Last weekend I was traveling to a friend’s place when my car got a puncture. The road was so narrow and muddy that every time I met an oncoming car, one of us had to park by the roadside to allow the other to pass. This went on for sometime until my car had a puncture. As I was contemplating on what to do since I did not have tools to repair the tire, a passer-by came with a folding bike. I learnt from him that it was the best means of transport in such terrains. I swore to buy myself one as it has the following advantages:
Advantages Of A Folding Bike
Used almost in all terrains
Folding bikes can be used almost in all terrains including sloppy, muddy and steep areas. This is enabled by its fold-ability as you can carry it if the place is impassable. It can also be used in streets with a lot of ease as it is not wide. With busy roads you can still continue with your journey without much delay.
Moves at a high speed
Comparing the folding bikes and the conventional bikes you realize that the former moves at a speed twice the latter. If you are a good rider you can save a great deal of time. Nowadays you can prefer a folding bike to public means of transport in journeys involving short distance. If you are in a hurry to a place you have no choice but to use a folding bike.
It is multi modal
With a folding bike you can use different means of transport. If your traveling for the purpose of exploration you will have an easy time as at times you can fold your bike and travel by a vehicle. After traveling for sometime you can still alight and continue with your bike. Many public transportation systems have restricted the use of unfolded bikes but have allowed the use of folded bikes.
It is very convenient
It is convenient as it comes in all measures plus different fold-abilities. Whether you are small-bodied or big-bodied you must get the size which best suits you. Even if you are physically handicapped you will still get a folding bike for yourself as they come in all shapes. You can have one for yourself and for the children as they are in different sizes.
They are secure
This is because you can go almost every other place. When at work you can fold it and put it on your desk. If you are attending a class or a meeting you can still keep it by yourself and it will be out of danger of being stolen. While at home you can fold it and put it on the wardrobe or cupboard instead of leaving it at the parking lot. When traveling you can fold and keep it under the seat instead of the boot or the vehicle carrier and it will be safe.
Easy to store
Due to its fold-ability, folding bikes are very easy to store. Unlike the conventional bikes, you can store it inside the house even when the house is not spacious. When the climatic conditions are not favorable for bikes to be in open places, you can keep a folding bike in a safe place even when space is not large enough. While you are riding and you would like to travel by public means you can fold your bike, store it in a boot and travel with ease. Even when in a private vehicle you can store it in a boot and still travel to your destination.
Portable
Due to its ability to be folded into different sizes and shapes, folding bikes are easy to carry. Even when you are traveling on foot you can still easily carry it. While using public means of transport, folding bikes are still not cumbersome luggage. Whether a grown up or a young person, carrying a folding bike is not a big deal. With people living with physical challenges it is simple to move them around with a folding bike as it is light.
Different Uses Of A Folding Bicycle
You can use a folding bike in different ways. You can use it for:
- Transport purposes
- For fun
- Sporting activities
- Commercial purposes, i.e. ferrying people for a fee.
Accommodates different riders
Despite your age or body size, you must get a folding bike which suits you as they have different sizes of seat posts and handle bars. This has enabled all of us to be able to ride a folding bike.
It has different folding methods
You can fold a folding bike in different methods with the main aim being easier transportation and storage compared to the conventional bikes. Though these methods widely vary, the suitable and commonly used are:
Half fold
In such folds, you allow the bicycle to fold fully in half following classic frame pattern but still ensuring its safety. Releasing the clamps quickly ensures that the columns of the seat are either raised or lowered to a certain points. You use this type of fold widely in folders with larger wheels compared to those of conventional bikes.
Vertical fold
You use vertical folds for bikes with one or two hinges along their main tubes for their chains and seats are fitted in a way which enables them to be fold in this style. This leaves both wheels sideways but still more compact.
Triangle fold
Using the hinge, you can move the back triangle and wheel downwards and forward especially for swift folder and bike Friday. Releasing the latches quickly affects the speed of folding and unfolding.
Magnetic folding and suspending system
A folding mechanism is easily achieved if you put the back shock together with the magnet which will combine the lock and the back. To fold it halfway, you disconnect the magnet enabling the rear wheel to move forward hence the bike folds vertically.
Break away
This is most applicable when you are traveling by air whereby you break the bike into several parts and put it in a suitcase. You can also use a Gecko fold which resembles the upside down umbrella or Giatex fold to suit your size.
To ensure easy and cheap folding of the bike use the ones with small wheels. Smaller size doesn’t mean less weight for most of these cycles does not include the benefits of a lighter frame. What other advantages of a folding bike do you know?
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