Folding bikes are becoming more popular for touring—their small size and portability make them ideal on trips where weight is limited. Folding bike touring has been growing in popularity in recent years, and for good reason: it’s a great way to see the world on two wheels. But before you take the plunge, here are a few things you should know about folding bike touring.
Folding bikes offer many advantages over traditional models, but they also have some drawbacks. This guide describes the benefits and challenges of traveling by folding bike.
What Is Folding Bike Touring?
So, what is folding bike touring? Simply put, it’s the act of traveling by bike, but folding your bike up to carry on public transportation or fit inside your luggage. This way, you can explore new places without having to worry about renting or bringing a car along with you.
A folding bike is a bicycle that, when not in use, can be folded down or collapsed to make it easier for you to transport and store. When you’re touring, it’s easy to take your bike with you by folding it up and bringing it on a bus or train—or even packing it in the trunk of a car. And when all is said and done, who wouldn’t want their very own traveling companion?
It’s a great way to see the world on a budget, and it can be as active or relaxed as you want it to be. You can cover a lot of ground quickly if you’re feeling up for it, or take things at a more leisurely pace. Plus, there are no restrictions on where you can go—you can ride your folding bike through city streets, countryside roads and even off-road trails.
Most folding bikes have a single main frame tube. The head tube is welded to one end, where the seat post and handlebar stem are attached; the other end contains the seat tube. The rear triangle extends back from there like an Omega shape or diamond shape with long tubes that enable you to carry more stuff!
The smaller the wheels on a folding bike, the smaller it can be made. The most common wheel sizes for bicycles are 16” and 20”; however, 18-inch, 24-inch 26 – inch and 700c wheels are also available.
Benefits of Folding Bike Touring
1. Folding bikes perform equally well as regular bicycles
Many people think that a folding bike is not as fast or efficient as a full-sized touring bike. However, this isn’t true at all; in fact, many quality folding bikes are just as fast and efficient to ride as their non-folding counterparts.
The smaller wheels of a road bike make it lighter and easier to spin up than other kinds of bikes. The gearing is also changed so that you don’t have to push quite as hard on the pedals—even though they’re turning much faster! You don’t need to work harder when riding a small-wheeled folding bike.
2. Flying with a folding bike is cheaper and even free!
One of the biggest benefits I have found to folding bike touring is that it allows me to save a significant amount of money on airfare. The bike can fly as a regular checked bag on most airlines—as long as it meets their size requirements.
For most airlines, the maximum allowable dimensions and weight for a checked bag are 62 linear inches (158 cm) and 50 lbs (23 kilos). The check-in fee is often waived when you fly internationally with your folding bike. With a folding bike, you can take your bike with you on train or bus without having to worry about it taking up too much space. This makes folding bike a great option for those who want to see as much of the world as possible. You can explore new and far-off places without having to worry about how you’re going to get your bike there.
3. Folding Bikes are allowed to be brought into hotels or hostel dorms
Some hotels allow their visitors to bring and leave their bicycles. But if you bring a folding bike, you will easily bring your folding bike folded into your room. Make sure you bring your bicycle in a clean condition so it doesn’t dirty your hotel room.
Drawbacks of Folding Bike Touring
Yes, folding bike touring does have its advantages, but there are also some drawbacks that you should be aware of before you take the plunge.
1. Some components wear out more quickly than others
Because the wheels of a folding bike have to turn more times than those on a full-sized bicycle in order to go the same distance, rims, tires, and hubs will wear out faster. For example, a 16-inch folding bike rim might only last 5,000 miles. A 700c touring rim could last 15,000 miles—but it would add more maintenance costs to your trip.
Some folding bike parts are sized differently from regular full-size bikes: 16-inch wheels and tires, short cage derailleurs, and extra-long seat posts. Most shops don’t keep these items around. It can be difficult to find quality wheels and tires in developing countries. This is often a problem for bike tours, because if something breaks or wears out you may have to have spares shipped in.
2. Folding bikes are less durable
Compared to full-size touring bikes, they are more likely to suffer damage on rough roads because of the hinges in their frames and extra-long seat tubes. The parts used in many folding bikes, while perfectly adequate for the average user, are less durable than those of standard touring bikes.
Conclusion
So is folding bike touring right for you? Only you can answer that question. But if you’re looking for an affordable, convenient way to see the world, then folding bike touring may just be the perfect option for you. Folding bikes have a lot of advantages over traditional touring bikes, but there are a few downsides to consider as well. Ultimately, the choice is up to you, but we hope this article has given you a better idea of what to expect if you choose to go the folding bike route.
If you are looking for Folding bike touring or basikal lipat, and everything related to your cycling needs, you can visit Rodalink Malaysia. Why choose Rodalink? You can take advantage of various benefits—like free local delivery and 0% installment! Moreover, by joining as a member of Rodalink Malaysia, you will be able to receive information related to ongoing promotions. You can find various types of folding bikes from well-known brands such as Tern folding bikes or Polygon folding bikes. With a variety of payment methods to choose from, it’s never been easier than ever to purchase a bicycle or its accessories! Start your fun touring experience with Rodalink Malaysia by visiting the website.
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