Folding Bikes
Used folding bikes on Cranxs are listed by private sellers across the UK, new and second-hand. They fold down in seconds, which is what makes them work for navigating city streets and hopping on and off public transport. Buying used keeps a compact, flexible commuter within a sensible budget.
What should I check buying a used folding bike?
The hinges carry the whole frame, so open and close the bike several times and check for play at the main hinge and the stem hinge with the clamps done up. A folder that rocks or clicks under load needs its hinge bushes or clamp faces seen to before it is safe to ride, and that is worth knowing before money changes hands rather than after. Small wheels also spin faster than large ones, so spin each wheel and listen for rumbling bearings.
How small does it fold, and will it go on a train?
Ask the seller for the folded dimensions and, if you can, to send a photo of the bike folded rather than propped open. Most UK train operators carry a folded bike free and without a reservation at any time of day, which is the main reason folders suit a commute that mixes riding with public transport.
Lightweight or robust?
A lightweight model is the one to go for if you carry the bike up stairs, into an office or onto a busy platform every day. Something heavier and more robust makes more sense for longer commutes, where you spend more time riding the bike than carrying it, and the extra frame stiffness shows on the road.
What wheel size should I look for?
Sixteen-inch wheels fold into the smallest package and suit short, stop-start city journeys; twenty-inch wheels roll better over broken tarmac and drop kerbs at the cost of a bulkier fold. Tyres in both sizes are widely available second-hand, so neither choice leaves you short of spares.
Is a folder the right city bike for me?
A folding bike earns its keep when storage or the train is the constraint, not the riding. If you have somewhere secure to leave a full-size bike, compare it against a hybrid for pace or a Dutch bike for upright comfort, both of which sit alongside folders in city complete bikes.