Buy Green: Large Wheel Folding Bikes

by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.22.08
TH Exclusives (buy green)

Buy Green banner large wheel bicycle photo

In the market for Large Wheel Folding Bicycles? While TreeHugger knows that using what you've got 'til it's gone is the greenest way to go, we all have to replace our old faithful with new favorites eventually. When that time comes, we want you to know some of the good green ways to go. On this list: large wheel folding bikes.

Small wheels, as rule, make for a smaller folding bike, but rules are made to be broken. It’s trickier, but standard-wheeled bicycles -- those with 26” rims -- can also be conjured into tiny travel or storage packages, with some imaginative design and engineering. Larger wheels provide a little extra dampening from road shock and they ‘track’ in a straighter line through sand, gravel, mud and other off-road conditions. And, since bigger wheels are the industry standard, a wider range of componentry and accessories are available to make your ride more fun and functional. For those riders who prefer their bikes to have big wheels (as opposed to the small-wheel folding bikes we covered before), but come in small(er) packages, saddle up and take these folders for a test ride.

Bazooka Beach folding bike

  • What: Bazooka Beach

  • Where:

  • Why: The almost maintenance-free three speed internal hub on this affordable 16.3 kg (36 lbs) city cruiser comes with mudguards (fenders) and kick stand.

  • How much: $495

  • Nice touch: Handlebar/stem can be placed under frame to lock the tires when folded.

  • More on this affordable Folding Bicycle:

    Green, Eco-Friendly, Folding Bike Based On Military Technology!
    montague paratrooper folding bike

  • What: Montague Paratrooper

  • Where:

  • Why: Rugged military grade double-butted 7005 aluminium frame mountain bike 13.2kg (29 lbs) has front disc brakes and fold in 30 seconds without any tools.

  • How much: $695

  • Nice touch: Folds around seat post keeping frame’s structural integrity intact
  • More On This Easy to Use Folding Bike: and Green, Eco-Friendly, Folding Bike Based On Military Technology!

    Dahon Tournado: Handmade, Green, Large Wheel Folding Bike
    Dahon Tournado folding bike

  • What: Dahon Tournado

  • Where: Dahon

  • Why: Handmade Tange Prestige tube steel tourer 10.3 kg (22.7 lbs), with very clever, yet unobtrusive, Ritchey BAB breakaway separating frame.

  • How much: $2,000

  • Nice touch: Has frame lugs for mud guards (fenders) and carrier racks

  • More On Street Folding Wheel Bikes: Dahon

    Airnimal Chameleon World Traveler: Compact, Eco-Friendly 27 Speed Folding Bike
    Airnimal Chameleon folding bike

  • What: Airnimal Chameleon World Traveler

  • Where: Airnimal

  • Why: The 24” wheels on 27 speed Shimano Ultegra gearing give this 10kg (22 lbs, without pedals) road bike give it greater maneuverability and aerodynamics.

  • How much: $2,100

  • Nice touch: 30 seconds to fold for commuting; 15 minutes for airline ‘carry-on.’
    More On Compact, Eco-Friendly Large Wheel Folding Bicycles: < herf="http://www.slingshotbikes.com/bikes/11" Slingshot
  • Compact, Light, Affordable Folding Bike
    Slingshot-Foldtech folding bike

  • What: Slingshot Foldtech

  • Where: Slingshot

  • Why: High performance mountain bike 2.7kg (6 lbs, frame only) has aluminum boomtube and folding steel rear. Better for travel than daily commuting on the train.
  • How much: $800 (frame only)

  • Nice touch: 'Wow factor' design -- no down tube, just a tensioned wire cable.
    More on Afforadable Folding Bikes: < href="http://www.slingshotbikes.com/bikes/11" Slingshot
  • Honorable mention:
    Ritchey Break-Away

    Honorable mention:
    < href="http://www.ritcheylogic.com/web/Ritchey%7ELogic/Ritchey%7ESite/web/EN/main/20789.html" Ritchey Break-Away Affordable Folding Bicycle

    More Guides for Buying Green
    Buy Green Small Wheel Folding Bikes
    Buy Green Desks and Workstations
    Buy Green Office Chairs and Green Desk Chairs
    Buy Green Men's Casual Shoes

    For More On Small Wheel Folding Bikes
    Ultra Compact, and Green Small Wheel Folding Bicycle
    Smallest Folding Bicycle
    Modern, Hip, Green and Compact: Folding Bicycle
    Compact, Green and Only 12 lbs! Small Wheel Folding Bicycle
    New Sleek Modern, Affordable Folding Bicycle
    Compact, Affordable Small Wheel Folding Bicycle
    Folding Tricycle? New Green, Eco-Modern Three Wheel Folding Bike Design!!

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    Comments (10)

    I have the Paratrooper. It is for all intents and purposes a regular bike. Awesome. I picked it up on ebay for 350

    jump to top beaver says:

    I've been researching this extensively, because I want to combine a folding bike with a Bionx motor as a car-replacement for commuting (folding means I can keep it under my desk where it can avoid rain, snow and thieves). The Montague (above) seems great, but if I went today, the gold standard seems to be the (gasp! not mentioned!) 20-in wheel Xootr Swift.

    jump to top DB says:

    Hot damn that Dahon steel folder is a nice looking number!

    jump to top Halfie says:

    I love the Bazooka Beach and the price is fabulous $295, too bad it is already sold out and the price is actually $489, to top it off their website says that they may not carry the item in the future. Oh Well what I really want is a Batavus foldable Oma Bike, that would make my day.

    jump to top MDAM says:

    Tournado is my next cycle-to-work purchase -mmm - lovely!

    jump to top cas says:

    how much is shipping and handling for the Montague Paratrooper mountain bike?

    jump to top jake says:

    Slingshot woooawwwww
    nice nice nice nice

    jump to top kirtasiye says:

    For full-sized, yet near instant, compact folding bikes Check out: ....
    IF Mode &
    IF Cross
    www.pacific-cycles.com

    _______________________________

    Writer's Note:
    We posted on these when they were in development: Swivel Head - Folding for Full Sized Bicycles


    jump to top RideIT says:

    Good choice of big wheel folding bikes. We have reveiwed many of these at BikesTHATfold.com

    jump to top DrK says:

    Check out: These new full sized bikes ....

    IF Mode
    (very cool looking folding full sized bike)
    http://www.pacific-cycles.com/product3.asp?cat1=1&cat2=4&pid=1

    And

    IF Cross
    (Full sized 700c bike that folds small and rolls)
    http://www.pacific-cycles.com/product3.asp?cat1=1&cat2=4&pid=3

    By: pacific-cycles.com

    ____________

    Thanks Mark, We did cover their early prototypes here.

    jump to top MarkZ says:

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