By Blythe Copeland | Mon Oct 5, 2009 17:10
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Buy Green: Folding Bikes
Pack your ride and bring it with you with these five folding bikes.
Biking may be greener than just about any other form of transportation but it's not always easier: if you're commuting, you need the right frame and tires (plus a place to store your wheels when you get to work); if you're traveling, it's at best difficult and at worst impossible to bring your bike along; and if you just want a bike for recreation, you still have to think about storage and transport. But folding bikes solve most of these problems all at once: They're portable, easy to store, and?no matter what kind of terrain you're facing?there's one that's right for you.
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5.0 From Strida
Why We Like It: The Strida 5.0 is one of the simplest folding bikes out there: With just one speed, there are no gears to fiddle with, and magnets allow the bike to compress with ease. Plus, it's small enough to help you dodge pedestrians on city streets.
Eco-Factor: The same lack of gears that makes the bike so easy to use mean you don't need to mess with oil?and the bike has one of the smallest footprints of any on the road, so fewer materials went into making it. Durable rustproof aluminum means you can use it for years to come.
Weight: 22 pounds
Where: Areaware
How Much: $800
Photo courtesy of Areaware
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Miami Folding Bike From Citizen
Why We Like It: The Miami folding bike from Citizen looks like a more traditional bike?though it comes in bright blue, green, pink, and yellow—with six speeds for easy riding.
Eco-Factor: The Miami promises to fold—or unfold—in a matter of seconds, so it's ideal for people who want a bike but don't have room to store one. Leave it in your foyer and use it for your city commute in place of the subway.
Weight: 32 pounds
Where: Citizen
How Much: $194
Photo courtesy Citizen Bike
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Glide P8 From Dahon
Why We Like It: The Dahon Glide P8 has an upright, cruiser style that makes it comfortable for trips around town, folds without needing to be lifted off the ground, and comes with a bell attached to the brake lever that will help clear the way in pedestrian-heavy areas.
Eco-Factor: Dahon was founded to encourage sustainable forms of transportation, and the company pledges to improve durability, performance, or weight each year by at least 15 percent—meaning your Dahon will do more and last longer than many other brands.
Weight: 34 pounds
Where: Dahon
How Much: $1,000
Photo courtesy of Dahon
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Beach 3 From Bazooka
Why We Like It: Bazooka's Beach 3 has the classic styling and eye-popping color of a seaside cruiser with the folding capability of more urban designs?so it's just right for taking on your next vacation.
Eco-Factor: Bringing your own wheels to the beach means fewer car rentals and a bikini-ready body?plus the smooth ride will have you mounting up to grab a few last-minute items at the grocery store or ice cream after dinner.
Weight: 36 pounds
Where: Bazooka
How Much: $495
Photo courtesy of Bazooka
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New World Tourist From Bike Friday
Why We Like It: The New World Tourist from Bike Friday is a go-anywhere bike that folds in less than 30 seconds and can be tailored to your exact height and body type. Added bonus? The suitcase the bike's packed in unfolds into a trailer that the bike can haul.
Eco-Factor: All Bike Friday bikes are custom built, so you know you're getting exactly what you want?which means you won't shell out for a two-wheeler that's just going to sit in the garage (next to that gas guzzler you can't give up).
Weight: 24 pounds
Where: Bike Friday
How Much: $1,000-$3,000
Photo courtesy of Bike Friday
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MX Mountain From Montague
Why We Like It: The MX Mountain from Montague takes you beyond just city riding—it's a foldable mountain bike that has tires sturdy enough to take on rough and sharp downhill terrain.
Eco-Factor: Even if you can't use a bike on your commute, you can still take advantage of the great outdoors with this mountain model?and the folding feature means you can hit trails without the gas-guzzling wind resistance caused by a bike rack.
Weight: 30 pounds
Where: Montague
How Much: $700
Photo courtesy of Montague
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