Brompton Folding Bicycle

Brompton folding bike folds down to the size of a carry-on suitcase in about 15 seconds. Engineering that makes this possible is hidden inside a frame that looks almost normal when unfolded. Hinge mechanism uses a quick-release clamp at the main tube and a hook that catches the rear triangle, and the whole sequence becomes muscle memory after maybe 5 tries. Brompton has been making these in London since 1975, and the waiting lists at some dealers run 3-6 months, which tells you the demand has outpaced production. At $1,500 for the base model they are expensive, but riders on the subway and commuter trains treat them like an extension of public transit. Folded, the bike stands upright on its own, which lets you park it at your desk without leaning it against anything.