For anyone watching this now, I’ve had a 24 inch folder (27 gears, disc brakes, v. expensive) and a 700C wheel Montague Boston (single speed) and I find the Montague much quicker and easier, especially on gravel or soft cycle trails. The bigger wheels roll much more easily, whereas I felt I had to push the 24 inch wheels harder. I haven’t used a 20 inch wheel but I can only assume it’s even more so. The Montague is bigger when folded, but if I put it in a soft bag and carry it on a shoulder strap it’s no problem taking it on buses and trains. For me the best riding experience is more important than the smallest folded size and I like that it looks like a ‘normal’ adult bike. I can upgrade the Montague with hub gears or a derailleur later on but so far I’m loving the light weight and simplicity of the single speed, even if I have to get off and walk some hills!
Answered a lot of questions for me, thank you! I drive a truck and my non folding bike takes up a lot of room in the cab. I want to ride around so a folding bike would be great. Wasn't sure which to get, I'm thinking probably the 26".
Thank you for the comparison video. I'm looking to buy a 20-inch folding bicycle for transport around London. I will be living in a city outside London, so taking it on the train is a necessity :) I hope that the smaller wheel size doesn't limit my travel options since you said they're better for short distances and I'm planning to go around the whole city, and I'm also 6 feet tall! Will definitely have to go for a test ride first.
You make purchasing a folding bike an easy to understand choice! Basically what do you want from a bike? And go from that point! Best of success to you!
From a strictly mechanical standpoint, it doesn't matter if you have small or large wheels, as long as the gear ratio is set to compensate. I suspect that the reason that many of the smaller wheel folding bikes are frowned upon is that they are geared so that for one rotation of the crank, you don't go as far as for one rotation of the crank with a large wheel bike Ideally, the manufacturers would publish the number of teeth on the front and rear gears along with the actual circumference of the drive wheel. You can't just say that since it's a "20 inch" tire, the circumference is going to be a certain amount since that "20 inches" is not exactly accurate and the total circumference is going to vary depending upon the type of tire that it comes with. For example, a 26" rim with a 26x2.125 is going to have a slightly larger circumference than a 26x1.75, even though they might be used on the same rim. Of course larger tires are also going to soak up irregularities in the road better than a smaller tire, just like it's easier to bicycle along a concrete street than it is to rollerskate along it. Remember those old steel wheel rollerskates that you could strap on your shoes?
Hi, Love your videos but wondering if this video should be updated because now the Tern Eclipse P20 for example weighs about the same as a Brompton and the Tern Eclipse P20 folds easily as the 20in bike you have in the video. Or am I wrong?
26 inch front wheel easily self-straight while driving. 20 inch (or other small wheels) self-straight ability is low. if you non-hold handlebar, yo may fall from 20 inch bike. but 26 inch bikes more safe. (I am 20 inch bike rider)
Alejandro, thank you for your comment! This video is just a general overview. There are always some exception, depends of gear, frame structure, how you want to travel, where you travel. So we agree it is possible travel long distance with 20 or ever 18" wheel size.
Yes, the new class of folding bike are in 24" wheel size. Which is for someone in between, still folding compact, ride like full size bike. check out our video that talk about 24" such Tern Eclipse or Node, they are 24" wheel size.
Why is it called 20 inch? The big one looks like 26 inch tires, but the small one has tires that look almost half the size. I would believe maybe 14 or 16 inches, but if the big wheels are 26 then the smaller ones are def not 20.
I want a bike that rides like a regular bike without any compromises. I also want a bike that I can easily use for intermodal transportation, and as a main transportation. I want a bike that I can easily take to the supermarkets, office, gym, and other places. Do you think a 24 inch wheel would be better?
+mindyourbizok, sorry for our late reply. For intermodal, in and out of differ places, especially, go onto bus, or go into office. You want the most compact setup. So a 20" wheel is a better choice. A 24" wheel will provide more comfort ride, travel better distance, but takes a bit more room. If you are in Calgary, be sure to drop by to our store to test differ version of folding bike.
I am looking at getting a folding bike for my commute around campus. I have a short commute (1-2 miles), but I live in the mountains, so there will be lots of steep hills between me and my destination. Which size bike would you recommend, considering my circumstances? Thanks!
I have to disagree with you concerning the efficiency of 20" wheels vs 26" or 700c and how they aren't meant for long distance riding. Cyclists touring on their Bike Fridays are a perfect example that disproves that notion.
+Diesel415 I agree with you, you can take any bikes for long distance ride, it is still a bike. However, you can drive a truck around the city, which is poor on the gas. It is still a car, and it still drivable. but if you have small car like honda civic, it will more effective. Same thing, you can ride a smaller wheel size for long distance, it will still work. But if you have 24" wheel size, it is better and more effective, and you have 26" wheel, it is ever better. However, you now have to deal with larger size of frame and wheel and take up more space, it is not the most effective way to travel. We are big fan of Bike Fridays, and we love Tern bike as well. We are NOT putting down 16" or 20" folding bike. It is just a general statement, larger wheel size are better for travel long distance, but poor in space.
+Power In Motion I agree with this statement. I have a Brompton, cross country and a hybrid. They all can go say 20 miles. However the hybrid with 700c x 28 wheel and tyres will reach there quicker. The Brompton is not slow, but in reality is no match.the mountain bike is probably the slowest due to weight and very think and heavy tyres. They all have a purpose. Xc bike can go on grass and off road. I wouldn't take anything else there, especially if it's muddy and wet. The Brompton is the best for intermodal to work and being safe due to storing it in the office. I couldn't do that with other bikes due to a bike ban on trains at peak times. The hybrid is great for me on long distance Road journeys. It's smooth and quite durable and I can maintain a higher speed. A road bike would be faster but I can't get on with how low they force me to bend. My wide shoulders get too sore.
+Samuel Choong Our video was NOT meant put down Tern bikes lose out for 26" folding bike. It just mean differ size of folding bike had differ strength, for differ reason. And yes Tern had some 26" bikes like the Joe line, but none of them had suspension. So you can't compare it is a better bike. Tern bikes are known for city, touring, and road bike, but not in the mountain bike class.
