Folding ( B o a t ) by Jim Couper

For getting outBikes and about from the dock, nothing beats the convenience and efficiency of an origami-style set of wheels

ince buses, trams and taxis rarely make everything, leaving pedal scrapes along walls known as “folders,” range from $200 for a S regular dock stops, the seafarer in a and companionways. The solution, however, basic sidewalk cruiser to more than $5,000 strange port must often resort to foot power may be a new breed of bike—the folding for a lightweight road racer custom-built to to weave past the machinery and debris that , which folds into itself and stows in a fit the rider. It takes less than 30 seconds usually make waterfronts the least desirable compartment, cupboard or to pack up a folding bike and parts of town. deck. When needed, it unfolds Popular cruising guide prepare it for stowage, and Of course, a bicycle quintuples one’s like origami and is ready to authors Anne and Lau- another half-minute secures speed and range, but handling a bike on ride to a restaurant, grocery rence Yeadon-Jones use the bike in an optional zip- a boat is like managing a fishing net full store or into the country. English-made Brompton pered bag, protecting it from of coat hangers: a two-wheeler catches on Prices for folding bikes, folders while in port. the elements. LAURENCE & ANNE YEADON-JONES ANNE & LAURENCE

51 August 08 www.pacificyachting.com Pacific Yachting August 08 51 Folding (Boat) Bikes The Choices is based in Los Angeles and has a dozen dealers in Vancouver and Victoria. The company has been making folders for more than a quarter-century and claims one-half of the folding bike market. Its line of two-dozen models ranges from single-speed city bikes to 27-gear, front-suspension mountain bikes. Dahon calls its Mariner D7 model “the perfect Upon arrival at accessory for your boat.” It features mostly your destination, aluminium parts, including frame, bars, seat just unfold and post and rims; spokes are stainless steel with set off to explore— brass nipples; and the chain is a RustBuster beyond the dock. with zinc coating. Dahon wisely advises that while its seven-gear bike is rust-resistant, it is not rustproof. How They Work The folding process typi- thin tires, no accessories and minimal weight. Pacific Waterhouse, headquartered in cally starts by releasing a clamp that allows the Off-road folders usually have front suspension, Vancouver, produces a dozen models of mid- frame to hinge and the back wheel to swing heavy tires and beefy components, while beach priced ($500) Bazooka bikes. Its bicycle forward so that it overlaps the front wheel. bikes sport balloon tires and one or three gears. designs include 20-inch wheelers and full- The handlebars swing down either beside or For even more specialized needs, folding tan- sized bikes that basically fold in half so front between the wheels, and the seat post and seat dems and recumbents can be found as well. and rear wheels overlap. The 20-inch models are removed and tucked in with the handlebars. compact to 33 x 26 x 15 inches. The Bazooka The last step is to fold in the hinged pedals. Weight/Material Oversized riders should line includes a unique Nautica mountain be aware that many folding cycles have maxi- bike with alloy frame and dual suspension Wheels Since wheels are the biggest, unfold- mum weight capacities of 225–250 pounds for rough terrain and pot-holed roads. It has able part of a bike, wheel diameter is the main (102–113 kilograms). Speaking of weight, one a rustproof chain, 26-inch wheels and 24 determinant of compacted size. The smallest, tends to think that folders are heavy, because gears. Pacific Waterhouse designs bikes in its with 16-inch wheels, shrink into a package of the added hinges, but Eugene, Oregon-based Vancouver office and markets to apartment that measures about 11 x 20 x 30 inches; the Bike Friday makes racing-style accordion bikes, dwellers and boat owners. Components come largest, with 26-inch wheels, diminish to about such as the Pocket Rocket Pro (about $2,000), from and and are assembled in 13 x 28 x 38 inches. For comparison sake, a that weigh less than 20 lbs (9 kg). Generally, China and , but that’s normal for the regular bike is about 16 inches wide, 40 high the more you pay, the lighter the bike because bike business. and 70 long. (Bicycle manufacturers often use expensive and lightweight materials, such as Bike Friday of Eugene, Oregon, custom- imperial measurement units.) aluminum, titanium and carbon fibre, are used builds performance bikes that are as light as in the construction. These are also materials professional road-racing machines. Friday The Ride Wheel size and type of use should suited to marine use. Saltwater will make its staff requires the purchaser’s arm and leg be the most important factors in selecting a ugly mark on the chrome and steel of a bot- measurements, then they’ll ask about riding foldable ride. The bigger the wheels, the faster tom-of-the-line bike within one season. style, age, height and weight before building and more stable the ride—it’s that simple. I own both a 20-incher and a 16-incher, and when my less muscular wife and I ride together we move at about the same speed because she takes the bigger wheels. When riding on my own, I grab the 20-inch-wheeled Dahon Speed D7. It does not offer the stability or speed of my full-sized bike, but it scoots along quite nicely and has performed perfectly in providing a quick and convenient exit from many harbours and campgrounds. Just like regular bikes, folders are built for specific purposes. An urban model is likely to be equipped with fenders, carrying basket, lights, bell and kickstand. It will have six or seven gears and be medium weight. A tourer has up to 27 gears and brackets for carrying heavy loads, while a road racer comes with

52 August 08 www.pacificyachting.com a folder that fits perfectly and is comfort- Western Canadian Inflatable Boats able to ride. When all the custom options SALES - SERVICE ALL MAKES - PARTS - ACCESSORIES are considered, they can build more than Grand Opening Specials! one million different bikes. The most popular 20% OFF ALL IN STOCK BOATS AND ACCESORIES! model is the New World Tourist, a traditional design at $1,000. Should you require a fold- ing tandem with a third seat for a child and three sets of pedals, bike Friday will create one for $3,000. The name Giant is familiar to racers and off-roaders who are knowledgeable about high-end competition machines. It comes as a surprise to learn that Giant also makes a Featuring BRIG Inflatables with rigid or inflatable decks 9-12 feet folding bike that comes in at a lower price UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP - NEW HOURS 10 - 5 Monday to Saturday point than many. The 7-speed Halfway sells for about $550 and includes accessories not www.westcaninflatables.com found on the racing circuit: fenders, chain 3060E. Spring Street, Port Moody 604-931-2777 Toll Free no: 1-877-931-2777 guard, kickstand, rack and even a carrying bag. The front forks and rear stays of the aluminum-framed Halfway are single-sided, allowing for a smaller folded size. Canoe Cove Marina & Boatyard If your bike is going to spend a lot of time facing the elements, Florida-based island Preferred “one-stop” full service Hopper makes one that can hold its own marina and repair yard of against rain and spray. Its Mariner is built with Canadian & American boaters aluminium and stainless steel parts and is for over forty years. constructed for boaters. The toughness of this folder is also reflected in its carrying capac- New fifty-five ton Travel Lift ity: It can support a rider weighing up to 350 with easy access lbs (159 kg). With fenders, rack, kickstand and 20-inch wheels, the Hopper is the lowest Highly skilled technicians and shipwrightssDo it yourselfer’s welcomesCanvas and upholstery shop priced ocean-going bike with a web listing of Engine work and repairssYanmar® dealersComplete fiberglass work and Awlgrip® paint jobs Canada CustomssFull rig and stainless shopsEnvironmentally Friendly US$275. Office: Service: Fax: VHF: Unique Designs (250) 656-5566 (250) 656-5515 (250) 655-7197 Channel 66A Among the plethora of offbeat designs that www.canoecovemarina.com 2300 Canoe Cove Rd, N Saanich, BC, Canada V8L 3X9 make the folding bike industry interesting, takes a minimalist approach, manu- facturing a large triangle with wheels at the Now Being Built on (Below and left) The West coast Dahon claims one cruiser, Sport & custom models half of the folding bike market.

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Pacific Yachting August 08 53 Folding (Boat) Bikes

bottom two angles. The handlebars are at the apex, the seat is near the top of one side and the pedals are on the bottom crossbar. The single-gear commuter bike has a Kevlar belt instead of a chain, so there’s no need to worry about getting grease on pants and hands. The aluminium 22-lbs (10-kg) bike can be rolled on its wheels when folded and will stand in a corner or a tall narrow space. There is a distributor in Portland, Oregon. being densely populated with tight spaces, britain has always led in the design of folding bikes. Brompton has been producing british folders for a quarter-century, and if space is at a premium, its bikes, with two hinges, fold to a dense package barely bigger than one of its 16-inch wheels; the compacted packet measures 10 x 22 x 21 inches. brompton’s The B.C.-based steel-framed models start at $650. Bazooka folder Another british product, the expensive collapses into its moulton ($2,000 and up), is constructed stowable self in something like a truss bridge with up to 36 just 10 seconds. thin tubes holding everything together and giving strength. is an origina- tor of the folding bike and has been build- ing them since 1958. In some models the spaceframe construction uses silver-brazed, hand-polished stainless steel tubing and most other parts are either stainless steel or aluminum. Weight can be as little as 20 lbs (9 kg). Powered Folding Bikes If your sea legs are not up to pushing the pedals when you land in port, powered bikes, propelled by either gas or electricity, can be unfolded to allow owners to effortlessly speed off to see the local terrain just a few seconds after descending the gangplank. Small gas engines have the advantage of being ready to go anywhere at anytime with “eZee” to use and plenty of power, but they’re also noisy, dirty tough as nails, and require stowage of fuel. Electric bikes are Quando’s electric quiet and can be recharged at no extra cost bikes have been when hooked up to shore power. Generally known to fall into they require some pedal assistance from the sea and still the legs if riders are to get up steep hills in a work dry! timely manner. The need for shore power for recharging is their main disadvantage. That being said, the selection of powered folding rides is very limited, whereas the lines of non-folding bikes with electric or gas motors number in the hundreds. island Hopper has a line of folding bikes, powered by 25–49-cc gas engines that can reach 55 kph and go 55 kilometres on a litre of fuel. These single-gear machines are

54 August 08 www.pacificyachting.com basically mopeds with pedals that can kick- YOUR PASSION IS OUR PURSUIT in should you run out of gas or hit a steep hill while you’re loaded with heavy supplies. If you have a folder you like and want to add power, Island Hopper sells gas engine kits for $300–500. The eZee Quando, a $1,500 electric bike that folds easily, is sold by Victoria’s aptly named Quiet Revolutions. Two models are for riders taller or shorter than 5.6 feet (1.7 metres). Power from a 350-watt brushless motor and a Lithium-Manganese battery provides a 40-km range on flat roads. The battery pack can be removed and recharges in about six hours. The aluminium-framed bike with 20-inch wheels weighs about 53 lbs (24 kg) and comes with rear rack, fend- ers, chain guard, bell and LED gauge. A twist grip controls power, just like on a motorcycle, West Wind Hardwood Inc. but with a top speed of 25 kph, you won’t be www.westwindhardwood.com [email protected] challenging any Harleys. 1-800-667-2275 Sidney, BC, Canada

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Sitka Spruce, Western Red and Yellow Cedar, Douglas Fir, Contacts Pacific Yew, Teak, Mahogany, Purpleheart, Bending Oak, Bazooka, Vancouver Ash, Marine Plywood, Teak and Holly Plywood 604-288-7141 / 1-888-245-3442 www.bazookasports.com All sizes shipped anywhere Bike Friday, Eugene, Ore. 1-800-777-0258 / 541-687-0487 Teaching People with a Passion www.bikefriday.com Brompton, England for Wood, Boats and Fine www.brompton.co.uk Craftmanship Curbside Cycle, Toronto, Ont. 1-866-920-4933 www.curbside.on.ca Dahon, Calgary, Alta. 403-640-0822 www.dahon.com Giant Bicycle Canada, North Vancouver www.giant-.com Island Hopper, St. Petersburg, Fla. 727-896-6733 www.motorizedfoldupbikes.com Moulton, City Bikes, Mississauga, Ont. 905-855-0404 / [email protected] www.alexmoulton.co.uk Quiet Revolutions, Victoria Training in Traditional Boatbuilding and Joinery taught by 250-818-9946 Skilled Craftsmen www.quietrevolutions.com Courses from 3 days to 6 months in length Strida, Columbus, Ohio 3200 Silva Bay Road, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X7 614-469-0600, ext. 214 250-247-8809 Oregon dealer: 1-888-288-6430 [email protected] www.strida.com www.boatschool.com

Pacific Yachting August 08 55