Review of the best folding bikes

Foldable bicycles are great because they are easy to store. Transportation (by car, boat, even by train or plane) is also greatly simplified. However, it is necessary to take into account some nuances in order to choose the right folding bike, paying attention to the most attractive models.

It is appropriate to start the survey with folding mountain and sports bicycles. They are intended, as it is easy to understand by the name, for freeriders, cross-country lovers and connoisseurs of other types of mountain sports... The choice of such devices has become available to Russian consumers relatively recently. But the assortment is constantly increasing. These are lightweight and very durable products, characterized by increased cross-country ability even over unprepared terrain.

Soldier 2.5 - high quality and completely reliable device. A special feature of this bike is that even the pedals can be folded. At the same time, the bike, although it is made very compact after folding, is guaranteed to be useful for people up to 120 kg in weight. As needed, you can easily put this bike in the trunk of a car.

The transmission is tuned to 27 speeds. Shimano Deore system is used for shifting. The special feature of this part is that it is ideally designed for cross country with a small amount of jump. The damping fork can have 2 different positions, not including locking. Due to the hydraulic filling, the disc brakes are applied relatively softly, but with high efficiency. Large (26 ") wheels provide excellent flotation.

The 2016 Stark Cobra HD is originally a compact folding bike designed for X-Country. When developing it, the designers deliberately abandoned the rear shock absorber. Traveling on a difficult road is not very comfortable. On the other hand, even the best riders on advanced full suspension will find it difficult to overtake this car at the very beginning and on the turns. Thanks to the proven aluminum alloy frame, the weight of the bike has been reduced to 15.2 kg.

Small dimensions facilitate transportation of "Cobra" by public transport. Carefully designed disc brakes are capable of withstanding any extreme situation. The steering wheel is quite comfortable and hands don't get tired even after a long ride or strenuous competition.

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If you need to choose an ordinary city bike with a low weight, then you should pay attention to Strida SX. The high cost of this model is already justified by its atypical appearance, which stands out in the flow.

The technical characteristics of the product are also quite high. The designers took care of folding not only the frame, but also the steering wheel. In the transformed form, the bike looks more like a narrow cart that is easy to carry. Cables and control cables are hidden inside the frame for added protection. The presence of disc brakes, a luggage compartment and increased maneuverability can also be considered positive properties.

But it is important to note that:

• wheels with a diameter of 18 inches are only suitable for excellent road;
• the trunk holds a maximum of 10 kg of cargo;
• the damping is insufficient to ignore curbs and potholes.

And here we need to pause for a while to analyze an important topic - what criteria should be used to evaluate folding bikes. In order to choose the right folding bike for use in a city or any other locality, you must first of all pay attention to its dimensions and weight. The smaller is both, the more practical two-wheeled transport is.... If there are any doubts, then you can arrange an elementary check: try to lift and rearrange the bike in the store.

An additional check is to see if the bike rolls partially folded. If there are no more quality issues in this regard, it is necessary to clearly define - where exactly you have to go. There are 3 main areas of application for folding bicycles:

• city ​​streets;
• parks and stadiums;
• holiday villages and suburban areas (as well as forests, intercity routes).

Not all folding bike owners limit themselves to good asphalt. Moreover, even in big cities, it is not everywhere. When planning to systematically drive on dirt roads, especially in bad weather, you should definitely prefer wheels of 20 inches or more, and not 16... However, the permeability depends not only on the propellers. With a design built for urban conditions, no wheels will help in serious off-roading.

Therefore, when long-distance tourist expeditions are planned, 20 inches is the minimum, and preferably 24 or even 26. Having decided on the size of the wheels, you need to select the bike according to your own height. For women, as well as for short men, it is advisable to purchase models with a low frame. The more active the rider's driving style, the more rigid this frame should be.

Separately, it should be said about the version with a planetary hub. They differ:

• direct chain run;
• reduced wear on the stars;
• increased durability of the gearshift mechanism;
• less likelihood of damage to this mechanism by negligence;
• excessive friction that prevents racing;
• increased severity;
• high cost;
• the possibility of repair only with the help of specialists.

As with many other industries, German folding bicycles are considered to be among the most reliable devices out there. Deservedly popular Silverback soto... This bike is designed for people from 1.6 to 1.75 m in height. The rim brakes work very reliably and guarantee a quick stop for the 20 "wheels. The steering wheel reaches a length of 0.56 m, has a slight backward bend.

This model is positioned by German designers as suitable for amateur riding at one speed. The aluminum frame is non-corrosive. The shock absorbing fork is quite rigid. The shock absorber is blocked if necessary. The shifters and cassette are made by the renowned Shimano company.

Alternatively, a bike designed for the same height group can be considered Pegasus P8. Its rim brake is also capable of stopping 20-inch wheels from spinning. No rear shock absorber is provided. The aluminum frame meets the hardtail standard. Shock absorber blocking is not provided.

In the review, one cannot ignore the Japanese brands of folding bicycles. This is, for example, about Doppelganger x-round... It has a solid aluminum frame and a total bike length of 1.78m.

After folding, the dimensions are 0.96x0.85x0.375 m. The seat height can be adjusted in the range from 0.825 to 0.91 m. The steering wheel height adjustment is much narrower, only from 0.97 to 0.99 m. Other parameters are as follows:

• rudder width 0.56 m;
• weight 17.6 kg;
• wheels with a section of 26 and a width of 1.95 inches;
• front fork made of steel;
• a combination of disc front and V-shaped rear brakes;
• 2-suspension shock absorption.

A good alternative can be considered Kumamon FDB-KID'S15... True, as the name implies, this folding bike is intended exclusively for children. The total length of the bike is 1.2 m with a width of 0.5 and a height of 0.79 m, with 16-inch wheels.

The mass of the vehicle is 12.5 kg. The main parts of the structure are made of steel. Seat height varies from 0.42 to 0.52 m. Airbag and chain protection are provided. The brakes are very soft.

But with all the popularity of individual models, many people try to get inexpensive bikes in the first place. An attractive choice in this case can be Forward Tracer 2.0 Disc. It is appreciated for its optimal mobility and a good set of speeds for any walk. Although the uphill climb is not very fast, the load on the legs is not so great.

Structurally, the bike belongs to the group of urban hardtails. Aluminum alloy 6061 provides lightness and strength at the same time. The wheel rims are also made of aluminum, and special double walls prevent them from collapsing from impacts. The safest mechanical disc brakes are provided. Controlling the brakes is comfortable thanks to the handlebars located on the handlebars.

Teens will be satisfied with a folding bike Stels Pilot 310 20 Z011. The wheels only seem small - in fact, they show good roll. The seat is very comfortable. Stainless steel fenders protect riders from water or mud clogging. For the greatest reliability, a 1-speed chain drive and a foot brake are used.

Bikes are praised for the reliability of the brakes and the relatively moderate price. Forward Arsenal 2.0. The 14 "steel frame allows for entry-level attachments. Thanks to the rim brake, stopping is extremely fast. The saddle is equipped with shock-absorbing springs, making the ride comfortable even over long distances. Cassette cassette with sprockets and Japanese derailleur is rated for 6 speeds.

For an overview of the 5 available folding bicycles, see the video below.