Stels Bicycles: Pros and Cons, Varieties and Selection Tips

Stels bicycles are very popular among consumers. The combination of reasonable price and high quality made them truly folk bicycles, behind the wheel of which you can see representatives of all age groups, starting from one and a half year old children and ending with pensioners.

For many years, the Stels bicycle manufacturer has been engaged in the Russian holding Velomotors, besides bikes, motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles and their components go off the assembly line.

Three years later, a second plant was built, located in the station. Krylovskoy Krasnodar Territory, and in 2008 the company began construction, or rather, overhaul and complete modernization of the bicycle factory operating since 1961 in the city of Zhukovka, Bryansk Region.

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, swamps and snowmobiles.

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

In this way, full cycle bicycle productionStarting from the manufacture of pipe rolling and ending with the packaging of models, it takes place at one enterprise, which makes it possible to organize product quality control at each stage of its production.

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

• Wide range greatly facilitates the selection 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 various types, from walking and ending with semi-professional models for extreme sports.
• Stels bikes are much cheaper than their foreign counterparts, because of what they become accessible to all segments of the population.
• The bikes are equipped with a complete set of attachments both own production and foreign. Depending on the modification, bicycles are equipped with wings, bells, reflectors, footboards, baskets and luggage racks, and models for the smallest are equipped with a convenient handle.
• Holding products are of high quality and can last for more than one year. All bicycles are designed taking into account the road features characteristic of 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 sensitively monitoring changes in the global market., and when developing new models take into account all modern trends. This allows the company to keep up to date and produce competitive samples.

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

• Many note the poor quality of the paintworkwhich clings and cracks even with a slight mechanical impact.
• Great complaints among consumers are caused by the unreliability of fastening attachments, which shakes quickly from shaking and requires regular tightening of the nuts.
• Due to the use of cheap lubricants, the brakes, carriage and fork soon begin to creak. However, this problem is completely solvable, and after washing the nodes and applying good lubrication to them, the squeaks cease.
• Most adult models are designed for people whose height does not exceed 170 cm, which is why high bikers experience significant inconvenience while riding and are forced to change bicycles of other companies.
• The frame of most models is made of steel, which makes bicycles very heavy. For example, the weight of women's bikes sometimes exceeds 15 kg, and the weight of children's bicycles reaches 12 kg.
• Many mountain bikes are not designed for high loads in off-road conditions. and steep descents and are suitable only for beginners.

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

This type of bikes from the company "Velomotors" causes a lot of controversy. Despite the presence of different indices and categories, they do not fit the role of a serious sporting equipment and belong to the category of mountains only by external signs - geometry of the frame and the presence of attachments.

Even the “advanced” MTVs cannot boast of a strong suspension and reliable transmission. But as an entry-level mountain bike "Stealth" fit perfectly.

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

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

Two-suspensions are bicycles equipped with shock absorption of both wheels, which is why they are distinguished by their greater weight and higher cost. Such models require more complicated maintenance, but they perfectly absorb road roughness and provide stable wheel contact with the coating. But it’s not worth it to deceive oneself too much, since most of the models are not designed for skiing on difficult terrain and downhill. But driving on asphalt or on moderately rough terrain will be quite comfortable and safe.

Fatbikes are a subspecies of mountain bikes, which are distinguished by wide tires 3.5-5 inches thick. 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 are a bit short of professional equipment.

The range of women's bikes Stels consists of two lines - Stels Miss and Stels Navigator Ladyincluding a large number of samples. Distinctive features of female models are a pleasant coloring, a special configuration of the frame and its 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.

Tales of this category are very common among the population and are leaders in sales on the Russian market. The folding model frame does not have an upper crossbar and is equipped with a movable unit.

Foldable mechanism equipped with female, male, teenage and even children's models that can fold in half without any tool. Steel and aluminum are used as the material for folding bikes, and the steering wheel and saddle are often telescopic.

Some folding bikes are equipped with a multi-speed transmission in the form of a planetary hub and have shock absorbers. More modern models are equipped with folding pedals, which allows folding the bike to a very compact size.

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

The most common teenage mountain bicycles designed for entry-level country cross-country, 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 road models include walking, city and tourist bicycles equipped with wheels with a diameter of 20 to 28 inchesin and intended for unhurried walks on roads with even hard surface. Such bikes are aimed at amateur cyclists and are well suited for the role of everyday transport. You can ride them in ordinary clothes and use them to travel to work.

Stels freight bicycles are represented by three-wheeled models, designed to transport small loads on roads with a smooth asphalt or dirt surface.

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

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

Velomotors company produces a huge number of bicycles for children from 1.5 to 11 yearsdesigned taking into account the characteristics of the development of the child and his needs. Models with two side wheels and a pusher handle are designed for the smallest cyclists, allowing parents to help the baby move, and also to control the path of the bike.

A distinctive feature of the Stels model range is its “non-linearity”, as many lines include several types of bicycles at once. For example, we can consider the family Navigator and Pilot, to which belongs a large number of mountain, road, folding, children's and teenage bikes in different variations. The remaining Stels families are more specialized. So, the series Miss represented exclusively by female models, Focus - with two suspensions, Saber - BMX type bicycles, Energy - freight samples, and Agressor - fatbikes.

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

This family is the largest and includes mountain and road models for adults and children. Distinctive features of the line are a reliable, durable design and low price. Bicycles are equipped with 26-28 inch wheels, are available on steel or aluminum frames and have a transmission with 18-24 speeds. The braking system is represented by V-brake mechanisms 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 Navigator. It consists of a large number of the most diverse models, including fat bikes and folding bikes, designed for all age groups. Teenage "Pilots" often have the designations Gent or Lady, indicating the girl's or boy's belonging to a bike.

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

The range is represented by mountain double suspensions designed for country cross. Bicycles have a steel frame and are designed for adult bikers. This is due to the large weight of the models, reaching 18 kg. An example is a bicycle. Focus V 26 18-sphaving an 18-inch frame, an 18-speed transmission with Shimano Tourney switches (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 bikes and includes more than 20 models. The 5000, 6000, 6100, 6300, and 6500 Series bikes are versatile mountain models and are suitable for rough terrain and asphalt riding. Models of the 7500, 7700, 8500, 8700, 9300 and 9500 series have higher functionality and are designed for country cross.

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

The range is represented by mountain double suspensions designed for amateur cyclists.

The bike is available on a steel frame, has Tektro rim mechanical brakes, an SR Suntour XCT shock absorber fork with a stroke of 80 mm and a 21-speed transmission. The weight of the bike is 17.8 kg, the cost is 14,255 rubles.

Bicycles from this line are designed for extreme skiing and are designed for lovers 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 switches, 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 double-suspension bikes 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 available 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 presented by reliable bicycles for extreme skiing. An example is a fat bike. Stels Aggressor MD 24 V010 2019, which has a rigid fork, a solid frame and wide wheels. The bike is designed for riding on sand and snow and can be used as a bike with increased cross-country ability for year-round use.

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

When choosing a Stels bike, there are a number of things to consider:

• 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, as they are practically trouble-free and as reliable as possible;
• if a bicycle is bought for trips around the city, then there is no point in acquiring a mountain model and you can restrict yourself to the usual road model, which will be much cheaper and lighter than its "advanced" brother;
• when buying a bike for a student, 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 bikes are quite consistent with their price and are designed for a wide consumer. The well-thought-out frame design, good tires, strong rims, availability of spare parts and ease of repair are noted.

Of the negative reviews can be noted poor paintwork and low quality pedals. In addition, the luggage carriers of road models quickly rust, and stickers on the frame fly off in the first year. Many celebrate poor calls and hard seats. However, the most common owners problem is heavy bike, because of which long trips often have to be abandoned and content with short walks.

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