Overview of the smallest bikes

In big cities, a small bicycle has long become fashionable - you can ride with it in the elevator of high-rise buildings, 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 because it is much more maneuverable than usual. And in recent years, with the emerging fashion for a healthy and active lifestyle, small folding models are becoming more and more popular.

The first folding bike 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, before which it had been bought abroad for military purposes. At the beginning of World War II, lighter models were created that were used by British paratroopers.

But folding bikes gained real popularity in the 70-80s of the XX century. Many people born in the Soviet Union remember such brands as “Stork”, “Salute”, “Desna”.

Most modern folding bikes still have a frame as the main folding element, but otherwise they look like ordinary bikes with an open frame. These include, for example, The popular Pilot model of the Russian brand Stels.

The stores offer a large assortment of Stels Pilot - in different sizes and colors, adults and children, with aluminum and steel frames, with one speed or gearbox with the choice of high-speed mode.

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

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

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

Such a folding mini-bike is often called in English A-bike, since its small frame is similar to 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 with which A-bikes are endowed. Their diameter rarely reaches 15 inches. Thanks to this, these bicycles have also received the comic nickname "scooter with pedals."

Known to cyclists and very tiny two-wheeled friends. There are quite microscopic ones among them, for example, souvenir models or such 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, and it is placed on the tip of the needle. But such kids are suitable only to decorate the interior or amaze the imagination.

But in nature there is a real workable bike 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 the brakes, and an adult can ride on it, but its dimensions do not exceed the boot - the diameter of the wheels is 2 cm and the height reaches about 3 cm.

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

• small sizes (especially small wheels) and a folding frame greatly facilitate transportation in any form of transport (including aircraft) and storage in small apartments;
• thanks 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;
• fairly 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 design - with a minimum number of attachments and maintenance units, which facilitates the use of the bike and its maintenance;
• affordable price most models;
• allow you to move quickly and cheaply in a big city, and even with health benefits (especially if you travel away from the main highways).

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

• small wheels, which make life much easier during storage and transportation of the bike, do not allow to develop high speed and are very sensitive to the quality of roads - one of the main problems in Russia (the cyclist puts himself in danger using A-bikes on bad roads with a lot of bumps);
• folding frame not as durable as ordinary;
• on mini bikes usually no transmission which does not allow switching speeds (on some models it is found, but such bikes are expensive);
• the equipment of such bikes is minimal, for example, there are no disc brakes on them (if the buyer wants to have them, he will have to install them on his own);
• inexpensive folding bikes have pretty heavy weight;
• compact mini bikes have not very good motor performance - you need to ride them smoothly, do not develop high speed, slow down slowly.

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

• their frame folds in only one place, and the steering wheel does not fold at all, because of this a folded bicycle 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;
• low quality 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 bikes have the same characteristics. Montague.

Choosing compact bikes with the most popular wheel size - from 20 to 24 inches, knowledgeable cyclists prefer production models Bike Friday or Boardwalk Raleigh. They differ in price and weight from each other (the latter are cheaper and heavier). In general, both of them are very comfortable, but not too compact.

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

The smallest bikes with a wheel diameter not exceeding 16 inches are best bought from manufacturers Dahon or strida (the second is 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 some of the most popular compact bikes that are worth describing in more detail.

• The company is considered the oldest and one of the best manufacturers of compactors in the world. Dahon (USA). She has been producing folding models since 1982. The main advantages are the reliability and simplicity of the mechanism. The most popular Dahon Jifo model folds up in 7 seconds, weighs 9.4 kg and costs from 500 euros.

• One of the best models on the market is Brompton SL. This is the most expensive and almost the most compact bike among folding models (the price starts from 900 euros).

• Tales of the English company Strida - Perhaps one of the most unusual on the bicycle market. They immediately catch the eye thanks to the aluminum frame in the form of a triangle. They were invented by the designer Mark Sanders for people who go a long way to work every day with multiple transfers (which is very typical for residents of big 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 bikes. They are very convenient in urban environments, greatly facilitating movement along the busy streets of megacities.

You can find out more useful and interesting information about various models of folding compact bikes from the following video.