mlau

Would you guys mind creating a classification of folding bike classes/sizes?

I've been thinking of this for a while, and can start with my experiences (for what it's worth):

- Behind the door folders: Xootr swift. Strida types. *Dahon Smoothhound.
Wide, but thin folds.
- Briefcase folders: Brompton. *Oribike. *Mezzobike. *Curl.
Very compact and tidy
- Small cluster folders: *Tern. Most Dahons. Bike Friday Pakit/Tikit
Compact, but not quite as tidy. Bit less thin fold.
- Stick folders: Carryme bike; *A-bike
Fold up like an umbrella
- Take apart bike: *Moulton; *C&C bikes.

In my experience, I found the Xootr swift to be a great bike for apartment dwelling--it fits just behind a door.
The Carryme was surprisingly pleasant, but not in the same class as most other folders (due to fear of flipping over a pothole).
The Strida was uncomfortable and limited...sorta the bike equivalent of a pair of impractically high heels.

Currently, I'm lusting over a Brompton to keep in my car for "rides of opportunity."

-Matt

*- I've never tried these.

fietsbob

R&E 6 pack a custom 20" wheel with multiple S&S connectors , so you can take it apart rather than fold it..
And the Bike Friday Travel in a suitcase bikes.

Unlike so much of your area I don't write computer code.. good luck with your 'you guys should' expectation..

linberl

Bike Friday pakiT is actually thinner than a brompton. Brompton is more square in dimensions whereas the pakiT is longer but narrower.

fietsbob

but the rear fold, as in all bike fri's is side by side via angled hinge..

maybe the OPs spreadsheet program can be how it folds.

but he expects us to do the work ...

linberl

PakiT is still quite a bit narrower than brompton, therefore misclassed.

1nterceptor

I do like my pakiT; but that photo from Bike Friday is truly misleading/false advertising. It looks like
they(BF) removed it from the original Kickstarter webpage.
1. Brompton's folding pedal; someone forgot/doesn't know how to fold. And it looks like it's the only
bike with a mirror + rack.
2. I don't know which Tern model this is; most Terns' handlebar fold outside. So if someone were to
"accidentally" place the bars in the middle; that would make the fold wider.
3. From pakiT's Kickstarter page; pakiT quick fold size: 10 X 24 X 38. But full/backpack fold: 12.25 X 17.75 X 30.
Brompton 10.6 X 22.2 X 23. All numbers in inches.
4. Not sure which Dahon model this is; but the newer models you can loosen the bars. By changing
the height and rotating the bars; the bike can be folded in a more compact/tighter package. You can
even have both wheel's quick release/nuts touching.
5. See number 2.

linberl

So the pakit is still .6 narrower than brompton per specs. I guess my point was, even if they are the same width, they should be classed together. OP is talking about ability to stick behind a door. Put a QR on the pakiT stem to rotate the bars (or just disconnect, lift a little and turn) and put it in park and it is a very easy fit without even fully folding it. Certainly NO more difficult than the brommie and no wider. Longer, yes. Mine is behind my door right now =)

fietsbob

Tikit aimed at folding fast hyper fold cable release, no loose parts.. but they dropped those,
now they sell your Pakits ...

0.6mm is not significant..

linberl

Quoted measurement was in inches.

Abu Mahendra

something that you can think about is calculating folded girth or volume per unit wheel size. Smaller wheels will offer smaller volumes, but how much of that is due to the size of the wheel, and how much of that is due to the fold.

Joe Remi

No, he started the classification process with his post. His wording is a little odd, but he meant to create a thread for classification.

mlau

I didn't think of doing a spreadsheet...but if enough people contribute, I might!

Mainly, I am curious how the different bikes compare in functional classification.
Eg. For me a Xootr swift fit brilliantly behind a door...but awkward in a car.

fietsbob

Most folding bikes are a 1 size product.

bikingbill

Can go into the airline overheads.