Just like the adage in photography says, “the best camera is the one you have with you,” a similar truth rings for bicycles, especially when it comes to navigating city life. The idea of the ‘best’ often conjures images of high-performance machines, but for everyday utility, the Great Folding Bikes stand out as truly practical choices. It’s not about owning the bike that theoretically boasts the most speed or the lightest frame; it’s about having a bike that seamlessly integrates into your daily routine and is ready to go whenever you are.
Recently, I revisited Edinburgh, a city close to my heart. It wasn’t a dedicated cycling trip, but my wife and I were eager to experience the city as we did in our younger days – by bike. Cycling is simply the best way to explore Edinburgh, allowing you to effortlessly weave through its historic streets and rediscover favorite spots. We wanted to bring bikes, but they needed to be secure enough to lock up outdoors without attracting undue attention, and crucially, fit inside our car alongside all our luggage. The memory of a previous trip to Edinburgh with bikes on the roof, and the subsequent fuel bill, was enough to convince me that fitting them inside was non-negotiable.
Two folding bikes packed in the trunk of a car with luggage, showcasing portability
As luck would have it, we already owned two folding bikes. The decision was straightforward. Into the car they went, surrounded by our belongings, proving just how conveniently great folding bikes can fit into your life, literally.
Why Folding Bikes Are Both Surprisingly Useful and Underrated
Folding bikes come in various styles, from models with larger wheels that offer a ride closer to a standard bike, to ultra-compact designs like the iconic Brompton, prioritizing ultimate portability. While it’s true that all folding bikes involve some degree of compromise compared to their non-folding counterparts, this is largely beside the point. Their strength lies in their practicality.
For this Edinburgh trip, I rode a well-used Dahon Vitesse D8 with 20-inch wheels. My wife opted for the unique Big Fish Carnielli, a wonderfully quirky bike with 16-inch wheels that I’d recently found in pristine condition on eBay. Neither of these bikes are designed for competitive racing, but they are incredibly effective for their intended purpose: getting around town. They are thoroughly practical bikes, perfectly suited for zipping through urban environments.
Edinburgh’s charming cobbled streets and, shall we say, generously sized potholes, tested the comfort of these bikes at times. However, they handled the conditions admirably, allowing us to see and do far more in a few days than we could have managed on foot or relying solely on public transport.
This might seem obvious, but it’s easy, especially for cycling enthusiasts, to get caught up in the pursuit of cycling perfection. We, as bike tech aficionados, often obsess over the ideal setup for every conceivable scenario. This can lead to rigid, either/or thinking, like believing you must have a gravel bike capable of handling 50mm tires for hypothetical bikepacking adventures in remote locations, or dismissing a road bike as unrideable because of minor rim width specifications.
It’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture and forget that cyclists have historically simply used whatever bike was available to them, long before the advent of hyper-specialized cycling niches.
Objectively speaking, folding bikes might seem “terrible” if you only evaluate them based on performance metrics. Their frames can sometimes feel less stiff than standard bikes due to the folding mechanism, and their geometry often prioritizes compactness over high-speed stability, resulting in a more upright and responsive, sometimes twitchy, ride.
However, when the alternative is not cycling at all, great folding bikes become absolutely brilliant. This is precisely why you should seriously consider a folding bike as your next bicycle, or perhaps, your next additional bicycle.
Explore Some Great Folding Bike Options
Btwin 500: A Fantastic Budget-Friendly Folding Bike
RRP £379.99
The Btwin 500 stands out as one of the most affordable folding bikes from a reputable brand, yet it impressively ticks many essential boxes. Its 20-inch wheels provide a ride feel that’s closer to a full-sized bike than some smaller-wheeled folders, and the 7-speed Shimano cassette offers a useful range of gears for varied terrain. A surprising bonus at this price point is the inclusion of lights as standard, and the claimed weight of 12.9kg is quite respectable for a folding bike in this category.
Brompton C-Line: The Classic Folding Bike Redefined
RRP from £1,250
Brompton is synonymous with folding bikes, truly a genre-defining brand. While the basic A-Line model offers an entry point into Brompton ownership, the C-Line is arguably the sweet spot for most riders. The Urban model features a 2-speed drivetrain, ideal for flatter cities, while the Explore model boasts a 6-speed setup for tackling more varied landscapes. Bromptons are famous for their incredibly compact fold, achieved thanks to their distinctive 16-inch wheels. Although they represent a more significant initial investment, Bromptons are renowned for holding their value exceptionally well compared to many other bikes, making them a worthwhile long-term purchase.
Want to explore further? Dive into our comprehensive guide to the best folding bikes, and our detailed analysis of the Brompton range. If you’re considering a pre-owned option, eBay offers a wide selection.
Tags: BromptonCommutingOpinion
