New Stowaway Bike Options Unfolding
(by Chuck Gould)

One of the most useful accessories one can carry on a small boat is a
folding bicycle.
We purchased a pair of Dahon Mariners a couple of summers ago, and we
began discovering some of the scenic country roads that span so many of
our Gulf and San Juan Islands. We get farther from the boat, far more
often, than we would if traveling shank's mare. Folding bikes have
been around for a long time, but several manufacturers are now placing
greater emphasis on the category than ever before. The largest markets
for folding bikes are probably air travelers, mass transit riders, and
automobile owners who want to be able to transport bicycles in a trunk
or cargo area rather than installing a large, exterior rack. Boaters
reap the benefits as these higher demands inspire bike makers to build
better, lighter, and more durable folding bikes.

Folding bikes are often sold at marine supply stores, but never more
than a single model or two and it would be rare to find a general
marine salesperson who was also an expert on folding bikes. One of the
largest retailers of folding bikes to be found anyplace in the United
States is located on the western outskirts of Fremont, in Seattle.
Folding Bikes West is a division of Electric Vehicles Northwest, and is
located at 110 N. 36th. Owner Eric Sundin is personable, knowledgeable,
and an active cyclist. Folding Bikes West offers a choice of several
brands at a wide variety of prices.

On the web site for Folding Bikes West, (www.foldingbikeswest.com),
Eric lists five major factors to consider when choosing a folding
bicycle. An advantage of shopping at a single establishment with
several brands available is the ease with which hands-on comparisons
can be made. Many of the items to be considered are highly subjective.
Any bicycle benefits from being well designed and assembled with
quality components, but folders have some unique variables. How easily
does the bicycle fold? What is the size and shape when folded? How
large is the diameter of the wheel? How comfortably does the bike ride?
How much does the bike weigh?

Among the more economically priced folding bikes at Folding Bikes West
are those built by Dahon. Jan and I own Dahon Mariners, touted by Dahon
as being more rust "resistant" than some other models. (Most of the
folding bikes are built with alloy frames and rust should be
controllable if the bikes are nor left out in the weather or dropped
into salt water). Dahon claims to be the world's largest builder of
folding bikes. The D-7 Mariner model has 20" wheels, a six-speed
transmission, and folds to 11 x 22 x 33 inches. The Mariner weighs 25.9
pounds, and while there are no world-class cyclists aboard
"Indulgence", we have been pleased with the riding characteristics
and comfort.
Folding Bikes West usually stocks several Dahon models, including the
Mariner D-7, with pricing for some beginning in the $300-$350 bracket.

The Giant Bicycle Company is a highly regarded builder of both
traditional and electric-assisted bikes. The Giant "Halfway" folder
uses an extremely rigid frame to improve the riding characteristics.
Giant employed one of the world's leading folding bike experts, Mike
Burroughs, to assist with the design of the Halfway. One particularly
thoughtful feature is the use of a single-sided front fork and single
rear stay to enhance the foldability of the bike. Components on a Giant
are generally a step or so above those found on the less expensive
brands. With a seven-speed transmission, 20" wheels, and a folded
dimension of 12 x 32 x 32-inches, the Giant Halfway retails for $525
and the price includes a cover.

Brompton bicycles, imported from the UK, have long been a favorite
among folding bike enthusiasts. The design creates some rear wheel
"suspension" for improved comfort during long rides or on rough
terrain. The 16" wheels of a Brompton allow the bike to fold into a
profile of only 11 x 22 x 23-inches. Bromptons unfold very quickly,
with the rear wheel "tucking under" the frame rather than folding
alongside the front wheel. Eric Sundin stocks only the 6-speed versions
of the Brompton, and there are three Brompton models that retail at
prices from $650- $1075. The most deluxe Brompton includes
"generator" and front and rear lights for convenience and greater
safety after dark. Bromptons weigh 23.5 - 28.4 pounds depending on
optional equipment installed.

Certainly one of the more advanced designs to be encountered among
folding bikes can be found on a series of precision engineered bicycles
sold under the Birdy trademark. The Birdy bike is a full suspension
model, with 18" wheels, Kevlar tires, and top quality components. The
four Birdy models are offered with various transmissions (8 speeds on
the most basic, 24 speeds on the most deluxe) and all weigh between
23-24 pounds. A Birdy folds to 14 x 31 x 23-inches. The basic, "Birdy
Yellow" retails at $1050, and the top of the line "Birdy Ice
Blue" sells for $1500.

As a division of Electric Vehicles Northwest, Folding Bikes West can
offer some innovative technology to "flatten" some of the island
hills. For an additional $1300, a BionX electric assist system can be
retrofit to many of the models. The battery-powered motors are designed
to assist, rather than replace, human pedal power. When this story was
prepared in late March, Eric had an outstanding buy available on some
electrically assisted Dahon folders, (the Dahon "Zap" was priced at
just under $600).

Expensive yuppie toys. It is just as easy to rent a bike at the port or
carry your own bmx style that can be purchased used at garage sales for less
than $50.


wrote in message
oups.com...
New Stowaway Bike Options Unfolding
(by Chuck Gould)

One of the most useful accessories one can carry on a small boat is a
folding bicycle.

some beginning in the $300-$350 bracket.

the Giant Halfway retails for $525
and the price includes a cover.


Woopie!


three Brompton models that retail at
prices from $650- $1075.

What a bargain.


The basic, "Birdy
Yellow" retails at $1050, and the top of the line "Birdy Ice
Blue" sells for $1500.


Why lovie dear, will you please pass the Grey Poupon?


For an additional $1300, a BionX electric assist system can be
retrofit to many of the models. The battery-powered motors are designed
to assist, rather than replace, human pedal power. When this story was
prepared in late March, Eric had an outstanding buy available on some
electrically assisted Dahon folders, (the Dahon "Zap" was priced at
just under $600).


Why not just walk?

Maybe our most popular cruising areas out here are a bit more woodsy
than those in the Great Lakes region. You can't always rent a bike at
the marina. In fact, more often than not, you can't.

On a small or medium size boat, the last thing you need rattling around
deck or lashed to a rail is a bicycle. The stowaway bikes fold down and
disappear into the lazarette, or if we leave them lashed in the cockpit
they take up maybe 6 cubic feet for the pair.

Why not walk? We often do. Since we added bikes to the mix, we get to
see a lot more of some of our local islands than we could be walking.

The other nice thing about these folding bikes is that we have enjoyed
riding them in some of the parks around town. We stuff them into the
wife's Subaru.....no big old clumsy bike rack, etc, to fiddle with.

We are very enthusiastic about our folding bikes. We started off with
just one, as my wife orginally expressed some of the same reservations
you did in your post. Before long, she just had to have one too.

We all carry a dinghy to get around on the water when we arrive at a
destination, why not a bicycle to get around on land?