Asia and folding bikes
03-28-17, 09:23 AM
#1
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Asia and folding bikes
I know Asia is large, and in some parts lots of people ride bikes, but in the forums I read, it seems that "Folding Bikes" has a disproportionate number of posts from Asia. Assuming it's true, why would this be? Are folding bikes more useful there?
03-28-17, 07:31 PM
#2
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Folks are usually shorter and lighter for the bikes.
The cities also tend to be packed and the smaller form factor of the bikes makes them easier to navigate the traffic, crowds, and get into places (lifts, stairs, homes).
Living spaces are often small too in the cities, so storage is easier.
In cities, the use of the bikes are often multi modal or short distances.
The cities also tend to be packed and the smaller form factor of the bikes makes them easier to navigate the traffic, crowds, and get into places (lifts, stairs, homes).
Living spaces are often small too in the cities, so storage is easier.
In cities, the use of the bikes are often multi modal or short distances.
03-28-17, 07:53 PM
#3
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Small wheelers are more social. Their smaller footprint make them less intimidating, threatening, accessible to the non-spandex wearing, non-racer civilian, easier to integrate into human spaces. Their novelty and uniqueness more the subject of discussion, social interaction among the non-enthusiast or non-specialist.
03-28-17, 10:35 PM
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The place I visited...more 20" wheel bike than regular full size bike.
I say it's because they ride short distances...e.g. ride from train station and home.
These bikes are easier to park, to chain to a fence.
These bikes are easier to ride on side walk with lots of pedestrians.
Roads and bike paths are usually very smooth.
Family live in 300 square foot size high rise apartments.
Also Asian culture are not driven by macho man image like Western tough guy has to ride big bike with big wheels.
I say it's because they ride short distances...e.g. ride from train station and home.
These bikes are easier to park, to chain to a fence.
These bikes are easier to ride on side walk with lots of pedestrians.
Roads and bike paths are usually very smooth.
Family live in 300 square foot size high rise apartments.
Also Asian culture are not driven by macho man image like Western tough guy has to ride big bike with big wheels.
Plus the roads and bike paths (Japan has bike paths?.. haha) are also super bumpy, at least in Tokyo. And very few chain their bikes to poles or fences, the majority of bike "locks" only locks the rear wheel in place, if you had a forklift handy you could just lift a locked bike and take it away, even in many government bike parking spots. I was going to use a bike parking spot once till I realised that there wasn't actually any way I could lock my bike there... I always park illegally, no choice.
That isn't to say there aren't a lot of folders, there are. It's just that there are a lot of bikes in total and the tiny percentage of folders is still quite a lot. Why people buy them? For one its because they CAN buy them, most bike shops (and general discount shops, department stores etc) stock folders so they are in the public eye. Back where I am from in Australia I had never even seen a folding bike before. Since I see folding bikes commonly "locked up" bedside Mamacharis outside apartments the folding draw of the folding bike doesn't seem to be the reason people buy them. Actually I have never seen a folding bike folded outside of a shop in the 2 years I have been living in Japan now. I think people buy them for the same reason I bought one, if you want a small bike you pretty much have a folder or look like an **** on a BMX, there isn't much choice. The only cool bikes are folding. Can you buy a Playboy brand minivelo? No. A Hummer? No. A Ferrari? No. Etc. If you want a cool looking bike that isn't huge then the market says you MUST buy a folder.
Last edited by kidshibuya; 03-28-17 at 10:40 PM.
03-29-17, 12:32 AM
#5
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You win I can only see one (me) the true minivelo folk here on the forum. Only complain about the lack of quality 406 MTB wheels on the market.
03-29-17, 11:53 PM
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I stayed for 2 months in NYC—and I only saw 3 Bromptons and a couple of Dahons. Most are road bikes or fixies.
I'll echo everyone said above. Very true. Here in Asia, we see bikes as a necessity—our lack of good transportation, space plus the availability of surplus folding bikes boasted the interest furthermore.
I'll echo everyone said above. Very true. Here in Asia, we see bikes as a necessity—our lack of good transportation, space plus the availability of surplus folding bikes boasted the interest furthermore.
03-30-17, 08:18 PM
#8
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My last trip to China; seemed like electric scooters were the most popular 2 wheelers:
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04-01-17, 11:48 AM
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It's long been my view that an overwhelming percentage of folding bikes are bought simply because they are small bikes and are rarely if ever actually folded, and not just in Asia.
04-01-17, 12:33 PM
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Small wheelers are more social. Their smaller footprint make them less intimidating, threatening, accessible to the non-spandex wearing, non-racer civilian, easier to integrate into human spaces. Their novelty and uniqueness more the subject of discussion, social interaction among the non-enthusiast or non-specialist.
04-01-17, 05:10 PM
#12
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You want to be an urban hipster? Forget 622, 559, or Fixies. 406, 451 is the real dope, bro...
