THE BIKE: SwissBike TX

Thanks to the SwissBike, foldable bikes aren't just for leisure bike riders
anymore: They can appeal even to quasi-serious cyclists. The SwissBike TX is
a full-size mountain bike that boasts 21 speeds and 26-inch wheels, complete
with disc brakes. The setup time takes a minute longer than most foldable
bikes only because it involves unlocking and removing the front wheel.
Rugged, durable and easy to fold (in just two motions), the SwissBike could
eliminate the need for car racks.

THE RIDE: This is one foldable bike that means business, and it rides more
smoothly than the previous two. The gears change without a glitch, and the
grips are a nice touch. Riding through the streets with the SwissBike was
dangerous simply because we felt invincible while riding it. Pedestrians and
passing vehicles beware. That confidence comes at a price, however: At 30
pounds, the SwissBike TX was the heaviest we tested, making it more awkward
for walk-up apartments and trips on the subway.

REGULAR PRICE: $699
FOOTPRINT OPEN: 66 x 23 x 39 in.
FOOTPRINT FOLDED: 35 x 17 x 28 in.
TIME TO SET UP: 1:35 sec (on first try).
TIME TO BREAK DOWN: 0:32 sec.