The Folding Society

The diBlasi - a brief review

By Clive Hogan

I cycle 2 x 6 miles each day on a diBlasi. My work colleagues tell me I should get a 'proper' bike but they don't understand the advantages of the diBlasi. I'd like to explain why this is the perfect, safe, practical bike for commuting in UK traffic:

• The upright sitting position means you can easily turn your head to see vehicles behind you. For road safety reasons it is extremely important that you can turn your head round - without straining your neck, or losing balance.
• Fast cycling in traffic is dangerous. The Di Blasi encourages a slow, steady pace.
• The rear pannier is excellent to carry a small briefcase.
• The fitted mudguards and dynamo are essential standard features for British roads.
• The carbon steel frame and the design is solid and gives a feeling of confidence on busy roads
• The tyres are thick and the wheels are heavy duty - this is ideal for uneven UK road surfaces
• The bike has a sprung saddle, in May 2002 I rode in a marathon - this took 3 hours, I felt comfortable and safe on the bike over a long distance.
• There are other folding bikes, lighter than the diBlasi, also the components may be lighter, but they will be more expensive and not so solid and robust as the diBlasi.
• Whoever designed this bike knew a thing or two about cycling.

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Copyright (C)2002 Clive Hogan
Original report: August 2002
Last updated: 30 September 2004