bike or die

Hi all,
Apologies if this is posted in the wrong area. I'm currently looking to get my 1st folding bicycle as the title indicates, I've been carfree for decades ongoing. I know about & have seen reviews on some such as Kwiggle or Himo H1, my main requirement is that it fits in a smaller locker when folded, it doesn't have to be electric. Also would be great if tires & other parts were available at a local shop. I'm curious if anyone has found a similar solution or does something similar.

rhenning

You can not know what you will like and what fits without riding the bike so go out and see what you like best. Roger

bike or die

Still I'm looking for an ideal folder, not really the perfect ride so much, if it can't be returned it can be resold. Curious if anyone rides a folding bike to work, then stows it in a small locker.

Buckethead808

There are folders of many shapes and sizes. It sounds like your main requirement is that it fits into a specific locker at your workplace, in which case your first step should be to measure the locker door opening. You may have several options, one, or none. Also, tire and part availability depends greatly on where you're located, so you might want to share that.

Ron Damon

What are the dimensions and the opening cross sectional area of said locker? Help us help you.

pinholecam

It really depends on the size of the locker.

Otherwise sounds like a Strida is the best fit for the job.

Schwinnsta

Brompton has the smallest fold for something that still rides like a bike. It is expensive.

Jipe

+1, its the smallest and has folded a clean rectangular shape with an almost equal length and height

Indeed relatively expensive (there is a cheaper A-line Brompton now) but can very easily be resold and for a high price.

There are Brompton lockers, some operated by Brompton:

tcs

almost

bike or die

True, I just haven't had time for some things yet, & I should have said I'm in the Midwest US, so availability differs here, my thanks to all suggestions so far though.

Jipe

With a folded size of 46.5″ x 19.8″ x 8.9″, i.e. more than one meter long, the Strida doesn't enter in many lockers.

Pinigis 

What are the dimensions of the locker?

mirfi

If possible go on Facebook, Craigslist. Go test ride/fold any that are someone is selling.

Go to the train station/business areas. Talk to people about their folders. We love to talk about our folding bikes.

Good luck, (you might end up like me who has had about 15 folding bikes. Down to three now).

Nyah

I've got only one folding bicycle - a Dahon Speed converted to drop-bars and geared like a 'road bike'. It serves me well, but, I may consider getting something similar w/16" wheels - just for fun, really - now that I know 50mm road tires are available for 305-size rims. Bullhorn-bars would take up less space in a locker than drop-bars would.

So far the Fnhon 16" Gust w/V-brakes is at the top of my list. I can order the frameset through Parcelup .com, pay via Paypal and build it up using the same aftermarket components that fit Dahons and Fnhons.

I can afford any folding bicycle I want, but, chromoly, V-brake-ready side-folders are what I prefer. They're inexpensive, durable, reliable, very upgradeable and can roll-while-folded. The only thing more I could ask for would be a titanium frameset that has these same traits.

So that would be only two folding bicycles in my stable. The rest will be mini-velos (also with rim-brakes) to serve my bicycle interests that don't require folding.

bike or die

Thanks for all the replies, some gave me awesome ideas. I bought a 3 speed Kwiggle & just waiting on shipping now.

CEBEP

Interesting choice after all the answers. Hope you’ll enjoy it and share with us your, hopefully good experience.

Pinigis 

Interesting. Please follow up with a review and feedback since this is an unusual option.

tds101 

Good luck with that,...

SteveKB

I had to look Kwiggle up, interesting design.

Jipe

To provide long enough gear inch with 12" wheels, it seems to use a 7t sprocket !

mirfi

I want you to create a thread for your new Kwiggle (Unless there is one out there).

Sort of what I did for the Vilano Urbana,
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...ding-bike.html

Let us all know what you know about the Kwiggle.

:-)

tds101 

I'll be honest,...I'm slightly jealous. I'd wanted a Kwiggle, and never managed to get one. I do hope you enjoy it, and ALSO (as mirfi suggested) start a new thread reviewing it.

bike or die

TBH I've wanted one for about 5 years, just didn't have the practical use for it back then. I used to ride a RadCity Commuter 4, which was good fun. Shipping from Germany will take at least 4 weeks (I took the quickest option), so just next year I'll get to riding it, took me looking at a lot of YouTube videos of many brands & as many of each brand to decide, well I read some reviews also. If I had the financial means I'd probably look into opening a Kwiggle dealership here, just to shorten the shipping time.

wesgreen

Those wheels are designed for perfect roads. I'm afraid I'll never get to see this bike in NYC. However, every new original design advances our cause, and therefore kudos to the designer and customers like you.

bike or die

The wheels were a higher concern. I didn't know it was so bad in NYC.