I wanted to make a list of full suspension folding bikes in the market and list all the features. The biggest problem with folding bikes on the market is comfort, nowadays almost all bikes are made from aluminum which is a very stiff metal. Folding bikes have a smaller frame with smaller triangles, hence they are stiffer, and the wheels are smaller hence they absorb less shock. In short folding bikes have a comfort problem, once this problem is addressed the bikes can be utilized just as full size bikes with the additional super compact storage possibility.
Unfortunately there are not many quality full suspension folding bikes. There is a huge number of cheap poorly designed and manufactured Chinese made models, I will ignore those in the article. There are only four quality options for full suspension folding bikes and it may be going down to three, Go Bike is in financial trouble again. Regardless I will do a comparison of the below bikes with a #1 vs #2 and #3 and #4, them the winners meet up for the overall crown of.
1. Dahon Jetstream is a mature bike that has been in the market for nearly 10 years. It is lightweight, folds compactly, and has a quality 8sp derailleur drivetrain. It also has an interface on the head tube for a bag system. Disc brakes are standard and adjustable rear shock is included. Overall a nice bike and it retails for $1349
2. Birdy is manufactured by Pacific Cycle and was released into the market in 1995, hence it is a mature product. The suspension design is solid and comfortable. Drivetrains can be configured during purchase but the base model comes with Shimano 8sp derailleur based system and retails for about $1500. The Birdy is the smallest and lightest folding full suspension bike on the market
3. Go Bike was introduced into the market in the early 2000’s, hence it is a mature design that evolved for many years. It was very popular in Japan due to its style and comfort. They retailed for a little over $1000, however they are no longer available in the USA market, and it is unclear if they are still selling in Japan either.
4.Downtube 9FS was introduced ten years ago. It is the only 9sp full suspension bike that retails for under $1000, retail price is $549. It has matures over the last decade and now includes disc ready wheelset, bag & rear rack interfaces, and preload adjustable suspension in front and rear.
#1 Jetstream vs #2 Birdy
A. Price: Both bikes are in the same price range $1349 Jetstream vs $1500 Birdy.
B. Weight: The Birdy is much lighter at 25lbs vs 26.5lbs for the Jetstream.
C. Component quality: The stock drivetrains are very similar, however the Birdy is customizable, while the JetStream is not. However the Jetstream comes stock with disc brakes.
D. Folded size: The Birdy is smaller than the Jetstream due to smaller 18” wheels and a super cool fold.
Winner of this round is the Birdy.
#3 GoBike vs #4 Downtube
A. Price: The Downtube retails for $549 while the GoBike is over $1000, which gives the Downtube a big edge.
B. Weight: The GoBike weights 28.5lbs while the Downtube is at 27lbs.
C. Component Quality: The Downtube has a better 9sp drivetrain vs 8sp, and comes with disc wheels and adjustable suspension.
D. Folded size: The folded size is very close, almost the same.
Winner of this round is Downtube.
Now for the final comparison #2 Birdy vs #4 Downtube
A. Price: The Downtube retails for $549 vs $1500 Birdy.
B. Weight: The Birdy is much lighter at 25lbs vs 27lbs for the Downtube.
C. Component quality: The Downtube has a nicer 9sp drivetrain, disc wheelset, adjustable suspension, and frame interfaces for bag systems, pumps, and racks.
D. Folded size: The Birdy is smaller than the Downtube due to smaller 18” wheels and a super cool fold.
This round is a tie 2-2, however we will use price as the tiebreaker, hence theDowntube wins.
Unfortunately there are not many quality full suspension folding bikes. There is a huge number of cheap poorly designed and manufactured Chinese made models, I will ignore those in the article. There are only four quality options for full suspension folding bikes and it may be going down to three, Go Bike is in financial trouble again. Regardless I will do a comparison of the below bikes with a #1 vs #2 and #3 and #4, them the winners meet up for the overall crown of.
1. Dahon Jetstream is a mature bike that has been in the market for nearly 10 years. It is lightweight, folds compactly, and has a quality 8sp derailleur drivetrain. It also has an interface on the head tube for a bag system. Disc brakes are standard and adjustable rear shock is included. Overall a nice bike and it retails for $1349
2. Birdy is manufactured by Pacific Cycle and was released into the market in 1995, hence it is a mature product. The suspension design is solid and comfortable. Drivetrains can be configured during purchase but the base model comes with Shimano 8sp derailleur based system and retails for about $1500. The Birdy is the smallest and lightest folding full suspension bike on the market
3. Go Bike was introduced into the market in the early 2000’s, hence it is a mature design that evolved for many years. It was very popular in Japan due to its style and comfort. They retailed for a little over $1000, however they are no longer available in the USA market, and it is unclear if they are still selling in Japan either.
4.Downtube 9FS was introduced ten years ago. It is the only 9sp full suspension bike that retails for under $1000, retail price is $549. It has matures over the last decade and now includes disc ready wheelset, bag & rear rack interfaces, and preload adjustable suspension in front and rear.
#1 Jetstream vs #2 Birdy
A. Price: Both bikes are in the same price range $1349 Jetstream vs $1500 Birdy.
B. Weight: The Birdy is much lighter at 25lbs vs 26.5lbs for the Jetstream.
C. Component quality: The stock drivetrains are very similar, however the Birdy is customizable, while the JetStream is not. However the Jetstream comes stock with disc brakes.
D. Folded size: The Birdy is smaller than the Jetstream due to smaller 18” wheels and a super cool fold.
Winner of this round is the Birdy.
#3 GoBike vs #4 Downtube
A. Price: The Downtube retails for $549 while the GoBike is over $1000, which gives the Downtube a big edge.
B. Weight: The GoBike weights 28.5lbs while the Downtube is at 27lbs.
C. Component Quality: The Downtube has a better 9sp drivetrain vs 8sp, and comes with disc wheels and adjustable suspension.
D. Folded size: The folded size is very close, almost the same.
Winner of this round is Downtube.
Now for the final comparison #2 Birdy vs #4 Downtube
A. Price: The Downtube retails for $549 vs $1500 Birdy.
B. Weight: The Birdy is much lighter at 25lbs vs 27lbs for the Downtube.
C. Component quality: The Downtube has a nicer 9sp drivetrain, disc wheelset, adjustable suspension, and frame interfaces for bag systems, pumps, and racks.
D. Folded size: The Birdy is smaller than the Downtube due to smaller 18” wheels and a super cool fold.
This round is a tie 2-2, however we will use price as the tiebreaker, hence theDowntube wins.
Another candidate is Pacific Cycles' IF Reach - around since about 2008 with their related Reach folder (without the IF fold) since ~2005. Taiwanese Pacific Cycles' credentials include being the maker of the German-designed Birdy. The IF Reach has a better fold than the Birdy but same high quality and similar price range, so does not compete on price with those such as the Downtube.
ReplyDeleteAny comparison should include ride quality - I can vouch that the IF Reach is good enough to ride confidently very fast downhill on any paved road - call this "the fear of hitting a pothole at speed" test. Small-wheel folders need suspension and well- designed and built frames to pass this test based on rider confidence. Cheers.
You forgot maybe the best - the Airnimal Rhino. I have the Dahon Jetsteam EX which is the extreme version of the standard Jetstteam with 27 gears and it's phenomenal - very comfortable and extremely fast.
ReplyDeleteReally struggling to find a transport bag that will provide decent protection on flights but also compact down in some way so I can fly and ride with the thing mounted to my rear rack. Any help appreciated!
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