Forward bikes: variety

Forward is a relatively young bicycle manufacturer, which in no country can boast that it is known to generations of bicycle enthusiasts. Nevertheless, it is worth paying attention to this brand if only because, contrary to the "foreign" name, it is a Russian company, and domestic products usually turn out to be slightly cheaper than their foreign counterparts. Although such bicycles do not have a well-recognized name, it is possible that such a two-wheeled vehicle will be the best solution for you.

Forward is one of the few Russian brands of bicycles that have focused their production not so much on the mass consumer with a small budget, but on avid lovers and true professionals. Of course, the manufacturing country has a pleasant effect on the price, and yet it is definitely impossible to classify the Forward category of the most budget bikes, but even professional athletes do not shy away from the company's products.

The company, which eventually turned into a modern Forward, was founded in 1999, but although its activities were immediately related to bicycles, at first it did not produce anything. Initially, the business was created with the aim of organizing wholesale deliveries of two-wheeled vehicles from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. Later, evaluating what dubious products some potential competitors produce, Forward decided to start his own production.

The amazing thing is how quickly the company became popular: in 2008, the millionth bike was sold, and then the Forward cyclists for the first time achieved success in prestigious international competitions.

Two decades after its founding, Forward is rightly considered one of the most successful Russian bicycle manufacturers. They are periodically called budget, but it is more correct to say that this is an excellent combination of price and quality.

Forward is a unique example of a promising Russian bicycle manufacturer, which in just two decades has grown from an unknown importer to the level of a manufacturer whose products are not even disdained by professionals. The average bicycle enthusiast can find many advantages with such a bike, but we will highlight only those features that the vast majority of commentators like.

• Low cost. Whatever one may say, it was the price criterion that initially attracted our person - a potential buyer heard something about the fact that such a bicycle is quite in demand, but saw the price and was fascinated. It is important to note that Forward is not the cheapest in principle, but it is surprisingly affordable compared to foreign counterparts, which makes it preferable to him.

• Imported attachments. Even an ardent patriot is unlikely to argue that Russia does not yet produce uniquely top-end bicycles and equipment for them, because preference is given to leading foreign brands like Shimano. Forward chose a reasonable tactic for combining low-cost parts of its own production (where appropriate) with the most important import nodes, so that their bikes are relatively inexpensive and quite high quality at the same time.

• An impressive choice. This argument will appeal to those consumers who like to trust a particular manufacturer, who once proved to be the best. Forward product lines offer bikes for every taste, which means that the owner of an old bike can transfer to a completely new model, and even a different type, without experiencing inappropriate doubts as to whether this brand can be trusted.

• A huge number of service centers. Nothing lasts forever and even expensive foreign bikes sometimes break - like Forward bikes. Another thing is that importing an “iron horse” is not always so easy to repair - some details are really difficult to get, and you have to hope that expensive transport will live as long as possible. Since Forward is manufactured in Russia, the company has opened almost a hundred authorized service centers throughout the country. This means that even in the event of a breakdown, the chances of restoring a two-wheeled pet are quite high.

It is possible that the shortcomings below are just a subjective opinion of the authors of negative comments or a flaw in one specific model, but we specifically tried to collect the criticism that is repeated quite often. First of all, Russian production and non-belonging to the top class are obvious: both build quality and painting quality can be lame. In addition, consumers often complain that the unit could be easier, because it’s difficult to drag it up the stairs, especially for a fragile woman or child.

Forward is ready to attract new fans of the brand from young nails - specifically for them it produces children's bicycles designed for riders from 1 to 10 years old. In principle, this category includes bicycles of all "adult" types, but in a slightly reduced form, we will highlight only a few characteristic examples.

• Unit. A mountain bike designed for a child who is unlikely to go to full mountains, but will desperately drive along a level road, exposing the bike to no less stress. The hardtail is geared toward kids from 5 to 9 years old - at least its twenty-inch wheels are well-suited for that age. The configuration of the model can be completely different, up to the point that the frame can be made of different materials - steel or aluminum (Pro version).

• Dakota 20. Another mountain bike, but more sharpened for riding on asphalt surfaces. This is a relatively simple, and therefore inexpensive model - the same 20-inch wheels are crowned with a steel frame, there is a simple 6-speed gearbox, and the brakes are responsible for braking.

• Scorpions. Typical city bike for children aged 5-9 years. It’s not worth it to drive strongly, especially on uneven surfaces, but it’s quite suitable as the first transport for a child who is just learning and, in principle, not too arrogant in nature. In terms of design, this is the simplest single-speed transport on a rigid steel frame and 20-inch wheels.

• Meteor Contrary to the daring name, this model (more precisely, a number of modifications) is intended for the smallest - the young passenger must be from 1.5 to 6 years old to ride on this. As befits the starting models, the Meteor is initially equipped with side wheels to maintain balance, which can then be quickly removed.

For adult riders, the choice of riding style is still much wider, because the variety of models is much more impressive. We have collected examples of models that seem to be the best to many consumers, although we don’t argue what taste and color are.

Mountain bicycles, as their name implies, are sharpened for riding on rough terrain, although you can also ride them on a good road, albeit with certain reservations. Forward makes the main emphasis on inexpensive amateur hardtail models - models that do not have rear wheel depreciation.

We highlight those bikes that have become recognizable among motorists.

• Apache Perhaps the most recognizable model for the entire brand is a simple mountain bike for beginners, which is inexpensive, but suitable for the city and relative off-road. The standard equipment is distinguished by an aluminum frame, a 21-speed gearbox, 26-inch wheels and mechanical vibriages, but there are a lot of variations.

• Sporting. This unit is very similar to the above, including a variety of modifications. The starter kit, in fact, differs only in that the frame here is steel, not aluminum and speeds of 18, not 21.

• Agris (Lady). A special female mountain bike in red and white, designed for a rather aggressive riding style or significantly rugged terrain. The model on 26-inch wheels exists in the "male" version, differing only in the characteristic design of the frame with an understated upper tube.

• Raptor This mountain bike is somewhat knocked out of the Forward bike range, as it is dual-suspension. This design allows you to gently overcome any bumps, but adversely affects the roll and weight of the structure, somewhat slowing down. A 21-speed bike with 26-inch wheels is well suited for real mountains or any other areas where the terrain does not have anything even remotely resembling normal roads.

These are often called road (also road) bikes, the main function of which is drive on roads of decent quality, but at the same time at the highest possible speed, to quickly travel long distances.In principle, this is a city bike, but with a lightweight frame and improved aerodynamic properties, which provides an excellent reel.

Among Forward products, there are a lot of such bikes, and in the majority of cases they are already equipped with such useful bonuses as the trunk, wings and so on.

• York. The brightest representative of its class with large (28 inches) wheels and a 14-speed gearbox on a steel frame. You can’t go on a long journey empty-handed, because such a vehicle was originally equipped with an aluminum trunk, reflectors for better visibility of the bike on a dark track, a footrest and plastic wings.

• Yukon. This bike is quite conditionally related to the drivers, because theoretically it is suitable for everything: you can ride around the city, and over rough terrain, and, of course, on a flat road for considerable distances. In principle, this transport is similar to the above, only the frame here is aluminum, the speeds are 24, and the wheels are slightly reduced - their diameter is 26 inches.

• Canberra. And this model in terms of characteristics is almost an ideal copy of the aforementioned Yukon, but with a specific feature - the model, named after the Australian capital, has a ladies' frame shape.

The bicycle for the city in terms of design is perhaps the simplest. The rider, most likely, will not put forward some unprecedented requirements for the city bike, because there are no special loads on it due to the lack of too long routes and the availability of roads of a decent level. Another thing is that such a bicycle replaces the owner of public transport or a personal car, it may be needed at any time, and there is simply no time to specially prepare it for each trip. For this reason simplicity of design is also focused on the absence of any necessary maintenance.

• Indie Jam. A typical example of a city bike, which is a classic rigid, that is, a structure without any depreciation. Designers felt that in conditions of perfect urban coverage, shock-absorbing springs would inappropriately weight the city bike, so they simply removed such a detail.

• Valencia. Folding transport, which in general is suitable not only for the city, but also for slightly rough terrain, even despite its modest 24-inch wheels. Of course, you can experiment with the latter only very carefully, because folding bike models are in principle not designed for full-fledged paving, because the maximum strength of the frame is impossible without its integrity.

• Azure Ladies' version of a city bike with a specially lowered upper tube - to simplify the landing and disembarkation of the fair sex in long dresses. 26-inch wheels and unpretentious vibrariks are the standard for this bike, but in terms of the number of speeds a choice of modifications is available - there is a modest transmission at 7 speeds, but there are also 21.

It should be recognized that most Forward bicycle models still have entry-level equipment, and this greatly simplifies the choice. Many bikes of the domestic company are designed for ordinary citizens, and not for athletes, and therefore are relatively inexpensive, and the consumer can only choose the type of bike that will be most comfortable for him.

It so happened that a mountain bike in circles of ignorant people is considered something “cool”, because many beginners if possible take it, not understanding the simple truth that The use of a mountain bike is justified in the mountains, but not so logical in a city. The best characteristics of such a bicycle on smooth asphalt are not disclosed, and most of the elements of its attachments, for which decent money was paid, are simply not involved. If you want to ride only around the city, choose the simplest city bike.

If your routes run mainly outside the city, do not rush to opt for an abstract mountain bike. For a country road, if it is relatively adequate, the same Citibike will do - it’s just maybe not a rig, but at least a hardtail or even a two-suspension. You’ll need a shoser, just in case you cover distances of 10-20 km or more every day, and you want to spend a minimum of time on it, especially since there are no complaints about the quality of the road surface.

As for the mountain bike, then choose inexpensive models in case you just like to ride through the woods and only for more serious sports training get something more expensive. Please note that on complex pavements such as thick grass or sand, a fat bike - a kind of mountain bike with wide half-deflated tires - is much better.

Be sure to test the unit in business before buying. Mountain bike, of course, will not be allowed to take to the mountains for a couple of days, but at least you just need to drive around the store in any case to understand whether it is convenient for you or not. At least by eye, evaluate the reliability of all structures, and also check whether the model you have taken is correctly assembled, whether there are any burrs and chipped paint on its surface.

If doubts are not finally dispelled, also look for reviews about the model on the Internet, although you should be careful with this: remember that most satisfied people do not leave reviews in principle, and criticism seen only in one or two of ten comments may be subjective.

Finally - a general picture of the opinions of owners who were lucky enough to drive products of the Russian company Forward. In most cases, they respond positively about their bikes, considering them to be quite decent transport for leisurely driving around the city, amateur trips out of the city or even long trips on asphalt roads. In combination with a low price such a bike seems like a real find, and many consumers say they would recommend Forward to their friends and acquaintances.

Criticism is usually insignificant, but nevertheless it is present in most comments. True, a significant part of it can be estimated from one of the reviews in which the author is dissatisfied with the configuration of a mountain bike, which supposedly lacks ... reflectors and steps that would be more suitable for a city bike or a shoser. Significant weight complaints can be considered the most significant of the typical claims.

Browse Forward bikes in the video below.