Review of the smallest bikes

In big cities, a small bicycle has long become fashionable - after all, you can ride with it in the elevator of a high-rise building, it is convenient to store it on a small balcony or in the corridor, and it is often more convenient to move around the city on it, since it is much more maneuverable than usual. And in recent years, with the emerging fashion for a healthy and active lifestyle, small folding models have become more and more popular.

The first folding bicycle appeared in 1878 in England. The folding model was patented in the USA in 1887. And in 1914, such bicycles began to be made in Russia, which had previously bought them abroad for military purposes. At the start of World War II, lighter models were created that were used by the British paratroopers.

But folding bicycles gained real popularity in the 70-80s of the XX century. Many who were born in the Soviet Union remember such brands as "Aist", "Salut", "Desna".

Most modern folding bicycles still have the frame as their main folding element, but otherwise they are similar to regular open frame bikes. These include, for example, popular Pilot model of the Russian brand Stels.

The stores offer a large assortment of Stels Pilot - different sizes and colors, for adults and children, with an aluminum and steel frame, with one speed or a gearbox with a choice of speed mode.

Inexpensive folding bikes are also produced by the Russian company Forward. The most popular model, the Forward Portsmouth is used for city walks, has large 28-inch wheels, according to customer reviews, is quite maneuverable and easy to operate and assemble.

Shulz brand models feature eye-catching design and high-end attachments (which, as a rule, inexpensive folding bicycles are deprived of). For example, the Shulz GOA 8 Disk has reliable disc brakes and an 8-speed gearbox. He folds the steering wheel, pedals and frame.

Not so long ago, models of bicycles appeared on the market with a fundamentally new frame design, which allows the bike to be folded not in one place, but in 3-4 (almost like origami), moreover, they often also fold the steering wheel and pedals. Besides, they are characterized by small wheels and low weight. Some of them are so compact that they fit in a backpack or special bag. They can be transported without any problems in any elevator, car trunk, public transport.

This folding mini-bike is often called A-bike in English. because its small frame looks like the letter "A". As a rule, these are quite budget models that are convenient, reliable and very compact.

The reason for this is the very small wheels that A-bikes are endowed with. They rarely reach 15 inches in diameter. Thanks to this, such bicycles have also received the comic nickname "scooter with pedals".

Cyclists also know very tiny two-wheeled friends. Among them there are also very microscopic ones, for example, souvenir models or those that can only be seen through a microscope. So, Tula jeweler Nikolai Aldunin created a real superbike, the length of which is only 2 mm, but it is placed on the tip of the needle. But such babies are only suitable for decorating the interior or striking the imagination.

But there is also a real workable bicycle in nature that you can ride, but it is so compact that you can put it in your pocket. Such a crumb has all the necessary components, except for brakes, and an adult can ride on it, but its dimensions do not exceed a boot - the diameter of the wheels is 2 cm, and the height reaches about 3 cm.

Folding bicycles have gained widespread popularity around the world in recent decades. There are many reasons for this:

• small size (especially small wheels) and a folding frame greatly facilitate transportation in any mode of transport (including aircraft) and storage in small apartments;
• thanks to small frame such bicycles are very maneuverable, which greatly facilitates movement in urban conditions - on narrow sidewalks or roads with frequent turns and a lot of obstacles;
• quite light weight - a bike made of aluminum is rarely heavier than 10 kg, which allows even women and teenagers to lift and carry it without much effort;
• relatively simple construction - with a minimum number of attachments and units requiring maintenance, which makes it easier to use and maintain the bike;
• affordable price most models;
• allow you to move quickly and cheaply in a big city, and even with health benefits (especially if you drive away from the main highways).

With all the obvious advantages, mini bikes also have disadvantages. Among them, the most commonly mentioned are:

• small wheels, which make life so easy when storing and transporting a bike, do not allow high speed and are very sensitive to the quality of roads - one of the main problems in Russia (a cyclist puts himself in danger when using A-bikes on bad roads with a lot of irregularities);
• folding frame not as durable as usual;
• on mini-bikes, as a rule, there is no transmission, which does not allow you to switch speeds (it is found on some models, but such bikes are expensive);
• the equipment of such bikes is minimal, for example, they do not have disc brakes (if the buyer wishes to have them, he will have to install them himself);
• inexpensive folding bicycles have a fairly heavy weight;
• compact mini bikes have not very good motor characteristics - you need to drive them smoothly, do not develop high speed, slow down slowly.

Choosing a folding bike, if possible, you should not buy the most common and cheap models like Russian Stels. Low price is their main advantage. But the disadvantages of such bikes are much more:

• their frame folds only in one place, and the steering wheel does not fold at all, because of this, the folded bike still takes up a lot of space;
• the folding mechanism is outdated and not reliable, and the assembly process is not easy and time-consuming;
• heavy weight;
• poor quality of the bike in general.

When choosing a familiar folding bike with large diameter wheels, you should pay attention to the company's product Dahon - the oldest in this market. The models of this company are of excellent quality and relatively low price. Folding bicycles have the same characteristics. Montague.

In the most popular 20 to 24 inch compact bike sizes, savvy cyclists prefer production models. Bike Friday or Boardwalk Raleigh. They differ from each other in price and weight (the latter are cheaper and heavier). In general, both are very comfortable, but not too compact.

Bicycles with wheel diameters from 16 to 18 inches are miniature, easy to fold, but not very common. Their best manufacturer is Brompton, offering a fairly large selection of models.

The smallest bikes, with wheels less than 16 inches in diameter, are best bought from manufacturers. Dahon or Strida (the latter are more economical).

There are a large number of different models in stores, among which any cyclist can choose an "iron friend" based on personal preferences. But there are a few of the most popular compact bikes that are worth describing in more detail.

• The oldest and one of the best compact car manufacturers in the world is the company Dahon (USA). It has been producing foldable models since 1982. The main advantages are reliability and simplicity of the mechanism. The most popular Dahon Jifo folds in 7 seconds, weighs 9.4 kg and starts at 500 euros.

• One of the best models on the market - Brompton SL. This is the most expensive and practically the most compact folding bike among the models (prices start at 900 euros).

• Tales of the English company Strida - perhaps one of the most unusual in the bicycle market. They are immediately eye-catching thanks to the triangular aluminum frame. They were invented by designer Mark Sanders for people who make a long journey to work every day with multiple transfers (which is very typical for residents of large cities).

Another feature of the brand is lack of a chain, instead of which a drive belt is used.

Comfortable to use, compact in transportation and storage, with relatively low prices for most models - these are the main advantages of folding bicycles.They are very convenient in urban environments, making it much easier to move around the busy streets of megalopolises.

You can find out even more useful and interesting information about the various models of folding compact bicycles in the following video.