Folding bicycle
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A folding bicycle is a type of bicycle that can be compressed to a smaller size, typically via folding one or more of the bicycle's components.
Folding bicycles are popular in the Orient and the United Kingdom, less so in the United States. Their major advantage is that they can be folded up and taken on public transport and into buildings where conventional bicycles cannot be taken. This has advantages in cities as the owner can be sure the bicycle will not be stolen and allows journeys by public transport to be completed on bicycle.
Manufacturers of folding bikes include:
- Airnimal [1] (http://www.airnimal.com/) (Britain)
- Bazooka [2] (http://www.bazookasports.com/) (Taiwan)
- Bike Friday [3] (http://www.bikefriday.com/) (America)
- Birdy [4] (http://www.birdybikes.com/) (Taiwan)
- Bblanc Marine [5] (http://www.blancmarine.com/) (France)
- Brompton bicycle [6] (http://www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk/) (Britain),
- Dahon bicycle [7] (http://www.dahon.com/) (Taiwan)
- Diblasi [8] (http://www.diblasi.it/) (Italy)
- Giatex [9] (http://www.ridethisbike.com/) (Taiwan)
- iXi [10] (http://www.ixibike.com/) (Taiwan)
- Strida [11] (http://www.strida.com/) (Britain)
The wide variety of folding bicycles reflect different ideas regarding the characteristics that define a bicycle as a folder. For example, bicycles such as the Bazooka & Dahon simply fold in half. Bikes such as the Birdy & Brompton fold in a more complicated manner but fold smaller. Bikes such as those from Airnimal & Bike Friday partly fold and partly disassemble. The Giatex folds & compresses, adjusting to the size of the rider. The iXi literally breaks into 2 halfs. The Strida's triangular frame folds to resemble a unicycle... Regardless how each folds, the result is a bicycle that is easier to transport and store.