When buying a bike, you must choose the one that fits and satisfies your needs. Folding bikes are some of the most common bikes in the market. They are perfect for zipping around as you don’t need to worry about locking your bike up after getting to your destination. To decide which is better between Brompton and Dahon, you must first understand their features. Dahon is the best as it’s a best seller. The bike hits high notes for commuter folders and has a smooth ride, easy folding, and brand-name components.
Moreover, Dahon comes with a rear rack and fenders. Brompton comes second as it is compact and customizable. If you are worried about the folding size, Brompton might be perfect for you.
Brompton Folding Bike
The Brompton is quite a popular folding bike for touring as it has a very compact fold at only 85 mm X 565mm X 270mm. Bromptons can achieve such a small fold because of their iconic design and small 16-inch wheels. After folding a Brompton, you can easily slide it into a bag and make it a standard piece of luggage. The luggage can easily be carried in a bus, plane or train and nobody will suspect that you are taking a bicycle with you.
Brompton bikes are also known for their high quality. The bikes are handmade in London with top-quality parts. Buying this bike is worth every penny as it is durable. The disadvantage of owning a Brompton bike is that most components are proprietary, including a derailleur system, rack, brakes, etc. Finding the replacement parts for the bike can be challenging, primarily if you reside in an area where they don’t own a shop. Some countries do not have Bromptons; therefore, you may have to discard them after it becomes faulty.
Another drawback of buying a Brompton bike is that they are pretty costly. One touring capable Brompton costs around $1200-$1700. If you are in the market for the best model, you should consider buying the Brompton M6R for touring.
Dahon Folding Bikes
Dahon offers a wide range of foldable bikes with wheel sizes ranging from 16 inches to 650b. The most common Dahon wheel size is 20 inches. Many Dahon bikes have frames made of aluminum, although there are a few models made of steel. Some Dahon bikes use derailleurs, while others use internal gear hubs. Dahon’s range of bikes is affordable, and there are numerous options to choose from.
Dahon bikes fold up to about 65 cm x 32 cm x 79 cm (25.6″ x 12.6″ x 31.1″), and this may not be a suitable weight for most airlines as it exceeds the maximum size. If you want your Dahon bike to fit into an airline, you can disassemble some parts, and they will fit the 62 linear inch box.
With many options in the market, Dahon Mariner Folding Bike is one of the most popular bikes with an 8-speed rear derailleur and 20-inch wheels. The Dahon Mariner folding bike’s frame is made of aluminum, and the model is suitable for light touring.
Factors To Considers When Buying A Folding Bike
If you are looking into buying a folding bike, whether it’s Dahon, Brohon, or any other, you may be confused about choosing the right one. Some of the factors you need to consider include:
Frame Size
Before you buy a folding bike, you must first check its frame size. Foldable bikes usually come in a single size, and they are pretty low, although you can adjust them if you are taller. When checking the frame size, ensure that you understand how much the seat and handlebars are adjusted to fit your preferred height.
Wheel Size
Another thing that you need to keep in mind is the wheel size of the bike. The wheel size is essential as it affects your overall ride. A small wheel will steer easily, while a bigger wheel will ride smoothly. The wheels size also affects the size of the foldable bike after folding. If you would prefer a more compact bike, you should buy one with small wheels. Nonetheless, if you want a mountain bike, then you should consider purchasing the big-wheeled ones.
Suspension
Suspension is the mechanism that adds more weight to a bike. As mentioned earlier, a bike with big wheels will have a smoother ride than a bike with smaller wheels. However, you can use the suspension mechanisms to counter this by countering the smaller wheel’s friction. This adds more pressure and weight to the bike. If you would like to buy a small bike, go for the ones with suspension mechanisms.
Folding Method
A bike’s folding method depends on the owner’s preference. There are about three folding methods of bikes available. They include half-fold, triangle fold, and break away. Half folds are easy to dismantle but are not very sturdy. Triangle folds are pretty sturdy but difficult to ride. Lastly, the breakaway folds are easy to fold and can be folded into a very compact size, but they are hard to reassemble.
Purpose
The last factor to consider is the purpose of the bike. If you are going for short rides around the neighborhood, you should buy a smaller and flimsier bike. If you are a long-distance rider, you may need a bike with bigger wheels and a sturdier frame. If you are traveling by your bike on public transportation, you will need a bike that can be packed as luggage easily. The type of bike you choose hinges on your preference, but it’s essential to choose one that suits your needs and lifestyle instead of choosing one based on appearance. When it comes to bicycling, it’s vital to understand what you will be using the bike for, as this will help you pinpoint the model that suits you best.
Conclusion
Buying a bike can be challenging if you do not know the model or brand to go for. However, it’s essential to choose your bike based on your needs and lifestyle instead of appearance. This way, you will choose a bike that serves you well and will cater to your needs without needing much maintenance.
