Just like the saying goes in photography, “the best camera is the one you have with you,” the same logic applies to bikes, especially for city dwellers. The ‘best’ bicycle isn’t always the high-performance, top-of-the-line machine. Instead, it’s often the one that seamlessly integrates into your daily life, ready for spontaneous rides and practical errands. Forget about that dream bike gathering dust at home; the real champion is the bike that’s always there when you need it.
This idea rings particularly true in the realm of utility cycling. Think about it: the ideal bike is the one that fits your lifestyle and meets your everyday needs, not just the one that boasts the most impressive specs on paper. Performance is great, but practicality often wins, especially when navigating the urban jungle.
[Ask Cyclist related questions – Removed as per instruction]
Recently, I spent a few days in Edinburgh, a city I once called home. It wasn’t a dedicated cycling trip, but my wife and I were keen to recapture our younger days, exploring the city on two wheels. Cycling is, without a doubt, the best way to get around and rediscover familiar haunts.
We wanted to bring bikes, but they needed to be secure enough to lock up outdoors (meaning nothing too flashy or expensive) and, crucially, fit inside our car along with all our luggage. I vividly remember a previous trip to Edinburgh with bikes on the roof – the extra fuel cost alone was enough to make me consider buying another bike!
Car boot packed with luggage and two fold up bikes
Luckily, we already had two Fold Up Bikes at home, making the decision incredibly easy. They tucked neatly into the car with all our bags, proving their worth before we even started our city exploration.
[Related Posts – Removed as per instruction]
Fold Up Bikes: Surprisingly Versatile and Practical
Fold up bikes come in a variety of styles, from models with larger wheels that offer a more traditional riding experience to ultra-portable designs like the iconic Brompton. While it’s true that all folding bikes involve some degree of compromise compared to their standard counterparts, this is entirely missing the point. Their strength lies in their adaptability and convenience.
Alt text: A person on a Dahon fold up bike prepared for a ride, showcasing the bike’s readiness for urban commuting and leisure.
For this Edinburgh trip, I rode a well-used Dahon Vitesse D8 with 20-inch wheels. My wife opted for the wonderfully quirky Big Fish Carnielli, an unusual bike with 16-inch wheels that I recently found in mint condition on eBay (more on this oddity in a future “What We Ride” feature – it’s truly unique and I love it).
Neither of these fold up bikes are designed for high-speed racing or off-road adventures, but they are incredibly effective for their intended purpose: getting around town. They are practical, usable bikes perfectly suited for zipping across the city.
Edinburgh’s charming streets include some seriously uneven cobblestones and potholes that could swallow a wheel whole. While the ride wasn’t always the smoothest, the fold up bikes handled the terrain admirably. They allowed us to see and do so much more in just a few days than if we had relied solely on walking or public transport.
It might seem obvious, but it’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of cycling perfection. As bike tech enthusiasts, we often obsess over having the ‘perfect’ setup for every possible scenario. This can lead to rigid, either/or thinking, like “I must have a gravel bike with 50mm tires in case I decide to go bikepacking in Patagonia tomorrow,” or “this road bike is unrideable because its rims are only 17mm wide internally, preventing me from achieving optimal tire volume with my 28s.”
We often overlook the bigger picture while focusing on minute details that are often irrelevant to everyday cycling. For generations, cyclists simply rode whatever bike they had available and made the most of it.
Alt text: Nighttime urban scene featuring a cyclist riding a Brompton fold up bike through city streets, highlighting the bike’s suitability for commuting and navigating urban environments after dark.
Objectively speaking, fold up bikes might seem ‘terrible’ if you only judge them on outright performance. Their frames can be less stiff than standard bikes because prioritizing compactness means accepting some flexibility. Their geometry is usually more upright and compact, which can feel a bit twitchy compared to a long-wheelbase road bike.
However, when the alternative is not cycling at all, fold up bikes are absolutely fantastic. That’s precisely why you should seriously consider getting a fold up bike right now. They open up cycling to so many more situations and make it a truly practical part of your life.
Great Fold Up Bike Options
Btwin 500: The Budget-Friendly Fold Up Bike
Btwin 500 orange fold up bike, photographed in a studio setting
RRP £379.99
The Btwin 500 is one of the most affordable fold up bikes from a reputable brand, yet it offers a surprisingly good package. The 20-inch wheels provide a ride that feels closer to a full-size bike than some smaller wheeled folders, and the 7-speed Shimano cassette gives a useful range of gears for varied terrain.
A notable bonus is the inclusion of lights as standard, adding to its practicality for urban riding. The claimed weight of 12.9kg is also quite respectable for a folding bike at this price point.
Brompton C-Line: The Classic Fold Up Bike Icon
Alt text: A Brompton C-Line fold up bike parked against a vibrant graffiti wall, showcasing its iconic design and urban appeal.
RRP from £1,250
Brompton is synonymous with fold up bikes and needs little introduction. It’s truly a genre-defining design. While the basic A-Line model is the most budget-friendly Brompton, the C-Line offers gearing options that are better suited to most riders. The Urban model comes with a 2-speed drivetrain, while the Explore version boasts a 6-speed setup for greater versatility.
Bromptons use small 16-inch wheels, which is key to their incredibly compact folded size. They are a more significant investment upfront, but Bromptons are renowned for holding their value exceptionally well compared to other bikes, making them a smart choice in the long run.
