Folding Bike Comparison Table
Following is a review of the leading high-quality folding bike models intended for serious urban transport. (We exclude really cheap bikes that won't last and really exotic bikes that are intended for the impress-your-neighbor crowd.) The bike comparision focuses on the characteristics that are most typically important for the commuter, recreational, and travel cyclist.
Xootr Swift |
Brompton (L6) |
Bike Friday (Pocket Tourist) |
Birdy (Yellow/Red) |
Dahon Speed Pro |
Giant Halfway |
||
| Wheel diameter | 20in (406mm) |
16in (349mm) |
20in (406mm) |
18in |
20in (406mm) |
20in (406mm) |
|
| Frame Technology | aluminum |
steel rear suspension |
steel |
aluminum full suspension |
steel |
aluminum |
|
| Weight (with pedals and seat) | 22 lbs (10kg) |
25.5 lbs (11.6kg) |
26.5 lbs (12 kg) |
24.1 lbs (11 kg) |
25.9 lbs (11.9kg) |
28 lbs (12.7kg) |
|
| Frame Rigidity | excellent |
fair |
very good |
excellent |
good |
fair |
|
| Components | Level 4 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
Level 3 |
Level 2.5 |
|
| Efficiency | ~98 percent |
~93 percent |
~98 percent |
~96 percent |
~98 percent |
~98 percent |
|
| Quick-fold Time | 5 seconds |
15 seconds |
no quick-fold mode |
20 seconds |
15 seconds |
15 seconds |
|
| Suitcase Pack Time | ~10 minutes |
~10 minutes |
~10 minutes |
~10 minutes |
~10 minutes |
~10 minutes |
|
| Low Gear (speed at 60 rpm pedaling) | 36in (6mph) |
40.3in |
52-30 |
32in |
31in |
48-28 |
|
| High Gear (speed at 100 rpm pedaling) | 92in (28mph) |
86.1in |
92in (28mph) |
88in |
91in |
48-13 |
|
| Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price | US$ 700 |
US$ 900 |
US$ 850 |
US$ 1050 |
US$ 500 |
US$ 500 |
|
| Editor's take | No-compromise ride that folds quick. |
A few compromises to achieve a very small folded package. |
(Admirably) built in Portland, Oregon. |
German engineering school project results in a funky rig. |
Mass production delivers nice value in a steel bike. |
Nice concept about halfway finished. |
|
| Manufacturer's Website |
Component Level Definitions
Level 5 - SRAM 5, Shimano LX, all aluminum alloy bits
Level 4 - SRAM 4, Shimano Alivio, mostly alloy bits
Level 3 - SRAM 3, Shimano Altus, mix of alloy and steel bits
Level 2 - branded, but barely, plenty of steel
Level 1 - Cheesy no-name department store specials
Efficiency
The efficiency of one of these bikes is mostly driven by transmission, with the internally geared bikes suffering from a substantial loss in efficiency. Suspension systems (useful for the bikes with the 16-18in wheels) also sap power.
Disclaimer: The editor of Pertrans is a founder of Xootr LLC, the manufacturer of the Xootr Swift folding bike. I've tried to be fair, and we created the Swift to do well on most of these dimensions with the existing products in mind. However, I acknowledge that I have a conflict of interest in preparing this table.
copyright 2005, Karl Ulrich, all rights reserved.