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Folding bikes have been around for years—WWII paratroopers carried them into battle—but the availability of strong lightweight materials has contributed to a new array of 'performance' folders. Another contributing factor is the air-travel boom, which has made the flight-with-bike an affordable possibility. Oregon-based Bike Friday was founded in 1992 by two brothers, Hanz and Alan Scholz, who wanted to avoid paying airline surcharges to transport bicycles in boxes. Their folding machines fit inside a standard suitcase but are considered good enough to race or tour over distances, and the company has sold more than 11,000 bicycles in the last 12 years. This spring the Scholz brothers will launch a new folder aimed specifically at commuters.

Bike Friday

Oregon-based Bike Friday manufactures several different versions of its folding bikes, such as an offroad or recreational model like the Pocket Crusoe, shown here.

Prices range from $695 for a recreational model to $3,800 or more for a titanium-framed model.

Weighing 15 to 27 pounds, each bike can be folded and fitted into a suitcase for easy transport when flying.