Altair Bikes: A Review of the Best Models and Selection Guide

Altair is a Russian brand known to both children and adult riders. The model range of the brand has more than 20 positions, each of which is aimed at fully meeting the needs of the audience in high-quality two-wheeled transport. Original product design, modern components, production, fully implemented in Russia, all these advantages make the company one of the leaders in the budget segment of the market.

Most people start their acquaintance with the Altair brand with the best children's and adult bicycles. City 24 and City Boy 20. However, other models for girls and boys, adapted to the Russian road conditions, are also of great interest. To make a choice, it is worthwhile to study in more detail all the available offers of the brand, as well as view the reviews of owners who have already managed to purchase Altair bikes.

When deciding to purchase an Altair bike, the buyer can be sure that the country of manufacture of this vehicle will definitely be Russia. The brand is one of the Forward brand names. Bicycles are produced at domestic enterprises, all stages (from building drawings to assembly) are performed by highly qualified specialists.

Altair places the main emphasis in its products on quality and reliability of equipment. In the product lines you can find original city bikes, many bright teenage bikes, mountain bikes and even folding ones. When choosing materials, the company prefers reliable, simple and proven options.High-grade steel is used, varnish is applied to the frame using modern technologies, welding and many other technological operations are robotic, which eliminates the human factor.

Since there are already enough bicycles of a sports and professional level on the Russian market, the creators of the Altair brand from the very beginning decided to fight for another niche. The company creates urban bikes that do not require complex repairs or long tuning. They are deprived of an excessive set of options and are available to a wide range of customers.

Among the obvious strengths that Altair bikes have, The following points can be noted.

• Attractive value. These bikes will certainly be affordable for most buyers. It is worth paying attention to the fact that budget prices are quite consistent with the class of equipment, only the buyer does not have to overpay for the loud and beautiful name of the company on the side of the bike.
• Extended equipment. Already in the basic versions there is a large part of the attachments that may be needed on the road. In children's models, supporting wheels are often present, in the rest there are wings, a footboard, a bell, grips to protect against slipping hands on the steering wheel.
• Full warranty. A bicycle manufacturer installs it both on a frame and on attachments. Only the terms differ: no more than 6 months for all additional components and 3 years for the frame.
• Reliability of welded joints. Steel structures truly effectively withstand loads without the risk that the bike will fall apart at the most inopportune moment.
• Quality metal. The tube elements used by the Altair manufacturer comply with all established requirements, the frame does not bend and retains its geometry even during hard skating.
• Compliance with the Russian standardization system. This means testing products by domestic laboratories with the issuance of appropriate certificates.

With such an impressive number of pluses, the question involuntarily arises - are there any minuses at all? Quite a lot of weight can be attributed to the shortcomings of Altair bicycles, although for mountain models this is rather a plus, providing stability on difficult road surfaces. Not too high quality and for components that the brand produces on its own.

Altair bicycles are available in a wide range of models and sizes. The characteristics of each bike are precisely calculated based on its purpose. The diameter of the wheels 12, 14, 16 inches is considered children's, in this category you can find the best models for boys and girls. They have the appropriate color, design, are equipped with additional wheels to ensure safety.

For older children, teenage bicycles are produced that are fully consistent with adult models, but in a reduced format. Here, the size range varies from 16 to 24 inches. For adults, urban and mountain ranges of two-wheeled vehicles are produced. MTBs are aimed at beginner riders, city bikes are quite diverse in design, there are folding options designed for compact storage.

For the youngest riders, Altair is ready to offer the following models.

• Four Wheel Kids with a diameter of wheels from 14 to 20 inches. In most models of the series, chain protection and a pad on the steering wheel are used, there are luggage carriers supporting wheels, wings. Foot brake, steering wheel limiter.
• Kids 20 Compact. 2019 model with folding frame design and large wheels. Suitable for preschoolers and primary school students. Extra wheels are easy to remove.

Bright yellow, pink, blue, red - Altair creates all bicycles for teenagers only in off-road performance. The 2019 models MTB FS 20 and MTB FS 24 Disc are rightly considered the most popular, two-suspension with disc brakes. The main difference here is only in the diameter of the wheels. The steering wheel is threaded, there is a footboard, plastic wings, 18 speeds.

Among teenage hardtail models can be distinguished Altair MTB HT AL 24 Disc with a lightweight aluminum frame with special geometry.

The Altair line of city bikes is represented by citybikes with different wheel diameters:

• City Boy 20 / Girl 20;
• City 24;
• City Line 28;
• City Low 28;
• City High 28.

Models with 28-inch wheels differ mainly in frame height - low or high, otherwise they are completely identical. Speed ​​shift is not provided - it's just comfortable and reliable bikes with good basic equipment. City 24 - option with a folding frame, a rigid rigid fork, a spring-loaded saddle.

In the Altair mountain bike line, 2 basic models can be distinguished. MTB HT AL 26 Disc - option with lightweight aluminum frame, front shock absorber, threaded steering column and disc brakes. The package includes wings, a footrest, protection of the spokes on the rear wheel, reflectors. Another option MTB - HT 26 2.0 with 17 and 19 inch Hi-Ten steel frame.

Adult double-suspensions in the model range of the manufacturer this year are presented in 2 versions. MTB FS 26 2.0 Disc with disc brakes is particularly popular. This is a modern bike for off-road travel. MTB FS 26 1.0 has more budget equipment and is cheaper.

Among the important points of choice, the following can be distinguished.

• Type of bike. It is necessary to take into account the mandatory age restrictions. A bicycle is not a product that is purchased for growth; it must correspond to the length of the legs and the height of the rider. Adult models are divided into mountain and urban. The first ones are suitable for conquering off-road conditions, especially in the two-suspension version, the hardtails have shock absorbers only in front and are more resistant to a collision with the road. Citybikes are simpler, most often with a rigid fork - it is inconvenient to ride them outside the asphalt.
• Wheels. Their diameter depends on the type of bike. In addition, you need to look at the tread - a smooth narrow tire needs to be coated with good grip. You can’t train in the mud.
• Number of speeds. Multispeed models are relevant mainly for use when driving with a change of cover or for acceleration on the highway. All the rest will have a one-speed star.
• The brakes. The V-type braking system will satisfy the needs of most riders. For beginners, you can choose a bike with a foot brake.
• Equipment. If you do not want to buy additional accessories and look for them in stores, you should immediately choose the most complete equipment.

Getting started with Altair bicycles, you should pay attention to useful recommendations, which the manufacturer gives in the instructions for his technique.

• Before the first ride, you must definitely make a full study of all the nodes of the bike. If necessary, you will have to tighten the mounts, adjust the steering wheel and seatpost height parameters.
• When adjusting the seat, you need to consider the type of road on which you have to move. The distance between the horizontal pipe and the groin should be 3-5 cm for movement on an asphalt road, 5-8 cm for country roads and at least 10 cm for off-road movement. When choosing a size, the rider's foot should be on the floor or other flat surface.
• In single-speed bikes, it is very important to monitor chain tension. It should not sag much, the maximum range of free play during pulling should be 20-25 mm.
• It is worth considering that Altair bicycles have a break-in period. After the two-wheeled transport passes about 50 km, it needs additional adjustment. In this case, the service life of the equipment will be longer. Repeated maintenance is recommended every 50 km.
• Planning to send the bike for storage in a house or apartment, from the very beginning, pay attention to transforming models. In this case, it will be enough just to fold the frame and make two-wheeled transport twice as compact.

Customer reviews on Altair bikes mostly positive. However, from the owners you can hear fair criticism of the manufacturer from Russia. For example, city bikes do not have very comfortable grips, there is also a need to replace the saddle - it seems insufficiently comfortable for experienced riders.

Regarding MTB from the Altair brand, we can say that they are quite heavy and massive. For residents of apartment buildings, this is a definite minus, especially if the elevator does not work. Among the advantages of mountain bike models, owners note the reliability and cross-country ability of the design: the technique copes well with impassability, and is suitable for skiing for both adults and teenagers. Good feedback gets Lady series, where balanced and attractive outwardly women's bikes are presented.

It is also noted that most brand mountain bikes behave well on the highway and can be considered as universal means of transportation. Russian off-road does not cause any particular difficulties, the bike confidently overcomes bumps and bumps, and is suitable for non-stop operation in a variety of climatic and weather conditions.

Forward Altair MTB FT 20 kids bike review see video below.