With so many folding bike brands and bicycle shops that come and go.  We at My Bike Shop/My Bike Shop too! always gets the same comments: wow, so many models, so wide the price ranges … the thing is, we offer you more CHOICES and experienced sales people at our shop!

With TEN folding bike brands, you are going to get spoilt for choice. Folding bikes today offer a myriad of wheel sizes, folding systems and choices of colours to suit various cycling profiles and needs.  Research is required and you can find these information from the web.

Here are 7 steps you want to ask before committing to a folding bike:

STEP 1: DECIDE HOW YOU RIDE

The first step in choosing your folding bicycle is to decide what type of riding you’ll be doing. How often and where you plan to ride.  My Bike Shop has models to support recreational, commuting, urban riding, trekking, weekend centuries, touring … Is having a good ride more important that having the ability to push your folded bike more important? OR is that suspension worth that extra money if  your ride is just at PCNs and pavements? Money spent on a good saddle  might actually be a better investment.

STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR WHEEL SIZE

My Bike Shop has folding bikes with different wheel diameters: 14″, 16″, 20″, 22″,  24″, 26″, and 700c. Wheel size will affect the ride characteristics and portability of your bike. One very important question you want to ask will be availability of inner tubes and tire replacement. Sure that 17 inch or 18 inch or 24 inch wheel size may look cool BUT if you cannot get hold of spares or replacements, you are going to pay lot more in down time and costs to get spares. Also confirm that the rims used have the correct ETRTO numbers that fit available tire. Wrong fittings can mean your tire may come off while you are attempting a sharp cornering. Any wheel too small (Smaller than 14 inch) goes against sound bicycle geometry and this can mean the bike is unstable or tends to topple over. You do not want to be carried off on a stretcher after a ride.

STEP 3: CHOOSE YOUR COMPONENTS & FRAME DESIGN

An important factor that affects the price considerably, consider what level of performance you’ll need from your components. The better the components, the better your bike will ride. And better components also mean improved durability and lighter weight but so will the cost!

Do you need suspension? do you need 24 speeds? do you need Shimano Durace or SRAM Force? Remember - focus on NEED not WANT.

Looks is important but do not sacrifice your ease of folding for that complex frame or folding mechanism that makes the whole folding bike idea redundant.

STEP 4: CHECK OUT THE EXPERIENCE AND TRACK RECORD OF YOUR BIKE DEALER

Operating a bicycle needs ongoing maintenance, servicing and support! Derailiers need servicing from time to time, hubs and bottom brackets need greasing and damage components will require experienced mechanics, proper tools and chemicals to ensure that your bicycle is safe and serviceable to ride. Will your bike shop still be there for you? Have they been around for more than 5 years? Many bikeshops open and close within 2 years due to unrenewed lease  or being unable to sustain their business. Are they opened on days and have operating hours that allows you to get spares, timely support and also stock good range of accessories OR do you have to make an appointment 24 hours ahead?  You are not just buying a bike, you are buying a service too! So unless you believe you do not need that level of service, buying a bike from  Parallel Importers, the Web or from overseas may be an option but Emptor Caveat – Buyer beware!

STEP 5: WARRANTY SUPPORT

Recalls can occur with bicycles ( and even cars). Does the  brand have a reputation of being responsible? What is the number of years the brand offers? Is the Distributor going to be around or have they changed many times in the last 2 years? Is the bike shop you are buying the bike from has been around for a long time? What is  the scope of coverage?  Buy with peace of mind

STEP 6: RESEARCH, VISIT SHOPS AND ASK YOUR FRIENDS

Do your homework and check out neutral websites and reviews rather than forums hosted by shops or manufacturers as they will tend to be biased for their own brand. There is no need to hurry, a reputable shop should have a good range of bicycles for you to trial for at least the popular models.   Also be fair to the shops when you visit, ask but do not patronise the staff – afterall they are just earning a living and doing their best!

Is the model you are looking at an international model? An unheard brand with ridiculously low price and claims also means they are clearance models.

So Ride safe – Buy Safe!