Image via Complex Original
Folding bikes often combine the freewheeling fun of a bicycle with convenience and portability. Taking it indoors or on the train, should a sudden rainstorm hit, gives urban commuters much more flexiblity in their day-to-day travels.
Of course, they've also got connotations of being ugly, small, and well, not as fun as their non-foldable counterparts. Running the gamut between easy-to-use commuters to artisan masterpieces, we found a few that struck our fancy. Here are The 10 Best Folding Bikes Available Now.
Vilano APEX
Equipped with Shimano derailleurs and shifter, this simple aluminum ride has the added convenience of a rear rack.
Vilano APEX
Buy It Now at Amazon, $159
Schwinn Hinge
Schwinn's take on a 20" folding bike is affordable and attractive, boasting rear and front fenders, a chain guard, rear rack, and a convenient nylon bag to carry it around in.
Schwinn Hinge
Buy It Now at Onlinesports.com, $170
Vilano Tempest
Vilano's Tempest folding bike is priced to move, and its curvaceous design makes it look super sleek. While it's been criticized for a weak holding mechanism at the handlebars and an unpleasant squeak, it's still pretty affordable and good for people who want a no-nonsense foldable ride from Point A to Point B.
Vilano Tempest
Buy It Now at Road Bike Outlet, $219
Dahon D7
Dahon's award-winning D7 bike is a good balance of quality and price. Utilizing a chromoly frame, the derailleur ensures smooth, fast shifting between gears, while the telescoping handle ensures a comfortable riding position for all sorts of heights. Top it off with the fact that it folds up in 15 seconds, and you've got one hell of a folding bike.
Dahon D7
Buy It Now at Kozy, $550
SwissBike X50
This full-sized mountain bike boasts 18 speeds, front suspension, and takes standard 26" mountain bike wheels. Utilizing SwissBike's patented CLIX system, it folds up and in within 20 seconds, and you don't need any tools to do so. The aluminum frame comes with premium parts: Shimano derailleurs, SRAM shifters, and sits on durable Alex alloy rims.
SwissBike X50
Buy It Now at Commuter Bike Store, $599
Strida LT
What the Strida doesn't have in conventional beauty, it makes up for in performance. Made from rustproof aluminum, its newfangled design ensures a clear view of the road thanks to the frame's elevation, and your pants (and the earth) can rest easy knowing you're pushing pedals on a grease-free chain. Going green has never looked this futuristic.
Strida LT
Buy It Now at Erie Drive, $650
Tern Joe D24
Combining an aluminum frame with a steel fork, Tern's full-sized foldable Joe D24 is a formidable ride. Boasting 24 speeds and a five-second fold, the geometry of the frame almost makes it look like a regular bike.
Tern Joe D24
Buy It Now at NYCeWheels, $650
Montague Boston
Montague's Boston bike is unique because it's a full-sized bike that rolls on 700CC wheels. It comes with a flip-flop hub so you can make it into a single speed or fixie. Designed around a patented folding system, Montague touts that it's the strongest folding bike on the market. Definitely one of the coolest bikes on this list, it's a steal under the MSRP of $800.
Montague Boston
Buy It Now at JGS Bikes, $699
Brompton P6R
Brompton's bikes will set you back a pretty penny, but given the customization options on offer from the British bicycle company, it's very apparent they take the folding bike business seriously. Designed for toruing, the durable frame is made from a combination of steel and titanium, and is paired with a titanium fork. Combine made-to-last parts like Brompton's Kevlar tires with a Shimano hub, and it's apparent that quality has its price.
Brompton P6R
Buy It Now at Evan's Cycles, $2,100
IF Mode
Independent Fabrication is a New Hampshire-based outfit that specializes in sick customs. The Mode is their take on a folding bike and was designed by Mark Sanders, who also designed the Strida. The unique design looks as sterile as a hospital bed except much more inviting. When folded up, the shape recalls a unicycle of 2050. Yes, it's quite pricey, but you can't deny that something like this is truly a work of art.
IF Mode
Buy It Now at NYCeWheels, $2,500