I recently mentioned that I’ve started going multi-mode on one or two days per week, trundling part of my way on an old Dahon Boardwalk. But what I didn’t say is that I’m not the only person who rolls into my workplace on a folder. I’ve recently noticed a newer and flashier looking folding bike taking its place at the bike racks.
Last week I bumped into its owner and when I admiringly told her that her little steed looked heaps better than mine, she was mildly embarassed and admitted that she’d recently picked it up at that well-know bike shop, Aldi. And I vaguely recall that a month or so ago they had a folding bike as one of their crazy weekly specials.
The 2008 folding bike--unbadged Dahon is a bargain
OK, “serious” cyclists might sneer at the idea of jumping on a machine from a supermarket but if the purpose is (as it is in this case) to get the rider off a crowded tram for a 4km ride to and from work, then I for one can’t see anything wrong with it.
In very large measure it is the same as budget bike experiments like BT Humble’s Budget Bike and Steve’s Bike of Doom (both of which I’ve pointed to before). Choosing a cheap-and-cheerful bike for lightweight, fair-weather commuting is a not a dumb idea. Apart from anything else, it gives a non-cyclist an easy entrée into regular cycling. Who cares if all they ever do is slowly roll a few kilometres to work on pleasant days? Maybe they will take it further, maybe they won’t.
But it turns out to be a rather smart idea, because the Aldi generic brand folding bike that sold for $199 is actually a re-badged Dahon. By way of comparison, in this country the very cheapest “branded” Dahon bike will set you back about $350-$375. That looks like a bargain to me.
By the way, I think the folding bike advertised by Aldi in October 2010 for $169 is not a plain-wrap Dahon, so this may or may not be a bargain of the same magnitude (but still not a bad compromise apparently). It looks like you don’t get much altitude out of that seat tube though.
The 2010 folding bike--not a Dahon?
Of course, critics may claim that cut-price supermarket bikes take business away from small local bike shops. Maybe. But someone who is going to fork out $199 for a supermarket bike probably isn’t ready for what most bike shops have on offer anyway. And although they probably hate working on them, some of these supermarket bikes will end up in bike shops for repair—by which time the owner is a convert and the bike shop has a new sales prospect for accessories or parts or even a whole new bike.
Who cares where someone buys their first bike? It’s whether or not they keep riding it that really matters.
$199 for a re-badged Dahon? Bugger wish I’d known about this earlier, I’d buy it just for the frame and spec up the components from stuff I’ve already got!
Posted by ChrisS | 10 November 2008, 10:50 amYep, it’s definitely a Dahon in disguise. I had another look this morning and all the foldy bits are pretty much the same as on mine. Never mind, they’ll probably have it again sometime next year.
Posted by Treadly and Me | 10 November 2008, 11:14 amI meant to post when you first mentioned the folder, but the little folder I bought in Beijing is a Dahon, and I really love it. It’s only a five speed and I’ve resisted the urge to trick it out yet, but I keep it at work and use it whenever I have to run errands. It fits in the boot of the car like a treat and only cost $250 or so from memory, which usually serves me incorrectly! About half the bikes in Beijing were folders, they’re very practical for some people.
Posted by Surly Dave | 10 November 2008, 10:36 pmI remember the scene at Aldi in the CBD (franklin street). I forgot what I wanted to get, but I was there and waited with a small group shortly before nine. Naturally I was curious about the bike because it seemed such good value. I think they must had 5 or so bikes and they were gone in no time. Then I found one box standing on the floor but when I went in to have a look at the picture and read the specs to see how much Shimano really was on there this lady went crazy. I had to quickly tell her I only wanted a look and wasn’t interested in buying one. Weird experience.
Posted by hielke | 15 November 2008, 12:16 amI’ve found this website through googling for info on the Aldi Foldable Bike in the “from thurs 15 oct …” (2009) catalog.
(Hope Chriss could get one this time)
I THINK it’s the same bike with a taller model sitting on it & therefore the seat & handlebars are adjusted higher. 32mm is fairly wide to carry on buses or trams which is what I would want a folding bike for, so I probably won’t buy one. (Still tempted). However I guess for a car boot it would be good. (If I get a motor vehicle it will be a van or ute so foldability not necessary).
I’m interested in all sorts of ultra-light vehicles, not just human-powered or two-wheeled. It might be a good idea for cycling advocates/activists to talk about human-powered vehicles rather than bicycles. Recumbant trikes & quikes?, with a suspension at least on the seat,might be more practical for the obese that most need to get more low-impact exercise & their users face most of the same issues. I bought some skate buds to use as portable transportation but discovered keeping your feet an appropriate distance apart takes a lot of effort. The helmet takes up more space than the buds. A folding helmet would be good.
Posted by Galvo Man | 19 October 2009, 4:37 pmYour post from 2008 is still relevant after 3years..
It’s now September 2011 and once again, ALDI is selling the folding bike
..just $149! (o_0)
I got a Dahon Ciao D5 and wasn’t cheap. Am grabbing this ALDI bike straightaway!
ps are you on Twitter too?
Posted by cubbieberry | 17 September 2011, 12:49 amI think Aldi has been sourcing its folding bike from a different manufacturer since 2010. The 2011 folding bike model doesn’t look much like a Dahon to me.
Posted by Treadly and Me | 17 September 2011, 10:29 am