Folding Bikes Grow Up: PM Tests 3 Collapsible Bicycles

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There's lots to love about the nine-speed Dahon Mu SL: It unfolds by unsnapping three clips—no operation manual required. The elegant but sturdy and simple frame consists of a single curving piece with a V-shaped bracket for the pedal housing. The bike is light enough (about 20 pounds) for urban commuters to lug on a bus or subway. It's also narrow enough in its folded form to fit through New York subway turnstiles. Gear changes are smooth, and you find yourself pedaling no harder or faster than you would on a full-size bike. A clever bit of design turns the seat post into part of a stable base for the folded bike. Unfortunately, the tires have trouble standing up to life in the big city.

THE RIDE: Ah, those skinny little tires on the Kinetix Pro wheels. We were concerned from the start that they wouldn't stand up long to the abusive streets of Manhattan and that a gaping midtown pothole would snag and bend the wheel, sending us catapulting over the handlebars. But no, it was a seemingly smooth stretch just two blocks from home that punctured the front tire—a mere two weeks into our Dahon experience.



The Tikit unfolds in a series of motions a bit more complex than three simple clips, including lifting the bike and swinging the back wheel alongside the front. This occurs in one smooth move but can be tiresome for anyone who has trouble lifting 25 pounds. The bike has another small catch, unfolding the seat post. In order to unhook it from the seat stay, it's best to push down and slightly pull the seat from the groove holding it in place. But the Tikit's minor obstacles are quickly overcome with a couple of practice tries folding and unfolding the bike. The best thing about it is the handle at the end of the top tube that lets you push the folded bike around like a wheelbarrow. This makes it easy to transport the bike from place to place when it's collapsed, even in a crowded city.

THE RIDE: We expected the bike to feel wobbly because of its 16-inch wheels, but instead found that it rode smoothly. With its eight gears and thin wheels, it's no mountain bike, but the Tikit is perfect for a leisurely ride through the park or around the neighborhood. It's the little foldable bike that could … withstand the harsh pavement of New York City.



Thanks to the SwissBike, foldable bikes aren't just for leisure bike riders anymore: They can appeal even to quasi-serious cyclists. The SwissBike TX is a full-size mountain bike that boasts 21 speeds and 26-inch wheels, complete with disc brakes. The setup time takes a minute longer than most foldable bikes only because it involves unlocking and removing the front wheel. Rugged, durable and easy to fold (in just two motions), the SwissBike could eliminate the need for car racks.

THE RIDE: This is one foldable bike that means business, and it rides more smoothly than the previous two. The gears change without a glitch, and the grips are a nice touch. Riding through the streets with the SwissBike was dangerous simply because we felt invincible while riding it. Pedestrians and passing vehicles beware. That confidence comes at a price, however: At 30 pounds, the SwissBike TX was the heaviest we tested, making it more awkward for walk-up apartments and trips on the subway.

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