I’ve been testing a folding commuter bike, the Dahon Jack. This is a good quality bike that feels solid when riding. I like the ergonomic grips on the handlebars and the full-size 26 inch wheels. I get a lot of flats, so the bike’s Schwalbe Big Apple tires were a welcome inclusion. Dahon says that these tires, which include Kevlar anti-puncture lining, offer lower rolling resistance than thinner tires.
The Dahon Jack fairly light at 13.6 kg (30 lbs.), and fold down easily to 38 x 69 x 91 cm (14″ x 27″ x 36″).
This bike cost me $450. I’m planning on converting it to an electric bike at some point, using an Amped Bike kit.
Dahon offers some other full-sized commuter bikes like the Cadenza Solo and the Espresso.
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First off - I’m a bike commuter. Have been for the last 12 years full time and in fair weather since 1987. But I just don’t see the utility of a folder for commuting (or running errands). I guess if I had to include some form of heavy rail (e.g. Chicago’s Metra) in my commute, I might find it handy. But where ever I’ve lived, you could roll onto the subway and the busses had racks. I can’t see getting a 30 lb. bike plus commuting bags onto a bus in Seattle, even if the racks are full.
What do you like about the folding aspect?
This is a better looking folding bike than most. As a daily bike commuter (on a non-folding bike), I’m still unclear as to the appeal of bike commuting. Is it mainly for apartment dwellers? I just lock mine up outside and have never come across a situation where folding it up would be required. Thanks.
Obiwan and Johnk,
In the DC area, you can only take folding bikes on the metro and light rail.
And yes, I think many people find folding bike useful because they are also easy to stow in offices, apartments, cars, planes, etc.
Justin
Justin
Justin~
Thanks for your thoughts on the Dahon your riding. I want to further defend folding bikes - they are great! My girlfriend and I live in the San Fran Bay area and during commuting hours they only allow folding bikes on the BART train. I ride an Espresso and she has a Speed. Although they can be a bit bulky for carrying a greater distance than up and down the train stairs - they make our commutes much faster and are perfect for our small 1bedroom apartment.
Folders are nice because they can easily stow away in a car’s trunk. If you need a ride from a buddy, you don’t need to worry if they have a bike rack.
My folder fits under my (cubicle) desk at work which is good, because the building has no facilities for locking up bikes.
Until recently, my apartment also had no bike-specific storage either.
Folders are great when there won’t be a bike rack at your destination.