City folding bike: pros and cons, model overview

City folding bicycles perfectly solve the problem of movement of adults and children in the conditions of settlements. These bikes do not cost too much, which makes them the subject of widespread consumer availability and increases their popularity.

A city folding bike is a compact vehicle equipped with one or more movable units that allow the frame to be folded into 2 or more parts. The production of folding bicycles in our country began in the second half of the last century, and older people remember well the appearance of folding "Scythians", "Kam" and "Salutes"... They cost a little more than "Shkolnikov" and "Ural" with a conventional frame, however, they immediately gained popularity and for some time were included in the list of scarce goods.

Today, urban foldable models are found in every bike shop and are affordable. And if in earlier models the folding mechanism was present in a single copy and was on the frame, then modern bikes can fold in two or even three places and have a folding handlebar and pedals. Many models are equipped with hinge mechanisms that can be locked with spring latches. This design allows the bike to be folded in literally a matter of seconds, while spending a minimum of effort, despite the fact that for old-style bicycles it took several minutes and it was necessary to first unscrew and then tighten the bolts.

Most urban models with a folding frame are designed exclusively for driving on flat asphalt roads and are not suitable for traveling over rough terrain. Many bikes are single speed and have a rear brake.

High popularity of folding city bikes due to a number of indisputable advantages of such models.

• When folded, the bikes are very compact and do not cause difficulties during transportation and storage. Many models can not only be transported by public transport, including the subway, but also taken with you to shops, cafes and other public spaces. When transported in a passenger car, the bike fits freely into the passenger compartment or trunk and takes up little space.
• Many foldable bikes are equipped with a gearshift system, which makes it easier to ride in urban conditions and allows you to select the optimal road mode.
• Modern models of folding bikes are equipped with storage covers, which allows you to take them with you to crowded places without fear of staining others with dirty wheels.
• Some bicycles, when folded, turn into a "cart", which is very convenient to roll in front of you and does not need to be carried in your hands.

However, along with the obvious advantages, folding city bikes still have disadvantages. This is both an increase in the weight of the structure, due to the presence of a folding mechanism and negatively affecting the speed of movement, and the fact that folding bikes are designed only for driving on asphalt, and when overcoming even small curbs, the frame may not withstand and at best fold, and at worst - break down.

Another disadvantage is the presence of "extra" hinge joints and locking mechanisms, which generally complicates the design and requires constant monitoring of their condition. Moreover, adult folding bicycles have wheel size restrictions, and models with even 26 "wheels are rare, with the most popular being the 20" size. This is due to the main requirement for folding bicycles, which is their compactness, which, with large wheels, is problematic to achieve.

Classification of folding city bikes is produced according to several criteria, such as wheel size, folding mechanism, type of brakes and availability of speeds.

• The size of the wheels affects the compactness of the folded bike, which is why models with small wheels are more valuable. Although recently bikes with large wheel sizes have begun to be encountered, which makes movement on them more convenient, however, they noticeably reduce the convenience of their transportation and storage. The best option for adult models is size 18-20 ", for children - from 12 to 16".
• According to the folding method, bicycles are divided into 3 types. The former are capable of folding in half and have a movable unit on the frame. The latter are equipped with numerous articulated joints, due to which the size of the bicycle is reduced several times. Such models are expensive and heavy. The third type of folding the bike involves disassembling the frame into separate tubes, which are collected in one bundle and fit into a cover. Despite the compactness of prefabricated models, their speed is much lower, and the strength of the frame is in doubt. However, for short trips on flat sidewalks, this option is fine.
• The type of brakes and the number of speeds are in most cases interrelated. So, single-speed bicycles are equipped with a rear brake, while multi-speed models have V-brakes or disc brakes.

The modern market offers a huge selection of folding city bikes. Below are the most popular models, positive reviews of which are most often found on the Internet.

• The undoubted leader in popularity ratings is mini model Strida SX, which literally turned the user's idea of ​​a modern bicycle and immediately fell in love with Russian cyclists. The bike has a non-standard shape and is very easy to fold. The weight of the model is 11.3 kg, which allows you to go down with a bike on the subway and go to shops. When folded, it resembles a compact cart that can be rolled in front of you. In addition, the bike is very manoeuvrable, has a small trunk and is equipped with 18 "wheels. The Strida SX is not capable of high speeds and is designed for movement in a big city and flat roads.

• Shulz Max bike is intended for adolescents over 12 years old, which is due to a rather large weight, reaching 14.3 kg. The model is designed for bikers up to 165 cm tall and weighing up to 110 kg. The bike has one speed, front and rear V-brakes, steel frame, 20 "wheels and folded does not exceed 60 cm in length. The bike does a great job of climbing, easy to assemble and very durable. The cost of the model is 14,500 rubles (2019).

• Single speed model with rear brake Forward Sevilla 1.0 is one of the most budget-friendly in its category and is more popular among rural residents. This is due to the large wheel size of 26 ", which makes it easy to move on country roads and dirt roads. The model is equipped with a trunk and equipped with a pump, is compact when folded and can be stored in the closet or on the balcony. The weight of the bike is 17.2 kg, the cost is 7,990 rubles (2019).

• Folding bike with planetary hub Forward Enigma 20 3.0 has 3 speeds, 20 "wheels, rim brakes and an aluminum frame, which greatly facilitates the construction of the bike. The bike folds easily and, thanks to its speeds, is perfect for daily walks. The model costs 20,000 rubles (2019).

For an overview of the Kwiggl city folding bike, see below.