5 Space Saving Bikes We Like

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Biking is a great way to navigate the city, commute to work, and is a great healthy transportation option. All to often though with space such a premium in many city apartments, it can be tricky finding a place to store a bike. For many commuters, locking their bike outside during the work day is not always the most practical option due to theft concerns. It is for these riders and anyone looking for a smaller footprint bike that we present these 5 space saving bikes we like.

Due to our own experiences with riding A-frame folding bikes, we chose to keep our list to folding bikes that have full size (or close to) tires and allow you to maintain a standard riding position. Because we are Unplggd, we also could not help but include a folding electric bike in our list.

Urban Folding Bike by Chicago based designer Ryan Mather is an attractive bike that folds to have it's size making it very easy to store and transport when not in use. We love that the hinging system enables the bike to be pushed around when fully collapsed, making transporting it all that much easier.

Contortionist Folding Bike by Royal College of Art student Dominic Hargreaves neatly folds into a package that fits inside the bike's 26-inch wheels. Although currently not in production, Hargreaves has received interest from three companies that would like to make a production model which Hargreaves hopes will retail for no more than $653.

The Boston by Montague is the first 700c single speed folding bike. The bike has a special hub which allows riders to change between a fixed-gear and free-wheel setup with little effort. This bike will retail for $699.99 and will be available in January, 2010.
IF Mode Folding Bicycle by Pacific Cycles has a clean design aimed at city commuters. This sharp looking bike has also won the 2008 Eurobike Award, iF Product Design 2009 Gold Award, and Taiwan Excellence Silver Award.

Quando Electric Folding Bike by eZee is as portable as an electric bike can get, although at almost 60 lbs that is not really all that portable. If you are in the market for a folding electric bike, though this does fit the bill. Using lithium- ion batteries, this bike can go 15 mph for 20 miles on one charge.

What is your experience with folding bikes? Have we left out your favorite model? Would you be interested in purchasing the Urban Folding Bike or the Contortionist?

Comments (4)

I commute on a Xootr Swift. 20" wheels, and pretty much everything else is standard mountain or bmx parts, so my local bike shops can take care of it.

The smaller wheels make potholes more unpleasant, but also make for a smaller fold. It serves me very well for town riding, and folds small enough to toss in a sedan trunk to hitchhike home from work when it's pouring.

I'm getting a 3-speed coaster-brake hub for it for early Christmas. My wife got an Electra Amsterdam, so it's only fair. :-)

http://www.xootr.com/folding-bicycle.html

Thanks for the article, I found it really informative. I went to Interbike 2009 this year and I actually saw the Montague Boston folding bike up close. It’s a really cool bike. There was a huge crowd surrounding the bike as the team demonstrated the folding and unfolding technique. I like the sleek matte black finish too, it’s a nice urban look. I actually called Montague Bikes recently and they said the Boston will be coming out January 2010, so I’m pretty excited to get my hands on one and use it for my daily commute. It'd be nice to have a single speed ride that can fold down if I need it to. It seems that these other bikes are all prototypes for now, are they? I couldn't find any info on their releases.

@ dango, the first two are prototypes, the rest are in production. I love fixies and also cannot wait to try the Boston!

The IF Mode folding bike is available now and is a beautiful, functional city bike. The Montague Boston can be ordered now but the bikes are still in transit (as of 13 Feb 2010) and won't be in US consumer hands until the end of the month/beginning of March. The Ezee is heavy; I'd opt for the lighter, better performing IF Reach DC folding electric bike which is better balanced, rides faster and lasts longer.

Larry
RideTHISbike