Originally published at Kickin’ the new Kuh-nowledge. You can comment here or there.
I’m seriously considering a folding bicycle. When I first started looking for one, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted… but thanks to the power of the intorwebs, I have found several options….
1. Downtube (http://www.downtube.com): The model I’m looking at is the 2007 9 FS. The 9 means 9 speed. I think I can find it fairly easily on eBay.
2. Dahon (http://www.dahon.com): These are a bit pricier, but you do tend to get what you pay for with most bikes and these are no exception. The Glide P8, The Mu and the Curve are models I wouldn’t mind getting. Alas, these are probably out of my price range. The only one I can really afford is the Boardwalk and it’s basically a folding beach cruiser. 
3. Citizen (http://www.citizenbike.com): This is definitely in my price range, but reviews I’ve read make it out to be an OK, not great, bike. Again, you get what you pay for I suppose. But considering my budget, it’s definitely something I’m looking into. Bike snobs probably wouldn’t touch this one with a ten foot pole. I laugh in the face of ten foot poles.
4. Birdy (http://www.birdybike.com): Birdy falls into the “if money were no object” category. These bikes are awesome, look great, and all the reviews say they perform really well. Sadly, they cost quite a bit.
There are other brands, some in my price range, some not. I’m glad I found the wacky world of folding bikes. I had no idea there were so many options. As noted above, I’m seriously looking at the Downtube bike, if I can get it on eBay. If not, I might go with another of the bikes that is in my price range. Either a used Dahon or a Citizen or something else if I can find a good deal on eBay or Craigslist. By this time next month I should have one… just in time for the awesome Fall biking weather.
–sam
So the reason for the folding bike is for urban/mass transit ease? Apartment Storage? I would think that if price and performance are concerns, a standard bike would be better. I’ll admit to no experience with folding bikes, but had heard that they were harder to peddle than standard bikes. But then I’m still using my street bike here at the beach (it will pull the kayak trailer).