And what's that bike shown in the title frame? Looks like one of those A-frame folders.

Thanks for asking Coleridge, it's the Strida 5, a recently upgraded version of the original, that's lighter and according to some reviews, a better ride. Goes for about $800 USD and weighs 9 kg (19.4 lb). Only just becoming available in U.S.

You have the Strida 5 in your caption illustration but it isn't reviewed in the article...? Kind of curious...

I personally recently bought a Downtube folder myself. Very nice bikes and very affordable. (less than $400 for a full suspension model) and they use normal bike parts so replacement and upgrades are easy. Admittedly they are on the heavy side, possibly a bit more than the Citizen listed here, and could fold a bit tighter, but it compensates with excellent performance and feels very close to a full sized bike. Took a 3 hour bike ride in the city last weekend and it rode like a dream.

Does anyone know of a fixed gear or single speed folding bike? The simplicity would reduce weight and increase reliability and ease of use. I commute on a fixie, but will have a light rail option in a year. It would be nice to be able to break down my bike in case the 2 bike racks on the train are taken.

Brompton and Bike Friday both have single-speed options. Brompton also has models that are standard with a two-speed (front derailleur only) setup that is almost as light as the single speed.

Otherwise many of them have three-speed rear hubs. The simplicity and reliability of that goes way up from a derailleur setup, so you might find you like it. And if not, they are already set up for use without a derailleur so it's easy to covert to single speed.

Citizen Bike sent me a lemon, and when I returned it to them I had to pay shipping both ways. Caveat emptor. Lots wrong with the bike, bad wheel, kickstand assembly falling off, chain falling off, brakes not adjusted, man, you name it. I was glad to get rid of it. The store said they'd pay for repairs locally, but they wouldn't believe me when I told them most stores in my town don't do repairs for less than an $85.00 complete overhaul. They thought I could find someone for $20.00 -- dreamers! Well, live and learn...

Does any know anything about motorized bicycles as far as the gas mileage and how thrifty it is compared to regular bikes for downtown/metro traveling. I read where guys are putting engines on these folding bikes. Like from here at www.staton-inc.com

I have the Dahon Speed P8 and commute from Jersey City to NYC. Couldn't recommend it enough... rides like a dream, has chunky tires (good for NY potholes), easy to fold/unfold and is the best looking folder i've seen so far. Only downside is that the retainers on the seat post bike pump sheered off super quick (a result of the bike pump end of the post becoming a bike stand when folded). Pump kept sliding out and dragging on the road while cycling, so i had to wedge it in place with Gorilla tape...

http://www.cannondalecommunity.com/sketchbook/default.asp?item=298976

As a bike mechanic and rider I'll admit to being a little prejudiced towards folding bikes. However, Cannondale has just put together a prototype I wouldn't be embarrased to ride.

I can't image a bike with such tiny tires being very efficient.
I mean, one of the things that makes bicycyling quicker and more efficient than simply walking is the ratio between the gears and the wheel size.
Turn a 36 inch wheel once, you travel 3ft.
Turn a 12 inche wheel once, you travel 1 ft.
I don't know, I suppose some of that can be compensated with gear ratios, as much as wheel size, but, it seems iffy to me.
Just get some skates.
Inline skates, quadline skates, roller skates....
Skating is cool, and most skates can fit in a back pack.
I raced bicycles in college, so, I've nothing against bikes, of course, but, if I'm going to ride a bike, I'm going to ride a real bike. Not a toy.
(and skating does rock, too).
Just my two cents.

The Cannondale looks sumptuous. Love it.

Russ:

Examples of some nice looking fixed gear folders may be seen at
http://velospace.org/node/5641
http://velospace.org/node/557
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2008/apr/1/Bryan.htm
Sheldon Brown talks about his Raleigh Twenties on this page including one fixed gear.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/raleigh-twenty.html

And Matthew, check out the gear inches on some of the bikes. I noticed that top speed on one of the dahon's was something like 93 gear inches which is pretty high.

I would like to make an inquiry for folded bikes.

We've just started stocking the Strida 5.0 - it's a lot of fun to ride. You get an awful lot of attention because it's such a head turner! Recommended for commuters who do part of their journey by bus/underground/subway/metro and could use a folder for the final mile to the office.

tony,
people who build these bikes are more clever than you
and they adjusted the gear ratios to compensate for the smaller wheel size.

Hello, I just stumbled upon this post. I have a question. It might be a little silly, but does it ride like a regular full sized bike? The wheels are throwing me off a little I guess, but if you could give me an opinion on how they ride that would be helpful! Thank you so much

Terri, it is s question many ask. As pointed out by readers above the gearing is set to totally compensate for the small wheels. Small wheels don't have to mean slow or extra effort. For example, a 17 inch wheeled model of the Moulton actually holds the world speed record for an upright bicycle.

Generally speaking a small wheel bike will have stronger wheels because the spokes are shorter and therefore less prone to bending or snapping. Depending on the bike model chosen the ride might feel a bit more firm. This is because a larger wheel will naturally absorb road shock thru the inherent 'spring' in its bigger wheel rim and longer spokes. This difference is really only noticeable if you are riding long distances or hours. And it is sometimes avoided by bike suspension, or use of fatter tyres/tubes.)

Small wheel bikes do require a little more care to keep them 'tracking' in a straight line, especially on loose surfaces. Their smaller wheels are a bit more 'flighty' (having a tendency to run off left or right of their own accord) and thus riding no-hands requires considerably more skill. However, due to this aspect, they can turn corners more nimbly than large wheel bikes.

Buying any bike is like buying shoes. Select first for function - you wouldn't buy stilettos for gardening in - (so consider whether you'll be mostly commuting, touring, racing, escorting kids to the park, etc) and then seek out the best fit. Every bike has a different geometry, that will show up in the variety of positions your body will find itself in, relative to handlebars, pedals and saddle. A good bike shop will help you select the correct geometry for your body size and style of riding.