Giant Halfway 2002 Folding Bike Reviews

Price Paid:  $500.00 at cyclesport of Doyles

Summary:
As with all of my bikes. I'm getting more use out of this one than I imagined.
I was originally buying this bike for a novelty and to use for a short term assignment in the suburbs. Our area is still not bike friendly so I've been afraid to take my full size bikes into work. I've seen people kicked off trains even at off peak hours and thefts are pretty frequent.
I now use this a couple days a week to commute to work. I ride about 2 miles to the train, fold it up, ride to work, get off a few stations early and ride about 1 mile in. I keep the bike folded in our locker room. I work a 12 hour day as a nurse and work till 7pm. I ride the 14 miles home.
I've been forced to carry it more than I'd like because of silly rules. I've been told that I can't take it onto trains even though the policy says I can. Our security guards at worked acted as if i was bringing a pony into the building. I had to talk to the head of security to get permission to carry it in.
I'm sticking to my guns. I feel it's my right and resposibility to change peoples attitudes and give people more options.

Strengths:
I'm happy with the feel. I'm 5'10" and have a long torso. I don't feel cramped at all. The gears handle the commute nicely. I do a 14 mile city commute in just over and hour. It feels solid. I like the look better than other folding bikes I've seen.

Weaknesses:
I'm currently having a problem with the bike seat mounting bracket.(the part isn't event in the instruction manual)
It isn't the same as on my Giant Sedona.
It has this cradle design. Every once and a while the seat just tilts out from under me. It got stripped on one early ride because it was loose and had been greased at the store I bought it at. I'm 210 lbs so I'm afraid i'm over taxing the design. I still working on getting it right. I don't see why this had to be differant than there other bikes.
The weight is alittle more than I'd like for lifting but I figure it's part of the workout.

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Private Party

Favorite Ride:
Hybrid

Bike Setup:
Fenders were removed and thrown away by the previous owner citing it drove her crazy. Other than that I replaced the brake pads since I bought it.
20in alloy wheels, 7 spd Shimano rear, gri shift, gel seat, streat tires.

Summary:
Bought a silver color 6 months old second hand 2006 model for a song. This is my first folder. The Halfway is surprisingly well built with excellent quality. No creaks. Fits my 5 foot 9 inches 160lb frame perfectly. Mono fork design is a novelty but is done very well. Comes with built in luggage carrier and fenders. The bike overall feels very solid.

Strengths:
Great general design and use of mono-fork make the bike look clean. Great folding design. Great construction and quality. I like the use of aluminum for most of the bike.
I did not experience the chain slip that some people complains about. Maybe it is fixed.
Seven speed gear works well.
Very solid feel.

Weaknesses:
Gearing is low - tailored for around town pedaling as opposed to serious touring.
Centre pull roller activated brakes are a weak point. 28lbs is not too heavy but I thought it could be lighter for such a small frame.

Similar Products Used:
I researched many folders (but never owned), and I decided on the Halfway due to the price point, the brand, the design and quality.

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Intown Bicycles, Atl

Favorite Ride:
Giant Halfway

Summary:
I bought the Halfway folding Bicycle for it's utilitarianism and now love it for the Bicycle that it is. Feels like a great upper end bicycle -- but once done, folds small enough to throw into the back of my MINI Cooper. No rack. I always have my bike with me and Atlanta has some incredible trails. I love it!

Strengths:
Portability

Weaknesses:
Chain slips in first gear

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Saybrook Bike Works

Summary:
I think the Giant Halfway is by far the best folding bike in its price range. Its superb design and engineering even make it preferable in some ways to folding bikes that cost much more.

Strengths:
The modern design of the Giant Halfway accounts not only for its good looks but for unsurpassed ease and convenience when folding it. Its low end gearing is similar to that on hybrid bikes. I have done 30-mile rides on it and find it surprisingly comfortable. The included rack is small but adjustable and well designed.

Weaknesses:
Speed is limited. Exceeding 17 mph on level ground requires some spinning. My 235 pounds slightly sprang the long down tube when I rode over some deep potholes, but the warranty covered it.

Similar Products Used:
Dahon, Bike Friday

Price Paid:  $750.00 at Radwelt Bielefeld

Bike Setup:
Mounted Selle Italia Ldy saddle.

Summary:
The Giant Halfway 7-speed is definitely worth its money for all the accessories it comes with. Weak point is the chain as it is a little bit jumpy and likely to spring off. Very easy folding mechanism, only one I found that was really intuitive.

Strengths:
Excellent design, high pressure tires, beautiful coupler. Fun to ride on roads, extremely fast and easy to handle. Comes close to my racing bike thanks to its light weight, which allows you to climb any hill easily and without effort.

Weaknesses:
Chain will jump off whenever I go too fast over obstacles (even a hose lying across the road could provoke that!), you often end up with oily fingers. Would be a good idea to put a second chain guard on the other side to hold the chain in place. Carrier is not strong enough, we put it off immediately. Varnish is coming off under the coupler.

Similar Products Used:
The Birdy by Riese & Müller folds better, but costs almost twice as much.