Xootr Swift

Most folding bikes have a maximum rider height of about 6 feet 4 inches, which leaves taller riders with few options. Fortunately, the Xootr Swift comes in a wide range of sizes, including a XXL frame size for riders between 6 feet 5 inches and 6 feet 7 inches; they also offer four other sizes, the smallest of which will fit riders under 5 feet 5 inches. The Xootr Swift also gets high marks for performance and ride quality. It has 20-inch wheels and weighs 25 pounds, although you'll have to pay extra for accessories like a kickstand, fenders or rack, which will add weight. In an older comparative review conducted by BusinessWeek, the tester says the Xootr Swift rides more like a "real" bike than any other folding bike tested -- including folding bikes from Brompton, Birdy and Dahon. Owner-written reviews also indicate that the Xootr Swift maneuvers precisely and performs well on hills. The Xootr Swift is easy to fold, but it doesn't have the most compact design. The quickest fold gets the bike down to 31.5 by 40 by 20.5 inches, but you can make it smaller by removing the handlebar and front wheel with quick-release levers. If compactness is your primary consideration, reviews point to the Brompton M3L (MSRP: $1,280), which has an incredibly small fold.

The Xootr Swift has been around for a few years, so the vast majority of reviews were written when the bike first came out. Bicycle Times has the most recent review. Older reviews from BusinessWeek.com and CommuteByBike.com are helpful, but keep in mind that some components may have changed since these reviews were published.