Folding city bicycles perfectly solve the problem of movement of adults and children in settlements. Such bikes cost not too much, which makes them the subject of wide consumer accessibility and increases their popularity.
Characteristics
Folding city bike is a compact vehicle equipped with one or more movable units, providing folding the frame into 2 or more parts. The production of folding bikes 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 the "Schoolchildren" and "Urals" with the usual frame, however, they immediately gained popularity and for some time were included in the list of scarce goods.
Today, urban folding models are present in every bike shop and have an acceptable cost. 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 steering wheel and pedals. Many models are equipped with articulated mechanisms that can be locked with spring clips. This design allows you to fold the bike literally in a matter of seconds, while spending a minimum of effort, despite the fact that old-style bicycles took several minutes to do this and it was necessary to first untwist and then tighten the bolts.
Most urban models with a folding frame are designed exclusively for driving on smooth paved roads and are not suitable for traveling over rough terrain. Many bikes have a single-speed design and are equipped with a rear brake.
Although the latest trends in bicycle construction are such that manufacturers equip folding bikes with high-speed systems and hand brakes, however, folding such models is often difficult due to the presence of cables and additional attachments.
Advantages and disadvantages
The great popularity of folding walking bikes for the city due to a number of undeniable 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 metro, but also taken with you to shops, cafes and other public spaces. When transported in a passenger car, the bicycle fits freely in the passenger compartment or trunk and takes up little space.
- Many folding bikes are equipped with a gear shifting system, which facilitates driving in urban terrain and allows you to choose 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 dirtying the surrounding with dirty wheels.
- When folding, some bicycles turn into a “trolley”, which is very convenient to roll in front of you and does not need to be carried in your hands.
Due to the fact that the folding bike does not need to be left on the street and can always be carried with you, the risk of theft of such models is reduced to zero.
However, along with the obvious advantages, there are still disadvantages of folding city bikes. This is an increase in the weight of the structure, due to the presence of a folding mechanism and adversely 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 in the best case, and in the worst case - break down.
Another disadvantage is the presence of "extra" articulated joints and locking mechanisms, which generally complicates the design and requires constant monitoring of their condition. Moreover, adult folding bikes have wheel size restrictions, and models with wheels even 26 ”are rare, with the most common size being 20”. This is due to the main requirement for folding bikes, which is their compactness, which, having large wheels, is difficult to achieve.
Varieties
Classification of folding city bikes It is produced according to several criteria, such as wheel size, folding mechanism, type of brakes and the presence of speeds.
- The size of the wheels affects the compactness of the bike when folded, which is why models with small wheels have more value. Although lately bikes with large wheel sizes have begun to be encountered, which makes moving on them more convenient, however, they noticeably reduce the convenience of their transportation and storage. The best option for adult models is the size 18-20 ", for children - from 12 to 16".
- According to the folding method, bicycles are divided into 3 types. The former are able to fold in half and have a movable assembly on the frame. The second are equipped with numerous articulated joints, thanks to which the size of the bike is reduced several times. Such models have a high cost and high weight. The third type of folding bike involves disassembling the frame into separate tubes, which are collected in one bundle and placed in a cover. Despite the compactness of prefabricated models, their speed is much lower, and the strength of the frame is doubtful. However, for short trips on flat sidewalks, this option is quite suitable.
- The type of brakes and the number of speeds are in most cases interconnected. So, single-speed bikes are equipped with a rear brake, while multi-speed models have hand brakes like V-brake or disc brakes.
The best models
The modern market offers a huge selection of folding city bikes. Below are the most popular models, the positive reviews of which are most often found on the Internet.
- The undisputed leader in popularity ratings is mini-model Strida SX, literally turning the view of users on a modern bike and immediately fell in love with Russian cyclists. The bike has a non-standard shape and is very easy to fold. The model weighs 11.3 kg, which allows you to go down the bike in the subway and go to the shops. When folded, it resembles a compact trolley that can be rolled in front of you. In addition, the bike is very maneuverable, has a small trunk and is equipped with 18 ”wheels. Strida SX is not able to develop high speeds and is designed to move in a big city and flat roads.
The only drawback of such bikes is their price in excess of 30,000 rubles (as of 2019).
- Bike Shulz Max Designed for adolescents over 12 years old, due to the 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, rear and front brakes of the V-brake type, equipped with a steel frame, 20 ”wheels and when folded, it does not exceed 60 cm in length. The bike does an excellent job of climbing, easy to assemble and very durable. The cost of the model is 14,500 rubles (2019).
- Single speed rear brake Forward Sevilla 1.0 is one of the lowest in its category and is more popular among residents of the countryside. This is due to the large wheel size of 26 ", which makes it easy to move along country and dirt roads. The model is equipped with a luggage rack and equipped with a pump, compact when folded and can be stored in the pantry or on the balcony. The weight of the bike is 17.2 kg, the cost is 7990 rubles (2019).
- Folding bike with planetary hub Forward Enigma 20 3.0 It has 3 speeds, 20 ”wheels, rim brakes and an aluminum frame that greatly facilitates the construction of the bike. The bike folds easily and, thanks to its speed, is perfect for daily walks. There is a model of 20,000 rubles (2019).
An overview of the Kwiggl City Folding Bike see below.
