Stels bicycles: pros and cons, varieties and tips for choosing

Stels bicycles are very popular among consumers. The combination of reasonable price and high quality made them truly popular bicycles, driving which you can see representatives of all age groups, from one and a half year old children to retirees.

The Russian holding Velomotors has been producing Stels bicycles for many years. from the assembly line of which, in addition to bikes, motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles and their components come off.

Three years later, a second plant was built, located in st. Krylovskaya, Krasnodar Territory, and in 2008 the company began construction, or rather, a major overhaul and complete modernization of the bicycle factory in the city of Zhukovka, Bryansk region, which has been functioning since 1961.

Today Velomotors is one of the largest manufacturers of bicycles and motorcycle equipment in Europe and produces a huge number of modern bikes, ATVs, ATVs, swamp vehicles and snowmobiles.

The company manufactures most of the components for bicycles on its own, and purchases some from Chinese, Japanese and Italian partners. The holding owns a modern pipe-rolling production and welding shops, in which the forks and frames are welded by the latest robotic machines, and powder paints and enamels are used for their painting.

Thus, full cycle of bicycle production, starting with the manufacture of rolled pipes and ending with the packaging of models, takes place at one enterprise, which allows organizing product quality control at every stage of its production.

The high consumer demand for Stels bicycles is due to a number of indisputable advantages.

• Wide model range greatly facilitates the choice and allows you to purchase a product for every taste. The range of bicycles covers all age categories without exception and is represented by bikes of different types, ranging from walking and ending with semi-professional models for extreme sports.
• Stels bicycles are much cheaper than their foreign counterparts, because of which they become available to all segments of the population.
• Bikes are equipped with a full set of attachments both our own production and foreign. Depending on the modification, bicycles are equipped with fenders, bells, reflectors, footboards, baskets and racks, and models for the smallest are equipped with a convenient handle.
• The products of the holding are of high quality and can serve for more than one year. All bicycles are designed taking into account the road conditions typical for most of our country. When developing the bikes, climatic conditions were also taken into account, which makes it possible to operate most of them all year round.
• The company's specialists are sensitive to changes in the global market, and when developing new models, they take into account all modern trends. This allows the company to keep pace with the times and produce competitive designs.

However, along with the obvious advantages, Stels bicycles still have disadvantages.

• Many people note the poor quality of the paintwork, which will peel and crack even with slight mechanical stress.
• Consumers also have big complaints about the unreliability of attachment attachments, which loosens quickly from shaking and requires regular tightening of the nuts.
• Due to the use of cheap lubricants, the brakes, bogies and forks soon begin to squeak. However, this problem is completely solvable, and after the components are flushed and well lubricated, the squeaks stop.
• Most adult models are designed for people whose height does not exceed 170 cm, which is why tall bikers experience significant inconvenience when riding and are forced to change to bicycles from other companies.
• Most models have a steel frame, which makes the bikes very heavy. For example, the weight of women's bicycles sometimes exceeds 15 kg, and the weight of children's bicycles reaches 12 kg.
• Many mountain bikes are not designed for heavy off-road loads and steep descents and are only suitable for beginners.

The model range of Stels bicycles is very wide and includes almost all currently known varieties.

This type of bikes from the Velomotors company causes a lot of controversy. Despite the presence of different indices and categories, they are not suitable for the role of serious sports equipment and belong to the mountain category only by external signs - frame geometry and the presence of attachments.

Even the "advanced" MTVs cannot boast of a strong suspension and reliable transmission. On the other hand, mountain "Stealths" are perfect as entry-level bicycles.

Mountain models are divided into three types: fatbikes, double suspensions and hardtails. Hardtails are bicycles that do not have a rear shock absorber, and the front fork can be either rigid or shock absorber. The models are lightweight, easy to move and easy to maintain.

Among them you can find both entry-level bikes and rather advanced models with a good body kit, designed for country cross.

Bicycles are bicycles that are equipped with shock absorption on both wheels, which is why they are more heavy and more expensive. Such models require more complex maintenance, but they perfectly dampen road irregularities and ensure stable contact of the wheel with the surface. But you should not flatter yourself too much about them, since most of the samples for skiing on difficult terrain and descending from the mountains are not designed. But driving on asphalt or on moderately rough terrain will be quite comfortable and safe.

Fatbikes are a subspecies of mountain bikes, which feature wide tires with a thickness of 3.5-5 inches. Such models have excellent cross-country ability and are able to ride on sand, tall grass and even snow. Stels fatbikes are great for beginners and amateurs, but they fall short of professional equipment.

The range of Stels women's bicycles consists of two lines - Stels Miss and Stels Navigator Lady, including a large number of samples. The ladies' models are characterized by a pleasant color scheme, a special frame configuration and a small size. The weight of female models varies between 14-15 kg, and the absence of an upper tube on the frame allows you to ride in a dress or skirt.

Bikes of this category are very common among the population and are the sales leaders in the Russian market. The frame of foldable models does not have an upper bar and is equipped with a movable unit.

The folding mechanism is equipped with women's, men's, teenage and even children's models that can fold in half without any tools. Folding bicycles are made from steel and aluminum, and the handlebars and saddle are often telescopic.

Some foldable bikes are equipped with multi-speed planetary hub transmissions and shock absorbers. More modern models are equipped with folding pedals, which allows the bike to be folded to a very compact size.

Models for teenagers are not much different from adult bicycles, with the only difference that the frame is slightly smaller, and the diameter of the wheels does not exceed 24 inches. The assortment of teenage models is wide enough and includes BMX, city, walking and all types of mountain bikes.

The most widespread are teenage mountain bikes, designed for entry-level country cross, as well as walking models for children 12-14 years old, equipped with 20-inch wheels and a transmission with one or six gears.

Stels on-road models include walking, city and touring bicycles equipped with wheels with a diameter of 20 to 28 inchesc and designed for leisurely walks on roads with a flat hard surface. These bikes are aimed at recreational cyclists and are well suited for everyday transport. You can ride them in regular clothes and use them for commuting.

Stels bicycles for cargo transportation are represented by three-wheeled models, designed for the transportation of small loads on roads with smooth asphalt or unpaved roads.

The bikes are equipped with a single-speed or 3-speed planetary transmission, have a spacious cargo compartment designed for 40 kg of cargo with a volume of up to 319 liters, and a front basket with a carrying capacity of up to 10 kg.The wheels are equipped with steel fenders and the chain has a protective guard. Truck models are in high demand among rural residents and owners of summer cottages.

Stels models for extreme riding are represented by BMX bikes. Such bicycles meet the requirements of extreme amateurs, however not used as sports equipment.

The Velomotors company produces a huge number of bicycles for children from 1.5 to 11 years old, designed taking into account the characteristics of the child's development and his needs. For the smallest cyclists, there are models with two side wheels and a pusher handle, which allows parents to help the baby to move, as well as to keep the trajectory of the bike under control.

A distinctive feature of the Stels model range is its "non-linearity", since many lines include several types of bicycles at once. For example, consider the families Navigator and Pilot, which include a large number of mountain, road, folding, children's and teenage bikes in different variations. The rest of the Stels families have a narrower specialization. So, the series Miss presented exclusively by female models, Focus - double suspension, Saber - bicycles of the BMX type, Energy - cargo samples, and Aggressor - fat bikes.

Below are the characteristics of each line and the most popular models of each of them are considered.

This family is the most numerous and includes mountain and road models for adults and children. Distinctive features of the line are reliable, durable construction and low price. The bicycles are equipped with 26-28 "wheels, are available on steel or aluminum frames and have a drivetrain with 18-24 speeds. The braking system is represented by V-brakes or disc brakes.

The weight of the bike is 17.06 kg, the cost is 12 640 rubles.

This line is the second largest after the Navigator. It consists of a wide variety of models, including fat bikes and folding bikes, designed for all age groups. Teenage "Pilots" often have the designations Gent or Lady, indicating a girl's or boy's belonging to a particular bike.

Most Pilot bicycles have rim brakes, and only a few have mechanical disc brakes (MD). An interesting model is a fat bike Pilot-280 MD 20with an aluminum frame, 7-speed transmission, mechanical disc brake and plastic fenders. The weight of the product is 14 kg, the cost is 22,140 rubles.

The line is represented by mountain bikes designed for country cross. The bicycles have a steel frame and are designed for adult bikers. This is due to the large weight of the models, reaching 18 kg. Take a bicycle as an example. Focus V 26 18-spwith an 18-inch frame, 18-speed drivetrain with Shimano Tourney derailleurs (FD-TY300 and RD-TY300 front and rear respectively) and V-brakes. The weight of the bike is 17.44 kg, the cost is 13 640 rubles.

The line is represented by women's bicycles and includes more than 20 models. The 5000, 6000, 6100, 6300 and 6500 series bikes are versatile mountain bikes and are suitable for riding on rough terrain and asphalt. Models in the 7500, 7700, 8500, 8700, 9300 and 9500 series have higher functionality and are designed for country cross.

For example, the 5000 series bikes are more suitable for beginners, while the Stels Miss 7000 already have professional technical equipment. The bicycle is very popular Miss-6000 MD 26, which is available on an aluminum frame, has 21 speeds, mechanical disc brakes and plastic fenders. The weight of the bike is 15.46 kg, the cost is 18,600 rubles.

The range is represented by mountain bikes designed for amateur cyclists.

The bike comes with a steel frame, Tektro mechanical rim brakes, an SR Suntour XCT suspension fork with 80mm travel, and a 21-speed drivetrain. The weight of the bike is 17.8 kg, the cost is 14,255 rubles.

Bicycles from this line are designed for extreme riding and are designed for amateurs and beginners. Models belong to the category of mountain and can be operated in difficult terrain and rocky roads. The bikes are equipped with components from the Japanese company Shimano, have a solid aluminum frame and passable wheels.

The bike is equipped with Shimano Tourney derailleurs, has 21 speeds, wide tires and disc mechanical brakes. The weight of the model is 16 kg, the cost is 23 910 rubles.

The range is represented by two-suspension bicycles designed for cross-country riding. The presence of two shock absorbers at once guarantees a comfortable and safe ride in moderate off-road conditions. A popular model is the double suspension Stels Tornado V 2015, which is produced on an aluminum frame and equipped with Tektro V-brakes. The bike has 24 speeds, is produced in two frame sizes (17 and 19 inches) and costs 24,000 rubles.

The range is represented by reliable bikes for extreme riding. Consider a fat bike as an example. Stels Aggressor MD 24 V010 2019, which has a rigid fork, solid frame and wide wheels. The bike is designed for riding on sand and snow and can be used as a cross-country bike for year-round use.

The cost of the bike varies from 20 to 24 thousand rubles.

When choosing a Stels bike, you need to consider a number of points:

• bicycles with an aluminum frame are on average 2 kg lighter than models with a steel frame, which is especially important when buying a bike for women or teenagers;
• disc brakes are much preferable to rim brakes, since they are practically trouble-free and as reliable as possible;
• if a bike is bought for city trips, then there is no point in purchasing a mountain model and you can limit yourself to a conventional road model, which will be much cheaper and lighter than its "advanced" counterpart;
• when buying a bicycle for a schoolchild, it is advisable to choose models of bright colors - red, yellow or orange, such bikes are clearly visible on the road, which increases their safety.

Judging by the numerous responses of the owners, Stels bicycles are quite consistent with their price and are designed for a wide consumer. The well-thought-out frame design, good rubber, strong rims, spare parts availability and ease of repair are noted.

From negative reviews it can be noted poor paintwork and poor quality pedals. In addition, the roof racks of road models rust quickly, and the decals on the frame fly off in the first year. Many celebrate poor quality calls and hard seats... However, the most common problem for owners is heavy bike weight, because of which from long trips often have to give up and be content with short walks.

The following video provides an overview of the popular Stels Navigator bike.