Which bike is better: Forward or Stels?

Forward or Stels - Which Bike Is Better To Choose? This question is often asked by novice riders who want to buy an "iron horse" in a reasonable price range, and at the same time not for 1-2 seasons, but with some perspective for a more distant future. The budget of Russian brands in this case justifies itself completely, it is quite easy to find an inexpensive bike. But what to choose when comparing the products of the most famous domestic bicycle brands? Who should be preferred, and what arguments can be made in favor of each of the brands?

The main criterion that will have to be guided in comparing Forward and Stels bicycles is not brand awareness, but the quality of their products. Here, as in any budget segment, discoveries and grandiose failures will be revealed. Comparison of technical characteristics and an objective assessment of the level of comfort helps to take a sober look at the model range of each of the brands. So who is the most trusted by consumers?

The creator of the Forward bicycles is the Russian company Stefi-Velo, based in Perm (previously the plant produced bicycles "Kama", "Parma", "Ural"). In its new status, it has existed since 1999, today supplies have been established not only in the regions of the Russian Federation, but also in foreign countries, the model range includes bikes for different ages and levels of riders' riding. The company has its own professional series of bicycles, and on its basis it regularly modernizes production models of the budget level.

Besides, Forward is one of the few brands with a wide range of products in the mountain class. Among her models you can find options for downhill, cross-country, BMX stunt bikes. Lovers of city cycling are also not deprived of attention. For them, the company produces a wide range of road, road, hybrid bikes for different heights and ages.

The Stels bicycle brand managed to become popular in the wake of the mass enthusiasm of Russians for a healthy lifestyle. The first "mountain" versions of bikes were greeted with enthusiasm by the teenage audience, but upon closer inspection, they were not suitable for off-road conditions. The manufacturer - the Velomotors company took into account the mistakes and today has a model range of 100 different equipment options, from children's miniature models to adult 29ers.

A distinctive feature of Stels has become minimum number of defective products... The firm is really trying to make its bikes better, but the budget segment only complicates matters. Despite the rather average level of quality, the company's products are confidently among the best-selling brands, and even bypass competitors in terms of prices.

Among the advantages of Stels bicycles are:

• frames of our own design made of steel;
• high-quality body kits;
• the presence of rigid models and hardtails;
• a large selection of adult bikes with wheels from 26 ".

It is always better to start a comparison with children's product lines. Forward can be called the leader here, with a much more thorough design of their bicycles.... His models are not only beautiful and bright, they also have a full range of necessary additional options. The bicycles have additional training wheels, chain guards, bell, trunk, comfortable grips.

Stels is responding to the competitor with the release of a fairly wide range of models for primary school children who are just learning to ride on 2 wheels. The focus here is on the frames, fairly light mountain options with front suspension forks and gear shifting.

It doesn't take a lot of time to compare the Forward versus Stels teenage product line. Both companies have quite responsibly approached the development of this segment and produce rigs for city riding, folding models, hardtails and double suspensions for children over 10 years old. Interestingly, upon closer inspection, you won't be able to find a significant difference between bikes of the same price segment. Both the Perm plant and the Moscow region company successfully create models of bicycles of average quality, differing from the adult lines only in the size range.

For an inexpensive folding bike, Stels will definitely win the battle for consumer attention with Forward. The company has a significant advantage over its competitor, including due to the possession of the Desna brand by Velomotors, where the technology of creating transforming frames has been worked out since Soviet times. The line of such bikes at Stels is really wide, there is a size range of wheels in variations from 14 to 26 ", the emphasis is on the female audience and people of the age.

Comparison of Stels and Forward in this class is also difficult to call unambiguous. In favor of the Perm plant - a variety of choice of models, there is:

• cruisers;
• road;
• walking;
• tourist;
• hybrid options.

Stels focuses on the mountain segment of the bicycle market and loses heavily to Forward in the urban class... But his technology, with a small assortment, has a significant advantage - vehicles are equipped with double rims against single ones from competitors.This makes the bike easier to carry significant loads, making it more resistant to the influence of negative external factors.

In the mountain class, Forward has a clear advantage and offers an opportunity even for beginners try cycling in a good basic configuration and with frames "like professionals". The two-suspension of the brand quite confidently ride off-road, are not afraid of dirt and, due to the wider rims and tires, provide better cross-country ability.

Stels in the mountain class focuses on disc brakes and design in the spirit of the world's leading manufacturers. The bicycles of the brand do not look too commonplace, they have an interesting geometry of the frame. But in downhill or off-road driving in the city, these products are unlikely to compete with the lighter, more agile and softer Forward models.

When choosing between Stels and Forward bikes, experienced riders prefer to consider exclusively profile segments of the model range. For example, Forward has mountain bikes with downhill suspension and carbon frames - pretty good for their class. Stealth focuses on the ultra-budget segment and the mass consumer. He is not distracted by delights, but he tries to install lightweight frames even in available models and offer the maximum possible configuration.

Comparing Stels and Forward, many cycling and urban beginners say low quality paintwork of the frame. But if you drive carefully and choose models from not the most budgetary series, the products of the Perm plant look better here. As for the comparison of frame geometry, here both manufacturers offer their own engineering developments, which are quite interesting and relevant. The body kit installed is also almost identical, produced by Suntour, Shimano and other brands abroad.

Despite the general similarity of classes, quality and even a complete set of bicycles, the Forward and Stels models are still difficult to objectively consider as competing. The plant from Perm specializes mainly in narrow areas of production, since they are actively developing a sports line. As a result, you can find a rather interesting lineup of mountain bikes with carbon and aluminum frames, Shimano body kits, footpegs and fenders already in the basic configuration.

Stels focuses on accessibility, frame lightness, and the number of gearshifts. But other things being equal, it loses a lot to a competitor in the quality of technical equipment of bikes. If we consider only these brands, most connoisseurs will prefer to choose Forward, and amateurs will prefer the more famous Stels.

The following video provides a comparative review of the two Forwars and Stels bikes.