Folding bicycles

Travel America, Sept-Oct, 2004 by Nancy Baren Miller

The 2004 product line for Dahon, a California company that introduced the first mass-production portable bicycle in 1982, has blossomed with a multitude of new technologies that make the bikes faster, more aerodynamic, easier to use, and dramatically lighter. Prices for 15 models range from $189 to $1,499.

The Presto Lite has 16" wheels, weighs just over 20 lbs., and folds to the size of a shopping bag. The new Helios SL, with 20" aero wheels, weighs under 20 lbs., while the Helios XL is the ultimate commuter bike, complete with carrier racks, fenders, chainguard, and suspension seatpost. Sales of Dahon folding bikes (it's all they do) have grown 20 to 30 percent a year for each of the last several years. This year the company will sell a record 250,000 to 300,000 bikes under the Dahon and other brands. Contact: Dahon, (626) 305-5264; www.dahon.com.