.com/us/folding-bicycles-us-models.htm#

[paz]

We got Dahon folding bikes with 26" wheels. They are the Espresso model. We like the full-size feel of the bikes, even though they take a little more room to store than the ones with smaller wheels. They still fold small enough to fit in the back of our Saturn Vue with the narrow half of the back seat folded down. However, we do have to take the front wheel off of one of the bikes and loosen and turn the handlebars of the other bike 90 degrees in order to be able to fold the small half of the seat instead of the big half. This still allows room for a passenger in the rear (our dog) and room for groceries in the back.

The Espresso has an aluminum frame which, as someone already mentioned, won't rust. It also has 21 speeds. The Espresso isn't cheap at a list price of $450, but we bought ours online 2 years ago for $300 each.

The advantage to folding bikes is they can be stored out of the weather either in the car or in a storage bay if you have room. The Espresso, with its 26" wheels and 21 speeds, rides like a regular bike. The disadvantage is the gear shifters sometimes get knocked a little out of adjustment when the bikes are folded and stuffed in the back of the car.

[bdaball]

Luv our CW Dahon bikes. WE bought the lesser priced ones on sale "Two-fer" priced. Wife needed the seat upgrade from LL Beans.
DO NOT LEAVE OUT IN SALT AIR BY THE BEACH, CHEAP METAL RUSTS.
Rides and shifts great.